"Quitting" My 1st Personal Trainer Job - Requires actual reading! OMG!

[Rap_Rocky]

Ok, I usually don't go all out on these forums, but I'm curious about the opinions of my fellow BB'er trainers regarding my dilemma..

So I use to work at this commercial gym in the juice bar in fall of '07, making/serving shakes, etc..but they shut it down due to lack of business. They let everybody go but propositioned me a job as a trainer since they were well aware of my major (Exercise Science) at school. As somebody new, why the hell not take the offer?

First few months, it was good, I was getting clients, all the trainers showing me love, etc..but as the months gone by, my client base started to deteriorate and I was going less and less - one of the reasons being school, but I'll admit, I was discouraged to work floor hours and not get clients, so I didn't put effort on my part. Say it was the recession or whatever, but a few clients disappeared on me, some didn't renew sessions and so on..

Months go by, still no clients, only came for the 2-3 clients I had and that was it - boss only looks out for those who are selling, and its worst when you're not good at talking to complete strangers and sell (shy?). On top of that, I'm on probation, so instead of $35, I'm getting $25/session.


So since I wasn't getting enough money from training 2-3 clients a week, I got a weekend job at a locker room in this private clubhouse. They pay good, offered me a position as a trainer where they pay $70/session and they pretty much set you up with the clients. All my boss is waiting on is my certification.

Now my dilemma is - I've worked at the 1st job for a little over a year, they taught me nearly everything I know about training, they could've easily let me go, but I was put under their wing. The people are cool, the boss is cool (when you're actually selling, so he probably hates me every time he sees me now) and I love the little clients I got. Now if I quit, I'd feel like I'm quitting because I can't sell there (haven't gotten a new client since....oh man....maybe June of '08, other than my regulars renewing) - to me, that just seems like I'm a quitter, and I don't want to feel that way for sure..

...or should I look at it as a better opportunity elsewhere, greater pay/atmosphere and I always got my gig in the locker room regardless?

[DaBurg3r]

You need money to live right? I say look around get another job if you can and keep the one you've gotten until you have a better oppurtunity.

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by DaBurg3r

You need money to live right? I say look around get another job if you can and keep the one you've gotten until you have a better oppurtunity.

Yeah, I don't need to look for another job, the one I just picked up on weekends offered me one as a trainer. I'd go there before I even look elsewhere - can't go wrong with $70/session.

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by DaBurg3r

You need money to live right? I say look around get another job if you can and keep the one you've gotten until you have a better oppurtunity.

Reps for reply...not much but eh, take it.

[justboo2u]

The big issue is... can you overcome this problem with talking (selling) to strangers?

If not, you have a BIG problem...
Sales is a major component of your 'trainer business'... selling yourself, your knowledge and your 'vision for your client's success'...

Otherwise you might as well be a lockerroom attendant with 'benefits'... which sounds like the 2nd place you were talking about...

No doubt the $70/session is definately enticing and may even be necessary in the long run. If so, as long as you exit gracefully from your present job they will think more highly of you and might even want you back later once an established client base is there to 'follow you'...

Of course, if they don't, you will still be able to start anew elsewhere, IF you can get over this 'selling' issue...

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by justboo2u

The big issue is... can you overcome this problem with talking (selling) to strangers?

If not, you have a BIG problem...
Sales is a major component of your 'trainer business'... selling yourself, your knowledge and your 'vision for your client's success'...

Otherwise you might as well be a lockerroom attendant with 'benefits'... which sounds like the 2nd place you were talking about...

No doubt the $70/session is definately enticing and may even be necessary in the long run. If so, as long as you exit gracefully from your present job they will think more highly of you and might even want you back later once an established client base is there to 'follow you'...

Of course, if they don't, you will still be able to start anew elsewhere, IF you can get over this 'selling' issue...

True, I don't necessarily think it's the "talking to strangers" thing, I mean, I got my clients on my own. Nobody had to talk to them for me, so it can't be me having a "phobia" with selling to strangers. Also, I have a few clients on the side that I got from advertising, posting flyers around my way - so I can't be THAT shy if that was the case..

