When Should You Decide to Ditch Your Personal Trainer?

You’ve invested your time, money, and trust in a personal trainer, but something feels off. Are you really getting the expert guidance you’re paying for, or are you just going through the motions? It’s a tough question, but your results and safety depend on the answer.

The truth is, not every personal trainer is a great one. In my 20+ years as a certified trainer and coach, I’ve seen firsthand the difference between a professional who elevates their clients and one who holds them back. There are good trainers and, frankly, bad trainers.

This guide will give you the clear, unmistakable red flags to look for. Think of it as your toolkit for deciding if it’s time to ditch your personal trainer and find a true partner for your fitness journey.

And if you’re looking for a proven approach backed by decades of experience, see how we can help you finally achieve your goals. Check us out!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.

Key Takeaways

• Lack of Professionalism: A major red flag is a trainer who is consistently late, distracted by their phone, or chats with others during your paid session. Their focus should be 100% on you.
• No Assessments or Progress Tracking: A good trainer establishes a baseline with initial assessments (movement, body composition, etc.) and regularly tracks your progress to adjust your program. Without data, it’s just guesswork.
• Poor Communication and Motivation: Your trainer should be your biggest supporter, not a drill sergeant who belittles you. Motivation should come from positive reinforcement, not shame.
• One-Size-Fits-All Programs: If your workout never changes or seems generic, it’s a sign they aren’t tailoring the plan to your specific goals and progress.
• No Education: A great trainer doesn’t just count reps; they teach you the “why” behind exercises, empowering you to eventually become independent. 

9 Things You Should Look At to Decide If You Should Ditch Your Personal Trainer

Thinking of ditching your personal trainer? Before you make a final decision, let’s break down the most critical signs that your trainer isn’t giving you the value you deserve.

1. They look like they (themselves) need a personal trainer

I want to be clear, this isn’t about body shaming. A trainer doesn’t need to be a professional bodybuilder to be effective. However, they should clearly “practice what they preach” and embody a healthy, active lifestyle.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t hire a financial advisor who is constantly in debt. Your trainer is your guide to a healthier life. If they don’t appear to prioritize their own health and fitness, it can seriously undermine your confidence in their ability to help you with yours. A professional trainer should look the part and motivate you through their own commitment.

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2. They belittle you and your current physique

Your fitness journey should be built on a foundation of support and encouragement. A trainer’s job is to motivate you with positivity, not to shame you into working harder. Comments like “you’ll never get rid of that belly fat” are unprofessional and counterproductive.

Top certifying bodies like the American Council on Exercise (ACE) emphasize using positive reinforcement as a core coaching strategy. A skilled trainer knows how to push you constructively. They’ll say, “I know you have one more rep in you,” not, “Is that all you’ve got?”

You need a personal trainer who is a supportive partner. If your sessions leave you feeling defeated or ridiculed instead of empowered, it is absolutely time to find someone new.

3. Does your personal trainer talk to others during your training session

When you’re paying for a session, you are paying for that trainer’s undivided attention. The national average cost for a personal trainer can range from $50 to over $100 per hour, so every minute counts. If your trainer spends 10 minutes of your hour-long session chatting with other gym members, you’ve essentially wasted $8 to $16 of your money.

Professional codes of conduct from organizations like IDEA Health & Fitness Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) are clear: the client’s best interests are the priority. A trainer who is distracted cannot properly monitor your form, ensure your safety, or keep you on track. You are not paying them to socialize; you are paying for their professional expertise. If they can’t provide that, find someone who will.

4. Your personal trainer looks at their phone or “go live” during your session

A trainer looking at their phone is one of the biggest signs of disrespect. Unless they are using it for a specific, client-focused task, their phone should be put away.

There is a key exception here. Modern trainers often use apps to enhance their service. They might be using a tool like Trainerize or The Training Notebook to log your weights, track your progress, or show you an exercise demonstration video. This is a professional use of technology. However, if they’re scrolling through social media or texting friends, their focus is not on you. Your session is not their opportunity to build their social media brand by going “live” unless you have explicitly agreed to it, likely for a discount.

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You’re paying for expertise, and that requires 100% focus on your form, safety, and results. Anything less is unacceptable.

