My husband and I signed up for the 90 day program together. In our initial consultation I expressed that I didn't like being yelled at or shamed, that rather than motivating I found those types of behaviors demoralizing. Working out is a challenge for me and in order to succeed I knew that I needed to eliminate roadblocks (like feeling ""too fat to go to the gym"").
Ron enthusiastically assured us that he creates a team spirit and though he wouldn't ""hand hold"" us while we made bad choices, he wasn't going to be mean or make fun of us, etc.
I think it was my third day of class when my husband and I showed up early and were waiting around to get on an exercise bike. Apparently there was a woman in the class before us who hadn't come for several days and who had reappeared that afternoon. Ron told her that next time she didn't come he was going to punish someone else. Who did he pick? Why, ME of course, the girl who told him that being picked on would make me avoid classes! He asked me if I could do push-ups and I said, ""I used to be able to but I doubt I can now"" so he had me come in front of the class and try. I fell on my face a few times before he told me to stop. He then promised me and the woman he'd make me do push-ups in front of the class each time she didn't show. The woman wasn't even on my ""team"" as she was with the class before mine.
I felt near tears. I dreaded the next class fearing that I would be humiliated for something beyond my control. I was having a hard enough time controlling my own behavior and didn't like feeling responsible for someone else's as well.
I sent Ron and e-mail explaining all this and his reply was ""Well, she'll come, so don't worry about it."" This was not a satisfactory response to me.
I started to worry so much about being further singled out (I am pretty self conscience and worried I'd cry if asked to stand in front of the class again) that I stopped going.
I saw that the other people at Ron's gym were getting results, however if your weight is linked with emotional stuff I suspect his program won't help that much and that his attitude may indeed make things worse.
I felt like I'd signed up to be trained by my middle school bully, who thought any behavior was acceptable as long as I was getting results. When I stopped going due to a conflict with his style and personality Ron also refused to stop charging us. I learned a valuable lesson about prepaying for things.
In the end I paid $3000 for some good instruction on workout practices and to be shamed for being out of shape in the first place. Not a very good deal for me, but GREAT for Ron.
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