Is it wrong to turn down a person that is a member of the same gym, just have a gym membership. But they seek service from you.

Hi Delmar,

I am not sure I understand the scenario to which you refer. Can you clarify please.

Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com

Hi Delmar,

if you are currently just a gym member and have no arrangements with the gym to train people there, then getting an understanding with the club is where you have to start. It has nothing to do with lack of respect for the other trainers. People approach us not only for our qualifications but also because they simply like one person better than another.

There are plenty of gyms that will not allow independent trainers to train. Period. And I would strongly urge to resist the temptation to train people under the guise of being ‘workout buddies’.

If the gym allows you to train, they will most certainly want a cut. If they say that it is against their policy, then I would not train the members there. They can approach the club management who may re-consider their position when there is risk to lose a gym membership over it.

Since you already train clients in other locations, you can certainly offer to train them there.

Good luck.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com

Hi Delmar,

Karin is correct. Also, keep in mind that if something goes wrong and you injure who ever you train there, you will be liable for a lawsuit and the gym as well. I know there are trainers who like to do this kind of business, but there is a reason why gyms don’t allow other trainers to train their members and it’s not only because they are losing revenue, but from a legal point as well.

Best,
Harris

Hi Delmar. You sound like a person wanting to ‘do the right thing.’ In this instance, the ‘right thing’ is not to try to train under the table. While some might get away with it, if something should happen, you could find yourself in a world if legal trouble, not to mention the damage to your reputation as a fitness professional. I always say, do things the right way, which in this instance would be to ask the management of the gym if training there would be possible. You can make it a win-win by doing a fee-share with the gym. That way, those clients who want to train, get to train with you, you get a fee, the gym keeps satisfied clients and makes a small revenue to boot. Everyone is happy!

I hope that this helps.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com

I would also say not a good idea. I work at a gym in retention and i know alot of other gym owners and i feel like it could hurt you in the long run also because if they find out you are training someone not as a trainer hired there you never know if someone you would potentional want to work for may find out and it could look bad. I would say maybe tell them you would love to train them but for respect of the facility it would be at your place of work and if they want to be trained at that gym direct them to their trainers.