Why I dislike Gyms

2»

Replies

  • Toricakins1234
    Toricakins1234 Posts: 7
    Dont give up. i had a trainer and some are great while others in what happened in ur sitution was a major JERK! but hey dont give up, though i dont see my trainer anymore i still workout i find other people to work out with. thats a good way to do it. have a tiny group of people to work out with. Oh and dont fel embarrssed about working out, when i see people working out i admire them for doing it and that theyre doing there best. Im sure when other people saw u working out they admired u and prolly were wondering should i work just as hard as she is? so keep going but no matter always think of urself as beautiful just the way u are and dont be too hard on urself.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    My sister got me a 6 month membership to a gym for Christmas. I am super excited bc I've been trying to lose all the baby weight after my 4th baby. Anyway, I also got 2 free sessions with her trainer, with her. (so we went together) After the 2nd session he tried to get her to buy another 4 sessions and was going to throw in 4 free. 'For only $200!' Neither my sister (a fulltime student) or I (a stay at home mom) could afford it, even if we split the cost.
    My mom offered to lend us money, but I said no bc I didn't like his persistence. We said we couldn't afford it but he kept pushing. Anyway, he finally let go and we still go to the gym.
    Ignore that personal trainer and just go work out at the gym. You can do some of the exercises he showed you at your home! I do that and my kids even like trying to do it with me. :smile:

    Not to mention any trainer that would give away 8 sessions for $200 isn't much of a trainer. I know that's a lot of money, but no serious, well-qualified trainer could live on that kind of income. Unfortunately, the kind of trainer you get at that type of facility is either A) a rank beginner with little experience or B) a mediocre trainer who can't get a better job anywhere else. Trust me, a guy like that wouldn't even get callback if he tried to apply at our facility.
  • BethanyMasters
    BethanyMasters Posts: 519 Member
    That guy sounds like a complete jerk. I really hope I don't feel the need to stoop as low as to LIE to potential clients just to get their business when I get my certification some day.

    You can do it how ever you want, at home, at the gym, with or without a trainer as long as you are eating healthy and moving your butt.

    When I have kids I'll probably ditch my gym membership since they charge you extra per month to use the supervised play room.
  • musclebuilder
    musclebuilder Posts: 324 Member
    So last night I had a "free" session with a personal trainer. It started of good and then went bad very bad. I am a heavy woman to begin with I started at 293 pounds. Three of my friends join the gym and I started working out at home. My friend was nice and gave me a guest pass and I went a few times and thought hey this isn't too bad. So I joined, I got to my session 10 minutes early and it began. He asked me general health questions and tested my BMI. After that it was 5 minutes on the treadmill. Then some core work. We go back to his desk and that's where it went bad. He started asking me what my plan was. I stated to do 2-3 classes a week then treadmill bicycle and light weights. He proceeded to tell me that's not how you lose weight classes are NOT going to help you, you need a trainer to focus in on what you need. I told him that I would have have to talk to my husband about that because I am a stay-at-home-mom and we are living on one income. He's reply you mean he wont let you spend $100 to get you where you want to be. No I don't want to spend $100. My little boy just got out the hospital and $100 on me is not what I want. He proceeded to push the issue. I very calmly asked him to drop the issue and told him that I couldn't do it right now. He continued to push it and I ended my session.

    It took a lot for me to sign up to the gym. I understand that he was selling me a service and was a pushy sells man. But when you tell someone that classes will not help you and your plan isn't going to help you. It makes you feel bad well it made me feel bad. He is the reason why gyms are not appealing to me. The core exercises he had me do where embarrassing. He had me show him across the gym horizontally walking lounges. So everyone saw my attempt at doing them. I am a shy person when it comes to my workouts and although I know they are not I feel like everyone is looking at me. Like why is that fat chick here, look at her.

    I might attempt the gym again but I don't know. This was my 2nd day going by myself and I just don't know if I can continue it.


    SW: 293lbs
    GW: 150lbs
    CW: 289lbs (by going to classes and training on my own)

    You are at the gym to improve your health and quality of life. Those are two things worth fighting for with everything you got. If you let that experience prevent you from returning the only person it hurts is you.
  • cloudbownd
    cloudbownd Posts: 2
    Girl!!! Let this motivate you!!! Lose that weight by going to classes and working out on your own!! Prove him wrong!! Oh, and make sure you run into him when you start lookin all fit and sexy! :)
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    Well I'm here to tell you the classes WILL help. I have had great results attending body pump, yoga, spin and most recently body combat. My gym uses the Les Mills series for the classes but it is so popular that most gyms in our area have something very similar to offer.

