To starting to get annoyed with my PT?

PTtrouble · 2024-09-10T13:22:06+00:00

This will be our 6th session. The first 3 sessions were OK buy since we start sessions 5-10 mins late but finish on time, meaning my 45 min session ends up being 40-35 mins He has been changing the time constantly as well. Messaging me on the day bringing the session 30 mins forward then message again couple of hrs later asking is I can make it earlier, which would be still within my working hrs. I’ve started feeling very unsure about him. Still have 4 sessions to go with him, but I think I’m going stop after, which I’m not sure how to break it to him. Any advice how to handle this? We are kind of joke y and chatty and having a good time but I can’t fork our £35 for a session and being annoyed…

SharpWriter · 10/09/2024 14:26

I wouldn't be happy with this either. Are you happy with the sessions themselves? If so then maybe just tell him you need to keep the time consistent every week due to work schedule etc.

Only giving you 35 to 40 mins is completely unacceptable too, so just say you need the full 45 mins as that's what you've paid for. Surely his other clients aren't happy with this sort of carry on?

He sounds like a nightmare to be honest.

TimeForTeaAndG · 10/09/2024 14:29

Ending a professional work agreement doesn't need you to "break it to him". Hi PT after X date I won't be continuing my sessions. In the meantime can we keep my appointment time consistent as I have to finish work and get home/to the gym first. Thanks, see you on Friday.

Original poster

PTtrouble · 10/09/2024 14:30

I’m not sure if I’m happy with the sessions to be honest… but it is my first time doing PT sessions.
I am currently ignoring his message asking to bring the session forward. But I’m I am annoyed about it and annoyed that in going in for my session annoyed 😂
I also feel stupid for signing up for a block of sessions.
Just quite unsure how to communicate this 😕

OP posts:

ICanBuyMyselfFlowersICanWriteMyNameInTheSand · 10/09/2024 14:33

Just text back a simple "no I can't change the time." Then in person when he's late say "oh I didn't know where you were I thought we were supposed to start at X"

If he tries to end early just say " oh I thought we were ending at X"

ICanBuyMyselfFlowersICanWriteMyNameInTheSand · 10/09/2024 14:36

Or you could text something like " no I can't change the time sorry. It seems like this time isn't working for you anymore as you've asked me a few times to change it and we have had a shorter sessions. If this time isn't working for you anymore please let me know and I'd be happy with a refund for the remaining sessions we had booked."

If he says no then hopefully he'll start being more consistent.

Dearg · 10/09/2024 14:40

ICanBuyMyselfFlowersICanWriteMyNameInTheSand · 10/09/2024 14:36

Or you could text something like " no I can't change the time sorry. It seems like this time isn't working for you anymore as you've asked me a few times to change it and we have had a shorter sessions. If this time isn't working for you anymore please let me know and I'd be happy with a refund for the remaining sessions we had booked."

If he says no then hopefully he'll start being more consistent.

This is good. Addresses the issues and gives you both the opportunity to draw things to a close early.

Parker231 · 10/09/2024 14:42

Just message saying that you can’t change the time as you have work commitments and remind him that you have paid for a 45 minute session and that if this doesn’t work for him, please refund the sessions not given and short sessions

Olika · 10/09/2024 14:45

He sounds like one of my previous PTs and I stopped working with him. You don't need this hassle and shorter sessions because he is not organised. Tell him you are done. Find someone else. All the other PTs I have worked with after that annoying one have always been on time and been very good and I have got results. My current one is the owner of the gym but she still comes on time and spends our session efficiently.

Ohfuckrucksack · 10/09/2024 14:55

I have experienced this with PTs.

Especially the running late, but still wanting to finish the session 'on time' (ie early/shorter than you've paid for)

Sometimes I think they go into it thinking they are going to training lots of fit young ladies that they will enjoy and the reality is more older women/men with mobility challenges which they don't enjoy as much.

Catza · 10/09/2024 14:57

Agree with PPs, you don't have to "break it to him". He is a professional which you hired for a service. He works for you, not the other way around.
When you run out of your sessions and he asks you if you would like to renew, you simply say that you are not planning to at this time. No explanations necessary. In the meantime, read his message, say no and move on with your day. He is not going to agonise over it half as much as you think he should.
This goes for every professional - your cleaner, hairdresser... whatever. Nobody is sitting in an empty salon wondering why Mary is not coming for her appointments anymore.

IdLikeToBeAFraser · 10/09/2024 15:09

Don't ignore his messaeg. Just respond with, "No, I need to stick to the original time please".

I have this with my cleaners sometimes - they will ask me if they can swap days or come at a different time. If it's convenient for me, of course I say yes. But if it's not, then I just politely say no. If they then STILL can't make the time, of course they have the option to cancel and ask for a different time or make it up to me, but if they did that too often, I'd obviously look for a new cleaner. Pretty simple, normal commercial relationship I'd say.

IdLikeToBeAFraser · 10/09/2024 15:09

And if he starts late, then at the start of the session just say, "we're starting a bit late so I'm happy to continue until 14:10 to make up the time, thank."

Ansjovis · 10/09/2024 15:20

Just keep it simple. This is a business arrangement, you are paying him £35 for 45 minutes of his time in a pre-arranged time slot. Stating that you'd like to honour the terms of this agreement is not rude and if he takes it as such then he is unprofessional. Same with the wanting to cancel - if he does not take it in a professional way then that's on him, not you.

Amicompletelyinsane · 10/09/2024 15:28

My pt is a godsend. Full hour, same time each week. Great planning and we get on really well. There's no need to stay with a pt like you describe, there's good ones out there

Limth · 10/09/2024 15:48

Given your messages on this thread, OP, I think you're going to struggle with actually saying anything to him.
You come across as a people pleaser who's not keen on any sort of conflict with the PT. This isn't a criticism, I'm like this too and I think PT relationships are particularly tricky for people like us.

If it was me, I'd reply to the texts about changing time with "I can't change the time" or some variation. Keep repeating this every time he asks.

If he's late for a session, I'd say when he arrives "Can we go until "2:10pm so I get the full 45 minutes, please?"

But, to be honest, I wouldn't look to cancel the remaining sessions. I'd just come to terms with the fact this guy isn't working out for you, suck up the remaining sessions and then don't proceed after the block. When you come to the last session, I'd just say something like "It's not really working for me".
If you felt brave you could then say something like "To be honest, I was after a regular slot and 45-minute sessions but you keep moving the times and we don't always do the full time so its not really what I was after". If you don't want to get into a discussion, you could just cite time or money issues for why you can't continue.

If you're a new client for him, his behaviour doesn't bode well at all. It seems like he's taking you for granted, thinking you can just bend around his schedule. But you're the one paying. If he fell into this after just three sessions, what do you imagine he'll be like after a year! Get out as soon its socially acceptable 😂

Original poster

PTtrouble · 10/09/2024 16:04

Limth · 10/09/2024 15:48

Given your messages on this thread, OP, I think you're going to struggle with actually saying anything to him.
You come across as a people pleaser who's not keen on any sort of conflict with the PT. This isn't a criticism, I'm like this too and I think PT relationships are particularly tricky for people like us.

If it was me, I'd reply to the texts about changing time with "I can't change the time" or some variation. Keep repeating this every time he asks.

If he's late for a session, I'd say when he arrives "Can we go until "2:10pm so I get the full 45 minutes, please?"

But, to be honest, I wouldn't look to cancel the remaining sessions. I'd just come to terms with the fact this guy isn't working out for you, suck up the remaining sessions and then don't proceed after the block. When you come to the last session, I'd just say something like "It's not really working for me".
If you felt brave you could then say something like "To be honest, I was after a regular slot and 45-minute sessions but you keep moving the times and we don't always do the full time so its not really what I was after". If you don't want to get into a discussion, you could just cite time or money issues for why you can't continue.

If you're a new client for him, his behaviour doesn't bode well at all. It seems like he's taking you for granted, thinking you can just bend around his schedule. But you're the one paying. If he fell into this after just three sessions, what do you imagine he'll be like after a year! Get out as soon its socially acceptable 😂

I get what you are saying. I’m not really a people pleaser in general but for some reason I’m finding communication with this PR super difficult.
I will defo mention the 45min if he is running late, I think I didn’t mention last time as it took me by surprise that he had the audacity to finish on the dot not allocating extra time for him being late.

In any case, it’s not working out for me so I’m going to stop but will carry on with the remaining sessions.

OP posts:

northernballer · 10/09/2024 16:30

PT is a buyers market, there are so many around so find one that works for you.

Todaysbetterthanyesterday · 10/09/2024 16:36

Some PT’s love themselves and want to train a certain type, so if don’t fit their narrative they don’t respect you. Sounds like you found one like this.