Ethical Dilemma at the Gym
 

This isn't about weights per se, but I know there are lotsa gym rats here, and besides, I like you guys :). Hope nobody minds.

Anyway, I've been going to a Crunch gym since last May, when I started my WL/fitness journey. I go at least 6 days a week without fail, and do a combination of cardio and weights (lifting heavy). I've gotten to know several of the trainers in the gym, many of whom approached me as I started to lose weight, both to congratulate me and, I guess, to nurture a potential client :lol:.

Anyway, there is one trainer in particular who has taken an interest in me. She may not have been the trainer I would have chosen (although she does seem to be quite good), but on Saturday she offered me two free training sessions with her. Actually, "offer" is probably the wrong word, as I tried to decline but she refused to take no for an answer. She insists she is just "proud of me" and wants to give me the sessions to teach me some new stuff -- some functional exercises, some free weight things I can do, some stretching.

Here's the question for you trainers and trainers-to-be. Is it wrong for me to accept these sessions? I made it very clear that I can't afford to buy more sesions at this point (they are EXTREMELY expensive in New York City), but she insists there are no strings attached. I feel slightly nervous that the other trainers will resent me for "choosing" her when I didn't, really.

Any thoughts? Am I just being a nervous Nellie (not Nelie! :) )?

Thanks for any input!

OH - p.s., she also made a joke once about wanting to be "seen with" me, so that could be another motivation. If people in the gym have noticed that I'm "shrinking" and they think she's my trainer, it could help drum up business for her, too. Just another thought...

Ya know, before I read your PS I was thinking, "oh, she wants to be seen with you so your success will reflect on her".

I would feel weird about it too, with respect to her possible expectation that you will buy more sessions. Also it sounds like you feel pressured rather than excited about the possibility of taking the free sessions. I wouldn't worry about what the other trainers think though - really it's your business, who you choose to work out with. And maybe that's what she should have suggested to you - that the two of you should work out together.

Yeah, no actual advice here...

I'm not a trainer but I have worked at a gym. I think you're right that she wants to be seen with such a successful client! If I were you, I think I would just tell her up front that you have no intention of paying for training sessions since you're doing so well on your own (and you don't have the extra money).

If she is still interested in giving you a couple of "free" sessions after you disclose that information, you could graciously accept the offer and send her a nice thank you note after they're over. Something to the effect of: thanks for the free sessions, I will keep you in mind if I ever need further training and I will recommend you to my friends.

Just my two cents.

Hope that helps.
Jocelyn :)

I am sort of excited, actually. We talked the other day, and I think she does have some good ideas. It would definitely help me to learn more free weight exercises, too... I'm always so hesitant to try them out on my own because I'm afraid of getting injured from bad form. And she already lectured me about not stretching enough (major weakness on my part), so I think she could be really good for me.

Guess the excitement didn't really come across because I'm so ambivalent :). Thanks, Jules!

As someone who works out with a trainer all I have to say is that I honestly LOVE working with a trainer and feel like I need the trainer all of the time.

If you're the type who can learn a few things and keep with it then I say go for it.

Personally I'm just stuck on training, and hate to go all on my own.

Jennifer, as long as you make it clear to her, up front, that you can't afford and have no intention of signing up for additional sessions, I don't see why you shouldn't take advantage of her offer. I've done "freebies" for people before for several reasons, but I can honestly say that being seen with a successful client has never been one of them. My reasons are
1) The person really can't afford personal training but needs some help. We have a large retired population at our gym, and I do a lot of freebies for them.
2) The person is a previous client of mine who I know cannot afford more sessions, but has lost form, plateaued, or just needs a few new exercises to keep going.
3) The person says they can't afford training, but needs the help and looks to me like a lively session where they could see the benefits of hiring a trainer would turn them into a regular client. This works fairly frequently. But it's a session, not a sales pitch. If this is what the trainer is doing and she tries to turn it into a sales pitch, remind her that you told her you weren't buying. If she keeps it up, walk away.

Mel

As a newbie trainer in a gym, I agree with Mel ... free workouts are just a sales tactic, but you have no obligation to buy. It's the most effective way to get new clients, especially from the existing gym membership. The idea is to put you through a really killer, razzle-dazzle workout that you couldn't possibly do on your own so that you're convinced that you need a trainer, despite initially saying you don't. At least that's the theory - unfortunately, I'm just not very good at it yet. :p

But it's perfectly OK for you to do the two workouts, say thanks, and walk away. People say no to me all the time, and it's just part of the job (I'm getting really good at taking rejection! :lol: ). The other trainers know what's going on and why you're working out with her, so don't be concerned what they think.

Come to think of it, I'm dragging myself out of bed this Saturday morning to meet a potential client at 8 AM who I'm about 99% sure isn't going to buy but wants a free workout anyway. But that's OK - it's always fun to work out new people and *I* learn something new from every interaction. :D

Thanks very much for all the advice. I really have made it abundantly clear to her that I can't afford to buy more sessions at this point. She may not believe that, but I feel like I've done my part by disclosing it. The weird part is that if I do ever feel like I can buy sessions, I will feel indebted to her, which I guess is kind of the point.

I appreciate the feedback. Now I feel like I can actually look forward to the sessions :). Hope she kicks my ***! :lol:

Jennifer - I recommend to take the first free session and see if you "click". If you do, and you find you are getting a lot out of it I would recommend you ask her to design a program for you and you could then buy an individual session once every 6 weeks or so. It will keep it interesting, give you more exercises in your "tool box" and ensure you retain proper form and avoid injury. Remember, make it work for YOU. What a great inspiration you must be to other members of your gym. Go for it and treat it as the gift it is. In addition to a letter to the trainer I'd also recommend a letter to the owner or manager if the session teaches you a lot. Thanks are aways welcomed.