Tip for personal trainers/coaches?

[Offthegrid]

I've never had a personal trainer before, so I'm wondering what is standard practice for holiday-time tipping. A tip equal to one session? Less than that? (Certainly I'm not giving him more than one session.)

Thanks.

[mimitabby]

ouch, a tip? don't they make a really good hourly wage??

how about a gift if you must. but a tip????

[KSH]

Well, I typically would NOT tip a personal trainer or a coach.

I did tip my running coach though, as a Christmas bonus. I decided to do it... ONLY because:

1) I cancelled 3 of our scheduled meetings. 2 on the day of. Now, I did pay for one of those missed meetings, and I even offered to do it, he didn't ask... and he let me slide on the other 2.

2) He cuts me a SERIOUS DEAL on my coaching. I would suspect I pay half what others might pay for these hour sessions.

Because of those 2 reasons, I gave him a $30 "Christmas bonus" with a card. Although, I think he thinks I gave him a $70 bonus as he might have forgotten my promise to pay for 2 sessions when we met today, vs. just paying for 1.

[han-grrl]

Its actually a common thing to tip your service providers at holiday time. or so i have heard. i have never actually every received a tip. i have however, received some very nice small gifts, which i do appreciate. a little ornament from one client, a fleece sweater from another.

remember the hourly wage they pay a trainer is not for that one hour, well at least it isn't with me. they also get my weekly newsletters as well as constant ongoing support (email or phone) beyond they one hour that i am with my clients.

c'est tout.

smile

Han

[velogirl]

I've received tips for bike fits and testing and for one-time skills sessions.

I've also received tips and small gifts at the holidays and my birthday and other special occassions.

It's certainly not expected, but it's definitely appreciated.

Most trainers and coaches are independent contractors, which means their actual wage is only about 70% of what you pay.

If they own their own business, there is significant expense associated with marketing, websites, equipment, health insurance, technology, etc. I'd estimate that take-home for many in this field is 40-60% of what a client pays. So, if someone is paid $85/hour, they're proably only taking home about $40/hour.

If they work for a company or a gym, that company will take a significant percentage off the top. I worked at a gym for a while when I was first starting out, and only made $20/hour for personal training, even though the gym received $70/hour.

So, I'd say if you appreciate your coach or trainer and have the means to give them a little tip, then it would be greatly appreciated.

[alpinerabbit]

My swim "coach" will get a homemade edible present.