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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take this higher - PT workouts injured me.

82 replies

MXVIT · 17/02/2023 11:41

Hi all

I currently have a PT who i go to three times a week. To be brief there is some kind of weakness in my lower back due to an old injury, my PT is obsessed with a certain piece of equipment that if done wrong can put strain on the back.

I have fed this back to my PT that I'm not comfortable using this piece of equipment as I can feel a strain on my lwoer back and my old injury will come back - to which I am frequently told "just see how you go - thats the workout"

Added to this, this piece of equipment is brought out even when my sessions run on consecutive days (due to availability i cant always space them out) - again I raised concerns on this and said I'd be more comfortable if there was a workaround - again i was told "thats the workout - we cant change it - see how you go"

Unsurprisingly, i was using the kit and yesterday my back twinged out, today i can't really move that well and have been popping painkillers like sweets - even when it happened i was told "just carry on with it see how you go"

AIBU to raise this with his superiors? These sessions are not cheap and the business prides themselves on having the best PTs, surely my concrns should have been enough for this guy to look at my workout and formulate workarounds after my concrns rather than just forcing me into a one size fits all workout

I'm very angry that I'm now injured and debating raising this with his superiors as I judge this to be his fault.

AIBU?

OP posts:
MelaniesFlowers · 17/02/2023 11:43

Why did you not just say “no, I won’t be using that. Please find me something else.”?

You're a grown adult with a voice. He didn’t force you to use it.

Mortimermay · 17/02/2023 11:43

I think you should talk to the PT first and then definitely raise it with his superiors if your concerns aren't taken on board. It sounds as though this is someone who either doesn't know how to formulate a new workout to accommodate your issues, or can't be bothered to. Either way, I'd either request or be looking for a new PT.

HeckyPeck · 17/02/2023 11:43

YANBU.

You paid a professional for their expertise and they have left you injured. His manager needs to know so they can make sure he doesn't do this to anyone else!

Original poster
MXVIT · 17/02/2023 11:46

MelaniesFlowers · 17/02/2023 11:43

Why did you not just say “no, I won’t be using that. Please find me something else.”?

You're a grown adult with a voice. He didn’t force you to use it.

Hiya -

to be clear - I did push back on it and there was a refusal from my PT to change the workout and take out this piece of kit. Short of walking out (which maybe i should have) I'm not sure what else I could do after being ignored.

OP posts:
HeckyPeck · 17/02/2023 11:47

MelaniesFlowers · 17/02/2023 11:43

Why did you not just say “no, I won’t be using that. Please find me something else.”?

You're a grown adult with a voice. He didn’t force you to use it.

OP trusted the advice of a supposed professional. My physio gives me exercises that are painful sometimes, but I trust that they know what they are doing. Luckily for me, they do.

OP's PT behaved incredibly unprofessionally and dangerously. His manager needs to know so he doesn't do the same to anyone else.

GCWorkNightmare · 17/02/2023 11:48

Definitely complain.

I have lower back issues and a virtual PT that has taught me perfect form. 80kg deadlifts and 60kg squats are not an issue because I know how to brace my back for the moves.

Dammitthisisshit · 17/02/2023 11:48

YANBU.

But I’m very wary of PT. A lot have very little experience. I had an amazing one once - at the time I couldn’t afford many sessions which was a shame. He’d trained as a physiotherapist and would tweak everything based on him watching the way you were doing it. He’d stop and correct you, make sure you were using your core correctly etc. For someone to say ‘that’s the workout’ shows it’s not personal at all.

RebulahConundrum · 17/02/2023 11:48

A decent PT tailors the routine to the client, they don't just have a set one that they use for everyone. So he's clearly not a decent PT and his unwillingness to listen to you means you should definitely report it before he causes more harm.

Merryoldgoat · 17/02/2023 11:48

YANBU to think he’s rubbish but why do something you know isn’t good for you? Why continue with him?

He sounds like a twat - but I find it really strange for an adult paying for an expensive service not to push back when faced with something unsuitable.

Original poster
MXVIT · 17/02/2023 11:52

Merryoldgoat · 17/02/2023 11:48

YANBU to think he’s rubbish but why do something you know isn’t good for you? Why continue with him?

He sounds like a twat - but I find it really strange for an adult paying for an expensive service not to push back when faced with something unsuitable.

