Do you take tips from your client

[kristinpete38]

My client walked in just before her session and handed me an envelope. It had $100. During the session, I initially felt really nervous and considered whether or not I should take it. At the end of the session, I went back to grab the money and to give it back to her. She said it was a gift and that she didn't want it back. I said I would rather she just got more sessions with it; that would make a better gift. But she said she has to buy a new car and wouldn't be able to get more...

I feel a bit awkward about it. Do you take tips?

[ericmackcarter]

My client walked in just before her session and handed me an envelope. It had $100. During the session, I initially felt really nervous and considered whether or not I should take it. At the end of the session, I went back to grab the money and to give it back to her. She said it was a gift and that she didn't want it back. I said I would rather she just got more sessions with it; that would make a better gift. But she said she has to buy a new car and wouldn't be able to get more...

I feel a bit awkward about it. Do you take tips?

It is a goodbye gift, accept it graciously.

If someone handed me $5 after each session, I would initially refuse and depending on their persistence I would likely accept.

Basically, make it clear to them that a tip is in no way expected, and if they still insist, the polite thing to do is accept.

[kristinpete38]

It is a goodbye gift, accept it graciously.

If someone handed me $5 after each session, I would initially refuse and depending on their persistence I would likely accept.

Basically, make it clear to them that a tip is in no way expected, and if they still insist, the polite thing to do is accept.

Is this common? At first, she had told me she bought me two movie tickets but left them in her broken down car (which was in the car shop). She later asked about wines I liked. I just said I don't drink alcohol too often. Today she gave me this envelope with "buy something nice for yourself" written atop it. She wasn't one of my favorite clients. We didn't chat nonstop like I do with some others. She did lose 10 pounds in the month and a half. She's 53 and owns or manages a maid service. Maybe her business makes crazy money?

[WoofieNugget]

Why would you turn down a tip? It means that the person thought you did a good enough job to deserve it. Accept it with thanks.

[Quistfitness]

I occasionaly get tips, I tend to make a big deal about it and thank them heavily. Even subconsiously it tends to make me work harder for them.

[lexinak]

Is this common? At first, she had told me she bought me two movie tickets but left them in her broken down car (which was in the car shop). She later asked about wines I liked. I just said I don't drink alcohol too often. Today she gave me this envelope with "buy something nice for yourself" written atop it. She wasn't one of my favorite clients. We didn't chat nonstop like I do with some others. She did lose 10 pounds in the month and a half. She's 53 and owns or manages a maid service. Maybe her business makes crazy money?

Dude, she's giving you money because she likes you and you've given her really good results. The correct response is "Wow, thank you!" There's nothing awkward or unprofessional about accepting money from people who want to give it to you.

[kristinpete38]

So you guys get gifts like this? That's really what I'm asking.

Well, it would be bad if she expected something in return. And I don't think we're allowed to take money from members...

I mean, I'm not complaining about money. It just seemed off. And some friends at work seemed hesitant

[ts65]

Why would you turn down a tip? It means that the person thought you did a good enough job to deserve it. Accept it with thanks.

because all of kristen's stories are fake

[UtahTrainer]

My client walked in just before her session and handed me an envelope. It had $100. During the session, I initially felt really nervous and considered whether or not I should take it. At the end of the session, I went back to grab the money and to give it back to her. She said it was a gift and that she didn't want it back. I said I would rather she just got more sessions with it; that would make a better gift. But she said she has to buy a new car and wouldn't be able to get more...

I feel a bit awkward about it. Do you take tips?

Why are you so awkward about everything?

I get tips and gifts all the time. Money, sports tickets, movie tickets, etc... Clients will even bring me food they've cooked. I like to give my clients gifts as well its great relationship building. I even mail out birthday cards and gift cards to past clients.

[Keltron]

So you guys get gifts like this? That's really what I'm asking.

Well, it would be bad if she expected something in return. And I don't think we're allowed to take money from members...

I mean, I'm not complaining about money. It just seemed off. And some friends at work seemed hesitant

Yes I get gifts and money. Yes it's common. When you help people in this industry, they become very grateful and feel like just paying the gym isn't enough. She doesn't want anything in return. I worked at 24 hour fitness and yes it was allowed.

