The personal trainer I just hired...

[1determinedgal]

I decided 2 weeks ago to start training for my first competition in October. I have some weight to lose but have quite a bit of muscle underneath! =) Against my better judgement I hired a trainer whom I thought was a friend of mine. I signed a contract and joined a gym which I didn't need to do but decided to so that I could have him train me. I showed up at the gym (a 30 minute drive) at 5 am this morning and was told that as of Monday he was no longer working at that gym, but that he was at a gym over an hour away. I am now locked into a contract and for lack of better terms..."got screwed!" AGAIN!!! Another trainer said that she would be more than happy to take me on as a client but has never competed nor assisted in training someone for a competition. WHAT should I do? Any suggestions would be helpful! =) Thanks!

[HardGainer82]

Is your contract with the trainer or the gym? If it's with the gym you might be stuck...usually they have a clause to get out but it's only good for a few days after joining.

[The Adam]

I decided 2 weeks ago to start training for my first competition in October. I have some weight to lose but have quite a bit of muscle underneath! =) Against my better judgement I hired a trainer whom I thought was a friend of mine. I signed a contract and joined a gym which I didn't need to do but decided to so that I could have him train me. I showed up at the gym (a 30 minute drive) at 5 am this morning and was told that as of Monday he was no longer working at that gym, but that he was at a gym over an hour away. I am now locked into a contract and for lack of better terms..."got screwed!" AGAIN!!! Another trainer said that she would be more than happy to take me on as a client but has never competed nor assisted in training someone for a competition. WHAT should I do? Any suggestions would be helpful! =) Thanks!

What reason did he give for not being able to train at the agreed upon location?

[BulldogVTX]

What reason did he give for not being able to train at the agreed upon location?

What day did you sign the contract? There is usually a 3 day clause that you can use to get out of the contract without a penalty.

If you signed the contract with the trainer, you can get out of that contract pretty easily because he doesn't work near you. Even the most iron clad contract has a distance clause in it. (Only way I got out of my Bally's contract!)

If you're looking for a personal trainer that is there to physically push you, I would start interviewing trainers at local gyms that fit your needs. If you're just looking for a trainer to build a workout and nutrition program, one of us on here could probably help you out!

Best of luck!

[NDame616]

I know at my gym, in the contract the clients sign, it says the gym can switch the trainer without notice. Kinda sucks, but it's such a high turnaround field....

[mydamnself]

If you're preparing for competition don't work with a trainer who has never competed. Aside from the physical there is a whole psychological aspect to competition that must be addressed. I tell everyone as a rule not to work with unfit trainers either. I always hear the argument that they don't have to be in shape to get in you in shape. Of course we all know that's BS.

[RS3]

If your going to be competing, its a tough decision to make... Give the guy a shot? (especially if your already stuck in the contract) Try and work something out who knows if he has a decent amount of experience... and if you have been trained before to compete, you already know what your intensity level should be and what you need to do to attain your goals.
PS... drop that "friend" of yours

[johnrss]

dickhead! u should demand a refund

[1determinedgal]

Thank you all for the great advice. I have a "free" hour session with Steph tomorrow to see if we are a "fit". She was personal trainer of the year last year so that counts for something. The manager of the PT's at the club has graciously offered moving me to another club and setting me up with a trainer that has experience with and has trained clients for a show. I told her that I would think about that and give her an answer after this weekend and my session with Steph. I may be able to work with Steph for the next month to focus on body fat loss and then move to a competition trainer so to speak. I am 19 weeks out from the show and have never competed so I will track my progress in the appropriate place on this site. Thank you all again!

[BicepGurl]

I wouldn't work with a trainer that doesn't have experience training for competition. Coming from a personal trainer who has never done a show - its almost a whole different ballgame with nutrition, psychology, posing, suits....