Happy Thursday! I’m really looking forward to this weekend after a long work week. The weekend hasn’t begun but it’s already filled with some fun workouts (Soul Cycle, Strala Yoga) and a fun double date! After this weekend’s workouts I’ll be scaling back my workouts Monday-Friday in preparation of Saturday’s half marathon.
Today’s post is the first part in a reflection on my one year relationship with Lauren, my personal trainer at Equinox.
On March 23rd, 2011 I walked into Equinox unhappy with my body and esteem. While I successfully crossed the finish line of my first marathon just 4 months earlier, I wasn’t feeling like myself. I’d lost my workout mojo, gained weight during marathon training due to too much eating, and was discouraged that my running wasn’t improving.
I didn’t go into my first training session with the intention of investing in a personal trainer. I decided to use my complimentary training session as a way to improve my workouts, introduce weight training, and motivate myself. By the end of our hour session, which included 5 minutes of dynamic warm-ups, 45 minutes of high intensity training, and 10 minutes of stretching, I was sold!
The session left me feeling exhausted and weak but like there was hope. Lauren, a fellow runner, was the perfect mix of intimidating and inspirational. She listened to my goals and helped me outline a way to achieve them. Most importantly, she already felt like someone I could see myself looking forward to seeing each week.
One of my biggest learnings about personal training is that you need to mesh with your trainer. Write down what you THINK you want in a trainer and then share this with your gym. For example, I knew I wanted a female who would push me.
Once I decided to make the investment in personal training, Bo and I had to have a long discussion. Personal training is an investment. It was an even longer discussion since we both were hooked on personal training after our respective training sessions. Personal training sessions at our Equinox location range from $79-$105 per session, depending on your package and the trainer’s tier. Equinox has trainers who are Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 based on their expertise. Yes, we can both do math. This personal health choice of ours cost approximately $320 per week or $600 per month for each of us or $1200 per month total. In order to afford this, we had to make some tough decisions. Remember that trip to Paris we didn’t take last year? Notice my lack of Friday Fashion posts lately? How about the Exhale, Soul Cycle, or Physique classes? We both made certain sacrifices so we could afford this investment. I also had a discussion with Equinox about partnering with them during the year through posts, awareness campaigns, tweets, and reader/blogger events. In exchange, they were willing to provide a modest discount.
But, a year later, it has still been a hefty investment. Hell, I could have had cosmetic surgery in certain cities for this price. But, one year later I’m proud of how far I’ve come and the results I get to feel each day. I’ve played frisbee on a beach in my bikini without trying to cover myself. I can rock out 35 full pushups and have improved my pace in almost every race this year! But, beyond the way I feel or the strength improvements, I’ve also seen weight and measurement improvements.
Below is a chart that shows my progress along the way. Unfortunately, I didn’t take true “before and after” pictures but these caliper numbers speak for themselves.
| 3/20/2011 | 9/6/2011 | 3/3/2012 | |
| Weight | 172 | 169 | 164 |
| Triceps | 19.5 mm | 17.5 | 13.5 mm |
| Abdomen | 20.5 mm | 19 mm | 12.5 mm |
| Illium | 17.5 mm | 17.5 mm | 17 mm |
| Thigh | 10 mm | 9.5 mm | 11 mm |
| Body Fat % | 23% | 19.6 | 18.5 |
Below are a few pictures that illustrate the progress as well. A year later, I’m done cringing at pictures of me.
March 2011
March 2012
Part 2 of this post will discuss some of my favorite workouts, how the workouts have evolved and more about finding a trainer within your personal budget.
Feel free to leave any questions in the comments and I hope you appreciate my honesty on this topic.
Will you do another year?
Oh wow! I thought you looked great at WB last year, but I can really see the difference now!
Amazing progress! I’ve always been interested in personal training and the impact on my body/strength.
I can’t wait to hear the follow up!
Your results are so impressive! Thanks for sharing and being so honest – it’s great to know that something that you sacrificed for and made an investment in was so worth it.
Congrats on such great results! I’m really impressed on how you were able to reduce your body fat to 18.5%! That’s amazing!
I have a question for you since I’m not having the same success. I took up weight training recently after taking a break for over 5 years and I’ve notice that my weight has gone up several pounds and that my pants are even tighter than when I started. This is very frustrating! I have not changed my diet but have added weight training.
Do you have any ideas of why I’m not losing body fat? Did you change your diet when you began using a personal trainer or did you keep your diet the same? Is it possible to lose body fat from strength training if you do not change your diet? I feel stronger, but not leaner unfortunately.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Wow, you look great. I can definitely see the difference from year to year! I’m currently considering doing crossfit after my next marathon in May but it’s SUCH a huge investment. I think I would really benefit from the strength training though. This post was really interesting, thanks for sharing!
I really appreciate your sharing the actual financial numbers. People can be so coy about things like that and I appreciate your honesty, it makes It much easier to consider the decision as a whole. You look great by the way:)
I was just thinking of getting a trainer again. I used to go to Equinox on 19th St. and had a trainer there. Before I changed jobs and started marathon training, I stopped getting PT. I ran my first marathon in November and I never felt less fit in so many ways. I’m running the NYC Half next weekend and then I’m going to get a new trainer at my new regular Equinox location (Columbus Circle). I am going to look for a trainer who is a runner, too. I think that will help me stick with the PT while I train for another fall marathon.
