Ghost Trainers: Yet Another Fitness Industry Scam to Look Out For

How well do you know your personal trainer?

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The fitness industry is notorious for scams.

• Heavily edited before-and-after transformation photos
• Overhyped supplements
• “Detox” teas and cleanses
• Fake endorsements or “expert” testimonials
• One-size-fits-all workout plans
• Celebrity-branded programs with minimal involvement

The list could go on forever.

I’ve been in the fitness industry for over a decade and thought I’d seen it all. I recently came across something I’d never seen before.

Ghost Trainers

No, not someone who trains ghosts (although that would be awesome). I’m talking about online trainers who do all the work in someone else’s name. All while the client has no idea.

Looking for a job

I was recently looking for personal trainer jobs on Upwork.

Upwork is a rough place for trainers, to say the least.

People from developing countries are more than willing to do Zoom training sessions for less than $3 per hour. That constant race to the…