This was my response when the topic came up recently (as it does frequently) about trainers offering 'free' sessions in order to promote a product they're selling.
I think fitness professionals need to be careful to not be 'prescribing' and make sure we stay inside our scope of (accredited) learning. Plus, I think there are ethical issues with regard to selling supplements that are part of an MLM (multi-level marketing) business model to our clients.
Ideally, we'd all create ourselves a referral network of associated professionals we can send clients to for advice (nutritionist, doctor, physio, etc). It broadens our offerings to clients, and we're less likely to stray outside our scope of practice.
I'll tell you why I said that and why I think there is a big ethical conflict providing clients with nutritional products via network marketing, and it's from experience. I've been on both sides and I'm not totally against all the products either. If it gets people thinking from a different angle, that's all I ask.
I have to say of all of them, Nutriway is a far superior product. However, as with all MLM, the *primary* goal is for financial gain by recruiting others and having them buy/sell the product. There is something inherently wrong with that when it comes to peoples' health. As health professionals, *health* should be our primary focus.
I have been in Amway, was successful and had a great team and I still think the products are top quality. (I got out for health and personal reasons.)
BUT...let's be honest here, and consider a scenario where you get to a day or two before the end of the month and you're 100 or so PV (points value) short of your goal, your clients have already bought what they want and you have orders in from everyone else. You WILL ring around and see who wants to buy more in order to a) get you to the next level or b) ensure you don't drop down a level. This means you're essentially using your clients as a tool *solely for your financial gain* as opposed to for the betterment of their health and concern for their wellbeing.
That is why I said there are ethical issues. And if people consider for a moment what I've said rather than go straight to defensive mode, you might see there's merit to that perspective.
Ask any trainer why they got into the business and the majority will say something along the lines of, "because I want to help people". Selling them MLM health products goes against that, because it means the person is helping themselves first under the guise of helping someone else.
You will not see me offering 'free' sessions to get people along so I can push products, pills, potions and quick fixes. It minimises my experience and education, it devalues the training for the client and it disrespects the client, because it's deceptive marketing. Even worse when it's done by unqualified, uninsured 'health coaches'.
I absolutely understand and think it's necessary to diversify income and offer as many options to our clients as possible. However, when doing so, we need to remain within our scope of practice and be conscious of our tactics and our real 'why'.
Free fitness classes? You get what you pay for.
