Personal trainer problems

[nurith]

I recently started working with a personal trainer. We meet once a week, and during our sessions he is great: Very knowledgeable and professional, pinpoints all my weaknesses, gives good feedback... all is good. But he constantly ignores my emails and is completely unavailable outside of our workouts.
Examples:
1. I want to start working with him twice a week. He said he would look up times. Never got back to me (it was almost two weeks ago).
2. I had to cancel a session because I was sick. Sent him an email, didn't hear back. He only replied to a followup mail, just before I was going to arrive at the gym, sick, to make sure he got my message. He said he'd look for alternative times during that week (which of course he didn't).
3. He never replied to any of my other emails about other things - workout plan, body composition test etc.

Needless to say, I send him maybe one email a week (or less), always brief and work-related. I appreciate people's off time and I know he's not at my disposal 24/7.
Is it a generational gap? I'm in my 40's, I can do texts but I really hate typing on phones. I also don't like to call people during their off time.

Anyway, am I over-reacting or expecting too much? What are the rules when it comes to (work related) questions or help outside of the training sessions?

(I apologize in advance for my English, it is not my first language).

[MrNismo]

There are some people on here who do training so they might have more relevant input but IMO I expect the same type of service out of a PT that I'd expect out of anyone I'm paying good money for a service.

Things I'd expect a timely response on: Rescheduling a workout and adding in an extra weekly session. Basically anything that has to do with our 'business agreement'.

Things I'd consider going above and beyond (i.e not something I'd hold against them if they didn't respond outside of our scheduled time): Workout plans, body Comp tests and basically anything NOT related to the scheduling of our sessions

Try having a conversation with him during your next session. Ask him his preferred method of communication. Maybe he doesn't do email at all. Seems odd to me given that every smartphone out there that can do text also has email app but I know my kids hate email so probably a generational thing. There might be some give and take here as if he's doing a really good job actually training you then that's very important and not as easy to find as you'd think.

[ironwill2008]

Not sure what you expect anyone here to tell you other than if you have issues with this person, take them to him.


The only other advices I can offer is that if you don't like what you're getting for your $$$, drop him and move on.

[waco]

Tell me about it! It seems the norm now is to not respond via emails nor return calls, its like pulling teeth to get anything done anymore. This is coming from work! What's the deal, did we all cross over into an alternate universe of flakes? Dude your not alone.

[nurith]

Things I'd consider going above and beyond (i.e not something I'd hold against them if they didn't respond outside of our scheduled time): Workout plans, body Comp tests and basically anything NOT related to the scheduling of our sessions.

Thanks, I just want to make it clear: I didn't ask him to administer a body composition test (that's really going above and beyond). He mentioned a bod-pod machine available in another town and I asked him if that's what he meant. No reply.
Re. workout plans - he asked me to send him my workout plan. I did, but never got feedback...

[katya422]

If you otherwise are satisfied then I would just adjust.

He doesn't respond to e-mail? So don't do e-mail.

During your session ask about arranging 2 session next week instead of one. Maybe even say something like "I am already coming on X evening. I could also come on Y or Z evening. Which one works for you?"

Questions about the workout you sent him? Maybe ask during one of the early rests between sets. If he has his phone with him he can look it over on rest breaks during your session.

Bod pod question, same thing.

If he will/can only give you attention face to face then do it face to face.

ETA: If you are going to miss a session I would text. Don't know if it is true but I've read that for younger people "e-mail" is nearly extinct. They prefer texting.

[tmac4919]

You are paying for a training session, not a 24-hour advice service. Save all your questions for the time that you are paying for.

[kimm4]

You are paying for a training session, not a 24-hour advice service. Save all your questions for the time that you are paying for.

This^^

[Garage Rat]

I would try texting to see if you get a reply.
If not, move on.

[MrNismo]

You are paying for a training session, not a 24-hour advice service. Save all your questions for the time that you are paying for.

