Personal Trainer's Only Please

MyChocolateDiet

Ok. So not to sound mean but here goes. I just bought some sessions with a Personal Trainer and noticed he seems to be really popular and there were lot's of "hi's, hello's, how are you's " during my consult with him.

I just want to make sure the time I'm paying for that I spend with him doesn't get distracted by all this "hello, long time no see" business. Can I reasonably expect him to know to just focus, or should I say something (really probably I'm guessing rude and out of line) about it before we get started. Our first workout's coming up and I hate to start off on the wrong foot since it took me so long to find someone, I otherwise like him so much. He has lots of experience and is very professional and knowledgeable as well as having qualifications specific to my needs.

MyChocolateDiet

Wow so there are no Personal Trainers on MFP?

MadeInDR022

I know you asked just for Personal Trainers...BUT my bf is a PT and he would say that you should give the guy a try. At least the first session and then discuss with him what bothers you (if anything). If he is as professional as you say and has the experience you say he does, then he will most likely be able to keep focused on you as a paying client.

_noob_

If you actually do a strength training workout there will be a good bit of down time resting between sets. I wouldn't care personally.


If you're constantly doing **** I'd care more about the workout than the fratenizing during your time with the trainer.

micheleb15

Not a PT either, but worked with plenty. His job is sales. It's his job to be friendly and chatty with others, otherwise he has no clients. I guarantee you that him making small talk for a few seconds is not going to harm your workout at all. I think you are really overthinking this.

Also, the more people he has coming up to him and talking to him would make me think that he's good at what he does and he has a lot of clients. Try not to be so negative.

TylerJ76

I for sure wouldn't want a personal trainer who is friendly and well known...:huh:

eowynmn

Your second post makes me think you might generally be a rude person to start, so try really hard to be patient and be concious of your own level of negativity. Give the guy a try, and see how it works, and then if you have some constructive criticism, give it. A whole conversation would bother me. A hi or hello shouldn't be a problem, it would be rude to not say a friendly hi to someone you know.

chrisdavey

I'd say it would just be the initial getting to know each other phase. I highly doubt he wants to waste his time and yours with random chit chat. Generally it is the clients that get chatty

KB2Fitness

Im a personal trainer but I do In-Home training only, I go to all my clients. For as much as youre probably paying and as much as I charge, every single one of my clients receives 100% of my focus during their session. Im even available to all my clients 24/7 through text, email, and phone.

cdgabbert

I guess I could understand your concerns if you noticed him with other clients and engaging in conversations away from the "working" client to discuss personal things and such... but in the end - he's doing his job! He's showing great customer service, paying attention to everyone, doing his job as a sales person as well...

The trainer at our gym will actually assist someone next to us if he sees them using machines wrong - and it shows me how concerned he is about others and me... my last gym, the trainer would say, "hey, look they're doing it wrong, I should tell him but ... " That really bothered me!!! Needless to say I am at a gym now with a friendly trainer not a rude one and I can see results with all his clients and me... actually, so much so, we're hiring another trainer.

My suggestion is if you really are that determine he only focus on you - find a private trainer away from the gym where you will get all your attention!

CalvinLosingIt

Wow so there are no Personal Trainers on MFP?

That is a broad assumption to make based on the fact that you only waited a half hour for a reply. Considering the time most may also be asleep, ever consider that?

Talk to your PT, communication is the first key to solving problems.

cdgabbert

Your second post makes me think you might generally be a rude person to start, so try really hard to be patient and be concious of your own level of negativity. Give the guy a try, and see how it works, and then if you have some constructive criticism, give it. A whole conversation would bother me. A hi or hello shouldn't be a problem, it would be rude to not say a friendly hi to someone you know.

I have to agree with you on this!! Patience and understanding from EVERYONE makes this site work!

aliann30

Also not a trainer.

Since you haven't had a session with him yet, I wouldn't jump the gun and assume he's going to neglect you mid-training. Also, if he's popular as a trainer, he's obviously doing something right. I'd wait a few sessions, get a well-educated idea of what your sessions are going to be like, and THEN discuss things with him. Be easy on him - during your sessions should he glance away or say "hey" to passers-by, don't freak out and embarrass yourself. He's more than likely able to handle that level of multi-tasking.

SideSteel

Wow so there are no Personal Trainers on MFP?

They are probably busy getting paid to help people.

_noob_

Wow so there are no Personal Trainers on MFP?

They are probably busy getting paid to help people.

It's 5:01 somewhere though...

F1uffy123

If you havent even had your first session with him yet, then i think this is a little unfair! You (probably) wouldnt have paid for the consultation time and i personally would see his reputation within the gym a really positive thing.

I would also be concerned that this is also going to affect the way YOU interact with him on your first session. I think you need to re-focus on what YOU want to achieve.

TR0berts

Wow so there are no Personal Trainers on MFP?

They are probably busy getting paid to help people.

Well played.

ptjolsen

See how the first session goes, you could probably change if you hate him.
But yes, part of our job is sales. So in my sessions if I do see one of my clients in the gym I shout out a quick "Hi" but that is it and then its back to the current client.

micheleb15

Wow so there are no Personal Trainers on MFP?