Regardless, the attendant position is a 2nd job, only work on weekends, so I plan on working there whether I train there or not. But being able to train there on weekdays would be an extra perk, can't deny that.


Thanks for your 2cents =]

[Rap_Rocky]

Believe me, I know that selling is a part of training for the most part - but when two other gyms are less than a 1/4 of a mile are by you, and school kind of plays a factor in your scheduling, it can be a little tough working there. And the only advice you're given is "come here more" by your boss isn't helping me.

This was my first gig, ya know...I still have a lot to learn about selling whether I stay or leave that first job.

[svrocket]

If you really are a sales man and a hustler you have to move on to the better gig at the private club. 28.5% penalty ($25/$35=.7142-1.00=28.5%) because you are 'on probation'? OMFG that's a great scam.

Now to really piss off your former employer, tell all your clients first (or at least you have their cell/emails in your own phone) that you are leaving... and take them with you. That's the way the game works, in law, in medicine, in so many other fields too. You take what is useful and then you move on, taking the juiciest clients with you if you can. Your current employer is just going to lay you off anyways when the quotas and revenue numbers look bad. (1)


footnotes
(1) Everything I know about loyalty I learned from corporate america! I have been layed off three times. (But I found a job that loves me and lived happily ever after).

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by svrocket

If you really are a sales man and a hustler you have to move on to the better gig at the private club. 28.5% penalty ($25/$35=.7142-1.00=28.5%) because you are 'on probation'? OMFG that's a great scam.

Now to really piss off your former employer, tell all your clients first (or at least you have their cell/emails in your own phone) that you are leaving... and take them with you. That's the way the game works, in law, in medicine, in so many other fields too. You take what is useful and then you move on, taking the juiciest clients with you if you can. Your current employer is just going to lay you off anyways when the quotas and revenue numbers look bad. (1)


footnotes
(1) Everything I know about loyalty I learned from corporate america! I have been layed off three times. (But I found a job that loves me and lived happily ever after).

Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it...


Yeah, I always had this thought in the back of my mind that they would fire me soon, but I wondered - Well if they wanted to, why didn't they already? I haven't sold anything in literally MONTHS and the only thing that kept me going was my regulars renewing..so the quotas have been looking bad LONG before..

And I planned to take my clients with me anyway.

[Rap_Rocky]

Oh, and glad to hear you're happy at your new job..

I have the same scenario, I love this new job, the members love me, my boss can't stop telling me how great of a worker I am, and what's crazy is that he keeps pushing me on getting my certification so he can sign me up some clients (the nerve of him, eh?). So I know if I left to go there, it would be a smooth transition. I feel like an idiot for not renewing my cert yet.

[jules_d1]

seems like a no brainer buddy. better pay, guarenteed clients.....

Its natural to move on. If your boss isnt helping you to increase your hours, time to move on to those who can help you.

[dempsey_124]

At the end of the day u have to think of what is best for u and what will make u most successfull. the first gym u work at porb will be sad to see u go, but they prob could get a new trainer in know time. so go whats best for you

[B415]

In the end this is a business. If they had someone they could bring in to make them more money but they needed to get rid of you, they would.

No reason you shouldn't leave to make more money. I would be careful because the grass is always greener.

imo
bill

[konkapot]

Lots of great advice from everyone so far, and I generally agree.

On the other hand............

In most of your responses to the advice given, you bring up how much your boss likes you, how much you feel (rightly or wrongly) that you owe them for a lot of your knowledge base, etc etc.

You appear to have a basically very positive outlook on the place you're currently working. That is something to consider. Maybe sit down with current boss and have a Big Boy conversation with him; "I'm not doing well..........either for me or you....what are your thoughts?"

He'll come back either with great ideas that will get things rolling again, or he'll say something that helps you in your decision to leave. If you handle it right, you can leave on really good terms, with a good reference, without burning a bridge, etc etc etc.

