PT dilemma – stick it out or walk away?

[TheRealGossipGirl]

I joined the gym in November 2025 and also hired a PT. It’s massively improved my confidence. I can now use the machines on my own without worrying what others think, and honestly the gym has changed my life.

I pay £500 for a block of 10 sessions, usually two sessions per week over five weeks. I genuinely like my PT and think she’s very good at her job, but there have been a few cracks. During the first block, I turned up to every single session. On two occasions, however, it was her who cancelled at the last minute. Once she cancelled a couple of hours before the session (which was fine as she rescheduled). Another time, I actually got to the gym, waited for her and had to text her, only for her to reply saying she couldn’t make it. I ended up working out on my own and she rescheduled that one too.

There were also times when she couldn’t fit two sessions into a week, so we only did one, but all 10 sessions were still used up in the end.

When it came to renewing, I was very clear that my work schedule was changing and that I could only realistically manage one session per week. She initially agreed. However, on the day of the first session of the new block, she asked to schedule a second session. When I reminded her of what I’d said, she told me one session wasn’t enough to see progress and that I needed two.
I explained that I’m mostly only available in the evenings (she prefers early sessions), but she said she would make it work, so on that basis I agreed to two sessions a week again. We’re now at the end of this block. Attendance-wise it’s been fine, but I don’t feel there’s any real plan or structure - it feels quite random, e.g. one day it’s legs, another day it’s upper body, with no clear progression.

Yesterday I woke up genuinely unwell - swollen tonsils, sore throat and a very chesty cough - and texted her around 8am to let her know I couldn’t make the session. She replied saying she was sorry to hear that, but that she would still be marking the session as complete under her cancellation policy.

That really miffed me. I wasn’t cancelling for convenience - I was genuinely ill. I accepted it because policies are policies, but she didn’t even try to reschedule or accommodate me another day or week. I’ve never cancelled due to illness before, I’m always on time, and I’ve been very understanding when she’s cancelled on me.

To be honest, I don’t want to renew again. That one instance has really put me off, especially given how flexible I was about her two last-minute cancellations. On top of that, I genuinely can’t manage two sessions a week. There are major roadworks near me, so what should be a 10-minute bus journey can easily turn into 45 minutes, meaning her lateness policy could kick in and I wouldn’t even get the full hour. And, as mentioned, I don’t feel there’s a proper plan in place for me anyway.

I really hate the awkwardness of telling a PT I don’t want to continue and that I’m happy going to the gym on my own now.

Would you give her another chance, or just end it? The cost is also adding up – I’ve already spent £1,000, and renewing again would take it to £1,500, which feels hard to justify.

Oh yes I would definitely end it. One session with her and your own gym work should have been enough - she shouldn't have forced you to do two a week. She should have encouraged you to up your weights and/or reps at each session and be making a note of your progress. If you are confident using the gym equipment on your own then just do this now. But if you still feel you need PT sessions, I suggest finding another PT.

I’d just tell it it’s not working for you. I’d say that next time with another PT you’ll expect leeway on late cancellations if the PT cancels at late notice.

I would definitely cancel. A good PT should give you a structured plan with clear progression and links to your goals. She's right that once per week isn't great for progress but she should be supporting you to find ways to train that do fit about your life - maybe some bodyweight exercise snacks that you can fit in at home that help you challenge your body between gym sessions and make the maximum progress possible in your circumstances.

When you were sick I would expect that you would still pay/use up a session. She was available to give you the training, it was not your fault you were sick.

However it does sound like the arrangement is no longer working for you. I would expect her to have a clear plan for you which she does not appear to have. I would tell her that due to your change in circumstances and your commute that the arrangement no longer works for you.

walk away, I had someone similar who kept cancelling and rescheduling or didn't show up and it's just not worth the hassle. And that's a lot of money, i thought PT at our gym was expensive!! For £50 a session I'd want clear goals for the 10 session block, a plan for how to achieve it, and advice on what to be doing in between sessions.

Cancel - it isn't working for you. I'm also suspicious of the insistence that you need two sessions a week - one is standard, people progress on that, and a good PT should be training you to train well on your own, and maybe move on in time, while they have other keen newbies, perhaps beginners, waiting to take your slot.

However, I would expect to pay for an OTD cancellation, usually, as the PT won't be able to fill the slot. In your cirx though, she could have offered to rearrange if possible, given the flexibility you have shown - and her just not showing up that time is really poor.

When you say one session is upper body and one is legs - that could be the plan maybe, and might explain why she wants twice a week? In which case I would suggest saying you want to focus on either upper or lower with her (I'd suggest upper) and you work on the other solo with an occasional check in. Just a thought. You should be clear about the plan for progress, however, whatever it is.

Why does it need to be awkward, do you have to announce to her that you’re not renewing? Even if you do, just say your schedule has changed and you need to be able to come to the gym at variable times when you’re free.

I have a PT once a week but go by myself another 3 times. I do legs/push/pull splits. And over the 3 PT sessions cover those splits in more detail, pushing weights up and correcting form. I have a book where I track all my workouts. My PT charges £35 a session if I book a block of 4 and is very flexible if I can't do a session one week. Usually only for holidays but he was great when my dad and my husband's dad were ill last year. I've been going to him for 3 years now. Much stronger but need to put effort in to my diet now.