How much truth is there to what this trainer is saying?

I've been going to the gym for almost 2 weeks now. In my gym package, I get two personal training sessions. I had been going in and doing my own thing and was approached by a trainer today while on the treadmill. I typically do anywhere from 30-45 minutes on the treadmill, at around 3.5 mph, keeping my heartrate in the target zone. I then do about 15 minutes on the recumbent bikes, doing a total of around 1 hour, 5 days a week of cardio. I then add about 5 to 10 minutes of weight lifting for my arms.
This trainer told me that I am doing far too much cardio and I need to be doing 30 minutes of cardio/30 minutes of weight, and that too much cardio will cause me to gain weight.
I told him that I have been on the Atkins low carb diet for two months and he completely shot it down, stating that I HAVE to eat carbs. I do eat carbs, in the form of salad greens and vegetables. I do not eat sugar, pasta, bread, or potatoes, and truthfully, I feel more energized on the diet. (more)

He told me that I need to continue to eat things like pasta and bread (even though I feel better without them) and that my eating and diet plans are all wrong, despite the fact that I have lost 20 pounds in 2 months.
He then took me through a weight training session that about killed me. He had me do 100 crunches on a machine with 20 pounds of weight. I could hardly even breathe afterwards, along with 80 squats and all of these other exercises that left me barely able to walk. I am unable to push myself this hard, as I have two children and I HAVE to be able to walk without crying.

The personal trainer then proceeded to tell me that he would work with me for (the lowest program price) of 100 dollars for four times a month. I really can't afford it and told him so, but still felt pressured.

So my question is, is this trainer just telling me all of this so that I will hire him, or is there truth to what he is saying? (regarding diet, exercise, etc.)

45 minutes is a bit extreme for cardio, at most you should be doing about 15 minutes treadmill, and the same again for rowing machine and cross-trainer, (which also tones), though 10 minutes on each would be better.

Of course, be sure to warm up and warm down, you should also consider eating more proteins and carbs, wholegrain rice, pasts, red meats, fish, that sort of thing, as well as potatoes and other vegetables, (get your 5 a day and all that).

If you with to put on weight, you should be eating around 2,000 calories a day, though 2,500 would be beneficial, it's more than the average woman eats, but if you want to put on weight, you need more calories, (the food suggested will give you the calories that can be earily burnt off).

The trainer gave some average advice, but all they try to do is drum up business, I feel my advice would be beneficial, but if you do get a Personal Trainer, go to them, not let them come to you, pick a trainer you feel comfortable with.

Finally, avoid the Atkins diet, honestly, how good can it be, if the person who invented it, died from it, this is like me recommending the Anthrax diet, then eating a load of toxic chemicals....the result would not be a beneficial one, for food, I'd recommend seeing a dietician, or your GP.

Cardio will make you gain weight? I never saw an overweight professional cyclist!

all i know is that to much cardio will NOT make you gain weight.
also, sounds like that trainer is stupid and just wants your money.


good luck!
~maddie~

It sounds like he's telling you everything completely wrong and he's probably just a scam. Dont hire him please. RIP OFF

rip-offff

honestly, there are so many idiots out there who call themselves personal trainers.

Every trainer has a different style of training and advice . If you are not happy with his advice you have the right of course to turn down his services . I really don't think he was trying to make a sale he was just trying to help you . Now I don't agree with his theory on cardio , yes you can do to much but its not going to make you gain weight you will lose muscle mass. I will say I do agree with him on the Atkins diet but will not preach to you for I am a Personal Trainer as well. When you listed that you eat carbs the carbs you listed do not count . Those carbs are in the form of " fibrous carbs" . All I can say is good luck .

ironic that people still use the atkins diet as the inventer died because of it... anyway stick to high carbohydrates and less fats and protiens as this will give a good ATP production rate and will allow you to work harder for longer that being said it will also lower the amount of fat reserve burnt, tbh i would go with the trainer as they are paid to know what they're talking about.

There is a lot of truth to what he is telling you. The Atkins diet is ok for a short period of time but you do need to add carbs. Salad greens and most vegetables have very few carbs so you are probably not getting any carbs from salad unless it is from the dressing. There is nothing wrong with 1 hour of cardio but you do need to spend more time lifting weights.

I think that if you see results on a diet then it obviously is working. Don't listen to him. If he comes up to yuo again say "Im sorry but I cant afford that right now, and I like to do it my own way even it is wrong". If he keeps bugging you, complain to the manager. I have heard that for results you should do about 45 minutes of cardio. But you will definetly not GAIN weight. Just keep on doing what your doing and congratulations on the weight loss! Keep up the good work!

First, he easily overdid the exercise. There is no reason ANYONE does 100 reps or 80 reps unless they're highly trained athletes with very specific gains in mind. You should have been more around 15-20 reps of lighter weight. I think he's establishing that he'll work you harder then you think you can go. That's important, but he was overkilling. it's not worth $100 a month.

