Trainers’ Top Pet Peeves

Are you driving your personal trainer crazy? Exercise experts dish on client behaviors they wish they could change

By: Mary Squillace

Get inside your trainer's head!

Photo Credit: Thinkstock
Personal trainers seem like superheroes as they guide us to better health—but they’re also human, and sometimes, they feel like smothering you with a yoga mat. (Search: Find a personal trainer) Discover what your trainer really thinks about everything from your excuses to your grooming habits (or lack thereof). Related: Secrets of Success From the Nation's Top Trainers

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Michelle Lovitt, celebrity trainer, Los Angeles, CA

Self-Doubt
“When a client believes they cannot complete a task and says ‘I can’t’ or ‘It’s too hard’ before trying, they set themselves up for failure before they even begin. You will overcome your fears but you have to try first.”

Cell phones and other distractions
“I hate texting, talking on the phone, or emailing while training. You lose focus, and it is a complete and utter waste of time. It’s annoying to not only the trainer but to others around you.”

Blaming the trainer for slow results
“Do not blame the trainer for lack of discipline outside the gym. If you’re doing the homework—eating clean and in moderation, drinking enough water, and getting plenty of sleep—the fitness will come.”

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Melissa Paris, certified personal trainer, New York City

Not stretching before a workout
“It’s so important to warm up your muscles with a few dynamic stretches to prevent muscle pulls.”

Exercising without water
“Your muscles need oxygen and water to function properly. You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces. For example, I weigh 105 pounds, so I drink about 53 ounces a day—and more on extra hot days or during harder workouts.”

Never varying workouts
“Your body gets used to exercises so you need to change your routine to get results.”

Doing only cardio
“Cardio will not help build lean muscle mass. And muscle burns more calories than fat.”

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Monica Vazquez, master trainer at New York Sports Club

Leaving belongings on a machine to save your spot
”If you're just walking away for a quick sip of water or to get something from your locker, it's not a big deal. If you're doing circuits and using several pieces of equipment at a time, it's just rude.”

Primordial screaming
“It's one thing to make a sound when you exert; it's quite another to scream at the top of your lungs like a mating call every time you lift a weight. It's unnecessary and disruptive to the other people around you.”

Sitting naked on benches
“It's unsanitary. “

Smoking outside gym doors
“If you insist on smoking before or after you workout, don't do it right outside the front doors of the gym. Most people who go to the gym are trying to get healthier, and the last thing they want is your secondhand smoke. No one should have to walk through a cloud of smoke to get a workout in.”

Dribbling stability balls across the gym
“They're not toys, and you're not playing basketball. Simply carry the ball across the gym. You'll also avoid a rogue ball and prevent accidents.”

Unsolicited advice
“If you're not a certified trainer, don't give unsolicited workout advice. You could hurt someone. You never know what medical conditions or limitations they may have that will affect their training.”

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Ken Szekretar, personal trainer at New York Sports Club

The self-admirer
”These members think they are at home getting ready to go out. During, before, and after sets they look at themselves in the mirror to see if there are any improvements or changes in their body. I've also seen people checking their hair, makeup, even picking their faces popping zits! This is a public gym, not your bathroom.”

Leaving the equipment out
“Some members will use a piece of equipment and proceed to leave it somewhere other than the place where it belongs. These members create an obstacle course for others to navigate in order to complete their workouts. You can usually see a trail of debris through the gym leading you right to the culprit!”

Failing to wipe down equipment after use
“Some folks apparently don't realize that the towels provided are to be used to keep their sweat off the equipment. They also seems to think that the cleaning products are just decoration. I love a good sweat as much as the next fitness fan, I just don't like yours!”

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Josh Feldman, Assistant Fitness Manager at Crunch

Overemphasizing the outfit
“When people join the gym they often buy new kicks, pricey pants, and rock a cool vintage t-shirt, expecting to get in shape because of their kick-ass outfit. While we encourage the kick-ass outfit, don’t forget you are here to work hard, get healthy, and get in shape!”

Bad breath
“At Crunch, we don’t judge and love working with all types of clients, but if you want that full stretch at the end of our session, try to make sure your breath is above average. Please?”

Tardiness
“How do you expect to reach your goal when you’re showing up 20 minutes late and leaving early? You hired me for the full hour; don’t make me wait for you and expect me to take you through the full workout in 30 minutes. Show up on time and get ready to work.”

Late-night texts
“Texting your trainer between 11 PM and 5 AM. Just don’t do it. Ever again.”

Delaying the inevitable
“We’re here to work out and work hard! Talking, fixing your hair, adjusting your watch, tying your already tied shoes, tucking in your shirt won’t hold off that lunge exercise for long. It's going to happen, accept it, and let’s get to work.”

Sharing too much information
“While I definitely need to know all your health concerns and injuries pertaining to your fitness goals, if you pulled a muscle during sex, feel free to make something else up.”

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Holly Rigsby, ACE-certified personal trainer, founder of FitYummyMummy.com

Excuses
“The people who say they don’t have time for a workout tend to be the same people who have the time to be online.”

People who say they have a slow metabolism
“These tend to be the very women who have not prioritized strength training in their workout plans.”

The misconception that lifting weight builds bulk
”I sure wish this myth would die. It’s very difficult for women to get big and bulk up--our hormonal makeup simply makes it so. The main cause of the "bulk" is simply excess body fat, which happens when you start an exercise plan without taking the time to clean up your eating habits.”

Unrealistic expectations
”When starting a fitness plan, you have to understand the weight did not appear in a matter of 7 days—or even 30 days. Changing body composition, getting fit, and losing weight is a process, and one that happens only when you are willing to commit to making a lifestyle change.”

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