Also-A common theme in your postings appears to be an expectation that your employer should be getting you your clients. You also reference a lack of effort on your part.

You list as a pro about the new place that they "pretty much set you up with clients."

It sounds, in general, that you were not putting a lot of effort into this job. Going to a new place is always nice at first........but if the real issue is a poor attitude on your part, the new place will end up just like the old place.

In the end, if you think you can go at the new job with a hard-chargin' attitude, go for it. I would seriously do some thinking/planning ahead before you do.

Keep us posted....this is actually pretty interesting

[Macrobolic]

I said quit, as that job no longer fits your needs, and being on probation, you're not fulfilling that gyms needs either apparently. Sometimes that just happens.

When you quit, give them 2 weeks notice, write them a nice letter about how you've appreciated the opportunity, but that other opportunities have been opened for you and you want to take them.

They won't feel bad (or at least they shouldn't). It's a business, and that's how business works.

Take the new job.

[Darren in Gym]

So ur a good trainer but a bad seller, nothing wrong with that. Take the job thats going to set u up with clients, it pays more and is more atuned to ur skills

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by konkapot

Lots of great advice from everyone so far, and I generally agree.

On the other hand............

In most of your responses to the advice given, you bring up how much your boss likes you, how much you feel (rightly or wrongly) that you owe them for a lot of your knowledge base, etc etc.

You appear to have a basically very positive outlook on the place you're currently working. That is something to consider. Maybe sit down with current boss and have a Big Boy conversation with him; "I'm not doing well..........either for me or you....what are your thoughts?"

He'll come back either with great ideas that will get things rolling again, or he'll say something that helps you in your decision to leave. If you handle it right, you can leave on really good terms, with a good reference, without burning a bridge, etc etc etc.

Also-A common theme in your postings appears to be an expectation that your employer should be getting you your clients. You also reference a lack of effort on your part.

You list as a pro about the new place that they "pretty much set you up with clients."

It sounds, in general, that you were not putting a lot of effort into this job. Going to a new place is always nice at first........but if the real issue is a poor attitude on your part, the new place will end up just like the old place.

In the end, if you think you can go at the new job with a hard-chargin' attitude, go for it. I would seriously do some thinking/planning ahead before you do.

Keep us posted....this is actually pretty interesting

Thanks for the detailed response...


Well my boss at the first job...I'm sure he likes me as a person, but as a trainer? I doubt it. He could care less about how educated I am in the field, its all about sell sell sell to him. I know that's how most gyms are and I can deal with that to a certain extent, but come on now - I didn't even have to demonstrate how I train to him, he just threw me out to get clients.

I've came to him previously, when I was in like a 2month slide of not getting anybody and what I should do...and he keeps telling me the same thing - "Come here more, come here at these times, we'll get you clients.." - and once I get there, he doesn't even acknowledge me. All I find myself doing is cleaning up the weights and equipment that OTHER trainers leave (damn near nobody puts the sh*t they use back to where it belongs after they use it) when I work floor hours. He even gave me a list of people he just signed up to the gym, but still - nobody.


Also, I don't expect them to give me clients necessarily. All the clients I've had there, I had to talk, or come up to, or call to eventually train with me. Yes, I'll admit, during times where I had no school or was off at my 2nd job (not the one I'm referring to in this thread, a different 2nd job I had elsewhere) that I didn't come, but it was real discouraging for me, especially when your boss would barely acknowledge when I came in, or even said "Hi".

I don't think I had a poor attitude, it was just a sense of nobody really caring, and in return, not caring on my part. Again, I could be wrong, it could be that I have attitude problems, but I'm just calling it how I see it, I'll take any constructive, realistic criticism that comes my way.

Again, I don't think the "approaching prospects" part is a problem. But either way, it's not working for him or me. And every time I come in, there's a new trainer. Granted some people left, but damn near everybody thinks I'm new...

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by Darren in Gym

So ur a good trainer but a bad seller, nothing wrong with that. Take the job thats going to set u up with clients, it pays more and is more atuned to ur skills

True. At the new job, you have to know your sh*t and train with respect and professionalism or else..

