Fun with stupid people: Metroflex Plano
As an aspiring strength and conditioning coach, it is my task to seek out learning opportunities, do the best I can to keep up with current research, and offer my few clients the best possible environment in which to train. I'm always looking for a better gym with better people, a better atmosphere, and as little hassle as possible.
I don't have a problem learning something new in front of a client I'm training, so I'm not afraid to surround myself with people who have been doing this for a lot longer than I have.
This afternoon, I stumbled across a serious gym less than 10 minutes from my front door. Apparently, it has been there for years. I'd never seen an advertisement, and even after combing through Google for about 2 hours, I'd still never heard of it.
After the exhaustive -- or just exhausting? -- search on Google, I hopped over to Craig's List to browse the job posts for personal trainer opportunities. The second one I came across was exactly what 2 hours on Google had left me without: a gym that leases its equipment and space to independent trainers. Perfect!
I encourage you to read the entire Craig's List post here. Note the friendly, accommodating tone. Note how it almost seems to be aimed at people new to the industry.
I promptly emailed Greg:
Greg,
My name is Trip Somers. I've been studying strength and conditioning for several years but have only recently become interested in training others. I am not yet certified, but I anticipate acquiring my NSCA-CSCS very soon.
Together with a friend from school, I have been investigating what training opportunities are out there. We both want to avoid being "staff" at a place like 24-HR Fitness, and I think your place sounds like a great place to start.
I would like to come by in the next couple of days and check out your facility and discuss the opportunity you are providing.
Since I live in Plano, I would prefer a face-to-face meeting at your facility over a phone call. I will be free all day Wednesday, after 4:00 PM on Thursday, and before 1:00 PM on Friday.
Thanks,
Trip
Minutes later, someone named Steve responded through Greg's email account:
Trip,
Thank you for inquiring about the training opportunity at Metroflex - Plano, and congratulations on wanting to make the transition to the personal training industry. Due to the volume of emails and inquires we receive, and the fact we train clients throughout the day, we would need to speak with you over the phone to set a time for you to come in and tour the facility. Please forward a current copy of your resume and we will be contacting you within the day to set up a time to meet with you. Thank you in your interest in Metroflex Gym and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Steve Trentham, MS, CSCS
Metroflex Gym - Plano
Again, it seems like a pretty decent place, but this email got me thinking about a few things. I'm a potential client, why does he want my resume? Are they really so busy with clients that they can't look at a calendar and say, "Come in Thursday at 5:00 PM"? If they are that busy, how can they have time to review my resume and call me to talk about it the same day? If they're that busy, why are they posting on Craig's List to bring in more business?
I decided to stick with the simple question first:
Steve,
I am curious about your request for my resume. Can you explain its relevance to my inquiry?
Trip
After thinking about it for a few minutes, I thought, "Maybe he thinks I want a job working there. I should clarify this." Here's what I wrote:
Steve,
To clarify, I'm not looking for a staff job or employment. I'm responding to the post on Craig's List that mentioned leasing for independent trainers and their clients.
Trip
What happened next was incredibly unexpected. Steve responded:
Trip,
Since you cannot follow instructions or a basic request, then I don't think this would be the right location for you. Good luck on your future endeavors.
Steve Trentham, MS, CSCS
Apparently, Steve doesn't respond well to questions.
Of course, maybe I'm way out of line. Maybe it's normal for businesses to request resumes from all of their potential clients. Oh, wait, no. That's not normal.
Maybe Steve was upset that I had the gall to ask such a question. Oh, hmmm, that's right. The original Craig's List post said that Greg -- not Steve -- would kindly answer my questions. Stupid me. If only Greg had been answering his own emails today!
The whiplash style with which Steve -- who apparently doesn't have an email account of his own -- went from a friendly welcome to a rude brush off is astounding. As someone with a degree in marketing and entrepreneurship, I find it hard to believe that a small business would throw away potential income because a potential client asked a question.
More to the point, how is asking a question the same thing as not following directions? There are only two places where those are the same thing: the military and fascist dictatorships. I'm not sure which one Metroflex Plano qualifies as.
Even more confusing is that I wasn't even given the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I was working on my resume while awaiting an answer -- which is exactly what I was doing -- and maybe I have some privacy concerns about sending my resume to someone who answers someone else's email from a Craig's List post...
With an attitude like that, Steve is clearly not someone I want to be around. In a way, this worked out really well for me. I got some blog content out of it, and he showed this side of himself *before* he got me to sign some training agreement.
Steve, congratulations on being the first person honored in this series. Greg, for letting Steve answer your emails, you get to join him.
Next up? Probably the next guy I see doing curls in a squat rack.
UPDATE: Greg McCoy, the owner/operator of Metroflex Plano, contacted me in response to this article. He expressed both that he stands behind his employees and that he is sorry that my experience was rather poor. He also offered the explanation I was seeking to get from Steve. Greg is a stand-up guy. Thanks, Greg.
Fun with Stupid People