As per hecky pecks point - i trused the advice of a professional, and as per previous post I did push back but again it comes back to short of walking out I wasnt sure what my options were (sessions are prepaid in a block just fyi)

OP posts:
MelaniesFlowers · 17/02/2023 11:54

You didn’t need to walk out. You just say “no. Please find me something else.”

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 17/02/2023 11:59

A PT isn't just a service it's a relationship and you have to gain trust and understanding on both sides. He sounds utterly awful but it's an incredibly unregulated industry with a real mix of skills and abilities.

I'd put in a complaint but sadly it sounds like a painful lesson to learn to stand up for yourself and not blindly trust a perceived authority.

GoodChat · 17/02/2023 12:00

I'd request your money back for the remaining sessions. He doesn't have your best interests at heart and you don't feel comfortable working with him.

Hotchocfudgecake · 17/02/2023 12:07

I’m a PT.

I think you are absolutely NBU.

A good PT should be able to change and adapt your training session depending on how you are feeling, with no notice whatsoever. If you are telling him something hurts/ doesn’t feel right then he stop be stopping you immediately and giving you an alternative.

If I were you I would be complaining to his manager and stopping sessions with him immediately. He doesn’t sound like he has a clue about what he’s doing.

Can2022getanyworse · 17/02/2023 12:08

I can put my back out for weeks by simply sitting down awkwardly - there's no way I'd be forced into doing an exercise that I know is risky and likely to have serious consequences to my health.

Yanbu to report him for not listening to you, but YABU for not refusing to do exercises that you knew could injure you. You're paying them for a service - you determine the service required.

rexythedinosaur · 17/02/2023 12:11

He is incompetent and you need to report him.

If he's doing this with you, he will be doing it with other people as well.

He obviously lacks an understanding of how people's bodies/ pain/ injuries work and impact exercise and he needs further training.

You need to report it OP, not just for your sake but his other clients too who might not be speaking up.

maddening · 17/02/2023 12:13

The whole point of a personal trainer is that they create a personal workout - I would point that out when sacking the fucker.

gamerchick · 17/02/2023 12:13

While you're mulling OP, you need to stretch out your back. Stretches for sciatica maybe?. Can you see someone to help you with it? Don't just pop painkillers and wait, you'll strain other areas of your body to compensate.

Original poster
MXVIT · 17/02/2023 12:16

gamerchick · 17/02/2023 12:13

While you're mulling OP, you need to stretch out your back. Stretches for sciatica maybe?. Can you see someone to help you with it? Don't just pop painkillers and wait, you'll strain other areas of your body to compensate.

great point, i will do! sciatica would be a good one as the "pop" happened above my bum cheek and now my whole leg is achings so thats likely it.

OP posts:
Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 17/02/2023 12:19

I would complain to the PT, they should work around old injuries and weak areas, not just put them under strain. You choose a PT for their expertise and guidance. Hope your back feels better soon, I feel your pain this weekend as my lower backs gone, trying to stretch it every few hours and keep moving so it doesn't seize up.

LookItsMeAgain · 17/02/2023 12:19

Tell your PT
"I know my body. I know what it can and more importantly can't do. I'm not using that piece of equipment and you are going to have to adjust the training plan to account for that. I will not be using it today or any other day. If this poses a problem for you, we'll have to agree to disagree and I'll try and find a trainer who listens to their client and builds a training plan around their clients abilities".

SeriouslyLTB · 17/02/2023 12:20

How old are you and how old (roughly) is PT. I think many young PTs don’t believe how ‘breakable’ any body over 35 is - they just think you’re being pathetic.

I would definitely raise it in a “he needs to listen to his clients” way.

But also a lesson for you. Yes, get angry if they don’t listen. Ultimately, only you are able to say whether an exercise is going to do damage.

ChChChChangeName · 17/02/2023 12:22

YANBU. What's all that nonsense about not being able to change the work out? The whole point of a PT is that your training is personalised.

Some PTs are great but there are some absolute cowboys as well and I wonder whether you've found one of them. I'd look elsewhere.

2bazookas · 17/02/2023 12:23

You PAY him; he's your employee.

Just say NO, I will not use that equipment, Yes, we CAN change the workout; If you can't devise one tailored to ME, I'll find someone who can and tell your managers why.

GoodChat · 17/02/2023 12:24

2bazookas · 17/02/2023 12:23

You PAY him; he's your employee.

Just say NO, I will not use that equipment, Yes, we CAN change the workout; If you can't devise one tailored to ME, I'll find someone who can and tell your managers why.

Paying for a service doesn't make the service provider your employee.