I am writing this review purely to caution middle age women like myself with similar goals to not be hasty and to take time and do their due diligence in hiring a personal trainer.
I believed in the customized training story, paid upfront for a 36-session (which is pricing for a senior trainer) and a separate $70 assessment fee. I was then assigned to a young trainer in early twenties based on my availability/scheduling. I began training very enthusiastically, hoping to build strength and achieve sustainable fat loss and enjoy the health journey. Sessions were 3 times a week (M,W,F) 60 minutes with additional 15 minute warmup & 10 minute cool down. This particular trainer usually followed supersets (4 exercises × ~15 reps) and minimal rest--sitting down between exercises was not allowed, and water breaks were at the trainer's discretion. I was chastised for drinking water when he said not to in one session. It was boot camp/military style approach is what I realized which is not at all what I was looking for.
After 5 weeks, I started dreading going to the sessions as I was in constant pain of one sort or another - tried to voice my concerns he heard me but did not listen or believe.
Mainly I developed persistent knee joint pain which is not normal soreness--making squats, lunges, sitting, standing and regular walking very difficult.
FYI - I am 60 year old female with no medical history or any kind of health issues or joint pains. The trainer pushed exercises anyway, stating discomfort was "how muscles learn," and encouraged extremely low calorie diet. For lack of a better term, a punishment-based approach was used on occasion . For ex: for minor lateness to a warmup (5 mts vs 15mts), extra mountain climbers were added to an already intense sessions to teach accountability (in his words), which was very demeaning and rude. Previously I attributed his off-handed comments at times to young age & inexperience. This particualr day when I had to do extra sets is when I started having serious second thoughts about continuing at this facility. I was in this long haul. Respect, listening to your clients & adapting to their needs are basics in any profession.
Finally - the following week after an intense leg session (supersets of walking lunges, progressive overload leg press from 45 to 70lbs jump and few other intense exercises) caused a severe knee injury, leaving me unable to stand , sit or walk and in pain for nearly four weeks. That is the decision point for me that this trainer/approach is not a good fit for me.
I have foregone five paid sessions, prioritized my health over money and ended the association. There was phone tag with the owner couple of times - I wanted to provide constructive feedback for improvement. We never connected. I did not expect any refund from them nor did I pursue - left it to the owner's discretion.
As of today - I still cannot fully use my legs or knees to get into squats as I used to . Hoping to slowly ease back to my former self.
Overall -this program felt very unsafe. Did not meet expectations for what I was sold on/signed up for (for my individual goals at my age and fitness level), was overly aggressive with a one size fits all bootcamp approach. read more