[kristinpete38]

because all of kristen's stories are fake

You would have to be stalking me to claim this. Clearly, you're already following me on here. Curious, what are you doing with your life?

All is true. I have an extra 100 in my account right now.

[kristinpete38]

Yes I get gifts and money. Yes it's common. When you help people in this industry, they become very grateful and feel like just paying the gym isn't enough. She doesn't want anything in return. I worked at 24 hour fitness and yes it was allowed.

Another woman tried tipping me before (albeit less money) but a passing membership manager said we weren't allowed to take it.

[kristinpete38]

Why are you so awkward about everything?

I get tips and gifts all the time. Money, sports tickets, movie tickets, etc... Clients will even bring me food they've cooked. I like to give my clients gifts as well its great relationship building. I even mail out birthday cards and gift cards to past clients.

It was awkward. I'm not used to exchanging 100s. Generally, the gifts I'm used to giving and taking are $20 gift certificates. Sadly, even my family -who is pretty well off- hardly gives that much to each other over holidays etc. I've been given flowers, a cookie, etc...small things...

Another trainer I talked to at my gym felt it was a bit much and didn't understand it. Thus, I wasn't sure what to think... Alright.

Ha...our older trainer just told me one of his past clients gave him a convertible with 20k miles on it. Maybe I'll lay off until that happens.

[rendylee]

I wanted to give my coach a $50 tip...I had been with them for 4 months, extremelly impressed with the results (lost 44 lbs) and service. He refused to take it and said gratuities will not be accepted until I reach 130 lbs...which is 20lbs below my goal...so in essence he won't accept a tip.

Although I was impressed with how he felt, that it wasn't about money, I felt foolish, and embarressed by even offering.

My 2 cents.

[lexinak]

It was awkward. I'm not used to exchanging 100s. Generally, the gifts I'm used to giving and taking are $20 gift certificates. Sadly, even my family -who is pretty well off- hardly gives that much to each other over holidays etc. I've been given flowers, a cookie, etc...small things...

Another trainer I talked to at my gym felt it was a bit much and didn't understand it. Thus, I wasn't sure what to think... Alright.

Ha...our older trainer just told me one of his past clients gave him a convertible with 20k miles on it. Maybe I'll lay off until that happens.

Trainers have a somewhat unique ability to get really close to clients, and if you're well-positioned, you could wind up with clients that a) really, really like you and b) want to do whatever they can to help you because they see you as a young up-and-comer, so to speak. In that sort of scenario it's not unusual to get all kinds of gifts and favors. Accept graciously and be discreet.

[ts65]

You would have to be stalking me to claim this. Clearly, you're already following me on here. Curious, what are you doing with your life?

All is true. I have an extra 100 in my account right now.

Nope, I'm not stalking you, someone else made that compilation of all your BS remember?

[kristinpete38]

Nope, I'm not stalking you, someone else made that compilation of all your BS remember?

Well, I mean, here you are, NOT a personal trainer, spending time in another of my threads.

Are you making money in the gym? Is anyone handing you 100 dollar bills? I'm not sure you have the credibility to be yelling out BS.

[RevolutionFF]

One of my clients put a £50 in a Christmas card, and I felt awkward. I don't like receiving gifts like that, so felt very strange when I opened the card. Thats the cost of one session.

[tylerpritchard_7]

When I left my last job to move some distance away I received a few goodbye gifts. I remember one client asking me about how much he though my move would cost and I didn't even think about it. But he gave me that exact amount, which I said although not necessary, I accepted.
I think you really need to understand how grateful clients are with results. If you can change their perception of their own bodies and happiness, they don't give a crap about money.
Take it, smile and thank them.

[Nycholus]

It is a goodbye gift, accept it graciously.

If someone handed me $5 after each session, I would initially refuse and depending on their persistence I would likely accept.

Basically, make it clear to them that a tip is in no way expected, and if they still insist, the polite thing to do is accept.

agreed, if you turn them down to the end, it becomes insulting.