Why personal trainers annoy me

Sweet13_Princess

Well, I agree that it sounds like the PT at your gym are a bit stale, if not silly (heels... we're here to workout, not pick up a date? Sheesh!). However, I think there are some really great trainers out there. I mean, who wouldn't want to train with someone like JIllian Michaels, who can really push you to the next level!? There are, though, personal trainers that just teach you the basics. They're great for beginners, but not for people like us that have worked out for many years. I think you have to try a few until you find one you're happy with. If you're not happy with any, then just do your own thing.

Shannon

JustJennie1

Now yesterday, I see this PT showing this one how to do step circuits, IN 6 INCH HEELS!!!!! Who the f**k does that? If I paid for a trainer and they walked up to me like that I would seriously ask for my money back.

Aww crap! Looks like I need to put my 6" platforms in the closet when I go to the gym. And I look so cute running in them too!! (j/k)

Cindym82

Now yesterday, I see this PT showing this one how to do step circuits, IN 6 INCH HEELS!!!!! Who the f**k does that? If I paid for a trainer and they walked up to me like that I would seriously ask for my money back.

Aww crap! Looks like I need to put my 6" platforms in the closet when I go to the gym. And I look so cute running in them too!! (j/k)

LOL, the point that killed me about seeing that is that there is about 20 signs ALL over the gym saying you must wear proper fitness shoes or you will be thrown out of the gym........i mean I heard that working out in my heels would give me a killer butt....maybe I should jump on this band wagon

Azdak

Well, I agree that it sounds like the PT at your gym are a bit stale, if not silly (heels... we're here to workout, not pick up a date? Sheesh!). However, I think there are some really great trainers out there. I mean, who wouldn't want to train with someone like JIllian Michaels, who can really push you to the next level!? There are, though, personal trainers that just teach you the basics. They're great for beginners, but not for people like us that have worked out for many years. I think you have to try a few until you find one you're happy with. If you're not happy with any, then just do your own thing.

Shannon

I wouldn't. Jillian Michaels is the poster girl for how mediocrity achieves "expert" status solely by being a celebrity.

CatchMom11

You have to be exaggerating. There can't be THAT many things wrong with PT's at your gym. The PT's at my gym don't do the actual workouts, they teach their clients and push and motivate them and help them with their diet. They are basically sales people, so they have to look nice. Although they don't wear heels and such, they could if they wanted to, since they are supposed to look nice and don't have to do the work.

Are you sure that the girl that has been going seven months hasn't lost any weight? I will be willing to bet that she has. Sometimes you can't tell if someone has lost weight by just looking at them.

As for the lady that was telling her client that you were doing it all wrong, maybe you should have listened and been a little more humble. She could have lost her entire certification over your rant. It doesn't matter if you have been doing it for years, you may have been doing it wrong. For example, many people tend to go to fast with their reps on the hip abductor. I see it all the time. The key is to go very slowly and really feel the burn. But I do agree that she should have left you out of her consultation with her client, but you didn't have to get her fired.in this day and age it's hard to get a job. And now it may be much harder for her to get a job as a PT with this on her record.

I'm sorry but what she's explaining is the stereotypical behavior of someone who is simply certified and passing themselves as a completely qualified PT.

As far as the lady being there in dress clothes, that's not professional for her line of work. She needs to be there and be prepared and that means in clothing where she can do a demonstration of how the routine is to be performed. Secondly, if you're not my personal trainer and I haven't asked for your input, don't give it; that's rude.

True professional personal trainers don't hard sell themselves. They allow their results do it for them. I think the author is completely warranted in her rant. Those types of trainers are typical for that type of facility.

Cindym82

You have to be exaggerating. There can't be THAT many things wrong with PT's at your gym. The PT's at my gym don't do the actual workouts, they teach their clients and push and motivate them and help them with their diet. They are basically sales people, so they have to look nice. Although they don't wear heels and such, they could if they wanted to, since they are supposed to look nice and don't have to do the work.