They are probably busy getting paid to help people.

It's 5:01 somewhere though...

If trainers had bank hours, I'd be screwed. Lets hope he doesn't have to grab a drink of water during training, those precious seconds can't be replaced....

Leadfoot_Lewis

I am a personal trainer. Working in a gym you obviously get to know the regulars who work out there. That said, there's a big difference between the occasional "hi's, hello's, how are you's" to others and him totally diverting his attention away from you. Sounds like this was just a consultation? Have you even had an actual session with him? If not, see how focused he is during that session. It's all about YOU at that time, and his attention should be focused on watching your form, explaining exercises, motivating, and answering any questions you may have. I personally think it's a little early (and perhaps harsh?) to jump all over the guy if you haven't even trained with him yet.

Retiredmom72

I am not a personal trainer, but I do know some. Personal Trainers make their money on referrals as well as knowledge and professionalism. If the trainer is rude to people, it may affect the business aspect in the long run. If you had finished your training and saw him, would you want to be ignored? It doesn't take long to say hi while you work.

joel3736

I am a personal trainer and can understand where you are coming from if you are inferring that he is talking to clients and other gym members for full conversations and such and you are basically resting for 5-10 mins between sets, but if it is a simple hi or hello or how are you? That shouldn't affect the workout at all. Just do a few sessions with him and if it becomes a real problem, then talk to him about it because distractions are not professional. But to what another person said, yes you get more privacy and personal 1 on 1 time at a private studio as opposed to a commercial gym, plus the trainers tend to be better and more knowledgeable overall.

junejadesky

Think of it on the flip side... wouldn't you say hello to him if you were at the gym on your own and not there for a session?? Of course you would!! If it is regularly more than a hello from others and he has side conversations then address it with him. You are a paying client.

MyChocolateDiet

I am a personal trainer. Working in a gym you obviously get to know the regulars who work out there. That said, there's a big difference between the occasional "hi's, hello's, how are you's" to others and him totally diverting his attention away from you. Sounds like this was just a consultation? Have you even had an actual session with him? If not, see how focused he is during that session. It's all about YOU at that time, and his attention should be focused on watching your form, explaining exercises, motivating, and answering any questions you may have. I personally think it's a little early (and perhaps harsh?) to jump all over the guy if you haven't even trained with him yet.

Agreed. And yeah it was just a consult and he clearly hadn't been there in awhile and was missed. I was just fresh off another awesome session with another really good trainer so that's the juxtaposition of total attention versus consult/cruising with me thru the gym to find a spot to talk one on one, which he did which I appreciated as a client esp. vis a vis the free consult. I appreciate all your comments and yeah sometimes I can teeter on rude but prefer not to and felt awkward bringing it up, everything will go well I'm sure. Oh and yeah, he is allowed to get a drink of water and say "hi" to people, geesh I really should have edited this post for b!tchiness but I needed the info. soon. Thanks to all for all your input and precious trainer time.

Leadfoot_Lewis

Agreed. And yeah it was just a consult and he clearly hadn't been there in awhile and was missed. I was just fresh off another awesome session with another really good trainer so that's the juxtaposition of total attention versus consult/cruising with me thru the gym to find a spot to talk one on one, which he did which I appreciated as a client esp. vis a vis the free consult. I appreciate all your comments and yeah sometimes I can teeter on rude but prefer not to and felt awkward bringing it up, everything will go well I'm sure. Oh and yeah, he is allowed to get a drink of water and say "hi" to people, geesh I really should have edited this post for b!tchiness but I needed the info. soon. Thanks to all for all your input and precious trainer time.

No need to apologize. I hope your session/s go well and you reach your fitness goals.

Timshel_

I worked in a busy gym with clients and the social aspect of it is always there. There were periodic stops, but I always made sure to let them know I was with a client and would follow up later. Ironically, I had more clients want to stop and talk with people or answer their damn cell phones that I ever got interrupted. But understand, for the clientele I worked for, one missed call could mean serious business issues, so that was understood. Just like you should understand a trainer is running a business at the gym and might need to converse, ever-so-briefly, with others.

ninerbuff

Being a popular trainer in my Wellness Center, I get greeted all the time. If I working with a client at the time and someone shoots me a hi, I say hi real quick or a quick wave.
As mentioned, I've had clients resting or getting a drink of water at the fountain and if someone has a quick question I answer it. Each trainer is different with different philosophies so what one may do, another may not. I do earn money from doing it, but money isn't my motivation for doing it. I actually get more out of the gratitude from people whom I have assisted in reaching their goals and objectives. If I help enough people get what they want, then the money will take care of itself.
Here's the thing: If you end up getting the results you want with this trainer, then would it really matter much if that trainer acknowledged people who acknowledge him? If you're not getting the results you want, then you may have a concern.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

MagicalLeopleurodon

See how your first session goes. If he starts getting chatty, politely say, "I would appreciate more of your focus during my sessions, could you please hang off on the conversations with friends until after my session?"

If hes even remotely professional, that should be all it takes.