I don't know about that. I pay my dentist for a cleaning but if I contact them about rescheduling or setting up a new appointment and I don't get a reply I'm not happy. I absolutely expect people that I'm paying for a service to respond when I inquire about said paid service.

[kimm4]

I don't know about that. I pay my dentist for a cleaning but if I contact them about rescheduling or setting up a new appointment and I don't get a reply I'm not happy. I absolutely expect people that I'm paying for a service to respond when I inquire about said paid service.

Most local trainer's are paid during training session times only. Unless you're canceling a session answering random weekly email's and text messages just because isn't included.

If you want that extra service you need to pay for it.

[weiss1967]

I kind of agree with kimm, ask your questions when your PT is on the clock. Also, from what you said it sounds like your PT is in his early 20's. I wouldn't expect 20-something years old to be courteous, organised, polite to answer e-mail questions. Apart from that, it could be purely technical problem. Younger people seem to be using e-mail far less than text messages on their cell phones. It is possible your PT does not have e-mail properly set up on his cell phone, or he gave you his other e-mail that is not updated on his cell phone. Something benign like that.

[PiperBill]

He might have a lot of customers who send a lot of emails and texts so it would simply take too much of his time to be "on call" all the time for everyone. You get his attention in your trianing sessions but you can't expect it at other times.

[RK42]

I think it's reasonable to expect a response if you reach out to him about (re-)scheduling sessions. But you're making this much too complicated. You guys speak the same language, right? Just talk to him.

Next time you see him, I would say something like: "Hey, I emailed you a couple of times about scheduling additional sessions, and didn't hear back from you. Is there a better way to contact you than using the email you gave me?" And the answer might be: "Oh, I don't check that email often. If you have something urgent, just text me." Problem solved. Took less than a minute.

Asking him for training advice is a different matter. I can imagine that some trainers would be happy to answer, particularly if they're just starting out, and don't have a full client list yet. If they are established and have a full schedule, they probably have better things to do. In any case, I would consider it purely optional, and totally acceptable if he does not respond. Or uses part of your next session to discuss it with you.

[tmac4919]

I don't know about that. I pay my dentist for a cleaning but if I contact them about rescheduling or setting up a new appointment and I don't get a reply I'm not happy. I absolutely expect people that I'm paying for a service to respond when I inquire about said paid service.

However you are not contacting your dentist directly about misc. cleaning questions.

[tmac4919]

......He never replied to any of my other emails about other things - workout plan, body composition test etc......

^^^This is completely different than emailing to reschedule training sessions. All other questions should be asked in person during the paid session.

[ukaserex]

I recently started working with a personal trainer. We meet once a week, and during our sessions he is great: Very knowledgeable and professional, pinpoints all my weaknesses, gives good feedback... all is good. But he constantly ignores my emails and is completely unavailable outside of our workouts.
Examples:
1. I want to start working with him twice a week. He said he would look up times. Never got back to me (it was almost two weeks ago).
2. I had to cancel a session because I was sick. Sent him an email, didn't hear back. He only replied to a followup mail, just before I was going to arrive at the gym, sick, to make sure he got my message. He said he'd look for alternative times during that week (which of course he didn't).
3. He never replied to any of my other emails about other things - workout plan, body composition test etc.

Needless to say, I send him maybe one email a week (or less), always brief and work-related. I appreciate people's off time and I know he's not at my disposal 24/7.
Is it a generational gap? I'm in my 40's, I can do texts but I really hate typing on phones. I also don't like to call people during their off time.

Anyway, am I over-reacting or expecting too much? What are the rules when it comes to (work related) questions or help outside of the training sessions?

(I apologize in advance for my English, it is not my first language).

Your English is excellent from where I sit.

That said, I suggest you speak with him about the lack of communication. My guess is he only checks his email when he's paying bills. Other communication is done through text. I do understand disliking the use of text. I hate it myself. But - it is darn handy in relaying messages without having to actually talk with people and do all that useless small talk that nobody really cares for in the first place. Embrace the technology.