AIBU to think this gym induction wasn't an induction?!

[yorkshirecountrylass]

Hi, I wasn't sure whether to post in here or sports but seeing as I do wonder if I'm being unreasonable in my expectations here we are!
I recently changed to a new gym. Previously my experience has been tootling about the pool and hot tub but as this one is closer to work and I have a fair few lbs to lose when signing up could choose to add on up to 2 PT sessions, 1 of which was billed as an induction and then a second, for a heavy discount.
I arrived today for the first session, expecting a mix of induction and a bit of a plan going forward. Instead, the PT took me to a seat in the drinks area (so other people were around, although I'm too brass neck to be bothered but not sure that's the point!). Lots of questions were asked about goals, expectations, experience etc... in which I was brutally honest - I am experienced in the gym but it has been several years since I did anything seriously. PT essentially said she wouldn't be able to help me on the basis of a session each month to refresh programme and trusting me to actually work out in between. I asked what she suggested , feeling prepared to pay for a weekly session for a few weeks if she was concerned about me injuring myself, but instead was presented with essentially a 12 week programme at over £200 a month.
On reflection I probably should have challenged at this point but with some good sales patter was almost persuaded...but since coming away I'm actually now thinking a bit more about this. I pay a membership & had wanted to be shown around the gym. Happy to be told I needed to pay for some extra sessions but surely she should have actually taken me INTO the gym, seen me do at least a couple of exercises before telling me my knowledge of the gym wasn't sufficient to be safe?
I can't help but think I went expecting to break a sweat and instead very nearly broke the bank!! (Biccies for anyone who made it this far!)

This isnt Pure Gym by any chance is it?

I would have expected the same as you did and I wouldnt be paying £200pm for a personal trainer!

Ive got lots of videos / workouts etc off you tube..not quite the same I know but at least they are free 😃

I had a pre-gym meet with a PT over coffee to go through my aims and goals etc but it wasn't an induction. That was something separate to be shown how to use the equipment.

Sounds like you went, reasonably expecting a normal gym induction, and were upsold something you might not need.

I wouldn't be impressed at all!

No it wasn't PureGym but was a fairly well know chain. I've got a fair few YouTube videos & the such like, it was more having someone to show me around (I'm hopeless with tech & modern gym equipment has so many buttons I never feel confident that I'm not going to go flying off a treadmill without someone at least saying this button does this or that!). Thanks for your response though, the more I ponder it the more I think this was an easy way of putting someone into an open sales pitch!

Do you know what each piece of equipment does and how to use it safely? How to adjust it, set the weights etc?

Were you shown the free standing kit like kettlebells and dumbbells etc?

The first point of the induction is that you should be able to use the equipment safely and know who or how to ask if you don’t. They should also do a basic assessment to check that you’re not endangering yourself or more likely get you to sign a form and say you should see your GP before starting exercise. Depends on how unfit and overweight you are whether you’d bother with that. But if you have blood pressure or heart problems you’d need to have considered that and they need to make sure you’ve stated any health issues so they’ve covered their arses.

This happened to me at Nuffield gym. I just wanted a routine to follow and explanations on how to use the equipment and ended up being persuaded into booking private sessions.

I had a gym induction years ago and they asked me for my goals and talked me through some of the machines. I wasn’t very overweight though, just inexperienced. If I wanted to know more about a particular machine I just asked someone or watched others.
Does your gym have classes? Classes are hand when you’re new.

Sorry don't know how to tag people in posts but no Orizontal, at no point was I taken even into the gym area. No BP or heart issues but do have an MSK condition so could completely understand her wanting to make sure was safe but at no point were any specific exercises, machines etc... discussed over and above "all my own clients have plans they can then work through with set exercises." No body measurements taken including weight.

They do have classes TeaKettleBell but more like spin, Zumba etc... was more wanting an actual programme. Possibly should have been more assertive too when she made it clear she couldn't help me with that I'd have been best asking to rebook with someone who could.

I thought they had to make sure you knew how their equipment worked as part of their health and safety/insurance.
I would say to the management that you weren’t shown any equipment nor given a routine and don’t think it counts as an induction. They’ve sold you a membership with these two sessions as incentives and you should get the second session which should give you a routine going forward.

At each gym I have joined over the past 20 years the induction has ben a short briefing at the start to determine goals/targets, current level of activity, etc. Then you have a walk round the gym to have each area/machines pointed out and what they're used for, with some demonstrations. Finally they set up a basic programme for you to workk on on your own afterwards.

