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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed with my personal trainer?

56 replies

WinditupSlowitdown · 14/09/2017 21:18

He costs me a lot and I've definitely had to cut back to be able to afford this.

I genuinely just needed that kick up the bum to lose weight (2 stone down now finally!)

Anyway this week he said he was looking to take on another client so I should ask people I work with.

He's then emailed me to say I can bring a friend with me to a session next week - free of charge! Erm ... I'm a full paying client, why would I want to share my sessions just for him to get another client??

I feel like stopping tbh. Aibu?

OP posts:

sykadelic · 15/09/2017 02:59

I'd actually talk to him about it after (or before, depending if you broach it first) your next session.

I'd say something along the lines of, "Maybe I misunderstood but when you offered for me to bring a friend "for free" did you mean you'd then charge me the lower rate for a shared session, or did you mean I'd still pay the higher 1:1 rate? I'll admit it threw me a little because it felt a bit like you were asking me to pay for you to meet a potential new client! laugh. Just thought you should know how it came across because I wouldn't want you to alienate potential clients who misunderstood that pricing structure. Either way, I definitely prefer 1:1 :)

LML83 · 15/09/2017 06:43

This must be a good way for a pt to get clients I imagine it must be difficult.

I don't think he us unreasonable to ask. Some people may like to bring a friend to a session.

Also I don't thing it is unreasonable for you to say no thanks explain you don't want to exercise with others (or don't explain no thanks is fine)

PandorasXbox · 15/09/2017 07:21

It's not the Op's job to whip up business for him.

Ellieboolou27 · 15/09/2017 07:36

My brother is a PT, I showed him the thread last night.
He said the PT should be offering you and your friend a free session, do neither of you pay. He has done this with good clients, he also said PT should have clarified that the session was free for you if you brought a friend, and that it's only a suggestion do not feel obliged to do this.
It's how my brother gets a large chunk of his business, but would never charge either client or guest.

Whocansay · 15/09/2017 07:41

I suspect he's just worded it clumsily. Or he's a bit dim. Just ask him to clarify what he meant.

Sugarformyhoney · 15/09/2017 07:41

Just say no thanks? Not really seeing the issue here

Backingvocals · 15/09/2017 07:46

He's putting his business development on your to do list. I wouldnt appreciate that. If you'd mentioned a friend who wanted a trainer and he suggested a free shared session for both of you that would be different.

grecian100 · 15/09/2017 07:52

Unless he meant that your session is free he is seriously taking the mic. I used to pay for a private riding lesson for one of my DC. If she wasn't on her mobile she would cut the lesson short by 15 minutes for no apparent reason. I once nicely confronted asked her in a faux disingenuous way "oh, I paid for 45 minutes but the lesson was only 30" and she got most annoyed saying "it's swing GS and roundabouts"

PopcornBits · 15/09/2017 07:53

Just tell him that you asked about but all of your friends are busy at the moment.

greendale17 · 15/09/2017 07:56

Don't see the issue here.

You don't want your friend to see you work out? What????

SonicBoomBoom · 15/09/2017 08:04

NewPapaGuinea · 15/09/2017 09:09

Should be free for both of you. You're being rewarded for a referral for a potential client.

I'd point out that's what you expect otherwise ask what benefit are you getting from it.

ChristmasFluff · 15/09/2017 09:29

I second all those who suggest clarifying what he means - it may just be clumsily worded, and he means a free session for you both, which would seem to make more sense. Otherwise just say no, and explain why, because he may not realise the effect of a free session for the friend is a 2:1 session for the client - trainers would usually be offering a benefit to someone referring a contact, not a penalty!

ChasedByBees · 15/09/2017 09:49

I think just speak to him rather than getting cross. It should be free for both of you or there's no benefit to you.

Ijustwantaquietlife · 15/09/2017 09:55

I feel a bit sorry for them, they often just make min wage and are effectively sales people in order to make a decent living. So many people qualify for it so there is no shortage of them.

VeryCunningStunt · 15/09/2017 09:56

Oh ffs YABU. He's offering you a perk, you know, to boost your morale and make you feel like you're getting your moneys worth

How is it a 'perk' for the OP to source another potential client, pay full price for a for a session, and share that session with someone who is getting it for free?

lougle · 15/09/2017 09:59

I think you've misread his email, haven't you? Isn't he suggesting that he'll do a free shared session for you and a friend, with the benefit to him that he potentially gets a new client, the benefit to you that you don't pay for a session, and the benefit to your friend that s/he gets to try out a new PT. The cost to him is that he's giving a session away free (but might get some business out of it), and the cost to you is that you are sharing your PT time (but you're not paying for it and it might be fun).

ThePTsWife · 15/09/2017 10:04

Ha, as my name suggests I am the wife of a PT, it's really difficult for them to build a client base outside of a gym setting so I'd be slightly annoyed as a client but then knowing what I do know, I'd also feel a bit for him...

Maybe just say you'll be happy to recommend him but you don't want to share your 1:1 PT sessions - maybe say that if he did a group session of about 6 then you all pay £5 then you can invite some friends along to that instead.

DarceyBusselsNose · 15/09/2017 10:05

Would you not take a fiend and go halves on his price? That seems the logical way.

DarceyBusselsNose · 15/09/2017 10:06

Feind ? Jesus wept! friend

livefornaps · 15/09/2017 10:09

Don't mention it and if he asks just say that all your friends hate exercising.

He just sounds a bit clueless and desperate to build his business. Maybe he thought it'd be easier than it's turned out. Someone should tell him life is not a Lucy Diamond novel.

CoughLaughFart · 15/09/2017 11:10

Jesus, do the man favour

A favour is recommending him to friends, should they ask, if she's happy with the service. Being asked to share your session to get him more business, potentially making a friend feel pressured into signing up into the bargain, is a cheek.

If he's a good trainer, don't cut your nose off to spite your face by ditching him over this - simply tell him that you'd prefer to stick to one on one sessions, but are happy to recommend him should anyone ask.

Nuttynoo · 15/09/2017 11:13

Get your session for free if you want to bring friends along. I do this and haven't paid for PT in months. Trainer is willing to do this as I've recommended loads of people, and I'm a great 'poster girl' as I've lost a lot of weight and look totally different since we started.

clippityclock · 15/09/2017 11:16

DorisDangleberry me too. I normally end up a shaking mess, trying hard not to vomit!

Yours is being a cheaky fucker OP.

skyzumarubble · 15/09/2017 11:32

My trainer occasionally says I can send a friend for free to their own trial session. If I send three then I get a free session.

That works to benefit us both. I wouldn't take a friend to my paid for session for free!

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