    Yes it is their job and our gym gives you one free session per month and I use them just to check progress but I just let the trainer know going into it that I am not interested in personal training so don't even start in on how a $100 bucks a month could get me to all my goals in 8 months that I am happy just chuggin along. Usually shuts em up pretty quick.

    Since so few people are interested in personal training right now my gym just started a free group training session which is just like personal training only up to 10 people, it is an hour long and there are several times of day to choose from, not sure if I'm ready to be tortured :laugh:

    Anyway, you just keep moving and doing what is right for you and amp it up when you need to and eventually you will reach your goals and you can use that $100 per month on a new wardrobe :wink:
  • borys12
    borys12 Posts: 98
    In fact you can do it yourself. We are all here to help you, there is a lot fitness information
    online. When I joined gym nothing like this happened ! I had health check, personal
    plan prepared, and after 2 months next check. Anytime I want, I can ask any trainer
    to help me, get information. There are there to help us.

    Don't give up !

    Wish you good luck !
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    Oh and for future reference YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MEET WITH A TRAINER TO START YOUR MEMBERSHIP! This is a sales tactic at every gym everywhere so if they ever try to talk you into a second or tell you to meet the first day politely decline.
  • Mkserpa
    Mkserpa Posts: 136
    We had the same thing happen when we were joining. He just wouldn't stop! I kept telling him I already have a personal trainer and he proceeded to tell me "they weren't good enough." She's just fine! In fact, she knows a hell of a lot more than he does. He told me that running doesn't burn fat, it just burns calories. You won't lose weight with running. WHAT! I don't know what he was on, but come on! I've lost plenty of weight with running!! And burning calories makes you lose weight! What an idiot.

    Regardless, I go to the gym just to prove him wrong. I use my OWN trainer. I do the routine I like and what works for ME. Don't let a pushy trainer get in your way! It's your body, do what makes you most comfortable (the same goes for your wallet!)
  • eshyay
    eshyay Posts: 18
    At my gym this would not be acceptable behaviour as making their customers comfortable is a huge part of their philosophy. I hope you keep going and ignore the personal trainer. IMO this would be a good reason to talk to the management!

    I started at 294 (last week; 290.5 today). Would you like to be weight loss buddies?

    I went to my first class at the gym on Thursday night, and was very worried as I'm terribly unfit. The trainer was sooo nice, and made a point of telling me I was doing well (he did this with others too, and was discreet so I didn't feel singled out). I pay them a lot of money, and I expect them to provide me with a comfortable environment to work out in!
  • TaneeisFitforLife
    TaneeisFitforLife Posts: 433
    He sounds like a sales man & not a PT :P
  • luv2dance81
    luv2dance81 Posts: 3 Member
    Trainers are supposed to support you in your weight loss goals and keep you motivated. Whether you can afford this guy or not, he made you feel bad about yourself and uninterested in keeping your fitness goals. Shame on him!

    Classes do work. I have only been to a gym once in my life. I'm a dancer, so dance classes and pilates are how I stay in shape. I had an injury last year, so I gained some weight while out with an injury and eating when I felt depressed. Now I'm back on track and my classes are working out just fine. Cardio is cardio whether you're doing it with a group instructor or a personal trainer. Don't let this jerk deter you! You'll show him.
  • Mishy
    Mishy Posts: 1,551 Member
    I'm sorry to hear your experience was so bad, and that the trainer was rude and unprofessional. I'd let the manager or corporate office know.

    I encourage you to keeep on doing what works for you! I belong to the YMCA and I love it so I would recommend them or the YWCA if/when you'd have an interest in trying out a gym again in the future.

    Good Luck and keep on doing what you're doing :flowerforyou:
  • jen0619
    jen0619 Posts: 414
    I love the gym but won't use a trainer ever again. I had a similar experience well sort of, she had me doing lunges and squats across the gym like you I am shy mostly. She pushed me way to hard that day I literally could barely move the next day. I ever since then have not used a trainer plus unless they pursue more than the simple certification I WILL NEVER use one.
  • portlandsundevil
    portlandsundevil Posts: 213 Member
    The whole reason they give you that "free" training session is to give you a fit test. That way they can show you how "unfit" you are and use it as a tool against you. I have been to a million different gyms, and I've had really good trainers and really sh*tty ones. But I just recently learned this little tactic. In fact, I was on the elliptical not even a week ago, in my zone, headphones on, and one of the trainers walks up to me and stares at me until I am forced to take my headphones off. He asks me if I want a "training session". I'm like get the hell outta here with that nonsense! But I said, "No thanks, I'm good" and off he went.

