Virgin Active N1 City - PT's

<p>This goes out to the personal trainer/s at Virgin Active N1 City that complained via the duty manager about how well my friends and I train in the mornings. Now instead of getting angry (which trust me I am furious) I will give you some advise on how to improve your own business and stay out of mine</p> <p>Some background first:<br />I have been a premier member for over 15 years at Virgin Active<br />My two friends are new members, one relocated recently to Cape Town and the other a brand new member that signed up over the weekend. - And they have only had appalling service and the worst experience since day one.</p> <p>I was approached by the floor/duty manager this morning stating that he has received complaints from "ALL" the personal trainers, that it seems like I am a trainer and busy training these two people (my friends)...... and taking potential business away from them. I need to understand that they pay rent.</p> <p>Yes I completely understand that you pay rent to train people<br />BUT - As a member - I pay a large membership fee every month too, which allows me the use of the gym I choose to go to.</p> <p>I asked the manager how I can change this perception as this is not the case and what they would like me to do?</p> <p>His reply was that it should look like I train "with" them - Now correct me if I am wrong..... 3 different stations, 3 people each with weights in their hands doing 12 reps and 3 sets with cardio in between sets? How much more must I do so it "looks" like I am training? I don't lean on equipment looking around whilst working on my counting s****s. I am actually training WITH my friends.</p> <p>I then asked: If I see my friends' form or breathing is incorrect, should I leave them with bad form with the risk of injury? Or should I help them? When they reach the point of failure, should I just let them drop the weight and risk tearing a muscle? Or should I do what a buddy should do, help them?</p> <p>His reply was that he understands.... but I should understand that the trainers pay rent...</p> <p>Dear Trainers<br />To be clear, I am in no way a trainer, I have not studied personal training, and never will I put people's health in jeopardy by even pretending to be a trainer. Nobody pays me to train with them.</p> <p>We are merely 3 members and friends training together.</p> <p>So even though I was very upset with how we were treated this morning and wanting to speak to the personal trainer/s directly to ensure them that I have absolutely no intention of training people nor take business away from them, but they wished not to be named.</p> <p>I have decided to rather help you than get angry with you</p> <p>1. Coming to think of it, this is actually a compliment to us, being threatened by a member that trains properly, means that my previous personal trainers did an exceptional job - so thank you guys</p> <p>2. Maybe focus on your own clients, their technique, their form and their breathing, rather than leaning against equipment with no interest in your clients' well being, and having time to notice how well other members train</p> <p>3. When you see members that do not have the correct form, assist them, help them and show them the correct way to use weights or a machine, by doing this you might actually gain a new client. But I believe if you don't get paid you don't help people</p> <p>4. If you feel that members train better than you can train your clients, do more research, go for more training, be the best trainer you can be with your clients' best interest at heart</p> <p>I hope this helps you to work on your training s****s and grow your client base.</p> <p>Good luck</p> <p>PS: the 3 of us will remain training there, regardless of what you may think of us, giving it our all, so best you get over your insecurities</p>