Tips and gifts

[liftnlady]

I posted a thread on here a while ago about hiring a trainer part-time, and you guys gave me some great feedback.

I did decide to spring for a package and work with someone for a while, and we meet once a week or so after I get a new routine to make sure that I'm doing the exercises correctly. It's helping tons--I'm learning a lot and I can see where this is helping me get ready to be more confident in training myself in the future.

Anyway, now that the holiday season is coming up, I have a question about tips/gifts. I have read that it's proper to tip a personal trainer the equivalent of the cost of one session for the holidays (and/or when you achieve the results you were looking for).

But when I first started out, I hired a trainer for several short-term packages (mainly for new routines), and I gave him a gift certificate to GNC at the holidays b/c I had great results and wanted to thank him. I felt weird giving him cash. But it was very awkward after I gave him the gift cert. He never acknowledged it and he acted funny around me for a while when he saw me after that. I don't know if he thought I had a crush on him or something. It actually sort of ticked me off that he didn't even say thanks or anything.

Is it insulting or weird for clients to give tips or gifts to trainers? Or does it really depend on the relationship you have with the client?

[jules_d1]

i live in australia and tipping is not a usual thing. I wouldnt be expecting anything from my clients.

[IronBrendan]

In my 2 years training I've never been tipped.

I can see receiving a gift from a close client around the holidays though.

The trainer you gave it to probably just had poor etiquette.

www.ironbrendan.com

[liftnlady]

Thanks for the responses.

It's probably better not to "tip" even though I've seen that written in some lists. A tip seems to make it more like a service position (like a hairdresser, waiter, etc.) rather than a professional one--you don't tip doctors, teachers, mechanics, etc. at the holidays (or for a job well done, as that is the expectation).

My guess is that the trainer I gave that gift cert. to had probably not had that happen before and didn't know what to make of it. So with your two "no's" and that experience, I'm going to skip doing this in the future! :-)

I wonder who makes up those tipping lists anyway.

[Keltron]

Originally Posted by liftnlady

Thanks for the responses.

It's probably better not to "tip" even though I've seen that written in some lists. A tip seems to make it more like a service position (like a hairdresser, waiter, etc.) rather than a professional one--you don't tip doctors, teachers, mechanics, etc. at the holidays (or for a job well done, as that is the expectation).

My guess is that the trainer I gave that gift cert. to had probably not had that happen before and didn't know what to make of it. So with your two "no's" and that experience, I'm going to skip doing this in the future! :-)

I wonder who makes up those tipping lists anyway.

You're right, I think he just didn't know what to make of it since it's very uncommon. I myself don't ever expect tips or gifts though I'd be grateful if I received one. My clients shell out enough money as it is so I don't expect anything more than 100% effort in regards to workout and nutrition. Honestly, that is much more rewarding than any tip.

The most rewarding thing in the world is to see a clients face light up when I take their measurements every few weeks. That's the reason why we're in this business to begin with.

But to alleviate any awkwardness due to him possibly thinking you have a crush on him, you should throw in comments about your boyfriend/husband here and there, even if you don't have one eg, "my boyfriend told me the same thing" " etc.