Secondly, he is absolutely correct with the carbs. You need to have carbohydrates in your system. A single gram of carbs has the same caloric value as a gram of protein. You are good that you're staying away from sugar, but you should incorporate SOME sort of carbohydrate. Keep it in the form of whole wheat pastas and 12 grain or oatmeal breads. They provide a good dietary foundation for your body.

Even if you are dropping weight, it may not be good weight. Your body can develop a deficit of important minerals and vitamins that are in carbs and you can do damage to yourself. You don't have to go nuts and you can still avoid sugars and potatoes. Just try to add a few slices of whole wheat bread or a single meal of whole wheat pasta.

Good luck!

Well, if what you're doing is working then stick to it, however...

There's truth to what he's saying, but it depends on your goals.

Excessive cardio can hinder fat burning because at a certain point during a long cardio session your body switches from burning fat to burning muscle (that's why all long distance runners are really skinny...I was one of them so I know!)

So yeah, you don't need to do as much cardio as your doing and you'll still see results.

Also, he wants you to lift weights because it builds muscle. Muscle helps burn fat (it helps raise your metabolism because your body needs more calories to maintain muscle).

From my experience, the Atkins diet is not effective. However, you seem to be doing a modified version of it (low-carb).

He's technically right, you're body does need carbs. He's not telling you to go home and eat a loaf of bread. He's saying don't completely neglect carbs. There are carbs that can be really beneficial to you while dieting. Whole grains for example.

Yes, lots of trainers are misinformed, but there's some truth to what this guy said.

He's full of crap.

There is NO nutritional need for carbs, and you are getting plenty from your veggies. In the absence of dietary carbohydrate, your body will manufacture the small amount of glucose you need from the protein you eat. He's obviously not up on the latest nutritional research.

Cardio is not going to make you gain weight, however strength training IS the best way to lose fat.

Do what's working for you for now, continue to do your research on nutrition and exercise. Ignore this boob.

Doing a lot of Cardio will not make you gain weight. If you are on the Atkins diet stay to it. When the trainer says eat pasta he just wants you to have carbohydrates which give you energy to workout. I say that you shouldn't be to concerned in what he says stay to your daily routine if you are losing weight.

He's got his opinion & it's not everyones.

What your doing is great and if you're happy with it - stick with it. (let me say here, tho' it's always good to vary your workouts.)

It depends on your goals, really. To lose weight? Get fit? Get ready for a sport? I'm thinking you're doing it to stay fit & maybe lose some weight, Hence the Atkins. Low carb can be great if you can stick with it. U dont need a lot of carbs. O, & for some people breads & pastas & such will just pour on the weight. Im one of them, so I avoid them. People will tell you Atkins is terrible for you. I read his books & did/do the diet - its great.

I could go on & on, but if you're comfortable with what youre doing, remember there's a lot of views on this subject, there's a lot of info available to you on the net. Dont take the trainers word for it. He probably really believes it. Doesnt make it right, tho'.

Whew! just read Ur additional info...lose this guy - fast!

And may I add...take your time. You seem to have gotten a good routine going & gotten results. Add & take things away as seems logical to you, not by somebody force feeding them to you.

Ok, like I said I showed my uncle your question and basically he summed up by saying that he had never heard so much sh*t in his life. I suggest you read into this man's qualifications as he doesn't seem to have a clue about what he is saying. I'll tell you everything else he said on IM! :D

Personal trainers seldom know much more than the average gym-goer. Even if they're certified, all they know is what they've been told to say. You know your body much better than he does anyway. Keep in mind, he was just trying to make a sale. Like all too many salesmen, the truth is a mere inconveience.

Despite a LOT of people trying desperately to shoot down Atkins, it works. Despite a mountain of evidence that it works and is safe, the desperate shrill cries against avoiding carbs are still out there. This, in and of itself, should show you that this "trainer" needs to wake up and smell the research.

As the good Doctor Atkins pointed out. Carbs provide nothing but fuel. Since you can get fuel from almost any food source, carbs are completely optional. I've had people who were completely serious claiming that cutting out carbs would literally kill you within six months. When asked to explain why I was fine after nine months without carbs, they were at a loss.

Too much cardio training is unlikely to get you to bulk up, but if it does it will be in a good way. Whatever muscle group you're using to engage your heart may gain a little size, but if you're losing fat, the net result should be that your body will get smaller. You'll also be better able to burn calories in the future, since muscle takes more energy to maintain than fat.

Don't give in to this goober. I'm sure he means well, but he's not as competent as he thinks. More weight training might help you, and taking the muscles to failure every once in a while is good for overall conditioning, but you don't need this guy to help you do it. Make sure your weight training is challenging to you, use proper form, and listen to your body.