personal trainer (re: etiquette)

[MissThing]

I've come to the level headed people on bb.com

I have a PTwho's excellent but has always been bit liberal with his time. Last year I fired him over it. this year I hired him on a once-a-month-thereabouts basis, just to ckeck in with a pro.

My mum joined the same gym last month. As an early birthday present I negotiated a 4-week package (including plus intro and program) with the PT. I paid up front cash.

- Intro session had to be rescduled an hour before appt due to his childcare issues
- first session rebooked because he had car trouble
- second session rebooked because of childcare again. (it was re-sheculed tot his morning but I've been at work all day)

I kinda get the impression he's being lax again...


now, PT and an I went to the same highschool so there is a bit of a social background. He's a great guy and very repectful so his timing can be quite frustrating(!!) he's single so I don't know how oftem he get to see his kids or what the domestic situation is.

my dilemma is this: I paid for the sessions and mum should have someone turn up when they're supposed to. But my mum is the customer. would I be a busybody if I said "hey Trainer, what's up with the timing lately?

(I know summer is a nightmare for parents sometimes so I feel-like-a-rhymes-with-witch to take umbrage with it. ) it it was me, I'd fire him again but my mum enjoys the sessions.

[rpaul11]

Originally Posted by MissThing

I've come to the level headed people on bb.com

I have a PTwho's excellent but has always been bit liberal with his time. Last year I fired him over it. this year I hired him on a once-a-month-thereabouts basis, just to ckeck in with a pro.

My mum joined the same gym last month. As an early birthday present I negotiated a 4-week package (including plus intro and program) with the PT. I paid up front cash.

Intro session had to be rescduled an hour before appt due to his childcare issues
first session rebooked because he had car trouble
second session rebooked because of childcare again. (it was re-sheculed tot his morning but I've been at work all day)

I kinda get the impression he's being lax again...


now, PT and an I went to the same highschool so there is a bit of a social background. He's a great guy and very repectful so his timing can be quite frustrating(!!) he's single so I don't know how oftem he get to see his kids or what the domestic situation is.

my dilemma is this: I paid for the sessions and mum should have someone turn up when they're supposed to. But my mum is the customer. would I be a busybody if I said "hey Trainer, what's up with the timing lately?" and if he has a childcare issue, being summer and all, am I being a rhymes-wth-witch to bring it up?

you are not being a busybody. You paid for the sessions. He is accountable to you IMO.

[freebirdmac]

I'd bring it up. Friends or not you have paid for his services for your mom. An occasional reschedule due to life is to be expected, but on a regular basis, no way. If he's just going through a rough patch and it'll stop when school starts or something like that, then you have options. But it sounds like it's an ongoing thing. I have sympathy for him, I've done the single parent thing my daughter's entire life, but you've got to find backups so it does not interfere with work on a regular basis. It doesn't matter that your mom is the client. You paid for it, set it up, and you have a relationship with the guy.

[Rhinoclan]

I was single at one point, and I have 4 kids, when ever I absolutely knew that I needed to be some place, I scheduled it when I knew I wouldn't have the kids...so no conflit. I would be all over him on this one.

[djl_ottawa]

I agree with rpaul, you paid for it, you are entitled. Your mom is getting the benefit, but technically your the purchaser.

What you might want to do is ask for your money back and explain that you need someone who is punctual because your mom is limited in time and cannot have changes like all the time.

[ironwill2008]

You're being too nice. Friend or not, this is a business transaction, and the PT should hold up his end of the deal. His child care problems are his, not yours, or your mother's. I'd call him on it, and read him the riot act. Good luck.

[rpaul11]

Originally Posted by ironwill2008

You're being too nice. Friend or not, this is a business transaction, and the PT should hold up his end of the deal. His child care problems are his, not yours, or your mother's. I'd call him on it, and read him the riot act. Good luck.

Just to add to what has already been said. This is his Job. You are his boss per say. If he had a 9-5 like many of us do. Would this be acceptable to his boss?

[alec_braithwait]

Friend or not, you are paying for his services, he should honor the contract and be there on time unless it's absolutely unavoidable.

Most of us have to be at work for a certain time and there is not difference for him. If anything working for himself it should be more important, every time he reschedules he looses another time slot that should be for another customer.

I'd ask for a free session in compensation.

[ironwill2008]

Originally Posted by rpaul11

Just to add to what has already been said. This is his Job. You are his boss per say. If he had a 9-5 like many of us do. Would this be acceptable to his boss?

x2-my point, exactly.

[JonnyStead]

Fire him - permanent - simple as that. If he wants your money he has to commit. Job done.

Sorry if that sounds harsh - but its a harsh world! - if I was turning up late to work I'd expect to be warned, then fired.

[lukamar]

As a PT here is my take. If he booked an appointment he should figure out a way to fill it. I schedule my time that includes child care, care for my mother and working at 2 gyms, there shouldn't be a problem. I also make arrangements with other PT's in the event something catastrophic happens and I can't make it to a scheduled session so i have coverage. He should do the same.

As a PT he is running a business and he has to decide if his business or his child care is most important. If child care is more important then stay home with the kids if he needs to earn a living go to work, find child care and arrive on time.

[gbg]

Fire his ass!! he obviously is not taking it very seriously we all have things to work around, IMO I would find a reliable trainer who is more passionate about what they do he should know in order to get results you need to be consistent which he has a problem with.

[partsRheavy]

Three strikes (reschedulings/rebookings) and he's out.

That's already happened - I'd say fire him.

[MissThing]

Thanks for the replies. I missed some of your posts since I left the office.

I saw him at the gym this evening and we had a chat about his timing etc. Things got bad for him but he's back on track and he and my mum have arranged some appointments at times that will suit the both of them....

.....but then I've found that my mum re-booked at least one because of her work. (she's a locum nurse) PT hasn't made an issue of it, so maybe they're both happy being flexible

One thing to note, PT has given free sessions when he's messed up or added more time. (sometimes he's given me an extra 30 mintues simply because he has extra time between clients or some cancels.)

I think I'll monitor it. I've recently moved back into my mum's house. so i'll know about anything.

[weiss1967]

friend of mine used to do PT thing for a living. As much as he loved sports and fitness he hated being PT because of hours of work. Its one-on-one thing and everybody wants different times, so he was working very broken pattern, hour there, hour here, couple hours late etc. So timing is porbably the hardest part of being PT. He finally quit, just outright walked away from his work. He has no other skills as all he has ever done is lifeguard and personal trainer.

Having said that, your PT's personal situation is still a very poor excuse for neglecting his customers. But than again, you said your mom is having a good time - thats all that counts. I would give him sheat and still keep him. So that your mom will have more of a good time with less hassle. Known quality is always good.

[sytennison]

You got the sessions as a gift for your mom and she's enjoying them in spite of the schedule screw-ups. What's wrong with that?

If it were me, I'd fire the guy. I fired a fantastic guitar teacher once because I'd show up for lessons and he wouldn't. But, I'm not your mom and neither are you. If she's happy, she's happy.

[MissThing]

Originally Posted by weiss1967

But than again, you said your mom is having a good time - thats all that counts. I would give him sheat and still keep him. So that your mom will have more of a good time with less hassle. Known quality is always good.

yep, i wanted to see if I could reolved it with a chat or, if necessary, put a flea in his ear.

Originally Posted by sytennison

You got the sessions as a gift for your mom and she's enjoying them in spite of the schedule screw-ups. What's wrong with that?

I didn't want her to be messed around. However, after chatting to both of them, it would appear they're both ok with the other person cancelling and rebooking etc.

the ironic thins is in the last 15 years or so *this* is the only gift she's got 100% usage from. everything else, she puts away for "a special occasion"

[oldsuperman]

Originally Posted by sytennison

You got the sessions as a gift for your mom and she's enjoying them in spite of the schedule screw-ups. What's wrong with that?

If it were me, I'd fire the guy. I fired a fantastic guitar teacher once because I'd show up for lessons and he wouldn't. But, I'm not your mom and neither are you. If she's happy, she's happy.

This is what I was thinking to the tee! It's really between he and your mum.

[paolo59]

I would be concerned over the lack of responsibility on the part of the trainer. It is a contract of sorts, and a personal trainer is not cheap. The fact that the sessions were paid in advance can leave one somewhat "hanging" when he/she fails to hold up their end of the bargain.

[John Prophet]

I have to disagree slightly with the "if your mom is happy then whats the big deal?" reasoning. The PTs job is to help a person develop consistent good workout habits.

I dont know what shape your mom is in or what her goals are, but I do know that one of the jobs of a trainer is to motivate people to do workouts. One of the issues of the average client is that they WANT to miss workouts since they generally havent developed self discipline and self motivation. So OF COURSE they arent going to mind if the PT misses a session here or there.

Of course the average non-motivated, out of shape person wants to hear "no workout tonight, stay on the coach and eat some truffles". It is part of the basic job function of the trainer to get them OUT of that behavior...not keep them in it.

[gbg]

Originally Posted by John Prophet

I have to disagree slightly with the "if your mom is happy then whats the big deal?" reasoning. The PTs job is to help a person develop consistent good workout habits.

I dont know what shape your mom is in or what her goals are, but I do know that one of the jobs of a trainer is to motivate people to do workouts. One of the issues of the average client is that they WANT to miss workouts since they generally havent developed self discipline and self motivation. So OF COURSE they arent going to mind if the PT misses a session here or there.

Of course the average non-motivated, out of shape person wants to hear "no workout tonight, stay on the coach and eat some truffles". It is part of the basic job function of the trainer to get them OUT of that behavior...not keep them in it.

Agreed!!!!