Overweight Personal Trainers - What's your thoughts?

Hornsby

I was talking with the GF yesterday on the treadmill yesterday about. I go to Gold's Gym and 3 or 4 of the trainers that work there aren't in shape. A couple border on obese. I am kind of torn by the issue.

Doesn't it seem like being fit should be a requirement to being a personal trainer? I guess I am kinda torn on the issue. I can tell someone how to do the perfect golf swing, but that doesn't mean I can do it in practice.

So what's everyone's thoughts?

gothchiq

Well, it doesn't give me much confidence in their advice if they either can't follow it or it doesn't work!

Codefox

Anyone can be a personal trainer. Just not mine.

jdhcm2006

I think that it doesn't necessarily call into question their ability to teach you. I think it speaks more to their nutritional habits than anything. But I've had some of the best kettlebell workouts from an overweight instructor. I prefer her classes to the size 0 trainer. So size does not equal ability.

martyqueen52

Are they strongmen?

Personally I know a few huge guys who are strongmen who know more about nutrition and training than anyone I've met face to face. Granted, they are bigger, but they choose to be. It's not everyone desire to be shredded / ripped or be on a stage in tight board shorts modeling.

jdhcm2006

martyqueen52 wrote: »

Are they strongmen?

Personally I know a few huge guys who are strongmen who know more about nutrition and training than anyone I've met face to face. Granted, they are bigger, but they choose to be. It's not everyone desire to be shredded / ripped or be on a stage in tight board shorts modeling.

True. OP, see if you can get an intro session with one of the trainers and go from there. Personal training isn't just about appearance and ability. It's also about your chemistry with the trainer.

johnnylakis

Depends why. Were they injured?

brenn24179

it would be like going to a financial adviser who is bankrupt to help you with your finances, no thanks.

MKEgal

I would give more credence to a personal trainer (or dietician, doctor, etc.) who appeared to be of a healthy weight. Practice what you preach, and all that.
I would give even more credence to a personal trainer (etc.) who had been obese and overcame that, got healthy. That's what I'm hoping to do.
Having said that, I recognize that some people have health problems which could prevent being a healthy weight, or make it extremely difficult.

But using your analogy, as long as the person you're teaching is able to learn to do the perfect golf swing, they've gotten what they wanted. Does it really matter if you're able to do it yourself?

A hospital I used to volunteer at had one nurse who used a wheelchair. Pretty sure she wasn't able to do certain things about patient care, but I bet she could explain perfectly well to someone else what they should do. (And it's possible that she wasn't in direct patient care, but rather education or administration; I just saw her coming & going sometimes.)

jimmmer

A totally ripped trainer who fails to help his/her client achieve their training goals is a rubbish trainer.

An "overweight" PT who helps their client achieve their goals? Yes. Then they've done their job.

If the client can't get over the appearance of the trainer and therefore can't achieve their goals due to lack of trust in the process? Well, they need to find a ripped trainer who doesn't suck to get them where they need to go.

Ainar

Maybe they are power lifters? Or bodybuilders who are bulking? Those guys tend to sometimes look fat even tho it's part of their sport, kinda.

Josie_lifting_cats

As a lifter, I care little about how they look, and more about what they lift and if they can help me with that. I'm not a tiny girl, yet I have a friend who is and is insanely jealous about the amount of weight I can lift. A personal trainer is to teach you fitness and healthy exercise, and you may be surprised at what they can do, despite their weight.

tavenne323

Maybe it's a "do as I say, not as I do" situation.

MoiAussi93

It depends. A few extra pounds would not matter to me. If they were actually obese...I would hesitate, BUT if I did a free introductory session and they really gave me good advice, had the right expertise, seemed really on top of things, corrected my form, their nutritional philosophy didn't conflict with things I believe in, and their personality was a good fit with mine I wouldn't care.

It is their knowledge I am paying for, not their body.

Ninkyou

I think context is important here.

Perhaps the trainer used to be Obese at some point and did actually lose weight and are where they are now because of it. Perhaps they've gone from Obese to borderline Obese. Perhaps they are still in the middle of their loss.

Or perhaps their nutritional/caloric intake does not match their needs. They know what they should do but don't do it. This is true for alot of people, not just trainers though. I mean, most people that come to MFP know they need to 'eat less' to lose weight, yet for years they either ignored it or just didn't do it.

I'm sure there'd be other reasons too, and these are just generalizations.

I will say this though, I've had a few Zumba instructors at my gym (pre-pregnancy), all of which were fit except one. That 1 instructor had to be well over 300 lbs. She had ALOT of energy in glass and was very outgoing. She has a GREAT class. I enjoy it. BUT, some moves are harder to follow along with her, because you can't really tell what she's doing, whereas with the fitter instructors, their moves are easier to *see* and follow.

