Kyle Aaron
Active member
Sure.
But here's the thing.
As our scheduled session approaches, I am not sure if they'll show or not - which means I got up at 0500 to get into the gym at 0600 and now I'm not going to be paid at all. That's what unreliability means - I wasted my time and have no money. In some cases, I may have turned down another client because I had a scheduled session with them.
Hardworking - everyone's mental limits are below their physical limits, that's fair enough. But most people respond to a bit of encouragement. Some don't. "I can't!"
"But you just did."
"But I can't!"
(etc)
If someone tells me he wants to be in the Commandos, well I do expect some effort in the sessions.
Likeability - I'm not exactly Mr Personality myself. That's okay. But when I say hello, I expect more than a grunt in return. If I ask a question, I expect more than a single word answer. And yes I know you the client are nice-looking, but no I do not want to have an affair with you, thanks very much.
All my clients get my utmost dedication. My eyes are always on them the whole session, I never sit down once, I praise every good rep and stop any exercise where I see them in pain or distracted. Without my clients asking, I consult with physiotherapists and exercise physiologists to assist with appropriate exercises to improve their condition and avoid further injury.
Clients who are reliable, hardworking and likable get extra time, provided I have no client scheduled immediately after them.
I give much, much more to clients than I ask from them. If then they miss two or three sessions in a row because they're hungover, or if I ask them to go deeper in a squat and they refuse, or if I advise them to seek medical advice and they refuse - well, tough luck for them.
Again, the major issue has been reliability. In both my professional and my personal life, I cannot set aside time for people if I really have no idea if they'll show up or not. Yes, they may have personal issues. But I'm not a psychologist, nor am I psychic. If a person gives me notice they need give me no reason for it, it's their business. If they just don't show... there'd better be a good reason.
As Joe Diandonato puts it,
"As a novice trainer, I pretty much took on whoever wanted to train with me, however I learned throughout the years that some clients aren’t worthy of the services you provide. If they’re clearly not dedicated, never punctual, and put up a fight every time you try to get them do try something new, they may not be worth your time and resources. Additionally, a lack of selectivity could be a potential cause for burnout amongst fitness professionals. Be sure to use your time wisely and spend your resources and your passion for helping others on people who deserve it!"
And in the end, I'm worth more than that. I deserve better than to be fucked around, come home angry and pissed off to my poor wife, and burn out on the job inside 12 months.
I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to, here. If you were 40kg and are over four foot tall, we're talking about either an eating disorder or serious illness. Both require the assistance of medical professionals. A trainer is not a medical professional. I'm not sure whether he went outside his scope of practice, or you were expecting more than he could give, or whether you're obliquely referring to some other issue like a romantic affair.
Of course, that is your private business and you certainly need not share it on a public forum. But don't expect us to understand if we don't know the whole story.
Last edited: