Breaking Up is Hard To Do
Earlier in the week the Husband and I gave you a little insider into our lives as trainers. You guys asked an important question, “Have you ever fired a client?”
One of the more perplexing things about being a trainer is the client/trainer relationship. And just like a romantic relationship, if it isn’t a good match then the relationship should end.
Not every trainer is right for every client and vice-versa. As a seasoned personal trainer it’s important to recognize when a client isn’t a good match and direct them to a trainer who is. Otherwise, you both end up unhappy.
The husband and I will easily admit that we’ve had quite a few “bad relationships” during the course of our careers that ended with an “it’s not you, it’s my schedule.”
When I first started out I didn’t realize how important this was to my livelihood. No matter how bad the trainer/client match was, I just kept trudging through. After a year or two of putting up with these “relationships” I was miserable. When I finally realized that I didn’t need to train everyone who wanted to train with me, my life instantly became better.
And a client hasn’t made me cry since! (not a joke)
Its important for the client to recognize when I trainer isn’t right for them. At the end of the day if you question your relationship with your trainer then you should give another trainer a try.
Have we been dumped by a client? Absolutely.
Does it hurt our feelings? No
Don’t be afraid of hurting your trainer’s feelings if you feel that the relationship isn’t working. We are actually happy for you when you find that perfect match.
Jess I LOVE this!
Many times I have ended a client relationship. I will give it a few weeks, months, and in some case over a year. But there comes a point where that client brings you down so much that it is just not worth it. If I’ve felt like I’ve done everything I can possible to help this person and they just aren’t having it, I’m done with them. There are so many other people that want to be fit in the schedule, that actually want to DO the work and see the changes.
I’ve been dumped by clients, too, but it never gets me done. My training style is very agressive and tough, and alot of people just don’t want that. But thats how I want to do it, and everyone gets results!
I had to stop going to a spin class because the instructor and I were not a good match. I liked her spinning style, I just didn’t like everything else that she talked about while spinning.. (sounds silly) so I had to stop going and never fails everytime I run into her she asks why I don’t go to her class…
I’ve only had a trainer once and he stunk . . . I didn’t finish my sessions and didn’t even try to get someone else, in fact I quit the gym altogether. He didn’t personalize my workout at all and he never called me back when we trying to set up our schedules. I guess I should have politely asked to work with someone else!
I actually fired a mother and daughter. they were not really trying and I felt like I wasting their time so I gave them back ALLLL their money and said buh-bye.
“When I finally realized that I didn’t need to train everyone who wanted to train with me, my life instantly became better.”–HOW TRUE!!!
I actually wish I could fire some students in my yoga class b/c they have such negative energy and no matter how much I give love and light to them and to my classes, they arent receptive and it gets old. You know what i mean
This is an interesting post, I’ve never thought about a trainer as a relationship.. but it’s true
Great points! I guess one of the reasons I still haven’t hired a personal trainer is because I’m afraid he/she may not be “the one.” And I really don’t like to hurt people’s feelings… But maybe that’s a silly fear…
I could write this same post about “breaking up with an RD”. Sometimes it’s just not a good match. It makes it easier for both parties to be honest.
“It’s not you it’s my schedule” BEST LINE EVAH!
Thanks for answering my question, btw! Perfect answer!
I worked as a counselor for 6 years before going back to school this year, and the same can be said of that relationship. Both parties need to be willing to do the work. And the client has to be willing to work on the issues he/she came in to talk about. Relationships are tricky!
What a great site! Just found it through another’s. I’ll keep coming back
Check mine out if you wish – I’m actually a Physical Therapist…and trust me, if I could “quit” some of my patients…oh Gosh would I ever 
…I know that’s horrible to say, but it’s what really making me unhappy with my work right now. Difficult time and not happy with my job, etc, etc…I would really just like to write for a living and work on a novel…but that is not easy to do obviously – so I’m stuck …anyways, check out my site/add me to your Roll if you wish! Love new readers and opinions 
Wow! That’s a really great realization to have come to! If only more people would realize that sometimes, just because something isn’t *right* it doesn’t mean that any one person is wrong.