personal trainer, asthma and sore shoulder.

[giraffesCantLightFireworks]

Not really a health issue. Posting here because am not quite brave enough to post in aibu. Have a personal trainer, started using him because I have brittle asthma and wanted some motivation to keep working out as was getting put off by being so wheezey. At first it was clear his understanding of asthma was crap - if you were really fit you wouldn't have asthma - well that is shit as david Beckham is asthmatic! Yes exercise helps lungs etc which is of extra benefit to asthma patients. But there is a difference between being breathless because unfit and breathless because asthmatic - when i am bad I can't walk across room/talk without becoming very short of breath.

Anyway we got past that by me explaining clearly how asthma works etc and he has always been supportive and friendly and encouraging.

Had a session last Friday, was brilliant. Was really looking forwards to my session today! I explained at start that lungs were not great at the moment since an incident with oven cleaner lastnight. His attitude from the start was awful. He was snappy, grumpy and talked over me. He insisted that my programme was lost because I had taken it home - I hadn't! In 5years I have never taken my programme home - I would lose it! I explained I had been in during the week and searched the drawer and it wasn't there. He found it then, moaned at me for not coming in during the week to train. I said I was in. He said well you haven't ticked the boxes...no because it was LOST!

He said today we were going stright on to weight machines...so no warm up. Is that right? I just assumed it was ok if gentle weights. Anyway he was grumpy and cheeky throught first 2 machines. I did say to him he didn't seem himself and where has normal his name gone?

It was the 3rd chest press machine (where you push the bar infront of you) where he was frankly bullying and dismissive of me. I did the first set fine, was hard but I did it. Then he decided to put them up in weight. I was up for trying this - as I always am. But it was immediately clear that it was far too heavy. He kept on at me to just do it. And at some points he was pulling it forward for me then letting go - 1. why pull it forward I will then be getting no benefit. 2. this then meant whenever he let go I had a huge weight. I said ow a few times and he was annoying with me and told me to stop saying it. Now in hindsight at that point I should have told him to fuck off. But I felt pressured and he was standing over me. I said my shoulder and wrist hurt.

After that machine I walked out, as tears were pricking my eyes and I came to my senses and realised that I was paying for this and why the hell should I be spoken to like that?! He tried to come after me and talk but I told him to just leave it, I was close to tears at this point.

Since then my shoulder has been very sore, you knoe when you sleep funny on it? Feels like that. And my wrist feels like it has a tight bobble round it and feels burny. I had a wrist injury 4 years ago - tore a ligament in a soft play (!) and had an operation. He knows this. Have taken some ibuprofen.

I feel like crap now! This has taken ages to type! Sorry for huge post!

[ZZMum]

Complain to his manager if possible and then change to a new one - clearly he is not the right PT for you - sounds awful - does he actually have qualifications to do job as this does not sounds right..

There are loads of PT out there - some good some bad - go get a good one as they are so worth it

[NettoSpookerstar]

man up wimp
Complain, complain, complain, he's completely out of order.
Demand money back for any remaining sessions, and that one too, plus a freebie of some sort as compensation.

[BIWI]

That's dreadful. Regardless of whether you're paying him or not, anyone who is working with you at the gym in an official/fitness capacity shouldn't treat you like that.

Complain to the gym manager and look for another trainer - or even another gym, as they have a responsibility here too.

[desertgirl]

If as you say he has always been supportive friendly and encouraging before, and you are generally happy with him, you could try contacting him; saying 'you really upset me last time, and I injured myself, I'm not at all happy, do you want to discuss or should I find a new trainer?'. If he is apologetic and prepared to discuss (off the clock) and the discussion is satisfactory (eg his gf broke up with him that day or his mother was diagnosed with cancer or something and he recognises how he screwed up), go with it; if not, if he's defensive or whatever talk to his manager re changing trainer etc (or if he's the only one, there is no manager, etc, just demand a refund and if he gets arsey, threaten to go to whoever he is registered with).

If you're not happy with him generally and think you could find someone more suitable, go straight to option 2.

And PTs are a wonderful thing; I have NEVER been as fit as I am now - which is not exactly professional athlete standard but considering I'm in my mid 40s, is not bad... because I found, by pure luck, the right trainer for me, and she has actually managed to keep me going (I do have lapses for a few weeks occasionally) and keep me working harder than I think I can.

Good luck.

[giraffesCantLightFireworks]

I phoned and spoke to manager. He appologies. Said he would have to get his side of story and also speak to health manager.

I do agree everyone can have a bad day/mood etc but it was when I kept saying that he wasn't himself etc that he needed to either say you know you are right I feel crap can we cancel today, or change his behaviour.

This was my 4th session out of 5. So I want money back for that one and my last one. I wasn't going to book anymore anyway as I am now back at uni and need money for that - had thought about asking for some sessions for Christmas! Not now!

shoulder now only sore if move it a certain way. Wrist sore all the time!

[desertgirl]

oh no, 3 good sessions (if that - sounds as though the first one wasn't entirely satisfactory) isn't enough to give him a pass for very very bad behaviour!

don't give up on the idea completely though, you may find just the person for you.

Hope your wrist is improving