Got Kicked Out Of the Gym Today & Im Pissed Off!

The policy of not allowing outside trainers to work in a gym is a standard one just about everywhere. The reasons should be obvious, but if anyone wonders why, I'll be happy to explain.

In a situation where you are doing "buddy workouts" it becomes more of a gray area and subject to interpretation. If two people are working out together, doing the same exercises, or it is obvious they are doing their own routines, then it usually is OK. Or a parent working with a kid or a spouse working with a partner. In those cases, it is usually obvious that the "helper" is not a professional.

However, if it is obvious that there is instruction taking place, that one person is leading or directing the workout, or that one person is correcting the form or guiding the exercise for another, then that is usually seen as training by an outside trainer, whether there is money changing hands or not.

Obviously, not every situation is cut and dried, and not every club is going to treat each situation the same. In our facility, if it appears like it is a "friend is my trainer" situation, we will talk with them and inform them of the policy, but allow them to continue working out -- as long as the "training" stops. On a couple of occasions, if the trainer was local, the manager spoke to them and, if they had a decent background--invited them to apply for a job at our facility.

But, if they persist in engaging in "training", then the trainer will be asked to leave immediately and the member will be informed that another incident will result in immediate termination of their membership. For financial and liability reasons, you just can't have that going on in your facility, and most places I know are pretty aggressive about enforcing their policies.

They told her that she is not allowed to work with an outside trainer.

That's pretty standard for any gym, actually. I'm sorry it bothered you so much.

But he's NOT a trainer, there or at another gym, he's a friend who just happens to know what he's doing. That's ridiculous you got kicked out if their policy specifically says "for compensation," then you did nothing wrong. Definitely a chat with the manager or $$ back for sure. The gym should maybe think about hiring the friend and helping to get him certified to be a trainer since other members are interested in him if they were thinking smart business!!

This is exactly, what I would have thought. Would be very good business..



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agree^ I've asked my friend has he considered being a certified trainer as a profession and he said no, for two main reasons. One he really does like helping people out and showing them proper form etc... thats how he learned by someone else teaching him. So now he wants to share what he knows...... Two because gyms want to pay you too little and they are sales goal driven, he hates sales. That's why he's a computer tech.

This is going to sound mean, but that's precisely why most clubs cannot allow "buddy trainers" in their facility. Your friend has no formal training, no certification, no liability insurance, zippo--except what he "learned" from someone else. Now it may very well be that he knows his stuff--but who knows? Believe me, clubs have lost lawsuits over a lot less.

The policy of not allowing outside trainers to work in a gym is a standard one just about everywhere. The reasons should be obvious, but if anyone wonders why, I'll be happy to explain.

In a situation where you are doing "buddy workouts" it becomes more of a gray area and subject to interpretation. If two people are working out together, doing the same exercises, or it is obvious they are doing their own routines, then it usually is OK. Or a parent working with a kid or a spouse working with a partner. In those cases, it is usually obvious that the "helper" is not a professional.

However, if it is obvious that there is instruction taking place, that one person is leading or directing the workout, or that one person is correcting the form or guiding the exercise for another, then that is usually seen as training by an outside trainer, whether there is money changing hands or not.

Obviously, not every situation is cut and dried, and not every club is going to treat each situation the same. In our facility, if it appears like it is a "friend is my trainer" situation, we will talk with them and inform them of the policy, but allow them to continue working out -- as long as the "training" stops. On a couple of occasions, if the trainer was local, the manager spoke to them and, if they had a decent background--invited them to apply for a job at our facility.

But, if they persist in engaging in "training", then the trainer will be asked to leave immediately and the member will be informed that another incident will result in immediate termination of their membership. For financial and liability reasons, you just can't have that going on in your facility, and most places I know are pretty aggressive about enforcing their policies.

Custom doesn't govern here the contract does. The contract stipulates the determining factor is compensation. What other gyms do isn't relevant here.

Sorry. I didn't realize you had a copy of the contract. I'd be curious to read all the relevant provisions, if you could post them.

Happens all the time. The gym is taking a precaution to not only protect themselves financially but also in terms of liability. An unqualified person training/helping people in the gym that results in injuries could cause problems for them.

Isnt this why I signed a waiver. To relieve them of any responsibilities?

For your personal exercise. It doesn't give an individual a license to do whatever they want.

There may be specific issues that pertain to your particular case, so I don't want to comment too specifically on your incident. And it may be that, as was alluded earlier, they have poorly-worded contracts. Again, I can't comment on that.

What I can say is that the practice of overtly bringing in an outside "trainer" or "trainer-like" associate is not going to be allowed in most clubs. If you feel strongly against that, I would imagine you would be given the option to leave the club, regardless of whatever commitment you have (now if they have a poorly-worded contract, and they don't allow you to do it, and they refuse to let you out of the contract--that's a different story altogether).

Again, every club is different, but I don't think places have as much of a problem if it appears that you are just working out together. You can have a routine planned out ahead of time. It's the overt direction, correcting form, etc, by another person is where they are going to have problems. We have several pairs of "buddies" who work out together, and some high-school football players who lift weights together in a group of 4. They come in with their own routines, they spot each other, they sometimes help each other with a new exercise. But it's obvious that they are working as peers and each is contributing to the development and direction of the workout. So, you can figure out a way to "fake" it, and stay within the spirit of the rules.

Again, some private clubs are super aggressive about selling personal training so they might even take offense at that-in which case you would probably have to switch. When you talk to the manager, after you explain your situation, it might help to ask him specifically how he you can get the support of your 'buddies" and still stay within their rules.

wow, i'm sorry that happened to you. they should have asked you to stop and not kicked you out if there was a question about what was going on. don't give up your gym membership if you feel like it's valuable to you. the gym is a great place and don't let one rotten apple spoil it. hopefully you can come to an amicable solution.

one question, sorry if i missed it, was your friend also doing the exercises too or just telling y'all what to do an observing? the reason i ask is because if he was observing and not doing it's a lot harder to prove you aren't "paying and outside trainer". now if he's doing everything and leading the two of you as well then it's a lot easier to just say three friends working out.