It could also just be a case of "Do as I say, not as I do".

tolkat

some trainers are good at Giving lessons but not taking lessons. Does not mean they are not Qualified

ninerbuff

Lol, I'm a bit overweight right now. But I have people asking me all the time if I have time in my schedule to train them. Why? Because their results matter much more than me be overweight to them. Not to mention my programs for individuals cater to their needs and wants.
I'm not hugely overweight (although my ticker shows me shooting for "competition" weight as a goal). 10lbs over from my usual 190lbs.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

crystalflame

I know all the trainers at my gym, have taken advantage of multiple free info sessions, and hired trainers twice - once in college when I knew nothing about nutrition or fitness at all, and once to figure out WTF was going on with my deadlift. My college trainer was slightly overweight, but she knew what she was talking about when it came to workouts and gave me my lifting foundation. What I didn't realize at the time was that her nutrition knowledge was sloppy - didn't understand macros, didn't even really understand calorie requirements. Looking back, it makes sense why she was overweight (and why I didn't lose much weight working with her). All the other trainers I've worked with have been fit, but their competence has vastly varied. I've also known people in the process of losing a LOT of weight who have gotten their personal training certificates. They're still overweight, but I'd hire them over some of the trainers I've had free sessions with any day. You really do need to get to know trainers on an individual basis to assess if they'll help you meet your goals. You can't really make blanket judgments.

WalkingAlong

I'd have trouble hiring Homer Simpson. But 10 lbs. overweight wouldn't bother me.

Would you hire a PT with almost no training but who had the body of a fitness model? Jillian Michaels seems to do well.

dbmata

Hornsby wrote: »

I was talking with the GF yesterday on the treadmill yesterday about. I go to Gold's Gym and 3 or 4 of the trainers that work there aren't in shape. A couple border on obese. I am kind of torn by the issue.

Doesn't it seem like being fit should be a requirement to being a personal trainer? I guess I am kinda torn on the issue. I can tell someone how to do the perfect golf swing, but that doesn't mean I can do it in practice.

So what's everyone's thoughts?

While we know there is a disconnect between performance and presence.

"Overweight" is one thing, for example, Rippetoe is a padded dude.
Obese though? Like one of Ripley's motorcycle twins? No.

Some specialities and the person should be walking the walk, like swim coaches, running coaches, biking coaches. It's less important though for other things, like lifting or where there is a large gap between technical ability and coaching. Or for less serious things, like zumba, spinning, yoga.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

dbmata

Also, it's not a journey.

You're not Bilbo.

JoRocka

I think there is something to be said for the fact that even an over weight out of shape athelte still carries a certain structure under the weight- whereas someone who has been fat and obese their whole life- and never been athletic- looks a certain way also.

So even if someone has the knowledge- and WAS formerly fit- yeah- I'd buy that.

Someone who has that appearance of never having worked hard a day in their life? not so much.

Why- because even someone who used to be fit- and now - not so much- had/has a passion about it- someone who just has been completely obese never really had an interest in working out... so I think here is something to be said for that.

WalkingAlong

WalkingAlong wrote: »

I'd have trouble hiring Homer Simpson. But 10 lbs. overweight wouldn't bother me.

Would you hire a PT with almost no training but who had the body of a fitness model? Jillian Michaels seems to do well.

To whoever flagged that, are you a Jillian fan or a Homer fan?

dbmata

WalkingAlong wrote: »

WalkingAlong wrote: »

I'd have trouble hiring Homer Simpson. But 10 lbs. overweight wouldn't bother me.

Would you hire a PT with almost no training but who had the body of a fitness model? Jillian Michaels seems to do well.

To whoever flagged that, are you a Jillian fan or a Homer fan?

There are some flag queens going around right now. Pay no mind.

HeySwoleSister

Depends on what goals you want the trainer to help you achieve. If weight loss is part of your goals, you may want a trainer who has lost or is losing fat themselves. If you are a large person who wants to focus on fitness/health at any size without weightloss pressure, a heavy but active trainer might be great, as many larger folks feel pressured and shamed about their weight to the point that they avoid the gym. In that situation, a bigger PT might give the kind of support that the client needs for embracing a new, more active mindset.

Also, if you are looking for a PT to help you with powerlifting or other intensive strength work, chances are that you may get the best help from someone who APPEARS to be overweight/fat.

Male world champion powerlifter:

Female Olympic Powerlifter:

roxielu0422

Well I am overweight and I am a Zumba instructor. Would you not even try my class since I'm over weight? I kick people's butts in my class. I kick my own butt. Don't judge from outward appearances. Not everyone who teaches or trains is in perfect shape. Some of us have struggled our entire life with weight issues, but the fact that we are willing to put ourselves out there and help other people with the same issues says a lot. I would rather go to a trainer who has been where I have been and can help me, not only physically, but mentally as well with my weight/fitness plan.

AglaeaC

Ninkyou wrote: »

Perhaps the trainer used to be Obese at some point and did actually lose weight and are where they are now because of it. Perhaps they've gone from Obese to borderline Obese. Perhaps they are still in the middle of their loss.

This. But I guess many seem comfortable judging without knowing even a bit of backstory.

For comparison, all the advice that is posted on these boards should be posted by people in maintenance, with perfect bodies and minds?

dbmata

She's listing hard to port, cap'n.

WhatMeRunning

I would say it depends what you are looking for. If you are looking for advice or info and that person has that knowledge then it should not matter if they are in shape or not. If you are looking for someone to be a role model and/or work out with or compare yourself against, then maybe you want someone in good shape.

Unknown

This content has been removed.