Thread: Stalker client

If it was me, I would tell him that you are sorry, but you are recommending him to another trainer. I personally could not stand the thought of working that closely with a sicko like that. Sorry, but I just couldn't. If you can look beyond it, thats great....but not me. No way.

I would refer him to a male trainer....don't let some other female be his target, she might not be so observant or for lack of better words, strong enough to tell him to hit the road.

Thanks txChick..
Well, that was my first reaction too.. And that might be what I'll do.. But somehow I feel like giving him another chance to act professional.. If not, then I'll end it.. Cause since I just got my PT thing started I kinda need the money.. But I doubt I could actually work with him at all after this.. I will probably just recommend another trainer..
I was warned about this happening a lot when I went to the Personal Trainer School, but I kinda didn't think that of him when we started out..

I would pass him on to another trainer. Make sure its a male trainer so no other female trainer has to go through what you've had to. YUCK!! Get rid of him now, thats my opinion.

Thats tough, because a move either way could be dangerous (sad reality). Plus you have a boyfriend still do you not? It could be simple, or he could be a real jackass, so you have to make a decision I think, hard to know what to do especially from the outside.

I wish you luck, I can't really make a suggestion though, you know the risks, and you know the guy better than any of us, just be carefull.

Thank you Jodi and Mudge..
Jodi, well, if I pass him on, it will def be to a male trainer..!!

Mudge, I don't think he would do anything to hurt me, he seems pretty harmless.. But on the other hand, I could never know that..
No, no boyfriend.. I kinda miss my ex now, he's a big guy who would scare the freak off..

Can I borrow some BB here to do the job??

I would make it appear you're giving him another chance only for the sake of getting the money you are owed...TEHN DEFINATELY refer him to a new trainer...and a MALE at that.

After you have your money just be honest and explain why you're doing what you're doing. He may be naive and not even realize what he has done or is doing. AT least this way you can feel like you gave him a little benefit of the doubt and hopefully he will be intelligent enough to not do it again.

Sorry to hear this... I know how much you wanted this ...but it is just one client and there will be others...

I would do what the others have suggested... I am just creeping out just reading this and no way in hell would I go for this either!

I am sure the receptionist is not the only one that caught those nasty stares... you are working in a gym with lots of potential clients and you wouldn't want to give the wrong message to them.. and have another creep sign up with you. Show them that you don't tolerate this and build a reputation on that.

Originally posted by Nike_Girl
Thank you Jodi and Mudge..
Jodi, well, if I pass him on, it will def be to a male trainer..!!

Mudge, I don't think he would do anything to hurt me, he seems pretty harmless.. But on the other hand, I could never know that..
No, no boyfriend.. I kinda miss my ex now, he's a big guy who would scare the freak off..

Can I borrow some BB here to do the job??

TAKE ME,TAKE ME,TAKE ME!!!!!

Oh,you said BBs
Oh well...
He,he... I would also say "pass him on to another trainer"and tell him why.
NG from this old guy!!!!!!

Originally posted by Nike_Girl
Thank you Jodi and Mudge..
Jodi, well, if I pass him on, it will def be to a male trainer..!!

Mudge, I don't think he would do anything to hurt me, he seems pretty harmless.. But on the other hand, I could never know that..
No, no boyfriend.. I kinda miss my ex now, he's a big guy who would scare the freak off..

Can I borrow some BB here to do the job??

Don't be so sure he's harmless...he's already crossed the line and taken it outside the professional realm. I don't believe he doesn't know what he's doing....In the day and age you'd have to be a complete moron not to know that's wrong! I don't mena to scare you, I just want you to be careful.

Take this to your employer and tell him/her you'd like them to be there w/ you when you tell him you're referring him to another trainer and that he made you uncomfortable and his behaviour is unacceptable. Make sure your employer is involved.

Good luck!

Originally posted by Fit Freak
I would make it appear you're giving him another chance only for the sake of getting the money you are owed...TEHN DEFINATELY refer him to a new trainer...and a MALE at that.

After you have your money just be honest and explain why you're doing what you're doing. He may be naive and not even realize what he has done or is doing. AT least this way you can feel like you gave him a little benefit of the doubt and hopefully he will be intelligent enough to not do it again.

That's exactly what I was thinking.. Training him one more time, getting paid.. But the thing is, he is supposed to get the fifth time for free.. I had that offer during my first weeks, get 5, pay for 4.. I would basicly not be keeping my word, and that could give me a bad rep.. So that would make it 2 more times.. I really don't want to do that..

Originally posted by w8lifter
Don't be so sure he's harmless...he's already crossed the line and taken it outside the professional realm. I don't believe he doesn't know what he's doing....In the day and age you'd have to be a complete moron not to know that's wrong! I don't mena to scare you, I just want you to be careful.

Take this to your employer and tell him/her you'd like them to be there w/ you when you tell him you're referring him to another trainer and that he made you uncomfortable and his behaviour is unacceptable. Make sure your employer is involved.

Good luck!

I know, he could be a real freak.. And I wouldn't take the chance..
But, since I'm running my own company, just paying "rent" at a gym, I don't have any employer.. The guy owning the gym are real nice though and I could probably ask him..

Yes....get the manager of them gym to do it w/ you then. You need someone there w/ you to let him know that you're serious and you've told the other people who work at the gym.

Originally posted by lina
Sorry to hear this... I know how much you wanted this ...but it is just one client and there will be others...

I would do what the others have suggested... I am just creeping out just reading this and no way in hell would I go for this either!

I am sure the receptionist is not the only one that caught those nasty stares... you are working in a gym with lots of potential clients and you wouldn't want to give the wrong message to them.. and have another creep sign up with you. Show them that you don't tolerate this and build a reputation on that.