Are you sure that the girl that has been going seven months hasn't lost any weight? I will be willing to bet that she has. Sometimes you can't tell if someone has lost weight by just looking at them.

As for the lady that was telling her client that you were doing it all wrong, maybe you should have listened and been a little more humble. She could have lost her entire certification over your rant. It doesn't matter if you have been doing it for years, you may have been doing it wrong. For example, many people tend to go to fast with their reps on the hip abductor. I see it all the time. The key is to go very slowly and really feel the burn. But I do agree that she should have left you out of her consultation with her client, but you didn't have to get her fired.in this day and age it's hard to get a job. And now it may be much harder for her to get a job as a PT with this on her record.

I'm sorry but what she's explaining is the stereotypical behavior of someone who is simply certified and passing themselves as a completely qualified PT.

As far as the lady being there in dress clothes, that's not professional for her line of work. She needs to be there and be prepared and that means in clothing where she can do a demonstration of how the routine is to be performed. Secondly, if you're not my personal trainer and I haven't asked for your input, don't give it; that's rude.

True professional personal trainers don't hard sell themselves. They allow their results do it for them. I think the author is completely warranted in her rant. Those types of trainers are typical for that type of facility.

Thank you for being on my side :flowerforyou:

Sweet13_Princess

I wouldn't. Jillian Michaels is the poster girl for how mediocrity achieves "expert" status solely by being a celebrity.

She was just an example of a mentor people can look up to. I'm not saying she's the best out there, just because she's famous.

Just clarifying!:-)

Shannon

Azdak

I wouldn't. Jillian Michaels is the poster girl for how mediocrity achieves "expert" status solely by being a celebrity.

She was just an example of a mentor people can look up to. I'm not saying she's the best out there, just because she's famous.

Just clarifying!:-)

Shannon

Wasn't really pushing back at you -- you just happened to cite the example to react to ;-)
I probably should have just let that one go. I know a lot of people find JM motivating, so I usually just keep my personal feelings to myself. (Anything that gets people moving). Occasionally, they slip out......

CMXL

I love my personal trainer. Without her, I would have never attempted strength training! My upper body strength is terrible (my baby has grown up; I had killer arms when he was still little) and therefore, I used to hate doing weights. But my trainer is motivating without being intimidating. Even when I had an injury that limited my mobility, she came up with routines that kept me moving ad strength training without putting stress on the injury. She is awesome!

Audddua

I also do the lifetime bucks thing and get 2 training sessions every 6 months out of the deal. I had a great trainer that left and then an AWFUL one. It's kind of funny so I'll share the story:

It was 1 year after I joined the gym so I asked to get that assessment test redone so I could see my progress. They booked me with a new guy that spent the first 10 minutes trying to sell me a HRM. I explained that I totally understand how great they are but I'm not in the market for one right now. Then he moved on to the vO2 max testing and more training sessions. I literally looked him in the eyes and said, "Listen, I'm not going to buy anything today, so stop trying. I just want you to run me through the assessment test please." :grumble:

Then he got huffy with me and ran me through the tests as if it was just a HUGE chore and I was wasting his time. When we sat back down for the results he grabbed that g0ddamned HRM clipboard again! So I just took my sheet, said I had somewhere to be, and walked away. I then proceeded to workout in front of the PT desk for about 40 minutes and I didn't talk to him again.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen him at the gym lately... shucks he must have left :laugh:

TheNewDodge

Personal Trainers at chain gyms are used car salesmen

Cindym82

I also do the lifetime bucks thing and get 2 training sessions every 6 months out of the deal. I had a great trainer that left and then an AWFUL one. It's kind of funny so I'll share the story:

It was 1 year after I joined the gym so I asked to get that assessment test redone so I could see my progress. They booked me with a new guy that spent the first 10 minutes trying to sell me a HRM. I explained that I totally understand how great they are but I'm not in the market for one right now. Then he moved on to the vO2 max testing and more training sessions. I literally looked him in the eyes and said, "Listen, I'm not going to buy anything today, so stop trying. I just want you to run me through the assessment test please." :grumble:

