I think it's far easier to make progress with a personal trainer. I trained by myself for years thinking I was doing great using all those gym machines. It wasn't until I took on a personal trainer that I discovered I could not do simple functional movements such as pull-ups and push-ups. Within a year he had me benching my own weight and chinning the bar like a good 'un!
That sounds promising. I might have to get a Saturday job to pay for it.
Well done on getting there!