Personal Trainers

[Sunbeam]

That's a great idea too! That way I can stay anonymous...me likes! -- THANKS!

P.S. I'm a treadmill junkie too

I wouldn't know what else you could do? If you talk to the trainer himself, he will probably get mad. If you talk to management directly, you will probably get a know-it-all and troublemaking reputation, especially if its about more than one person. But with a note, no one knows who you are, and they have been told so at least you know you did something in good faith. What a delicate situation.

 

[GODric Gryffindor]

Send an anonymous note to management, detailing the situation, and exactly why you think such and such is dangerous, and the people responsible.

Please, don't. Please, only decide to speak up if you are sure that you have the guts to stand up for yourself. Most anonymous letters are ignored, because - more often than not - they are attempts to avoid responsibility. Try to put yourself in the shoes of the fitness manager, the one who receives your letter; for what s/he is worth, the letter may be from another trainer, someone spiteful or disgruntled, who's envious on his/her more successful colleagues.

I'd advice that you talk to the trainers in question, and perhaps to the supervisor as well. Make it a personal, face-to-face talk, and be open about it. Don't make it sound like you're complaining; more like "I'm sure you do not mean to cause injury to your client, but that's how it seemed to me, so could you please spend a few minutes explaining to me why you think this is safe? I'm new at this, I want to learn!"

Good luck!

 

[Acceptance]

Please, don't. Please, only decide to speak up if you are sure that you have the guts to stand up for yourself. Most anonymous letters are ignored, because - more often than not - they are attempts to avoid responsibility. Try to put yourself in the shoes of the fitness manager, the one who receives your letter; for what s/he is worth, the letter may be from another trainer, someone spiteful or disgruntled, who's envious on his/her more successful colleagues.

I'd advice that you talk to the trainers in question, and perhaps to the supervisor as well. Make it a personal, face-to-face talk, and be open about it. Don't make it sound like you're complaining; more like "I'm sure you do not mean to cause injury to your client, but that's how it seemed to me, so could you please spend a few minutes explaining to me why you think this is safe? I'm new at this, I want to learn!"

Good luck!

The thing is, the management know's I'm not new at this. They know I'm a physical therapist which is exactly why I don't want to say something "face-to-face". Despite the fact that my intentions are genuinely good, I'm worried it wouldn't come across that way. I know if a doctor tries to tell me how to do my job, frequently he is off target, and it is (despite his best intentions) a bit insulting.

This is a club I've paid well over a thousand dollars to belong to I go to daily, see the people there daily, etc. The last thing I want is hostilities, but sometimes seeing the things these trainers allow their clients to do should make my eyes turn into dollar signs because an injury is sure to follow.

Finally, The people who 'run' this club are all in their mid to late 20's. I'm sure I would have a less difficult time going to someone who exuded professionalism, but the kids at this club just don't, making this situation such a difficult one.

 

[GODric Gryffindor]

The thing is, the management know's I'm not new at this. They know I'm a physical therapist which is exactly why I don't want to say something "face-to-face". Despite the fact that my intentions are genuinely good, I'm worried it wouldn't come across that way. I know if a doctor tries to tell me how to do my job, frequently he is off target, and it is (despite his best intentions) a bit insulting.

First of all- you're still their customer? You're still paying them money? If so, then no question is unwarranted. They have a very strong incentive to answer- you can vote with your wallet and take your business elsewhere. And it gives you a simple way to ask- you can pretend that you want to get some training for yourself- even fitness trainers train each other- and you want to inquire about various techniques they use, and how some are safer than others.