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A "situation" in the gym - how would you handle it?
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All I can think of is the scene from the movie Carrie.
It might help OP out if it were true.... "They're all gonna laugh at you". If everyone laughed at the trainer, they'd probably be so stupidly embarrassed that they'd never leave weights around again. Some embarrassment does wonders to those whose egos are out of proportion like that.0 -
He finished with his client and leaves - with plates still mounted (light plates, I might add, but still). I ask him, like the last time, if he was done, he said "yes", and I again like the last time I ask him to re-rack. To which he replies "It weighs like a tampon, you take it off".
So he basically mocked his client's ability right in front of the client, and he thinks someone calling him a name is the problem that needs addressing?
I would keep hammering away at management about this. He may bring people into the gym, but those fees are going to pale in comparison to a lawsuit if someone gets hurt due to his negligence. Especially when there is documentation of people bringing it to their attention.0 -
sgthaggard wrote: »"I'm sorry, were these too heavy for you? Did you need me to re-rack them?"
Loudly so everyone can hear.
Or the tampon thing.
Heck I'd probably follow him around all day and continue to drop them until he gets the hint.0 -
If you want to press the issue, I would find out what organization he received his personal trainer certification through and report him (I'm sure he hands out cards or has his information posted in the gym). Part of being a certified PT is positively representing the profession and practicing good etiquette in front of clients, which includes being polite, wiping down equipment, and returning the equipment and weights to their proper places.
Receiving a phone call or letter from his PT company following up on a complaint would likely be a big wake-up call.0 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »If you want to press the issue, I would find out what organization he received his personal trainer certification through and report him (I'm sure he hands out cards or has his information posted in the gym). Part of being a certified PT is positively representing the profession and practicing good etiquette in front of clients, which includes being polite, wiping down equipment, and returning the equipment and weights to their proper places.
Receiving a phone call or letter from his PT company following up on a complaint would likely be a big wake-up call.
I agree with this. This is a good idea. Sounds like the manager of the gym doesn't have the ability to enforce rules, which is their job. May need to go to the next level. Plus, as I said earlier, this PT isn't just negatively affecting others at the gym, he's doing a disservice to his clients.0 -
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Tell the manager that this "trainer" is ruining your gym experience and if he isn't able to correct this person's behavior you will take your business elsewhere. The manager is a businessman. Hit him where it hurts. If this d-bag is causing him to lose paying customers, he'll nip it in the bud. If not, you don't want to go there anymore, anyway.0
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Wouldn't have let it get to that point. Would have talked to the manager as well as written a letter if need be.0
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brian_gunther wrote: »Tell the manager that this "trainer" is ruining your gym experience and if he isn't able to correct this person's behavior you will take your business elsewhere. The manager is a businessman. Hit him where it hurts. If this d-bag is causing him to lose paying customers, he'll nip it in the bud. If not, you don't want to go there anymore, anyway.
OH! But before doing this, make friends with every other gym goer - as many as possible. And have them all sign a list saying they'll leave with you.0 -
But what ticked me is not the weight - the behaviour.
No it wasn't, it was his past behavior. If that was the first time you saw him, i doubt you would have confronted him over tiny plates, especially since it could be an honest mistake. If i confront someone, i discuss the present situation, and forget all my emotional butthurt over past actions.0 -
SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage wrote: »
I knew you'd have the best response to this.
The DB trainer sounds like he needs a hint applied with a sledgehammer. Shaming the lunkhead is likely your only solution.
I was in the aerobics room dancing- and they came in with plate weights and did abs and then left the plate weight there.
I strolled across the gym with the plate as they were leaving and handed it to him as he was in the lobby and said- "here you- you left this."
I'm all about public shaming.
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Bry_Lander wrote: »If you want to press the issue, I would find out what organization he received his personal trainer certification through and report him (I'm sure he hands out cards or has his information posted in the gym). Part of being a certified PT is positively representing the profession and practicing good etiquette in front of clients, which includes being polite, wiping down equipment, and returning the equipment and weights to their proper places.
Receiving a phone call or letter from his PT company following up on a complaint would likely be a big wake-up call.
this would be the biggest waste of time that ever did waste time0 -
SingingSingleTracker wrote: »
He seriously said that? He needs to crawl back under the rock that he emerged from in the first place!
