Unless you have a humiliation kink (and I’m not here to yuck your yum lol) you should not be paying a Fitness Professional to shame the weight away. Your relationship with your Trainer can be one of the most open, vulnerable, and safe spaces you have. Our job is to encourage you, inform you, be professional and ultimately deliver a workout program that helps you meet your goals.
Still on the fence about whether or not it’s time to issue a pink slip?
Here are 5 signs you need a new Trainer:
1. They “motivate” you to eat healthier by shaming your body or teasing your food choices.
This might be the most heinous of all the red flags. Our relationships to food can be very personal and for many, emotional. The last thing we need is the person we are PAYING to help us, cause more harm. Is weight loss 80% nutrition and 20% fitness? Sure! And your Trainer should be providing positive guidance towards a nutrition plan that fits your goals. If your Trainer doesn’t know a damn thing about nutrition, they should just say that!
2. They bash other Trainers.
Not only is this a red flag when looking for a Trainer, but it’s also a preview of what’s to come in your sessions. A Trainer should be focused on you, the client, and how they can provide the best service possible! Most of us come to the gym to escape negativity in the world. Who wants to spend an hour with a negative Nancy? This behavior also tells you a Trainer is insecure about their expertise and you may want to rethink working with them. You’re more likely to get injured with a Trainer that has little to no skills.
3. They are always late or cancelling on you.
Ultimately, Personal Training is a customer service job. Your Trainer should be the first to show up and the last to leave. Exercise equipment should be set up and workout program ready to go. If your Trainer doesn’t respect your time, find another that will!
4. Their expertise is centered around achieving a specific body type.
Can your Trainer teach you about exercises that will relieve your back pain? Strengthen your knees or open your hips more? Not everyone is chasing a Kim Kardashian body. Some of us want to develop enough stamina to play with our kids in the park or do um, other activities for a decent period of time :) If your sessions don’t include improving functional movement and strength, you may need a more qualified Trainer.
5. You dread going to your sessions.
We all have days where we aren’t really feeling the gym. If you’re working with a Trainer and getting that feeling on a regular basis, it may be time to do some soul searching. Are the workouts too hard? Do your sessions ALWAYS feel like a chore? Are you seeing results in a reasonable amount of time? Are you learning anything that improves your physical fitness and daily living? If the answer to any of those is no, it's time to either have a talk with your Trainer about what you need or kick 'em to the curb.
Bottom line: Trainers aren’t cheap. You hired a Trainer for personalized, professional help like a Dentist or a hair stylist. They should respect your time, be knowledgeable about their industry and most importantly, act with the client’s best interest in mind at all times. If you're looking for a skilled, compassionate Trainer that will still whip you into shape, come see me babe!
Book a free consultation here :)
Tell me, have you ever had to fire a Trainer? Spill the tea in the comments :)