I heard something pretty disturbing on a radio morning show last week, and it has stuck in my mind since. I decided to make a post out of it, wondering if I could get some of you lovelies to respond. The topic was on personal trainers, and if your trainer flirts with you- or crosses any lines. Callers were phoning in with their stories- from harmless flirting all the way too affairs with their trainers at the gym. But one caller really got my attention. It was a male, who said the owners of the gym that he used to be a personal trainer at encouraged trainers to flirt with their clients. Take their clients out on dates. Even sleep with their clients- all simply to raise the client’s self-esteem. By boosting the self-esteem, clients are feeling better, which they will thank their gym/trainers, and therefore continue their business there and spread positive word of mouth comments. More calls came flooding in after that, with even more horror stories and more trainers calling and confirming that really does happen in gyms.
Say what??? I have never used a personal trainer, I really can’t afford one and I do just fine working out on my own, but say I did. So I would pay money each month, drive to a gym, get all sweaty and sore with a trainer, only to have him hit on me and try to sleep with not because he’s interested at all in me- but because he wants me to keep paying his wages. Anyone else find this disturbing? I reached out to my followers questioning this, and got a few responses. Some ladies said that they did go on dates with their trainers, but the moment they stopped working out with them, they never heard from said trainer again. This actually happened to a close friend of mine about three years back, she assumed her and her trainer were boyfriend/girlfriend, but as soon as she stopped paying her gym dues, the phone calls stopped coming in.
So I have to wonder- how many trainers participate in this type of disgusting activity? How many gym owners encourage their workers to act this way? And if you are seeing your personal trainer on a personal level- how do you know that you are the only girl for him? What’s to say his little black book isn’t filled with names of his other clients, and he’s just waiting to seduce them? Have you ever had to turn down your trainer who tries to get too personal with you? I would love to hear any thoughts on the subject!
Yaiks!
1 story is we know of a couple who has been dating for a while then they got married. Next thing I know is they divorced and she has since been dating her trainer.
I’ve also heard this that men who have women trainers and loose a lot of weight in the process get really attached to their trainers and I know of such a case. Well, I am posting it here because they are my fb friends =)
My point is, my trainer charges A LOT and the only result I will be happy about is to be back in shape, but, since we are cost cutting, then we work out on our own now.
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Thanks for stopping by Pia! I didn’t want to sound like I was dogging on all trainers, but I was just so put off by some of those callers! I work out on my own too 🙂 Save money!
I have been a trainer for over 15 years and I have to say it is like any other profession, their are a few bad apples. Being a trainer you are a health professional so you should act that way. I can’t see how encouraging trainers to sleep with clients can benefit a gym because it will only lead to way to much drama and not to mention how unprofessional that is. I feel if you are a trainer and you act like this then you probably won’t be a trainer for long.
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Thanks for the comment Mike, thanks for stopping by!
had nightmares with male trainers, the comments, trying to get to close to me- commenting on my body, looks- one even “accidentally pushing his erm-yes into my back-ewwww-god really has alomost put me off my goals if honest-these men need to realise they are being paid and so keep their ego and the rest to themselves-
It’s disgusting !! i know a story of the trainer being 22 and his client 35 years of age with 2 kids married … She was having an affair with the trainer and left husband for him cause he boosted her self estem…
This trainer is liike a predator that prowls on his clients or either a gold digger … Very un ethical
I’ve been going to a gym for a few months and a trainer there has been looking at me, makes eye contact, makes a point to be where I am. Very flattering at first but I made an appointment with him for a free session and found out that I really don’t need his services. Now he seems distant. Another lesson in life I guess.