Gym and Personal Trainer Pressure!

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Replies

  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    I was in that exact same situation when I joined my gym. The thing is I really did want to sign up for PT, but I absolutely could not afford it. I told them this a couple of times and they kept trying to push it on me with "well we could do only one or two sessions a week" and other crud like that. Finally I just straight up told them, "Okay, I'm happy to sign up right now, but when you go to withdraw the money from my bank account next month you're not getting anything because I'll overdraft. I quite literally DO NOT HAVE enough money for PT." They backed off after that, but they were all still friendly to me. I think you just have to make it very clear that it's absolutely not in your budget.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    edited October 2014
    Stupid zombie thread got me.

    I'm trying really hard to be flexible and accepting of the new forum design. But it's a giant PITA right now.
  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    This is shady and gives personal trainers a bad name. We shouldn’t be pressuring people like telemarketers or door to door salesmen, that is completely unprofessional. Of course they are being put up to it by the gym management and their continued employment hinges on getting clients, but that isn’t your problem!

    I would just say you can’t afford it, and if your financial situation improves, you’ll let them know. I would hope that the PTs feel uncomfortable having to hard-sell all of the time and certainly won’t think badly of you (and honestly, who cares if they do, you are there to use the facility and then go home!)

    If possible, I would consider switching gyms, although you just signed a 1 year contract and they will probably make you bleed to get out of it.
  • fromfat2fit74
    fromfat2fit74 Posts: 1
    I am sorry that they have pressured you so much! Don't they realize that they may be pushing a person OUT of the gym, I wouldn't want to work out while they are there. I have been extremely fortunate at my Anytime Fitness. They offer 3 free personal training sessions and no pressure. I decided to purchase 3 days per week but had to cut back to 2 days per week after a few months due to financial reasons. I have had 2 personal trainers and both have been wonderful. They are caring and encouraging. I have received letters and texts checking in with me when I had time off for various reasons (it wasn't financially motivated either as I was still paying the monthly rates). They cared about what was going on in my life and went beyond encouragement just at the gym. I am truly amazed at how much I have learned and how to have correct form. My trainer stays next to me the whole time to watch for correct form and push me (gently) to beyond what I think I can do. I would highly recommend Anytime Fitness Cambridge, MN trainers.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I would actually cancel your next meeting because I have a feeling they're going to use that time to pressure you into it. It's none of their business whether or not you can afford it, just tell them you're not interested, period, end of story. I'd probably even tell them up front that you'd appreciate it if they stopped offering the services, you'll let them know if you need their help. And if they don't stop, definitely report them to management.
  • hampstenj
    hampstenj Posts: 85 Member
    bw_conway wrote: »
    This is shady and gives personal trainers a bad name. We shouldn’t be pressuring people like telemarketers or door to door salesmen, that is completely unprofessional. Of course they are being put up to it by the gym management and their continued employment hinges on getting clients, but that isn’t your problem!

    I would just say you can’t afford it, and if your financial situation improves, you’ll let them know. I would hope that the PTs feel uncomfortable having to hard-sell all of the time and certainly won’t think badly of you (and honestly, who cares if they do, you are there to use the facility and then go home!)

    If possible, I would consider switching gyms, although you just signed a 1 year contract and they will probably make you bleed to get out of it.

    I actually said that to the trainer last night, Then he comes back with well what could you afford.. Honestly I can't afford the training packages PERIOD, I mean your paying over $1 a minute for the trainers... just 1 session costs the same amount as 3 MONTHS in membership dues! Thank GOD he didn't force me into buying anything last night or else I would be out even more.. I like the gym but the pressures of that trainer is just too much..
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE, NECRO POST!

    rise_from_your_grave.png


    This is a thread from 2012, it should be closed as inactive. >_<
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    hampstenj wrote: »
    bw_conway wrote: »
    This is shady and gives personal trainers a bad name. We shouldn’t be pressuring people like telemarketers or door to door salesmen, that is completely unprofessional. Of course they are being put up to it by the gym management and their continued employment hinges on getting clients, but that isn’t your problem!

    I would just say you can’t afford it, and if your financial situation improves, you’ll let them know. I would hope that the PTs feel uncomfortable having to hard-sell all of the time and certainly won’t think badly of you (and honestly, who cares if they do, you are there to use the facility and then go home!)

    If possible, I would consider switching gyms, although you just signed a 1 year contract and they will probably make you bleed to get out of it.

    I actually said that to the trainer last night, Then he comes back with well what could you afford.. Honestly I can't afford the training packages PERIOD, I mean your paying over $1 a minute for the trainers... just 1 session costs the same amount as 3 MONTHS in membership dues! Thank GOD he didn't force me into buying anything last night or else I would be out even more.. I like the gym but the pressures of that trainer is just too much..
    ermagerds, getting forced!

    Was the trainer really going to beat you bloody if you didn't sign a contract? LOL.
  • hampstenj
    hampstenj Posts: 85 Member
    blame google, I was searching before going to work and found the post, I figured it would be closed, so sue me for not knowing.. Gosh!
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    edited October 2014
    This Zombie Thread brought to you by: @hampstenj (I LOVE THE NEW MENTION FEATURE)
  • April0010
    April0010 Posts: 178 Member
    rjmwx81 wrote: »
    You've told him you can maybe afford one or two, so they smell "blood in the water" if you will. It's like telling a used car salesman that you think you might, maybe, perhaps want to buy a car next year...they want to get you in that car *TODAY*. lol. Personally, I would tell them that you've already heard the sales pitch and you're just not interested. No "maybe later" or "just one or two sessions."

    qft
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    She figured this out a couple years ago. lol.
  • newhealthykim
    newhealthykim Posts: 192 Member
    I had this experience once, and I felt like they wouldn't let me out of the gym until I signed up. I kept saying no, but he wasn't getting the hint. Finally when he said, "What price could you pay?" I told him, "I'm a college student at home with no job. Free is what I can pay." That shut him up.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    It's okay to say no. And professionals shouldn't take it personally. They should still treat you like an important member.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • alexisdc
    alexisdc Posts: 117 Member
    This...don't feel guilty! I had the same thing happen to me last year at my gym. They are preying on your "I really want to get back on track" feeling right now. Just pay what you can afford. Be firm. if they can't cut you a deal or find something that fits your pocket book, then you have the right to say "no thanks". They will pressure you, but don't give in.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE, NECRO POST!

    rise_from_your_grave.png


    This is a thread from 2012, it should be closed as inactive. >_<

    Is it just me or can you not see when someone posted any more??
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    Most of them are like McDonald's employees - they'll be gone in a few weeks or months. Turnover is huge in that role - as you've seen, they're more salesmen than anything. Remember they're NOT trying to help you, only trying to get money from you.
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