And that's one of the reasons why they said they would be happy whenever I come on board, since they're aware that this is what I love, what I study, and what I'm still learning about.

At $70/session, I can care less about whether they set me up with clients or not, but its definitely a plus. And thats the whole thing with me, would I me quitting my job because I can't sell anymore or because there's a better opportunity?

I've always left a job once a new door of opportunity opened, so this is what makes things a little complicated..

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by Macrobolic

I said quit, as that job no longer fits your needs, and being on probation, you're not fulfilling that gyms needs either apparently. Sometimes that just happens.

When you quit, give them 2 weeks notice, write them a nice letter about how you've appreciated the opportunity, but that other opportunities have been opened for you and you want to take them.

They won't feel bad (or at least they shouldn't). It's a business, and that's how business works.

Take the new job.

Thanks..

Regardless of what happens, I've always appreciated what they've done for me, and I let them know that...regardless of whether I stay or go.

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by jules_d1

seems like a no brainer buddy. better pay, guarenteed clients.....

Its natural to move on. If your boss isnt helping you to increase your hours, time to move on to those who can help you.

Originally Posted by dempsey_124

At the end of the day u have to think of what is best for u and what will make u most successfull. the first gym u work at porb will be sad to see u go, but they prob could get a new trainer in know time. so go whats best for you

I guess a majority of the people are on the same notion - business is business.


I can understand that.

[DoItUp]

definately go where there is better pay, but I'd work on becoming more comfortable moving around the gym talking to new people. This will help you in the long run

[Hishiad]

I'm going to look at this not from a comparison of Job A to Job B, but more of a what you're saying and how you're saying it.


First, you're 21 bro and I'll give you the best advice I've ever gotten (granted just 24 myself, but I've worked a few jobs). The last place I worked my supervisor/boss told me:

"Save a copy of your resume here and always keep it updated if you see a job come up even if you love it here apply, apply, and apply to every job that interest you that comes across the table."

Now this is my actual -BOSS- at my last place and when I told him about my current job offering me the position I'm at now he didn't miss a beat. When he said take it. He knew it was a better setup for me so he didn't give me any crap about all they had done for me yadda yadda bull.


When you work there's really just a few things you should know.

1.) Everyone at the job you interact with is the most important person you meet, period no exceptions one negative attitude towards you will kill your career not only there but at other places.

2.) Any and all training that comes your way job related or not if its free do it no questions asked. You're current job is a tool for you to gain knowledge/experience to get you into a better job.

3.) You have to move around to get the salary you deserve. You won't go to one company and be there for 20 years and make the right money if you don't move either position inside the company or to another company altogether.


Also you're attitude of "they don't care so I'm not going to care either" is pretty common for anyone. It tells me that the current job is failing you and you should move on. You should feel that your co-workers are there with the type of attitude that you have. If they drag you down from being at top level then the place itself is a good way to lose the edge that got this 2nd job interested in you in the first place.



Just move on as long as you have another job in hand that pays better its time to go. You don't owe anyone anything, period.


Also just remember every job hires and every job fires. You've got an employee number I assume or they use your SSN. Something to ID you that -isn't- your name. You're replaceable as long as you're getting a paycheck from someone else.

[abinga]

If you are more worried about not being able to sell or what your boss thinks then I would think it would get in the way of your training at that gym. Having a gym that gives you clients and one hell of a wadge increase should be seen as a reward to your effort, training style and education. You went to school to make 70/hr + not 25-35.

[jbrowncbr]

man up and get your cert

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by DoItUp

definately go where there is better pay, but I'd work on becoming more comfortable moving around the gym talking to new people. This will help you in the long run

Yes, that what I'm doing now, I already got someone that said they're interested in working with me once the new job hires me.

Already looking forward bro =]

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by Hishiad

I'm going to look at this not from a comparison of Job A to Job B, but more of a what you're saying and how you're saying it.