5. They want you to purchase more sessions per week

A trainer should provide recommendations based on your goals, not their sales quota. It’s one thing to suggest that training three times a week will help you reach your goal faster, backed by reasoning. It’s another to use high-pressure sales tactics.

A true professional respects your budget and your decisions. If you’ve stated you can only commit to one session per week and they continue to push a larger package, it shows their priority is your wallet, not your well-being. A good trainer will work with you to create the most effective plan possible within your means, not pressure you into a financial commitment you’re uncomfortable with.

6. They never do assessments with you

In my experience, this is one of the most critical failures of an unprofessional trainer. If you are not assessing, you are guessing. A professional personal training relationship must begin with a thorough assessment to establish a baseline. Without it, there is no way to objectively measure progress.

A proper initial assessment should take 45-60 minutes and include several components.

• Health & Lifestyle Questionnaire: This covers your health history, daily habits, and goals.
• Body Composition: This could involve skinfold caliper measurements or a bioelectrical impedance scale to determine your body fat percentage.
• Movement Screening: An assessment like the Overhead Squat Assessment can identify muscle imbalances and mobility issues.
• Performance Tests: This could include a push-up test for upper body endurance or a timed run to measure cardiovascular fitness.

These assessments should be repeated every 4-8 weeks to track your progress and make necessary adjustments to your workout program. If your trainer skipped this crucial first step, they are navigating your fitness journey without a map.

7. Your personal trainer likes to chit-chat with you during your sessions

Building a good rapport is part of the job, but there’s a difference between purposeful conversation and idle chatter that wastes your time. A good trainer might ask about your weekend to gauge your energy levels or stress, but they won’t let it derail the entire workout.

Your session is for focused work. If long conversations about topics unrelated to your health and fitness are eating into your rest periods and overall workout time, your trainer is not respecting your investment. The time between sets is perfect for asking questions about form, discussing the next exercise, or learning a quick fitness tip, not for recounting last night’s party.

8. They don’t educate you so that one day you won’t need them

This may sound strange, but a great personal trainer’s ultimate goal should be to make themselves obsolete. They should be teaching you the “why” behind every exercise and program choice. Their job is to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to eventually train effectively on your own.

Related Article: Ask These Questions When Hiring a Trainer

Some trainers intentionally withhold information, fearing they’ll lose a client if they teach them too much. This is a sign of insecurity and poor business practice. A truly confident and professional trainer knows that an educated client who gets amazing results becomes a walking billboard, generating referrals and building a stellar reputation. If you feel like you’re just being told what to do without learning anything, it’s time to move on.

9. They include your warm-up and cool-down as part of the timed session

This can be a gray area, but it comes down to transparency and value. A dynamic warm-up led by the trainer is a valuable part of the session. However, being told to walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes by yourself while the clock is ticking on your 60-minute session is not. The same goes for a 10-minute cool-down where you’re left to stretch on your own.

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A professional trainer should structure the session for maximum value. This typically means a 5-minute trainer-led warm-up, 45-50 minutes of focused work, and a 5-minute assisted cool-down or stretching. If a significant portion of your paid time is spent on activities you could easily do on your own, you’re not getting your money’s worth.

Personal Trainer FAQs

What qualifications should a good personal trainer have?

A reputable personal trainer must be certified. Look for certifications from NCCA-accredited organizations, which are considered the gold standard. The most respected certifications include those from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). Always ask to see their certificate.

How do I break up with my personal trainer?

Be direct, professional, and honest. You can have a brief, in-person conversation or send a polite email. Simply state that you’ve decided to move in a different direction with your training and thank them for their time. You don’t need to provide a long list of reasons. If you have a package, complete the paid sessions or check your contract for its cancellation policy.

Is it okay to switch personal trainers within the same gym?

Absolutely. Your fitness is a personal journey, and finding the right fit is crucial. Most gyms and fitness managers understand this and want their members to be happy. You can speak directly to the fitness manager about your desire to switch, explaining that you’re looking for a different training style or personality that better aligns with your goals.

What is a reasonable cost for a personal trainer in 2025?

The cost varies widely based on location, experience, and setting. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $100 per one-on-one session. Rates in major metropolitan areas like New York City can be $100 or more, while online or group training offers more budget-friendly options, sometimes as low as $20-$40 per session.

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