I've never had an induction personalised or been given goals, routine, anything like that. The aims of the induction have been:

• shown how to work and adjust the machines properly
• make sure safe to be in the gym

That's pretty much it. It's always been about understanding the machines and how to use them safely.

Id start off slow, if your goal is weight loss focus on the cardio machines a bit more (the rower, bike, treadmill, elliptical).Do a mixture of all of those, you can start by warming up walking on the treadmill then little bits of jogging until a constant jog. I think free weights are good but they're often overlooked. Use the machines to workout your legs, hamstrings, quads, core/waist, upper body, arms.

Do you know what's going to happen in your 2nd session? Maybe that will be better - I'd reserve judgement until you've done BOTH of your induction sessions. If you still feel it's inadequate after that's done, then email the gym manager and explain your concerns and what you'd like.

Did they look at your form on the machines?

www.dwfitnessfirst.com/inside-track/news/8-foolproof-ways-to-get-the-best-gym-induction/

Yes I’d have thought basic induction would be go in the gym, be shown how to work stuff, understand any etiquette (wipe down machines, use of phones etc). Maybe basic self-fill questionnaire and disclaimer / GP check. Back in the day I remember them doing weight / BMI and blood pressure but not sure they offer that now. They’re not health professionals.

Second session I would have expected a chat about goals and a suggested programme and a check in technique. Eg rowing you can do it wrong and hurt yourself. Numbers of reps vs how heavy the weights are etc. You can damage yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing and falling off a moving treadmill isn’t to be recommended.

I’d ask management what the second session will cover and get them to tell you if they think it’s acceptable to send a new member into the gym without having been shown how to operate the equipment.

I would expect to have to pay for more PT sessions or personalised plans.

Thanks Orizontal that's a good idea to ask about the second session, she didn't make reference to a second one at all just wanted me to commit to a longer term programme.
No SkyBluee, didn't set foot in the gym area much less touch a machine
Thanks guys I was starting to think I had gone a bit mad but it seems I was reasonably expecting to at least get in there!

That link posted by skybluee is very useful!

The induction I had at a very unflashy gym was 10 mins of goals and general health check. Then a personalised plan - so I did a 10 min warm up and we went round all the machines and worked out the correct weights etc to start on and number of reps required. This was all put on a card and the the instructor said just let me know how you are getting on in a month or so and we can increase/change the routine as necessary. He was also a PT and not at all pushy.
It took about an hour all in all
of course I never did the exercises

Did you actually sign up to these sessions??

I would be calling to cancel them if you did and also requesting my 2nd session be a proper induction to be shown how to use the equipment rather than a sales pitch!

David Lloyd? I get the impression the gym staff have a lot of pressure put on them to get people to sign up for PT sessions. They get minimum wage but get a cut of any PT fees.

But yes induction was shit. If it's DL you can have a programme review every six weeks so I would ask for an appt with someone to actually have a programme done for,you.

no that wasnt an induction that was an attempt to extort money from you!

At Nuffield you should get a "fitness check" every 3 months, and you can then get a free "programme" after each one, which goes over equipment and fitness goals, and gives you a plan for you to carry out on your own. They also have personal trainer sessions, but these you book separately (they sometimes have a free trial PT session).

No ThisIzIt as a typical Yorkshire woman I never spend in haste, however tempting it may be & this is one of the exact reasons why! Just emailed the manager to ask for an overview of what to expect in second session and request it's with a different PT as she was clear she couldn't work on a monthly check in basis. Disappointed more than anything to be honest but hey ho see what session two brings, thanks again guys

This annoys me so much, no wonder so many people (mainly women) aren't confident in the gym!

Dont bother with a programme from her. Download Chloe Madeley's app weights 4 women, use YouTube videos, the info is out there.

Also ask the gym to show you the equipment so you know how to use it, what you had wasnt an induction at all but a sales pitch!

That sounds like a total PT hard sell to me. I would be complaining very strongly and asking for a proper induction ASAP.

no wonder so many people (mainly women) aren't confident in the gym! yes, it can seem very baffling when you first start and they are exploiting this!
However there is loads of FREE info online, some great youtube channels and there are people into weights in the exercise/fitness sections on here who will be pleased to help you and discuss progress

My PT is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone for a zillion reasons but it definitely doesn't cost me £200 per month. That's quite a chunk to find.