Weights on your own vs trainer

mitziandbubba · November 2019

HI everyone,

To make a long story short, I worked with a trainer for several years, then moved and was training on my own since 2016. Then BAM cancer. I miss my trainer but I did OK on my own too. For anyone who weight trained before cancer - are you comfortable on your own?

After cancer I discovered a personal training studio in my town. I was really excited and started there after radiation. I really felt I needed the guidance of a trainer to help b/c of lymphedema risk. Well the thing is...I just don't think I like the new gym. A first I thought it was because my fitness has suffered so greatly that I just felt bad I couldn't do the workouts the way I wanted but I think just miss my old workouts at the Y. The trainer is great but I am scared she is pushing me too hard with upper body also.

edj3 · November 2019

Disclaimer: I've never used a personal trainer.

Think you need to trust your instincts. You're smart, you've worked out for years so you know what your before fitness was, where you might struggle etc. I'm guessing you already know the kinds of workouts you want and need.

So two solutions: tell your PT what you wrote here. See how she responds. If you are still not feeling the love, then stop w/ her and figure out if you need a PT at this point. If you do want/need one, then look around some more.

I do all my workouts at home (got a nifty home gym in my dining room. I've been super cautious and now I'm pushing harder but doing my best to pay attention to what my pec, armpit, breast and the rest of my body is telling me.

mitziandbubba · November 2019

Thank you. I trained before with a pro bodybuilder and I feel good about what she taught me - although she has us do very high reps which I am going to cut back on for upper body. She also just spoiled me for other trainers I think. But I moved 45 minutes away from her gym and it does not seem practical to go back to her. That gym had a very friendly atmosphere too. I felt comfortable there.

The new trainer is really pushing deadlifts and I have a bulging disk and my PT said no deadlifts. The trainer said my form is poor and that is the problem, but the PT sad no deadlifts for me. I feel pressured to do them. She's also all about this machine called a ski erg that simulates cross country skiing, and it just feels like a recipe for hurting myself. Other than these things, I like most of the workouts she gives me but the whole thing feels wrong.

I think I might take a break from the trainer and go back to my Y workouts and see how I do on my own. The Y is a much friendlier atmosphere. My husband is keen to start working out again and he will only do to the Y. Much cheaper of course than the trainer too although I don't mind paying whatever I need to when it comes to fitness. I wanted to do the livestrong program but sadly it is not offered at my Y, the closest one is an hour away. I still wish I had done it and maybe when the next round is offered I will just find time to do it.

SummerAngel · November 2019

I train on my own. I've read (although I don't know for sure if this is true) that most trainers aren't at all familiar with the needs of those of us at an increased risk of Lymphedema.

mitziandbubba · November 2019

SummerAngel I brought a handout to my trainer from StepUpSpeakOut.org. She read it and seems pretty ok but she is pushing me and I think too fast. The fact is that I am strong still, she always says oh, you can lift more but I know I SHOULD NOT yet. My PT said 10 lbs and under for now - I am stronger than most women she sees she told me but still.

She has a client with lymphedema also so she knew about it. But I agree that most trainers were not familiar. There is actually a woman who is a 3 time BC survivor at my old gym who is a trainer who specializes in survivors! But she doesn't work there now and I cannot find her. It is also very far away but I'd drive 1x a week to have a session.

WC3 · November 2019

I've always trained on my own because most trainers don't understand my limitations, but after having to see a physical therapist for problems I have developed over the years, I think physical therapists are worth it if you have the means to see one. I'm trying to build my strength back as well. I am seeing a physical therapist for surgery related issues but they have agreed to help with my other issues as well and I am thinking about more long term training with one.

Ingerp · November 2019

I think personal trainers are great if you don't have the motivation to get yourself to the gym (my oldest is one!). But I've never used one--I think I'm just too cheap. Also, at my age, I don't need anyone pushing me. I keep a journal with my weightlifting in it (basically routines I found on the internet) and I can see the progress I've made. I also stopped doing the Body Pump class I'd been doing regularly for several years--it's high rep/low weight, but I read a study that found that increased muscle mass is good for BC prevention, so I'm doing higher weights/lower reps. I've also never worried about LE. What *did* happen several times was cording, including over a year after I'd finished rads. It always seemed related to an increase in weightlifting on my part, and my BS said that's entirely possible. They said I could get a PT referral or just wait it out--it always resolves on its own. Easy-peasy.

mitziandbubba · November 2019

Ingerp - I first went to a trainer b/c I lacked motivation and also to learn more but now I am motivated! I guess I just felt that I needed the help. I was also hoping that the new gym would be a community like the gym I used to go to, but I'm not finding the people very friendly. The Y, where I went before cancer wasn't a strong community but people were nice and they mostly left you alone.

Ingerp · November 2019

There was another thread started by a woman who was going to a gym where people were making negative comments about her not keeping up with others in her classes. Really hard to believe. My gym has four locations in town, several of which I go to. I've never had anything but gentle smiles and nobody would *ever* comment on anyone's performance (or lack thereof) in a group class. I'd go where you feel comfortable (and I *love* being left alone at the gym!).

mitziandbubba · November 2019

That was actually me - unless there was another person who had this happen! I had some comments made about not being able to keep up with others - actually at two separate places but one was where I work out with the trainer - that session was group training, some of them are. It makes me mad because I'd never ever even think to look at someone else - TBH, when I work out I am usually too busy/tired/focused to look at anyone.

I made the decision last night to quit the trainer and try going it alone. I can always go back to her if I change my mind. Sometimes I tend to forget that I'm the client in certain situations and that I can choose what I want to do.

Ingerp · November 2019

Whoops--too many usernames to keep up with! My son would encourage you to keep a notebook--mine always goes into the gym with me on weightlifting days. I'd never remember my routine/weight amounts without it but you can also look back and see the progress you've made. (And now you'll have some extra $$ in your pocket!!)

mitziandbubba · November 2019

Our Y has a new app where you can track your workouts! I just found it today. So that will be my notebook! I was using Bodybuilding.com before but I think this might be easier.

I went ahead and quit the trainer - she's a very nice person, I feel bad b/c of that, but I think this will work out better for me at least for now.

What I also did was sign up for two things I did pre BC - an online barre type workout called barre3 and BollyX classes. I had taken BollyX previously and had signed up for a second session of it when I was diagnosed, so I had to drop out of the class. Just today I remembered that I had to quit b/c of cancer, and signed up for the next session - because shouldn't I be doing something I liked doing before cancer again now? BollyX is Bollywood style dance cardio,super fun and there's no modifications to worry about for my BC side.

barre3 is great b/c they actually give you all kinds of modifications in the videos.

Ingerp · November 2019

That all sounds really great! Changing things up can be so good for you, and it sounds like you’re not at all lacking in the motivation department. Enjoy your new routine!

mitziandbubba · November 2019

Thanks Ingerp! I generally take some sort of dance class - I tried actually Bollywood b/c there is a troupe here but they are pretty advanced so I stick with the BollyX. I like the challenge of following the choreography. All the girls in the troupe take it too so I get to hang out with them which is great. They are all in their 20s and it was fun to be the senior statesman of the class actually - I brought in a cake on my birthday once and they were quite surprised that someone older than their mom's was bouncing around with them.

I've done tribal bellydance which I was way better at but there's no longer a class nearby.

I got a very nice message from the trainer who said that I added amazing energy to the gym (damn skippy I did with the negative Nellie's that she's surrounded with!) and she hopes I come back. Maybe I will but meanwhile I'm saving lots of $$ and I get to train with my husband again which is fun.

DorothyB · November 2019

I did not do weight training pre-cancer, but have since joined the LiveStrong program at the Y. It is free and I have learned how to use 13 different weight / strength training machines so far. Since you liked your Y, find out if / when they will offer the next 12 week LiveStrong program. My "coach" is awesome and I also have enjoyed the camaraderie of our group of 6 women who are all doing this together even though we are at different stages in our journeys. It helps a lot having the coach to answer questions and provide guidance and also to have others that will cheer you on as you increase the weight on a machine, have decreased blood pressure, etc.

mitziandbubba · November 2019

Dorothy, I really wanted to do the Livestrong program but it was not offered at my Y. The closest one is over an hour drive away so I didn't think I'd be up for it. Also I travel for work every month and they said I could not miss more than 2 classes. But I was recently thinking that the next time it is offered, I'll just make the trip twice a week and coordinate my travel around it.

mitziandbubba · December 2019

Hello fitness luvahs! I wanted to check in with an update. My PT has me doing some weight bearing exercises on my arms! Nothing like a one armed side plank but I am excited b/c I assumed that down dog etc was off the table for me for life. The PT thinks I am strong enough to start back with some upper body on my own too very slowly. I have very little pain left. She actually thinks PT could be over in a week or two.

Meanwhile, I have started to do barre3 workouts - I don't want to post a link in case I get in trouble but to me they are perfect for rehabbing my body! I think they may have improved my elbow pain and tightness on my BC side more than the PT has! They give you modifications for different exercises so anyone can do them. I love it. Went back to the gym also with my husband and did my leg workout. Legs are still strong as ever!

Weights on your own vs trainer

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