More than a dozen Surrey and White Rock women say they are out some $30,000 combined, after purchasing packages for personal-fitness training that they say have have been largely reneged on.

And the situation is sending negative ripples throughout the local fitness industry, others in the business say.

"People are coming in (to local gyms) and they're not wanting to sign up for the (personal-training) sessions, because they're afraid," said Nicole Haugen, a personal trainer who said she was motivated to help those who were impacted after hearing first from a former client who'd had a bad experience with a trainer, and then from a second woman who told of having the same issues with that same trainer.

A post to the White Rock South Surrey Community Group Facebook page asking for others with similar experiences to reach out resulted in several more women – including "quite a few" seniors – coming forward, Haugen said.

According to Haugen, the women impacted prepaid for as many as 48 personal-training sessions – at a cost of up to $3,800 – only to be left hanging when the trainer repeatedly cancelled or rescheduled the sessions, then stopped responding to calls and messages altogether.

Rukiya Yilmaz said she was given "excuse after excuse" for her cancelled sessions, noting there were 18 over the course of just 2.5 months.

Yilmaz, a Surrey resident, said she bought her first package in January. Finding the experience initially positive, she was motivated to purchase a second, larger package. It was after that that the cancellations began, she said. 

Yilmaz said while she is hopeful she'll get her money back via the credit-card company she paid through, some of the women have obtained lawyers. There has also been a promise of a 25 per cent repayment installation by Sept. 26, however, the women are not holding their breaths.

"Up to now the multiple promises of paying us back has not been fulfilled," Yilmaz said.

Diane Stoney, a senior, said previous promises of refunds for her missed sessions never materialized. She described trying to deal with the matter as "overwhelming." It has "affected the whole personal-training and gym industry in South Surrey/White Rock," she added.

In a comment responding to Haugen's Facebook post, Jason Bell of Genuine Athletics & Rehabilitation said the women's experience is unfortunately not uncommon. 

"But situations like this give our industry a bad name and make people rightfully hesitant to seek help for their health and fitness goals," Bell continued.
He advised those looking for a personal trainer to be sure to do their research and "make sure you feel confident that you can trust them."

Another who commented emphasized the situation "is not reflective of the many dedicated and honest personal trainers in the area."

Haugen, who has been a personal trainer for around 18 years, agreed trust is integral to the industry.

"It's our job to build (clients) up and make them feel confidence in us. The fact (this person) did this to these women is just so angering."

Haugen said while some of the women have reached out to police, they've been told the matter is more one for the civil courts, with the exception of a few cases in which victims also reported unauthorized charges.

Surrey RCMP Const. Parmbir Kahlon said police decide on a case-by-case basis whether they can assist in such situations.   

The women, meanwhile, say they hope by sharing their experience, they can save others from similar loss and stress.

Yilmaz encouraged anyone who believes they are dealing with the same situation to email fycpt20242023@gmail.com to connect with the group.