I have a client who trains with other trainers on the weekends. How do I ensure she is getting a well rounded program?

Its your clients choice to do as she wishes on her own time, nevertheless I would cease ongoing training with her. She should decide what is important to her health and wellness and you can help her with her choices.

A. Your certified and the "bonus trainer has an expired certification.
B. Your "bonus trainer" probably has expired or no insurance.
C. You could be held responsible for an injury unknowingly cause by the "bonus trainer".
D. Conflicts could arise in different training methods that you do not approve.

Give her credit for her enthusiasm and willingness to go the extra mile to achieve her goals however, "more" isnt always better.

Let her know you are not willing to participate in a "dual" training program with a trainer you do not know and let her make her own choice.

You could ask for the other trainer's contact details so you can get in touch and try to ensure your programs aren't conflicting or putting your client at risk of an over-use injury. Even if you don't particularly respect the other trainer's methods, it shows professionalism and care for your own client, and may help with programming.

If you are really concerned the other trainer is putting your client at risk, you could purchase your own liability insurance, and have your client pay you directly for a weekend session. Just make sure you're not breaking your contract with your fitness facility by doing so.

Another option could be spending extra time writing a program for your client to follow by herself on the weekends. If you've been working with her for a while, and feel confident about her form and ability, there's no reason she couldn't do some strength training by herself.

Hope this helps!

Try educating the client more on information about how you want them to exercise not just choreography. They can then utilize that education in their daily routines and weekend workouts. Information is power. You cannot force your client to make choices just educate them. Good luck.

I agree with Carly- offer to find a way to train her on the weekends, or create a program for her to do on her own. One main goal of a trainer is to teach self-efficacy, so she can perform all that you have trained her on her own. I would encourage her to either work with you or on her own for consistency.

Speak your truth to her. Let her know your concerns and that you want what's best for her. Let her know that it's essential that a professional upholds the standard in our industry and that's important to you...would you consider hiring a doctor who by the way didn't pass the boards? Just missed a few questions ? Or didn't see the point since they'd had all that school just the same? Of course not!

Then educate, educate, educate while you're training her. If you are doing that- even she should spot the difference between a trainer who knows good form and one who does not.

Do make sure that you let it know a difference of opinion is OK. We have to agree to disagree sometimes, there is more than one right answer. But if something is injurious to your client it's important that you point it out. Your relationship is with your client though- not with the trainer- and if they haven't sought you out - it's odd so chances are that they aren't going to do so.

All you can do is be the best trainer to her when you train her, you can't dictate what another trainer is doing.
If it gets too conflicting you may have to let her go.

As Carly said...look into finding another outdoor location and/or getting liability insurance which seems beneficial to you and certainly speak with the other trainer. Perhaps he/she could be educated by a brief conversation with you. What about periodization? Client needs, goals, workouts? These are all good reasons to initiate a call. Maybe you could have a meeting of the minds. This is about empowering our clients and helping people meet goals. I would educate (the client) too and eventually it will sink in. Initially some people won't do much w/o a trainer and then one day they will. Perhaps this person feels she needs that extra day right now to meet her weight loss goals. Rather than look at the "bad" the other trainer may be doing, think how you can both help the client. As for lapsing certification: you haven't mentioned details but (thinking positively) maybe they are certified in another discipline? I would ask about it.

Another option could be sitting with your client to review her "aggressive weight loss goals" and talk about the PLAN that you have designed for her - educating her to the fact that you actually have a plan to help her reach her goals and it's not just a plan for the days she's with you - but also when she's not - can go a long way to her understanding and trusting you with her fitness plans.

All too often I see women who think working out more and harder is the way to reach aggressive goals - when sometimes that's causing part of the problem. They are working out harder - not smarter - not resting - not varying. I believe that's where we come is as the "professional". Not just writing a program - but creating and imparting a PLAN.

Good point Dennise emphasize rest after intense workouts and resistance training and make sure the other trainer isn't overtraining her on some of the same exercises you do. Seems like we're all on the same page break the science down into layman's terms and make sure she understands how to get the most from each week.

If you are training her well during the week, encourage her to use the weekends for recovery. If she gets antsy with nothing to do and feels like she needs to move, then design a light program for active recovery. i.e. bodyweight movements, stretching, etc. Something light to allow for recovery, but provides her the psychological relief that she is "doing something". This is good time to educate her that recovery is just as important as the exercise.

Like others have said, talk to her about your concerns regarding the other trainer.

I would definately try to communicate with your collegues. This is important for your client.

I would also try to be honest with your client and tell her why some of the exercises the other trainer is doing is wrong. Let her understand you.