To not want to be part of my PT’s photoshoot?

[TheRealGossipGirl]

I posted a while ago about needing motivation to join the gym as I was very nervous, and many of you replied with words of encouragement. I joined, and I've loved it since. I still have days where I get nervous on the gym floor and run back upstairs to the quiet section, but overall the gym has been great for my mental health and for strengthening my body.

I also got a personal trainer, who is brilliant. It’s because of her that I understand the machines and can now use them by myself in such a short time - something I had no confidence in before her.

The thing is, about a week ago she mentioned that she has a photographer coming in to take pictures for her website/Instagram, and she wants me to be there. She didn’t really ask me, more told me the date and time. Her other clients will be there too. I don’t really want my face plastered all over social media - I don’t even post my own face on my own accounts. She also said to be there for 7am on Saturday morning, and that also means I’d have to hang around until my 10am PT session.

I just don’t like any of it. It’s my day off, work has been hectic, and I really need the lie-in. I wasn’t asked if I was comfortable being part of it; I was just told I would be. It’s at 7am, and I’d be wasting my whole morning. I’d have to go home, change, and then go back out again to run errands, and everything gets busy after midday this time of year. Now I’m worried that if I make an excuse for not being able to come in at 7am - but still turn up for my 10am session - she won’t believe me and and worry it might affect our sessions.

AIBU?

You have two options really, either

1. Be honest and say what you have said above and that you won’t be attending. ( you could offer to give her a quote she can use on her website instead maybe)
2. Lie and say you are ill/busy/working that day.

Just say you’ve got other plans. No big deal!

Be honest - message her and say you don't feel comfortable being part of the photo shoot. If she doesn't understand that and pushes, she's not the PT for you.

I think things are tough for the Self employed people atm. We've got stuff like that going on as well. Trying to survive in this climate must be hard.

However that doesn't mean you should let yourself feel pushed into something you're not comfortable with.

Tell her you don't have a SM presence and can't help. Or offer to do the filming or something so she can be in her videos if you're struggling to say no completely.

But saying you can't is ok.

Just be honest and say you really need a rest (which us why you booked a pt session for 10am not 7am on a Saturday!) If she's a nice person like you say she will understand

Why are you giving this shy headspace at all? Just tell her no, you’ll see her at 10am for your session. She’s not your boss… you pay HER.

You're massively overthinking
'sorry PT, I can't make it at 7 on Saturday and I would rather not be on social media in your promotion, but I'll see you at 10 as usual!'

Just message her and say “Hi PT, just to let you know I’m not comfortable being photographed for your SM (especially as I don’t actually use it myself) so I’ll just see you at 10am for our usual session once the shoot has finished”. Any pushback and find a new PT.

The thing is, about a week ago she mentioned that she has a photographer coming in to take pictures for her website/Instagram, and she wants me to be there. She didn’t really ask me, more told me the date and time.

I wouldn’t bother with the ‘sorry, I don’t want to be part of it’ excuses people are posting. I would just not turn up. She didn’t ask you. If she mentions it afterwards (she probably won’t) just bright and breezy ‘oh how did it go, good luck blah blah blah’ or at a push ‘oh haha what am I like, I didn’t know you wanted me to come!’ on with the session.

I’d give her notice and just message her saying you don’t want to be part of it but you hope the shoot goes well and you’re see her at your next session. You pay her!! Donut now then you don’t need to worry further. Don’t let her try and talk you into it.