How to tell it’s time to break up with your personal trainer

It had all the potential of a lasting relationship – there were the first-session nerves, but you put in the effort and things have been going really well. You have been getting stronger, more confident and healthier with every session. Conversation flows naturally. They call you out when you drop the ball. You trust them.

And yet…

Good personal trainers are a dime a dozen. Like coaches, psychologists or any other one-on-one ‘session’ type relationship, you can kiss a few toads before finding your prince (or train with a few duds before finding your ultimate PT).

But how do you know when it’s time for you to move on?

Red Flag One: Your sessions are more of a catch up than a work out

A big warning sign it may be time to part ways is that you find your social skills are getting far more of a work out than your actual body. While having a good relationship with your personal trainer is so important, there is a fine line that may be crossed if you find your sessions are less about working out, and more about catching up. By all means chat away, but if you find there is more standing around and chatting, then maybe it’s time to move on to someone else (with a new friend in tow!) Alternatively, save the chatting for after your session – or suggest a healthy brunch catch up after training if your relationship has really hit that ‘friend zone’, and chat to your hearts content!

Red Flag Two: Your PT seems distracted during training (Is it someone else?)

If you catch your trainer on their phone during your one on one time, this is a red flag. Given you are investing in their expertise, their undivided attention should be with you at all times. Similarly, if you find their eyes ‘wandering’ during your session it may be time to also look elsewhere.

 Red Flag Three: Are they standing you up?

Constant rescheduling, cancellations or just plain not showing up? Chances are you are not a priority for your trainer (or if you are, they have a funny way of showing it). Yes, life happens and sometimes rescheduling is unavoidable. But when it becomes a pattern, and you are left disappointed one too many times, it may be time to find a trainer who is as committed to your health as you are.

 Red Flag Four: You are starting to enjoy training on your own

Training has been fun, you have learned a lot – in fact, you are incorporating your new found love of training into your own personal work outs. Which leaves you thinking – do you even need your trainer any more? If you have developed confidence in mastering your own exercise regime, and your no longer need the accountability that trainers provide, it’s okay to have some ‘alone time’. Go on a break from your PT for a bit and see how it feels. They will always be there to go back to if you miss them.

Red Flag Five: It’s time to mix things up

Maybe you are at the point where you don’t really want to train anymore! You get out of bed begrudgingly, resent your trainer and don’t even get the hit of feel-good endorphins after your session. If that’s the case – don’t drag out the misery as your trainer would be feeling it too. Take a clean break and try something new! A team sport or a group class or something else. It’s okay to freshen things up every now and then.

When did you know it was time to break up with your PT?