Thanks honey..

I'm still very excited about my work, though I might think twice the next time an older man approaches me.. Which is wrong too, since there are some older men who are non-freaks out there too..

Originally posted by w8lifter
Yes....get the manager of them gym to do it w/ you then. You need someone there w/ you to let him know that you're serious and you've told the other people who work at the gym.

Thank you Leah! Sounds like a good idea..
You work as a PT too right? Has this happened to you as well?

Originally posted by Dero
TAKE ME,TAKE ME,TAKE ME!!!!!

Oh,you said BBs
Oh well...
He,he... I would also say "pass him on to another trainer"and tell him why.
NG from this old guy!!!!!!

Hope you're having a great b-day sugah!!

Originally posted by Nike_Girl
Thank you Leah! Sounds like a good idea..
You work as a PT too right? Has this happened to you as well?

Yes I do...but this hasn't happened to me. I work in a slightly different environment though because all the PT's actually work for the gym ...I think it would be more rare where I am.

Damned babe...I didn`t know you were training ALBOB

I`d do what you originally planned, plus show your manager, and let others know of the problem..........I would think he`d calm down and maybe even choose to change PT`s himself then...if not at least you have covered yourself, and the manager may even change you anyway.....

Damn, Nike_Girl.......CREEPY!!!! I'm sorry you have to experience that crap. Man, you try to help people and get them back into shape, and this garbage has to happen.

Originally posted by Nike_Girl
Thank you Jodi and Mudge..
Jodi, well, if I pass him on, it will def be to a male trainer..!!

Mudge, I don't think he would do anything to hurt me, he seems pretty harmless.. But on the other hand, I could never know that..
No, no boyfriend.. I kinda miss my ex now, he's a big guy who would scare the freak off..

Can I borrow some BB here to do the job??

Hmmmm ... no boyfriend ...

I, I mean ...

Yeah, you need to recommend a male trainer ... and dump the chump ...

Hey NG!
See that you have already been give excellant advice! So, no need to give more. I like what w8 and FF said.
Your safety is most important. Be polite but knock terminate thisbefore it 'goes anywhere'. If you do not imediate;y say somehitn g to stop this guy, he mau think it is ok to continue. As far as about that 5th for free, you can say that he made a breach of contract, by making you feel uncomfortable or something..
Good luck. I'd love to swing over and help....as would all your other friends here!

Thanks guys.. What would I do without you?

I've decided the first step is to talk to the manager.. And I'll see what he thinks.. But now thinking of it, I will not be able to train the guy ever again.. I just can't.. Makes me sick just thinking about it.. I'm thinking of just sending a reply to his email, telling him that my job with him is done, and recommend Rob (another PT at my gym)... That way I won't have to face him.. Which is pretty cowardish, but safe..

nope. Face him w/the nmanager. He owes you a session. Do not let him get his way. Do not let some freakish old bastard take advantage of a young girl.

OK, I am probably going to get pounded for this but here goes...some of the suggestions above strike me as too much. What has he done so far...weird looks, staring and an unappreciated email. This is not acceptable behaivor, however, I think it needs to be kept in perspective.

I'd sit him down in a public place but just the two of you in earshot and explain how it made you feel. If does not immediately stop, then maybe take some of these other suggestions.

His behavior is accross the line, and deserves correction, but not a punch in the face.

Just one man's opinion that is probably going to get me in trouble.

Originally posted by Nike_Girl
So, I'm thinking of doing this:
Bringing a print of the email to the next session (next wednesday), saying "I'm going to pretend this never happened, the only thing we're doing here is training. If you can't accept that, I'm going to recommend another very good Personal Trainer."

I think the best solution I have read in this thread was the one you came up with yourself.

Sounds to me like an older man becoming infactuated with a young attractive, fit woman. Tell him to cut the crap, his response to that will tell you if more is needed. I would definately NOT publically embarrass him until you have told him he cross the line and he does it again.

A pre-mature public embarrassment could inflame the situation.

but maybe I am in left-field...

Seahawks, I'd love to agree, but even the most innocent of flirtation can result in death with some FREAKS out there. I know more people who have been raped than killed, but I could tell you a story about a psycho, dead woman, and a toaster. All because she got tired of his wierdness and broke off the relationship of I think not even 2 years.

Speaking from a security enthusiast point of view, better safe than sorry, expect the unexpected.

Yeah, but is it reasonable to assume he a freak b/c he is attracted to her? In my mind, assuming that is overreacting.

I'd keep in mind that he may be a freak.

In my business, I see this alot b/c of the long hours during tax season. People get the wrong idea alot. If the he doesn't respond to "I don't like this," then you have a problem.

Embarrassing someone can create a problem.

What he's done is borish, not criminal. I'd treat it as such.

NG ... just curious, but did you give out your email for questions and the like? I'm not sure responding via email would be such a good idea.

Like you've said, take it up with the manager, get his/her opinion and go from there. Your safety should be your first concern. Yes, you might lose him as a client, but you will as W8 said, get a rep that you won't put up with such behaviour. It is unappropriate and unacceptable!

Good luck with this situation!

I can your point of view, SH-
However, he has made emails to her...
I wuoldn't be that worried about embarrassing him. I like talking to him in the company of the gym manager as backup.

NG is only 19 or 20? 21 max. (sorry NG, forgot your age..)
I would take her safety over his ego anyday. It doesn't really fit, but the best analogy I can think of is: It is better to ask forgiveness than permission.
If he was innocently 'playing' with NG...I'd rather take the pill and appologize to him for misinterpretating his actions than to ignore it and let him keep on with it.