Which one is better a "sports scientist" or a "personal trainer?"?

sports scientist = On paper.
personal trainer = Pain before gain.

I personally like a mad scientist and a “man-bot” but since you gave other choices,I’d go with the personal trainer :)

The more they know about physiology and how the body works, the better they can understand what you need. However, there is more to it than prescribing exercise. The personal trainer’s job is to motivate you and keep you on track. I’m not sure that a sports scientist who is your friend would be as good at that as a professional you hired to keep you going. The scientist, being your friend, would have too many agendas, and might not push you as hard as you need to be pushed. He also might not know the best ways of motivating people. I’d think a professional trainer, who came well-recommended, would be better.

I was going to say the friend might work out until I read wun’s response. That’s a good point, the pro might be better. How about another idea I use. Leave a set of free weights and ankle weights in the place you spend the most time at night. While you’re watching tv, reading a book, or whatever you do at night reach over and grab the weights and do some reps. Whatever you want, legs, arms etc. If there setting right next to me, I’ll be reminded to use them. Last night we were watching the hockey game and I just picked them up and got a good workout in. I just can’t get myself in to a trainer frame of mind. It sounds too much like work and if I make it easier, I’m more likely to do it.

I’m unfamiliar with the term sports scientist, but have been using a personal trainer for 15 years. The first one I used was a great guy and used him for years and he was helpful in keeping me on track. The one I have now is a 27 yr old guy who is wise beyond his years. He is in perfect physical shape himself, and is very conscious of overall health. He referred me to a nutritionist and she was very very helpful in honing my diet, which in turn caused a trend of slow weight gain to turn into a trend of slow weight loss. My trainer tells me that unless one is training for strenuous physical competition, the concept of “no pain, no gain” does not apply. He pushes me to “failure” on the last couple of sets that we do, but I never have felt that he has me doing too much weight. In fact, I often feel it is too light. When I mention it, he always tells me slow and consistent is the plan, not “no pain, no gain”.

You say your friend is the sport scientist…I give your friend the shot as they would know you as a person and have some insight to what will help you most. Good luck.

An athletic supporter.~~

@plethora you know I had another aha! moment when I read your post. I was working out for a year, then decided to hire a Personal Trainer. She was so hard on me, making me lift such hard weights etc. that it put me off for good. She said most of her clients threw up after a session the first time. I think I might post a separate post on this to get feedback because it simply stopped me going to gym. Some trainers have very short training modules of only a few weeks. Some are not very qualified at all.

Yes, just saw your new post and commented, but much the same that I posted here.

I would say personal trainer because to me it is more interesting and you get to help personally help people reach their goals.