You look great in your “after” photo. I thought you looked fine in your “before” photo, too, but what really matters is that you feel better about yourself.
Did you find that the PT helped to make you a faster runner?
Very interesting! I’ve been successful on my own at building strength and losing weight but whenever I watch Biggest Loser (!), I always wonder what it would be like to have someone pushing me. Maybe it’s possible to dig deeper than I think I can dig. After your post, I’m even more inclined to see what it’s like! Brava for your hard work. 😀
great post on how our health needs to be a priority and sometimes it’s worth the cost!glad you are loving the results 🙂
Thats great! I love before and after pics and stories. But WOW that is quite the investment! That is what our monthly house note is. Congrats on your results!
I’m a new follower! I have been considering personal training recently and this recap is extremely helpful! Can’t wait for part 2 🙂 If you don’t mind my asking, how tall are you?
Wow. Those are some stunning numbers, you should be very proud. Congrats 🙂
Totally agree with “investing” in one’s health. I’m an Equinox member too and I often get criticized by my friends for spending so much for my membership (and I’m sure it’s even pricier in NYC!). So much of my life revolves around running/fitness/working out that I totally think it is worth it! I haven’t yet tried personal training – I’m sure I’d get hooked too. I’ll save that for when/if I ever get married… pre-wedding ass kicking. 🙂
Liz, saving training for pre-wedding is a great idea! If you haven’t used your “free” personal training that you get with your Equinox membership I highly recommend it!
My first step will be to find a boyfriend. Then I will begin think about PT. 🙂
I love this post. I am kind of in the same boat that it sounds like you were last year–great shape cardio fitness wise but just not happy with my body. I am thinking of doing crossfit after my marathon next weekend to help kick my butt into shape.
One problem I had was that I had a personal trainer that I didn’t love–she didn’t push me hard enough and I kind of started to dread my sessions. Any tips on how to switch without hurting anyone’s feelings?
Lizzie, thank you so much! I will definitely address how to break up with a trainer pain free. 🙂
This post is so timely, Ash! I recently just finished up with my three “intro-rate” personal training sessions at my gym, and I am similarly hooked on how much more progress I feel I make when working out with a trainer. I’ve been complaining that it would be incredibly expensive to work with a trainer on a more permanent basis, but your financial figures really help put the cost of a trainer at my gym into perspective. I think I’ll also attempt to talk to management about whether I could receive any kind of similar discount. Your figures are really impressive — and since I’m now not only trying to focus on weight loss but also to develop tone and strength alongside of that, I wouldn’t want to deter myself from any kind of exercise that I actually might possibly enjoy (gasp!) just because of something like money, right? Hahahaha.
Gretchen, I’m glad this post was so timely. One of the things I’m going to address in part 2 is the fact that there are trainers available at almost every price point. Definitely speak to your gym as I’m sure they will work with you!
you look fantastic!! I’d love to invest in personal training when my budget allows.
Thanks Clare! One thing that my trainer helped me realize in preparation for part 2 of this post is that there are trainers available at every price range. I’ll address this in part 2. 🙂
wow you have made an improvement, looking great!
Great post Ashley! It is so true that a personal trainer is an investment. When I joined Equinox, I decided to hire a PT and invested in this service for about a year and a half. Personal training kept me accountable and my trainer tailored workouts specific to my needs. As a result, I was pushed out my comfort zone many times and it boosted my confidence as being athletic. Plus when you are paying all that $$$ it was all the motivation I needed to not let that work go down the drain. I did end the PT relationship about six months ago but the message is ingrained and I make sure I push myself in group fitness classes and challenge myself with running races in order to keep the momentum going.
Thanks Latrice! I couldn’t agree more about the amount of motivation I’ve received from my trainer. I’m glad you saw results as well and have been able to make a positive life change thanks to this investment.
You really notice the difference through your arms and chest– you look great Ashley! And I really appreciate your honesty– it takes courage to post that stuff. Congrats!
You look great! I can definitely see the difference. If I had the budget for it, I’d invest in a personal trainer as well.
Ashley, you look amazing!! I am so glad you have seen such great results in the last year. Have you ever thought about CrossFit? I know some people don’t like it, but for the price, you can fit in some great strength and endurance work!
What a great, honest reflective article. I went through a similar swoon after coming down from my first marathon. A personal trainer is the perfect spark. I absolutely agree with you about the importance of chemistry with your trainer. Thanks.
Hello, I read your blog post and I was really curious about knowing more about the prices at equinox in west Hollywood, I have been debating all last year on whether to go or not. Can you explain to me more about the fees, how many times per week do u train w Lauren and how much is it with her? How much is it a month for one person alone? If u can email me or reply with more info it would be great, thanks!
My email jsaucedo968@yahoo.com
So sorry I misread, is this for the west Hollywood location, there is a trainer named Lauren that I’ve heard good reviews about, but I’m not sure if she’s the one you meant.