    I don't know why no one else said for you to contact the manager of the gym, but I would. You can do it anonymously if you wish, but the fact that he worked so hard to make you feel like that is BS. If he's doing that to you, he's definitely doing it to other people, whether they are 500 or 150 lbs, bet. You have to make the gym work for YOU, not the other way around.

    Don't give up girl! The gym can make you feel like superwoman. Try to remember that everyone there is there to better themselves, not to assess others' progress. Once you really believe that, you can Own It! Good luck :)
  • katapple
    katapple Posts: 1,108 Member
    yeah, that guy is a douche, sorry about the bad experience!

    And please, don't worry about what other people at the gym are thinking about you. They are not thinking, why the hell is she here, they are thinking, good for her for deciding to make a positive change in her life! Keep going, and show that a*hole that it can be done going to classes and working the treadmill! I've never had a trainer, have done nothing but DVDs and classes and eating right and have lost a total of 70lbs over the past 4 years (also had 2 kids in that timeframe). It can be done!
  • outersoul
    outersoul Posts: 711
    Don't quit. Don't let one guy ruin your progress or get in your way. It was kind if a douche move to pressure you but turn it around use it to motivate you. Prove him wrong. There are more of us at the gym that support you than you know. If you have questions about an exercise or machine, just ask.
  • sheenabe
    sheenabe Posts: 61 Member
    You know what?? You have to do whatever makes you feel comfortable. That is the only way that this change is going to last for you. That guy was a moron and that can be so upsetting and such a set back....I know!! I don't go to the gym anymore. I find that I hold back a bit while I am at the gym. I don't want everyone to see me pouring with sweat, or grunting in pain, or GASP, fail at something. I don't want peoples unsolicited advice, or to have to wait my turn. I want to work out when I want to, and I want it to hurt and feel great! I do this all at home, and with a much smaller investment then a gym membership. This is where I am comfortable and I get my best workouts!! Stick with it and find out what is best suited for you!! Good luck on your journey and don't let one *kitten* keep you from your goals.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    How do they say, don't throw the baby out with the bath water. GO TO THE GYM.
  • lhollad
    lhollad Posts: 1
    I know exactly how you feel when you say you feel like everyone else is watching you. I'm pretty self-conscious, and I don't go to the gym. Sure, they have fancy machines, but I feel like walking outdoors is a lot more refreshing for me, and walking is great exercise. I have 2 dogs, so I've started walking them about 3 miles a day. I just got a bike for Christmas, and once it gets here, I'll be using that a lot as well. I have my 5 pound hand weights too, and I do simple, at-home exercises on my own. I don't like to feel like everyone is watching me, and I know that what I'm doing at home is just as good as at the gym.

    As for saying those classes won't help you, I think that trainer was full of it. They wouldn't offer the classes if they didn't think they'd be productive. The trainer was probably just trying to make it seem like his service was the only thing that would work for you. But you have to do what feels right for you, and not what anyone else says. Baby steps is my motto. I want to lose weight like crazy, but I know it's not just going to fall off right away. I just have to do a little at a time, set small goals for myself, and achieve them. I commend you for even going to see a personal trainer - I've never had the guts to do it! Keep up your own routine, and I know you'll see results.

    Good luck in your weight loss journey!
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    Don't let silly PTs discourage you. I have a PT and while he's good, once our 10 sessions are over, I'll go on my own. You can do plenty at the gym and trust me, I'd rather see a fellow big girl in the gym trying to lose weight and get into shape rather than a juice head pumping weights :)
  • katherines2230
    katherines2230 Posts: 276 Member
    PLEASE don't let it stop you! The same thing happened to me last week. I joined a gym close to my house and had been going only a few days before I got my "free" personal training session. It started off really well, and went downhill after we did a few exercises. I was not at all impressed with the sample workout and they were extrememly pushy for an answer. I told them I needed to speak with my husband as well and the lady started telling me about other clients of hers that say to hell with it and spend the money for the sessions behind their spouses backs. I was VERY turned off and didn't want to be pestered or have an awkward encounter with them the next time I went to the gym, but I went back anyways and am very content doing my own thing until I get more comfortable!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories