Weight Watchers - I'm not gonna lie, I'm Kind of upset.

I went to my trainer at the gym yesterday, because with my gym membership I get two free personal training sessions a month. So in the past I went to her and she told me what to do exactly, what machines to tone up, how much cardio I should be doing etc.

Well I went yesterday just so I can tell her that ive been doing good and Im on WW now, so we sat down and did a re-evaluation. Well she kept telling me that my BMI was horrible, I understand its a 36 and that is horrible, but I already lost 12 pounds this month... and it really upset me her persisting I need personal training to get myself fit and lower my BMI. I know I can lower my BMW on my own. I already do the cardio 5 times a week and strength training ( that i was told to to by her in one of my training sessions) 5 times a week as well. She kept saying I NEED IT. I NEED IT. Its over 2,000 dollars for a personal trainer, and with this economy who can afford that? She said " either you pay for it today, or you will end up paying the same cost in doctors bills". Its not like im not on WW and not working out at all. I understand if i wasnt on WW and I wasnt working out then she could say that, but I lost 12 pounds on my own in less than a month..ugh.

I dont know I'm just really bummed. My mom said she wants to make money and im sure thats it. But yesterday I lost another two pounds and I was ecstatic about that, but going to my trainer really made me upset.:(:(:(:(:(

Wow, yeah, she's all about the dolla dolla bill! I've never even stepped foot in a gym in my life and I've lost over 70 lbs. You don't NEED a personal trainer, she's just looking for some business for herself... Don't sweat it honey :)

I would be upset too... sounds like she's just trying to make some money. You are doing awesome... you are losing weight and being healthy. Unless you want one then I don't see a need for a personal trainer. Congrats on your loss!

There is no need for a personal trainer. Yea they are there to help out, but it also seemed like she depressed you just a bit. If you made it this far than keep doin it. If she want's you to have a personal trainer so bad tell her to front the money for you or stop ridin your tail so bad.

Nobody NEEDS a personal trainer. It's a nice thing to have if you have the money, but you obviously can do it on your own! She definitely was trying to "guilt" you into buying sessions. Unfortunately for her, she's in a luxury industry, and if people are having a hard time paying bills, they definitely don't have money to get training sessions! She must be feeling desperate to be so rude about it.

Don't worry about her. You're doing great! There's a ton of information online about working out, as well as at the library. You can totally do this on your own!

Congrats on the weightloss! Keep it up!

That does sound like harsh selling technique.

I'm going to send you to the Weight Lifting and Resistance Training threads. While there is definitely a place for personal trainers, lots of folks just can't manage that. In the mean time, there's lots you can read and learn.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=80

She may be a great personal trainer, but she's a lousy salesperson if she makes all of her potential clients feel this badly about themselves. I'm so sorry you had your newfound confidence rattled by his person's poorly calibrated "hard sell" tactics. You should be congratulating yourself instead, so I'm glad you've come here where we can all tell you that you done good.

Maybe you'll get a trainer one day, but clearly, this is not the one for you. It's a teaching relationship. You have to trust & like & admire your teacher. This trainer just basically blew it. She got bossy on what is basically a job interview. She forgot that YOU'RE doing the the hiring here.

It seems that most folks (or at least far too many) who are selling weight loss and health products and sevices will try to convince you that you not only need what they're selling, but often that their's is the only path to success. You're absolutelu DOOMED without them. Bumming you out, in a sense is the whole point, because you've got to see them as the light at the end of your tunnel.

Don't fall for it. You are doing great on your own, and you don't need her.

Im gonna agree with everyone on this one! You dont need a trainer! You are doing great on your own!!! :carrot:

Keep up the good work!! :D

This trainer gets my vote for "Worst Motivator"! How does she get off saying your BMI is lousy? I thought being a trainer meant you try to inspire and motivate. You are doing great with your weight loss! Please do not let this person get you down and DO NOT let her make you belive you need a personal trainer. Getting a personal trainer is completely your decision and should not be based off her making a sale for the month.

Personal trainers are so expensive. The one at my gym is $65 dollars a session. If they really cared about things other then the money, they'd be reasonably priced for those who don't make that great of money. I guess it's affordable if you only go once a month but that's as much as my actual gym membership.

Don't worry about her. You're going so good on your own! Just stay on plan, exercise, and work hard! You'll get where you want to be.

Is there a different trainer? She sounds vile, absolutely horrible, there's a line between encouragement and downright pushy, she crossed it, especially since you're already well-aware of your own situation and are succeeding quite well on your own. I think it's not about you, it's about her and the almighty dollar. Don't waste a second worrying about her, I wouldn't even have her as a trainer even if it were free.

You are doing GREAT. Do not let her get you down. You should complain to the management about this.

I agree....Money Honey. She's selling herself.

If it was me, I probably wouldn't have been so nice to her. I'd probably also talk to the management about the hard sell and the fact that she made you uncomfortable. Any personal trainer worth anything would show you their value through their work and training and not their big ugly mouth.

If it was me, I probably wouldn't have been so nice to her. I'd probably also talk to the management about the hard sell and the fact that she made you uncomfortable. Any personal trainer worth anything would show you their value through their work and training and not their big ugly mouth.

Well, yeah, but management is probably where the pressure is coming from in the first place. It's likely that she has to fulfill a monthly quota or something.
So xchampagnedream, when she says "You NEED it" what she really means is "I NEED it -desperately".

Like the others said, it's a hard sell and it has nothing to do with YOUR needs or YOUR BMI. If your BMI was lower she would have found another point to hit. It's just a technique. It's not about you, so don't let it hurt you or get you down. :hug:

Ugh, she wasn't even subtle. If you think local management won't be helpful, write to corporate. Tell them you've considered using a personal trainer as needed, but now you're quite certain they do not have your interests at heart and will refuse to use their trainers as a matter of principle.

I once wasted $600 on a personal trainer. Wasted because I think I used maybe 3 of my sesssions. I thought if I spent that money, I couldn't make excuses not to do it, but I did anyway. Oh, and then I was out $600.

Yes do not let her get you down....sounds like she was trying to make money instead of being motivating.

I went to my trainer at the gym yesterday, because with my gym membership I get two free personal training sessions a month. So in the past I went to her and she told me what to do exactly, what machines to tone up, how much cardio I should be doing etc.

Well I went yesterday just so I can tell her that ive been doing good and Im on WW now, so we sat down and did a re-evaluation. Well she kept telling me that my BMI was horrible, I understand its a 36 and that is horrible, but I already lost 12 pounds this month... and it really upset me her persisting I need personal training to get myself fit and lower my BMI. I know I can lower my BMW on my own. I already do the cardio 5 times a week and strength training ( that i was told to to by her in one of my training sessions) 5 times a week as well. She kept saying I NEED IT. I NEED IT. Its over 2,000 dollars for a personal trainer, and with this economy who can afford that? She said " either you pay for it today, or you will end up paying the same cost in doctors bills". Its not like im not on WW and not working out at all. I understand if i wasnt on WW and I wasnt working out then she could say that, but I lost 12 pounds on my own in less than a month..ugh.

I dont know I'm just really bummed. My mom said she wants to make money and im sure thats it. But yesterday I lost another two pounds and I was ecstatic about that, but going to my trainer really made me upset.:(:(:(:(:(

how terrible. what she is doing is WRONG WRONG WRONG. screw her. you are doing GREAT. and she clearly is DESPERATE for $$$.

And I understand many of us are in need of $$ but what she did is plain old wrong. :mad:

I agree with everybody else. What she doesn't recognize is that you are being successful right now! You're getting yourself healthy, you've started losing weight. You're on the right track! Just keep doing what you're doing, you don't need her!!

Thank you everyone, that made me feel a lot better..I appreciate all the kind words!:hug::carrot:

Okay, I agree with everyone above.... she's just trying to make money. People get personal trainers for lots of reasons, but the big reasons are because either they can't motivate themselves to work out or they don't know how to work out effectively. You already know how to work out and you obviously have the motivation.
In this economy, the first thing people are getting rid of are personal trainers and gym memberships, so I image that this lady is saying whatever she can to get customers. Ignore her and keep up what your doing!

12lbs is a good amount of weight to loose in a month. I would go and speak with they gym manager or fitness manager that is totally unprofessional and If management at the gym does not do something about it I would than contact the corporate office of the gym you belong to. I have used several different trainers over the years and only had that experience once and I explained to the trainer if they said that to me one more time I was going to humiliate him infront of the enitre gym and he never said anything about it to me again and he was forbiden to talk to me. They gave me a much better trainer and he is no longer at the gym. Where are you in Jersey?

How the **** does she think you lost weight without her personal training. It's all about the benjamin's.

It sounds like you are doing great doing it your way so now you have extra motivation....to show her you can do this without her!

Also, if you ever do decide you want or can afford a pt I would avoid her!

Sounds like she's in it for the money.....maybe you could find another trainer?
Your better off by yourself instead of dealing with her.

Good luck!

First of all, a double high five for the success you have already achieved. It sounds to me like you are on the right track and already know what it takes to lose weight--you've already doing it! Arrgh, on the trainer. She is looking for a buck. Don't buy what that one is selling! Lots of gals here are experiencing weight loss successes without paying a personal trainer--me included. Good luck and chin up. You are rockin' it already.

I don't think there is anything wrong about the trainer being "in it for the money", actually. Isn't that why we all have jobs? For the money?

