1. THE DEBATER
I have never personally had to deal with this, thank goodness! But, I've actually heard a client literally debating with a trainer about the choices of exercises! Publicly! In the middle of the weight room!! We love when you ask questions, we really do! It shows us you are interested in learning and are taking responsibility for your health and fitness! It also keep us, the trainer sharp and always seeking to learn! Please keep in mind, most Personal Trainers have a degree and hold one or more certifications in their field - we are trained in our profession. It is frustrating and also embarrassing to have someone challenge you in public where potential clients may be watching. A conversation is great, a debate not so great.
2. THE NUTRITION POLICE
Oh man, this one! We are proud of you for changing your lifestyle and for taking steps to clean up your nutrient intake! Chances are you haven't always been a "clean eater." Not everyone has reached that point in their lives. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN JOURNEY AND THEIR OWN SPEED AT WHICH THEY TRAVEL! I'm going to make myself vulnerable and be completely open and honest... I am an emotional eater, always have been. There was a period where I was going through some stuff, I ate Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey and/or New York Style Chunk Fudge literally every day! I can eat an entire chocolate sheet cake in one sitting when I get into a funk. I had a client who felt the need to be a Nutrition Cop and proceeded to tell me a trainer shouldn't eat like that and then LITERALLY GAVE ME ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT SUGAR AND SATURATED FAT I HAD WRITTEN ABOUT IN A BLOG! Yeah, I know I shouldn't eat it, thank you for pointing it out! Chances are people already know they shouldn't eat what they do! While I find it extremely enlightening and enjoy talking nutrition with anyone, most trainers find it offensive when you report that you saw their client (or them) at a restaurant eating something they "shouldn't be." You wouldn't like it if you felt you were being watched and reported would you? Not everyone is at the point in their fitness journey you are or may be having a bad day!
3. THE TRAINER WANNA BE
That's that one person who hires or watches a trainer for a period of time, learns a few exercises and then walks around the gym seeking whomever they can demonstrate their knowledge to. Please keep in mind Personal Trainers are educated in working with people who may have pre-existing conditions, physiology, anatomy, biomechanics of movement and exercise etc. We are happy you are enthusiastic to show everyone your knew found exercises. I've actually heard a member tell another member they don't need a trainer, they know what they're doing and the trainer doesn't! Please don't be that person!
4. THE LAST MINUTE CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE
OK, this is a sensitive subject. We know things come up. Children get sick, you get sick, "your pet rabbit chewed the phone cord and you have to wait for the phone company to arrive," "You have to take your son (who is 19yrs old) to buy a new wetsuit," "You need to get your nails done and this was the only time they could get you in!" The excuses in quotes are just a few I've personally heard! Most fitness facilities have a cancellation policy which require a 12-24 hour notice. Please keep in mind that this is how personal trainers feed their families and pay their mortgage. Every time someone cancels last minute or even worse reschedules last minute (you tie up 2 time slots, the one you just canceled and the new one you re-booked) you essentially have created a financial deficit for that trainer. I have again, been very blessed with some great friends/clients who will tell me to charge them for the session and will apologize profusely in the rare occasion it does happen.
5. THE POSER
Oh boy... here we go... This is the client who has lost weight and started to shape their body. I've seen this time and again! They start out wearing baggy T-shirts and sweat pants. Over time it's like they morph from the caterpillar into a butterfly. They now start wearing matching yoga pants, shoes and tank tops etc. Between each set they check out their butt in the mirror. I keep saying, "yup, it's still back there, nobody took it!" Even more frustrating, the "look at my_______" I've gotten this a lot over the years. The look at my butt, look at my chest, look at my back... I KNOW!!!! I SEE IT!!!! IT'S MY JOB TO LOOK AT IT!!! I'VE CREATED AND SCULPTED IT!!!! We are extremely pleased when people start to feel comfortable with their body and are pleased with the results they are getting! There is almost no better feeling to feel comfortable in your own skin! However, there are those of us who may struggle with our body image and don't like to have someone telling us to "look at it" as they point out a body part. Other members see and hear it as well, you may come off as arrogant. just sayin'.
