Personal trainer advice

Nah I've never tipped but I do usually do birthdays and Christmas gifts!

I've never tipped my trainer, but I know he gets paid well through the company he works for. I guess it depends on the company policy.

tip him if he wears a kettle bell around his neck , you don't really need to tip unless its a holiday

A trainer at my gym wanted to charge me $6200 for 38 weeks (3x a week) training. He definitely should not get a tip on top of that at that price.

No tipping, but a Christmas gift is nice.

@beemerphile1‌ I've never heard that! I've definitely tipped the independent contractor who worked on my house (he came out on Easter and charges considerably less than mainstream plumbers).

I know it doesn't exactly work this way, but I still like the idea of tipping because you appreciate, not because of social standards. I wish I could rescind the tip I gave my massage therapist (they have a tip box, and he is the owner, not sure that fits the 'employee' standard thing too).

But really...the more I think bout it, that makes no sense. It's not the customer's job to know whether someone is getting a w-2 or 1099, and getting a 1099 is usually much worse than employment when it comes to taxes, lack of benefits, etc. Being in business for myself...I think I'd be MORE inclined to tip someone who is a contractor than an employee. If they don't want to be employed at a low wage they can seek employment elsewhere, but contracting is hard!

But yeah..I prefer to tip by how I feel about the service I receive. If I feel like I get more value for the service than I paid..I'm inclined to tip. If I feel their rates are already high..I will still tip per social convention but wouldn't do it because I want to (what can I say, money is tight).

No, no tip. I even feel weird when clients give me Christmas presents.

Mellyajc wrote: »

@beemerphile1‌ I've never heard that! I've definitely tipped the independent contractor who worked on my house (he came out on Easter and charges considerably less than mainstream plumbers).

I know it doesn't exactly work this way, but I still like the idea of tipping because you appreciate, not because of social standards. I wish I could rescind the tip I gave my massage therapist (they have a tip box, and he is the owner, not sure that fits the 'employee' standard thing too).

But really...the more I think bout it, that makes no sense. It's not the customer's job to know whether someone is getting a w-2 or 1099, and getting a 1099 is usually much worse than employment when it comes to taxes, lack of benefits, etc. Being in business for myself...I think I'd be MORE inclined to tip someone who is a contractor than an employee. If they don't want to be employed at a low wage they can seek employment elsewhere, but contracting is hard!

But yeah..I prefer to tip by how I feel about the service I receive. If I feel like I get more value for the service than I paid..I'm inclined to tip. If I feel their rates are already high..I will still tip per social convention but wouldn't do it because I want to (what can I say, money is tight).

In any business, a contractor/business owner sets the price they expect to be paid, thus they are not tipped. An employee is not in control of the rates charged and thus they may be tipped.

A slight exception would be a hair stylist. Although a stylist probably is technically a contractor and rents a station, they can be tipped. The owner of the salon is not tipped.

I've had incredible luck finding two amazing trainers. My first one was for two and a half years. I credit him with helping me change my life. He worked for my gym and I never considered giving a tip (I'm guessing its against policy)...I did get him xmas and anniversary gifts. For example a Sports Authority gift card and once I boiled some eggs and used markers to draw funny inside jokes we had on them. My new trainer is also super awesome and is helping me with sport specific training. I got her a little gift bag for xmas with some bath stuff, nutella and some all natural granola bars since she is always on the go. Honestly if you use them every week for an extend time period they become really close friends. I broke down and cried when my first trainer told me he was having a career change. We still keep in touch. Anyways I'm rambling...I love my PT(s).

But no, I wouldn't tip a PT.

I've never tipped mine. Sometimes it's nice to bring them coffee if you know they have been stuck inside for a bit. I agree with those who say find someone you connect with. My trainer is amazing.