Then he got huffy with me and ran me through the tests as if it was just a HUGE chore and I was wasting his time. When we sat back down for the results he grabbed that g0ddamned HRM clipboard again! So I just took my sheet, said I had somewhere to be, and walked away. I then proceeded to workout in front of the PT desk for about 40 minutes and I didn't talk to him again.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen him at the gym lately... shucks he must have left :laugh:

Thats great!

dad106

In addition to revenue, trainers at these clubs also help keep costs down. Trainers also serve as "floor staff"--they are either paid a minimal wage for that, or they work strictly on commission. Either way, the only way they can make any money is to hustle for clients.

This statement here is so true.. My trainer at X-Sport has said it many times that he only gets paid when he trains.. and if he's not training, then he's not getting paid. He's said many times that when he needs the money, pushes the PT.. and if he's doing Ok client wise, then he doesn't.. which I think is less sleazy then ones who push it 24/7.

I see the girls just hanging around the desk like little pieces of fluff, waiting for people to ask them for help/show them a machine/exercise that they don't know how to do. Then once they are done they resume the standing around status or trying to sell HRM's, PT packages, etc.

Cindym82

In addition to revenue, trainers at these clubs also help keep costs down. Trainers also serve as "floor staff"--they are either paid a minimal wage for that, or they work strictly on commission. Either way, the only way they can make any money is to hustle for clients.

This statement here is so true.. My trainer at X-Sport has said it many times that he only gets paid when he trains.. and if he's not training, then he's not getting paid. He's said many times that when he needs the money, pushes the PT.. and if he's doing Ok client wise, then he doesn't.. which I think is less sleazy then ones who push it 24/7.

I see the girls just hanging around the desk like little pieces of fluff, waiting for people to ask them for help/show them a machine/exercise that they don't know how to do. Then once they are done they resume the standing around status or trying to sell HRM's, PT packages, etc.

Mine just act like total tools and hang out with each other at machines and sit there talking when ppl like me want to use them, you clearly see I want to use it and just continue to sit at the machine and jab. Or they sit at their little desks and you never see them. There has been a time or two i'd like to ask a simple question and they are no where to be found. But when they are with their clients and trying to show them the exercises sometimes they are not in form. There is ONE guy there I actually find very helpful and if I were to get a PT there I'd ask for that one person.

dad106

In addition to revenue, trainers at these clubs also help keep costs down. Trainers also serve as "floor staff"--they are either paid a minimal wage for that, or they work strictly on commission. Either way, the only way they can make any money is to hustle for clients.

This statement here is so true.. My trainer at X-Sport has said it many times that he only gets paid when he trains.. and if he's not training, then he's not getting paid. He's said many times that when he needs the money, pushes the PT.. and if he's doing Ok client wise, then he doesn't.. which I think is less sleazy then ones who push it 24/7.

I see the girls just hanging around the desk like little pieces of fluff, waiting for people to ask them for help/show them a machine/exercise that they don't know how to do. Then once they are done they resume the standing around status or trying to sell HRM's, PT packages, etc.

Mine just act like total tools and hang out with each other at machines and sit there talking when ppl like me want to use them, you clearly see I want to use it and just continue to sit at the machine and jab. Or they sit at their little desks and you never see them. There has been a time or two i'd like to ask a simple question and they are no where to be found. But when they are with their clients and trying to show them the exercises sometimes they are not in form. There is ONE guy there I actually find very helpful and if I were to get a PT there I'd ask for that one person.

The ones at export are always in the uniform of the red shirt and whatever bottoms they feel like.. and if they are on their own time, then they change..but I've literally had PT's see me struggling with a machine/exercise/whatever and come up and ask if I need help.. which is nice.

As far as the ones sitting on the machines, tell them to move.. unless they are using the machine for a client, they can talk else where.

Cindym82

I probably will if I see it again, I just was not in the mood yesterday lol