Having said that, her motivational tactics stink. The way to truly inspire and help someone is through encouragement and postive action. Tough talk like "keep going! You can do it! One more! Don't stop!" is good motivation; negative talk like, "You're going to fail without me! Your BMI is awful!" is so demotivating that I'm really kind of shocked. I think I would be inclined to talk to the gym manager and explain that this trainer really put you OFF hiring a trainer with her negative sales tactics.

Sounds like you're already plenty motivated and know what to do, so keep on doing what you're doing. Like others have said, if you reach a point in the future where you need a trainer, then hire one but don't hire Negative Nancy!

I can sympathize with the trainer, because a lot of people are having financial issues in this economy, and are dropping luxuries like personal trainers. Most trainers that I've known, at least where I've lived in IL and WI are rarely employed by the gym they're working in. Rather, they're self-employed and either "renting" space in the gym, or have a contract with the gym splitting the fee in some way. Since the trainer's income is dependent on having clients, she could be getting desperate if business is slow. Or quite frankly, she may be using tactics that she's found successful in the past, or is justifying to herself that she is ultimately helping people (look how popular "mean" trainers are on the reality shows).

Some people are apparently motivated (at least to watch the reality shows) by drill sargeant-like demons who scream and insult, whipping "maggots" into shape.

The point really isn't her tactics or training style - it's that you not let it say anything about you or persuade you into doing what you don't want to do. It's all about her, not you.

If you went to look at cars, and the dealer says your car is a piece of crap that's about to fall apart at any moment and you desperately need a car that he can sell you; do you swallow everything he says hook, line, and sinker, or do you realize that most of what he's saying is because he wants to sell you a car.

If you feel she crossed a line of professionalism, go ahead and report it to the gym, but I think it's more important that you are able to seperate truth from the salespitch. Very often salespitches, especially regarding services, rather than goods follow one of two lines - you're helpless without my services - or only someone as special as you can truly appreciate the value of what I'm offering.

Somes salespeople tend to use one argument, but many use whichever one they think will work with a given potential client (or will start out with one, and end with another).

If you allow the salespitch to "make" you feel either bad or good about yourself, on some level it has succeeded. To be an informed and smart consumer, you've got to recognize the salespitch and not let either tactic sway you in your choice, and especially not in how you feel about yourself.

Don't get bummed out about her hard sell tactics. A personal trainer is a great investment if you really don't have the knowledge to create a balanced exercise program. However, only a good trainer with whom you can work well is worth that investment. I worked with a great personal trainer for about 2 years. I couldn't afford to work with him all the time, so I worked with him once a month. He would give me a new workout program for the month, run through it with me in that hour, ask my about my diet, my sleeping habits, etc... Since I love to plan things, I could have spent about 6 hours planning that workout for the month and not actually worked out at all. He had a degree in sports medicine and 3 different certifications for personal trainers. He also had a great personality and pushed me hard enough to improve without killing me.

Right now, I have a set of free weights, resistance bands and a stability ball at home + a bunch of workout videos, an aerobic step, a Bosu, and no gym membership. I am able to get quite a good workout at him at least in part due to all the time I worked with Travis. Travis never tried to sell me more sessions because I made it very clear what my goals were, what I could afford, and what I was interested in.

You can definitely pursue a solid workout routine on your own and be very successful.

Don't let her talk to you like that seriously. She just wants $$$ for herself. 12 pounds is a lot of weight to lose in a month espesially doing it on your own! So you are doing great. Just keep doing what your doing. You don't need a person trainer, yes they can be good for motivation but you got that all here. Most of losing weight I think comes from common sense. We know what's bad for us and whats not it's just a matter of putting those thoughts into action. Just keep on losing weight and put one up on her okay not really, but still congrats on your weight loss :)

Personally, I think SOME (not all) trainers are threatened by WW.
SOME, not all, of them want to put you on their own diets. They also want to emphasize exercise as the primary means to weight loss or at least say that exercise is equal to diet in terms of weight loss.
The truth is, IMHO, the amount of food is paramount. Quality is also very important. Exercise is very important, but there are certain limitations.
It is not reasonable to mega exercise pounds away consistenly, nor is it reasonable to think you will be doing this for great lengths of time. ESPECIALLY if you factor in the fact that as you lose weight, your body MIGHT require MORE exercise. So, is your plan to stop working, stop living, stop socializing, stop moving forward in other areas of your life, so you can live at the gym?
I think the ww idea of exercising more or less 30 minutes a day...4 or 5 days a week is ideal. Some trainers don't really like this. However, it is a reasonable and healthy expectation. AND they know that a few training sessions, might be all it takes for a person to fully grasp what they need to do for that amount of time. Just my humble opinion...but I have seen this before. My personal experience has shown me that when I attend meetings regularly, watch my portions, follow the good health guidelines, limit sugar and alcohol and exercise moderately (and consistently), I get fantastic results. DH and I are Lifetime members.