6. THE SOCIALIZER
When a trainer is working with someone, it is difficult to hold a full conversation with a gym member. My friends/clients are extremely patient and I have introduced them to one another so they form a bond. However, there are those who are paying for a service and would like the trainer's undivided attention. It puts the trainer in an awkward position when trying to not offend the client or the member.
7. THE CIRCUIT PERSON OR EQUIPMENT HOG
I've been a personal trainer for over 24 years. I can change up exercises or substitute another exercise "on the fly." Some facilities have a policy where the trainer has the "right of way" on the equipment. I personally don't feel that is right and would never enforce that as a Fitness Director. Please be aware of your surroundings. If you are spending more than 15 minutes on a piece of equipment such as a squat rack or smith machine which is in demand, you may be not only frustrating a trainer looking to use it but other members too. This also goes for tying up two or more pieces of equipment. My rule... "MOVE YOUR FEET, LOSE YOUR SEAT!" ha ha I've seen people load a bar on the squat rack and then go talk to someone for a few minutes, come back do a set and then go continue a conversation!
8. CAUSING A "SCENE" DURING A TRAINING SESSION
I have personally witnessed a trainer with a client who started yelling at the trainer saying she was tired and doesn't want to do the exercise. I personally just last week had someone embarrass me in the middle of the free weight room during a training session. I have never walked out on a training session in over 24 years as a trainer... I did that night! This is our workplace, please respect that. We would NEVER go into a restaurant you work at (or your office) and loudly, in front of the other diners and coworkers complain about the service, food etc. It not only embarrasses the person who has to work in the fitness facility but may turn away potential clients, may draw the attention of their supervisor and also create tension between the trainer and client. If you have an issue with something a trainer says or does, please address it with the trainer discretely. I felt so bad for the trainer who's client started yelling at him and started actually swearing! The member actually ended up looking bad but it still embarrasses the trainer. This also goes for clients who slam weights and grunt while working with a trainer.
9. HAVING TO BEG FOR PAYMENT
It's awkward. No trainer likes to have to chase a client for payment. I have again been extremely blessed with great friends/clients who not only pay when it's due but will renew early. For a trainer to have to not only manage personal training sessions, scheduling, workout programs for several clients, and have to remember and beg clients who are overdue... it's a point of frustration and humiliating.
10. THE SOMETHING FOR NOTHING PERSON
We are here for you. Join just about any fitness facility and they have an orientation program for members. I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of it! A trainer will develop a safe and effective program for you and show you how to use the cardio equipment etc. The relationship doesn't end after the orientation. We are always here to answer questions and encourage you. We love to help people, that's why we chose this profession! However, please be considerate of a trainer's time. They earn a living doing personal training. If a store gives a sample of ice cream... first look over your shoulder for the gym police before taking the sample... but if you keep going back for more samples or even worse ask for more than the sample, you are taking advantage of the store's kindness and promotion.
11. WHAT'S NEXT
Yeah... that person. They finish a set, put the weight down and immediately ask, "What's next?" We can appreciate you want to get your money's worth out of each and every session. If you set the weight down and immediately ask what's next, you either didn't challenge yourself with enough weight or the intensity wasn't there. If you ask a trainer "What's next?" that's like saying "Sick 'em" to a dog! That's like telling us, "Ok, your workout isn't challenging me, please kick my a$$." If that is genuinely the situation, communicate with your trainer. I always ask my friends/clients to give me feedback, how was the weight, how is the exercise, do you feel it in the targeted muscle etc. Trainers can only go by visual and audible clues, we can't feel what you're feeling during the exercise. If you keep asking what's next, we will assume by the given audible qu you are ready for more intensity!
12. THE GHOST CLIENT
That's the person who a trainer only sees or hears from during their training session. We are in a partnership, a relationship! I try to text, send a weekly news email, speak with them when/if they come into the gym outside of their appointments etc. Please communicate with your trainer! We want/need to know how you're feeling the next day after your workout. We want/need to know if you are having issues with your nutrient intake or extra workouts above and beyond your training session(s). TOGETHER, we can help you reach your goals.
Have something that makes you crazy in the gym? Like say... oooooh... that obnoxious trainer who hits on all the members of the opposite sex, who is loud and arrogant or hogs all the equipment? Send me a text or email and maybe I'll do a "Things That Make Me Crazy" from a gym goer's point of view!