Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

OK, so I joined LA Fitness a little over a month ago & was so excited. Even though I really didn't want to meet with a trainer for a session about what workouts I should do, I did it anyway. I kept saying how it wasn't my 1st time in a gym, so he didn't have to keep explaining my muscles to me, plus- DH is a certified personal trainer with a bachelor's in nutrition, so none of this was new to me. I was telling the trainer that it was just that I got lazy recently & put on a few pounds over the last year. He kept asking me how many times I thought I was going to workout per week. I said, "I dunno. I'm hoping for at least 3-4." So, he said, "How 'bout we aim for 5 days/week". Whatever, I didn't sign up with their personal trainers, so I just said I'd do my best.


Ok, great. Session's over, I go home with a renewed zeal for the gym after not working out in almost a year.
I was so sore the next day, that I didn't go back. I went the day after that. In the mean time, the trainer called my house the day I didn't go & he kept saying how I needed to get there & work out. OK, I thought it was just their business tactic to try to recruit people for the personal training sessions. I said thank you but I'll get there when I get there. Then the 3rd time I went to work out, I went on the treadmill & this trainer actually came over to me & asked why I was wasting my time on the treadmill & told me that I need to be doing strength training. OK, I'll admit I put on about 15-20 pounds in the last year, but this guy was acting like I am morbidly obese. I told him that I needed to go at this at my own pace & he said he was going to keep calling if I took days off during the week.

Is this just their way of trying to act concerned? Cuz to be honest, I haven't been back since then. It makes me uncomfortable knowing that this guy is paying that close attention to my workouts. If you made it this far, thank you. I just want to know if any of you have had similar issues with this gym, or any other gym for that matter. TIA

ETA -fixed spelling

Message edited 11/8/2009 6:26:19 PM.

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

He probably just has the hots for you

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

I think that's over the top..it would be one thing if they said that was a service available..are you interested?, but no...that's kinda weird...I would alert the management..that's unacceptable, off-putting and for YOU to pay for it, is unreal..good luck!

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

I have been a member of many gyms over the years, and have never had this happened to me. I would be ******! I actually might go up to the manager about this if it continues. He probably just wants your business, but this is a little over the top.

I go to the same gym:) The one in Lake Grove right? I just told my DH and now he wants to know what the guy looks like. He thinks you should talk to management too!

Message edited 11/8/2009 6:45:56 PM.

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

Thanks, I think I am going to cancel my membership. DH especially didn't like the fact that this guy had called our house at 6:30pm. We were finishing dinner & he was like, "Ummm, why does this trainer care if you went or not?" I'm so bummed because I think I would've really gotten into a good routine there. And when I told this guy that I was interested in a few of the classes they offere, he told me that classes are for wimps. Ummmmm, yeah- that's a great sales pitch. I'm so upset with this loser.

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

That's very strange of him to keep tabs on your workouts like that... seems weird But, I don't think you should cancel your membership there. Just tell him in no uncertain terms that while you appreciate his concern, you'd rather have some space to do your own thing & not be monitored so closely. If he doesn't listen, then speak to the manager. You shouldn't have to cancel your membership over this, especially since you otherwise like the place!

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

He asked you "why you were wasting your time on the treadmill"??? Seriously? Any personal trainer worth his salt knows that the treadmill is pretty much the best calorie-burn in the gym. Strength training is important too, but to get you OFF the treadmill to go use weights? When he's not even your trainer? He's just the guy they set you up with for your intro to the gym? Very weird.

I've had trainers before and NEVER has one called my house to see if I had been to the gym that day. That's being really pushy and trying to "guilt" you into going the next day. Training isn't about guilt, it's about going in a positive direction for the future. The guy's a turd. I don't know if I'd hold it against the whole gym, however. If you like the gym itself, I'd just be firm with the trainer and tell him you will not be signing up for any training sessions.

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

Way, WAY over the top. I would tell him to leave you alone. That's is completely not right and would make me so uncomfortable too. There are certain instructors who say things to me at the gym if I am not on my A game but i have been going there for 3 years!!!

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

this is very interesting


if u google "la fiitness" and "personal trainers" stories similiar to yours crop up...these "PTs" are not really qualified or employed by LA Fitness, but by another company I think.

they are known for taking instructions off of machines in order for gym members to be forced to ask them stuff, or the members are told they are doing something incorrectly, or told they are out of shape, etc....all in the effort to get them to sign a PT contract.


it's also almost impossible to cancel, i keep reading that.

what a psycho that guy was. i'm sorry. maybe get a doctor's note if you really really wanna cancel. but if you like it there except for the creep, then stay.


hope it works out!

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

I agree that would annoy the heck out of me. I would definitely tell him you prefer to monitor your own workout and do not need his input anymore.

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

Posted by rileysmama

this is very interesting


if u google "la fiitness" and "personal trainers" stories similiar to yours crop up...these "PTs" are not really qualified or employed by LA Fitness, but by another company I think.

they are known for taking instructions off of machines in order for gym members to be forced to ask them stuff, or the members are told they are doing something incorrectly, or told they are out of shape, etc....all in the effort to get them to sign a PT contract.


it's also almost impossible to cancel, i keep reading that.

what a psycho that guy was. i'm sorry. maybe get a doctor's note if you really really wanna cancel. but if you like it there except for the creep, then stay.


hope it works out!

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

LA fitness trainers are soooooooo annoying! they come up to you constantly, even if you have headphones on the come and bother you. it's very aggravating. do u go to lake success?

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

The LA Fitness "trainers" are very pushy, and some of them uneducated. One actually showed me a picture of his abs on his cell phone and told me he got them even though he eats a bucket of fried chicken every day

I would tell him to back off and complain to management that you are being harrassed. Its a great gym and you shouldnt have to give it up because of him.

Message edited 11/9/2009 8:07:39 AM.

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

I would put in a complaint to management

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

Re: Anyone else have this problem at the gym?

Posted by Noonie

Posted by rileysmama

this is very interesting


if u google "la fiitness" and "personal trainers" stories similiar to yours crop up...these "PTs" are not really qualified or employed by LA Fitness, but by another company I think.

they are known for taking instructions off of machines in order for gym members to be forced to ask them stuff, or the members are told they are doing something incorrectly, or told they are out of shape, etc....all in the effort to get them to sign a PT contract.


it's also almost impossible to cancel, i keep reading that.

what a psycho that guy was. i'm sorry. maybe get a doctor's note if you really really wanna cancel. but if you like it there except for the creep, then stay.


hope it works out!

Really? I'm going to google that right now. Thanks for the info!!! I appreciate it!