First, you're 21 bro and I'll give you the best advice I've ever gotten (granted just 24 myself, but I've worked a few jobs). The last place I worked my supervisor/boss told me:

"Save a copy of your resume here and always keep it updated if you see a job come up even if you love it here apply, apply, and apply to every job that interest you that comes across the table."

Now this is my actual -BOSS- at my last place and when I told him about my current job offering me the position I'm at now he didn't miss a beat. When he said take it. He knew it was a better setup for me so he didn't give me any crap about all they had done for me yadda yadda bull.


When you work there's really just a few things you should know.

1.) Everyone at the job you interact with is the most important person you meet, period no exceptions one negative attitude towards you will kill your career not only there but at other places.

2.) Any and all training that comes your way job related or not if its free do it no questions asked. You're current job is a tool for you to gain knowledge/experience to get you into a better job.

3.) You have to move around to get the salary you deserve. You won't go to one company and be there for 20 years and make the right money if you don't move either position inside the company or to another company altogether.


Also you're attitude of "they don't care so I'm not going to care either" is pretty common for anyone. It tells me that the current job is failing you and you should move on. You should feel that your co-workers are there with the type of attitude that you have. If they drag you down from being at top level then the place itself is a good way to lose the edge that got this 2nd job interested in you in the first place.



Just move on as long as you have another job in hand that pays better its time to go. You don't owe anyone anything, period.


Also just remember every job hires and every job fires. You've got an employee number I assume or they use your SSN. Something to ID you that -isn't- your name. You're replaceable as long as you're getting a paycheck from someone else.

That makes sense, thanks for the reply.


I know it's time to move on, and I'm not worried about them telling me "blah blah blah, we've done so much for you.." but more so pondering if I'm leaving because I'm escaping from not being able to sell. Either way, I think everybody's trying to tell me an opportunity is an opportunity, and it doesn't knock forever.

[Rap_Rocky]

The 1st job has to be the biggest sell scam gym I've ever witnessed.

There was a fight at the gym with 2 of the biggest dudes (who also were the biggest bread winners there and had the most clients).

They had a real fist fight in the middle of the gym, members were screaming and running downstairs to safety. Both were put on some type of temporary leave BS, didn't work for one day and both had their jobs the next day.....now IMAGINE if it was me who had the fight with one of them....I'd be fired so fast...selling = everything.

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by jbrowncbr

man up and get your cert

Yup, that pretty much sums up everybody's responses in a few words.

[Al Shades]

Originally Posted by Rap_Rocky

They pay good, offered me a position as a trainer where they pay $70/session and they pretty much set you up with the clients. All my boss is waiting on is my certification.

Quick! What's the catch?

Listen, there is no reason for you to get sentimental about your old job, but before you switch, find out what the catch is at that new place.

The only people in this industry who make $70/session are self-employed or, perhaps, master-level trainers at places like Equinox.

Be very cautious about places that claim they will "set you up with clients" and say things like "we don't require our trainers to sell". That means your client base will be **** over there. Nobody is going to work harder at getting clients for you than you! Trust me, I speak from experience. There is a reason why commercial gyms have their trainers sell. It's not because they want to make you miserable, it's because they know that having each trainer double as a salesman greatly increases their total sales volume.

Before you switch, you had better find out how many other trainers that new place has and what their typical client load is like each week.

You could be screwing yourself.

Originally Posted by Rap_Rocky

The 1st job has to be the biggest sell scam gym I've ever witnessed.

There was a fight at the gym with 2 of the biggest dudes (who also were the biggest bread winners there and had the most clients).

They had a real fist fight in the middle of the gym, members were screaming and running downstairs to safety. Both were put on some type of temporary leave BS, didn't work for one day and both had their jobs the next day.....now IMAGINE if it was me who had the fight with one of them....I'd be fired so fast...selling = everything.

Doesn't matter, dude. This **** happens. Read this, you'll laugh and hopefully learn something:

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...2/article.html

[bigfrog]

Get your cert and move on.