I'd pull every string I had to have him permanently removed from a place that you are a paying customer. Contact not only the manager(s), but also the owner. Nobody wants somebody like that working for their organization.
:huh:0 -
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mangamadayan wrote: »Nobody should train on a smith-machine. It is more dangerous to the knees than a mean trainer.
Mechanically, how does a Smith differ from a leg press?0 -
mangamadayan wrote: »Nobody should train on a smith-machine. It is more dangerous to the knees than a mean trainer.
I disagree. It's great for inverted rows and hanging blast straps from to do suspended pushups.
Frees the squat rack.0 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »
I seriously hope you intended this pun.
Yes, I attempted to choose my words to fit the situation... ;-)0 -
Packerjohn wrote: »
I disagree. It's great for inverted rows and hanging blast straps from to do suspended pushups.
Frees the squat rack.
I also use it for shrugs0 -
mangamadayan wrote: »Nobody should train on a smith-machine. It is more dangerous to the knees than a mean trainer.
Off topic, but can someone point me in the direction of the orthopedic surgeon who has his waiting room all filled up with limping Smith Machine injury cases?0 -
Off topic, but can someone point me in the direction of the orthopedic surgeon who has his waiting room all filled up with limping Smith Machine injury cases?
I suspect it's a case of BroDoctrine more than anything else. Some myths are immortal.
It is known.0 -
mangamadayan wrote: »Oh by the way, leave a poor yelp review and that will make them run to fix it.
So hurt business for the gym as a whole instead of taking care of the problem like an adult. Good idea.0 -
If they don't want bad reviews they should enforce their policies. Leaving an honest review isn't exactly childish.0
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sounds super frustrating. he actually disrespected you first with the whole "it weighs a tampon" nonsense. i would just keep asking him to clean up after himself. if he refuses, tell him his behavior as trainer is really unprofessional. say this in front of his client. and then proceed to clean up yourself. he will soon tire of his clients hearing how unprofessional he is. hopefully...good luck. sounds super frustrating...0
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ClubSilencio wrote: »I think you two need to hug it out.
There was no need to raise your voice at him. And he needs to work on his gym etiquette. I've seen these confrontations in the gym many a time and it makes me uncomfortable to see adults behave in this manner. I believe taking the high road is always the best option. I mean, we're talking about re-racking weights here... it's not exactly a civil rights violation. Heck, I don't mind getting in a little extra work. If someone wants to be lazy, that's on them. Gives me the chance to be the shining example in this world. I'll show you how to re-rack these plates, son.
Sorry dude but you need to grow a pair. If you want to be passive that's your right.
I hope he was embarrassed. He deserved it. Clearly this guy is selfish and arrogant. One thing I won't tolerate is rude and inconsiderate behavior in the gym. That's the trouble with ppl today and not just in the gym, they don't care about others. If I can re-rack my weights and wipe down the equipment then so can everyone else. And letting it continue w/o being approached is wrong.
To the OP, good on you for calling his *kitten* out. I would have, and have done the same thing.0 -
He's being unprofessional by his conduct & attitude, as well as setting a bad example for his clients & other members.
After seeing the problem for a long time,
and saying something to him about it,
and him getting nasty,
I would have gone to the manager.
Swearing at him definitely did not help the situation.
If the manager on duty can't handle the problem,
talk with the actual manager,
then talk with the owner or HQ.
ETA: +1 to using social media, as well as contacting his certifying organization (if he is certified)
How about video? Of course, if they have 'security' cameras, they'll have their own proof, but for
social media, public shaming of the idiot, or lasting documentation (no "oops, we deleted it"), you
should have your own, preferably a bunch taken on different days.0 -
singingflutelady wrote: »
I also use it for shrugs
at my old gym- i use it to sit on between reps- but now they keep the smith over by the free weights and its no where near the squat racks- now I have to sit on the safety rails.0 -
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@JoRocka At my gym they have a power lifting corner with a rack and a squat/ bench press stand and platform. In the free weight section there is a squat cage and right beside it is a Smith machine. I usually use the cage for all my lifts other than accessories so I can hang out in the Smith machine though it is being used a lot by newbies squatting and benching so there goes my resting place. There is a cable machine right behind the cage so I now sit on the lat pulldown seat if no one is using it lol0
This discussion has been closed.
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