Question for the fitness/weight lifting folks..

I am in the process of "interviewing" a few PTs & gyms in general..

I have a real interest in HIT super-slow lifting, and one of the places I am looking into, that is their core training style. This one place is specifically a personal-trainer/client alone model. You are there, with your trainer, period- no other distractions.. I'm really considering committing to the 12 week program (1 session a week.) Then perhaps taking what I learned and doing it in a regular gym on my own so I'm not shelling out a fortune constantly.. I'm thinking, knowing me- it may be a good idea for me to start out a new harder routine with someone, just to get me past that initial hump where the urge to call no-joy happens more often.

Anyone have any exp with HIT/SS/low rep lifting vs the good old slow & controlled, slightly higher rep lifting? 

I'm not sure if this is comparable, but I started working with a personal trainer a few weeks ago that uses the Paul Chek method - 30 minute, full-exhaustion workouts, twice a week.  So, he works any given muscle group high intensity to the point of full exhaustion of that muscle, but it's a mixture of regular pace and slow lifting.  It's mostly focused on muscle and core strength, with a little flexibility and balance work - I do cardio on my own the rest of the week (even I can figure out how to run!). 
I work with him one-on-one, and it's expensive, but TOTALLY worth it - I was seeing and feeling a difference after only a couple of weeks.  Since I'm a complete newbie to strength training, I love that I'm working with someone who's paying such close attention to my form so I don't injure myself, and he tailors my workouts to what I need.  Even better, he works with 2 other people at my office, so he comes to us, and we do our workouts in our tiny gym on-site, back to back.  How convenient is that??
Not sure how long I can afford to do it, as it's a fairly substantial financial outlay, but I dropped my yoga classes to do this instead, and I'm considering it part of my annual bonus and a goal reward.

Very similar- taken to the point of muscle failure, but the reps are exclusively really slow.. I just don't know (yet) if that extra slow (10sec up, 10sec down) makes any diff.. I have a book coming from the library that digs a little deeper into the science of it.. muscle work only, 1x a week- recovery and cardio on my own for the remainder till I see them again.. that's one option.. looking at a couple others.

Can you tell us just how expensive? Is it in the hundreds? I so want a personal trainer--you are lucky that you can have one and utilize one to maximize your new body sculpting! Good for you!~also how many weeks does the investment cover?

It comes to 30/session (30min session).. all the ones I've looked into are $30-$40/30 mins. Two places I inquired about really want a 12 session commitment.. one is on top of gym fees (very close by, nice basic gym- no frills, nice trainers) the other is a stand alone deal- but 35-40min drive away.. 

Last time I had a PT, it was $35/30mins, and I saw her 2-3x a week, spent half the time doing cardio- I won't do that again.. the cardio part- the trainer is fantastic (for me) since anytime I start up a harder routine, or a new one.. I'm catching myself arguing with myself in the middle of it to stop.. they keep you from actually stopping! Plus it really helps to have someone make sure you are working properly both to get the most out of it- and to keep you from hurting yourself in the beginning, which I've done years and years ago thinking I was good to just go for it~!

Getting a BodPod done this Friday, so at least I will have an accurate (hopefully??) gauge on where I'm starting vs the impedance scale I've been using.. really curious to see if they are even close.

Mine is similarly priced - $42 per session, 30 minute sessions, with an 8 session commitment. I'm hoping eventually I could work with him just once a week, and do strength work one day a week on my own, once I have a good sense of what to do, how much weight, and form. I could see it taking months to get to that point though, there's too much variety, and my memory's not that good!

Not sure I can add to this discussion, but here goes.....

I see my trainer once per week at $35 a pop for 30 minutes. I do my own warm up prior to my session.

My work outs each week are modified HIT circuits. We don't work to the point of total exhaustion of the muscle (I still have to be able to walk when I'm done! LOL), but damn close.

The real gold in the slow reps is the slow release. That's what takes the most control and work. For instance, doing a simple dumb bell curl you can go up on a count of 3 BUT going down slow it way down - maybe a count of 8 or 10 - to return to the full extension. You will find by the end of a set of 15 reps your bicep will be shaking! That's what gives great results.

A good indication for me of whether my intensity is high enough is my pulse rate during my circuit. I tend to keep it between 130 and 135/140 for the full half hour and then follow it with 30 minutes of moderate cardio to keep my pulse rate at 125-130.

My trainer watches me like a hawk correcting form and walking me through difficulties in each exercise. He then expects me to do the circuit on my own at least two more times before I see him again. 

I'm very pleased with my results. Jo, I think you've seen my pics, so you can judge. I'm not really going for bulk, but toning and definition. I think it's happening.

Uh, yeah.. I'd say it's happening pretty damn well for you.



I wouldn't mind bulk, but as a woman- not going to get a lot.. but I remember (back in the good ol' days) when I was lifting what it did for me.. I want that again. I think I've decided on a place.. I have the bodycomp test Friday, another apt at another place next week just for ****s & giggles.. then decision time. 

I can't really add anything to the discussion on the training, but those prices are so reasonable!  I'm not sure if just a difference in location, but most places out here are $100+ for an hour.  I think everything is inflated in NY and NJ...

Everytime I've had a personal trainer they've been great regardless of training style.  Just that extra push that you wouldn't give yourself is worth it.

Good luck!

I grew up in Bergen Co, and yep- everything is priced a lot higher.

I love the push PTs give.. even the one that spend too much time in cardio- I wouldn't have ever gone in that hard if I didn't have her pushing me. She also taught me a lot..