Overweight gym staff
Fitforevermore
Posts: 399 Member
I don't want to be mean or rude, but it is bugging me. One gym I go to a lot of the staff are quite a lot overweight (and not losing). They walk around with 'Health Maker' on the back of their T-shirts and it bugs me. They also give out bad advice. I heard one of them telling a lady the other day she shouldn't aim to get big muscles, just do low reps on the weight machines.
Actually I've heard this a lot lately, in a Bodypump class I go to, the instructor keeps saying 'this will get you stronger, not bigger!' Well I actually want my muscles to get bigger, as then I will burn more calories and be more toned!
Rant over.
Actually I've heard this a lot lately, in a Bodypump class I go to, the instructor keeps saying 'this will get you stronger, not bigger!' Well I actually want my muscles to get bigger, as then I will burn more calories and be more toned!
Rant over.
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Replies
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You can be overweight and still know a lot about diet and exercise.
If bad advice is your issue then I can see your point.. someone being overweight and working in a gym, well, maybe they got ill or just had a baby?
I think you have to research your own goals nowadays, I rarely listen to others without looking into it myself, I just don't trust the whole spectrum of opinions out there anymore.0 -
You're gonna have to put on a lot of muscle just to burn a few more calories... I'm guessing you're in a deficit too? If so, you're not going to build a lot of muscle to burn a few...sorry.
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we are all in it together.0
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I used to go to a gym where the owner was an ex-athlete. Javelin was her sport and she was definitely a big girl even as an athlete. When she quit, I guess she kept eating like she used to when training, only leading now a much more sedentary life. She was obese, but still gave good advice, especially regarding strength training. I would never trust her to give eating tips, but when it came to training, she knew what she was talking about. She still was incredibly strong and had lots of muscle volume, but had lots of fat on top.0
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To be honest, someone elses weight is none of your business. You don't know their back story. You are choosing to let something bother you that is none of your business.0
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Their bodies, their business. If it bothers you and you feel their advice is not helping you reach your goals then find a new gym.0
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Yeah, I think the weight and physical fitness of someone whose job purports to include being a "Health Maker" could arguably be relevant to someone who's paying money to said Health Maker.
That doesn't mean there aren't extenuating circumstances. Hell, Ted Williams could hit like no one's business but couldn't teach people to hit very well and there are people who couldn't hold his jock as players who are better coaches. The ability to teach isn't the same as the ability to perform.
That said, eating at a deficit isn't as hard as hitting a major league curveball. I'd probably be leery of advice from someone who didn't appear to be taking that advice. Might be worth looking for another gym if it's an issue for you.0 -
Sort of sets a bad example for the gym. Having overweight trainers is not a very good marketing strategy! Your only choices are to ignore them for your own sanity or change gyms. I personally would change gyms
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Nope I agree
Gym staff as in the ones who staff the actual gym and prepare programmes and train others in how to use the equipment should be in shape, particularly if they have to dress in stupid slogan bearing t-shirts
Other people who staff gyms, whose jobs are not specific to training others, it doesn't matter ...receptionists, lifeguards, food, managers etc
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What about doctors and nurses then? Do they have to be in shape to give you advice?
If their advice is correct it shouldn't matter what they look like, just because they don't follow the advice themselves doesn't mean the advice is of any better or poorer quality.
The only change is that you perceive them to be stupid because they are fatter than your acceptable standard.
atypicalsmith - you would change gym? Why on Earth? Just choose a different trainer or ignore it. Jeez, some people.0 -
I see it the same way as I see medics and nurses who smoke. That's up to them... I go to them to help me and advise me. If they can do that then they are doing their job.
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It's a mental issue really, you're thinking "how the hell can you train me when you can't train yourself?"
I had a PT once who I became friends with subsequently, he was an ex PT from the Parachute Regiment and he basically stopped exercising and was very overweight (he also used to smoke a spliff on the way to work but that's another issue!!) but he damn well knew how to beast me properly.
I agree it doesn't set the right impression and if their advice is crap as well then I would move on.0 -
How do you know their advice is correct?What about doctors and nurses then? Do they have to be in shape to give you advice?
If their advice is correct it shouldn't matter what they look like, just because they don't follow the advice themselves doesn't mean the advice is of any better or poorer quality.
The only change is that you perceive them to be stupid because they are fatter than your acceptable standard.
atypicalsmith - you would change gym? Why on Earth? Just choose a different trainer or ignore it. Jeez, some people.
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Like others have said I would be more concerned about the quality of the advice being given rather than what they looked like.
I don't really care if people are not "walking the walk" - I care if they can give me the right information so I can do it.0 -
DeguelloTex wrote: »
How do you know their advice is correct?What about doctors and nurses then? Do they have to be in shape to give you advice?
If their advice is correct it shouldn't matter what they look like, just because they don't follow the advice themselves doesn't mean the advice is of any better or poorer quality.
The only change is that you perceive them to be stupid because they are fatter than your acceptable standard.
atypicalsmith - you would change gym? Why on Earth? Just choose a different trainer or ignore it. Jeez, some people.
*If* their advice is correct.
Maybe you need to read what I wrote again and interpret it better?0 -
What about doctors and nurses then? Do they have to be in shape to give you advice?
If their advice is correct it shouldn't matter what they look like, just because they don't follow the advice themselves doesn't mean the advice is of any better or poorer quality.
The only change is that you perceive them to be stupid because they are fatter than your acceptable standard.
atypicalsmith - you would change gym? Why on Earth? Just choose a different trainer or ignore it. Jeez, some people.
When obese doctors or nurses comment on your BMI and you think "you realise that the BMI scale is a population measure not an individual assessment tool" then eyebrows tend to get raised, yes
I know a lot more about specific medical conditions than many primary care physicians because do independent research...clearly not more than specialists but I have had to correct hospital generalists before, or double check their prescriptions ...I've been proved right on a number of occasions
I would assume that a dietician would know more about nutrition than a nurse or doctor
As for gym trainers....if you can't do it then how can you advise others too ...0 -
How do you know *if* their advice is correct?DeguelloTex wrote: »
How do you know their advice is correct?What about doctors and nurses then? Do they have to be in shape to give you advice?
If their advice is correct it shouldn't matter what they look like, just because they don't follow the advice themselves doesn't mean the advice is of any better or poorer quality.
The only change is that you perceive them to be stupid because they are fatter than your acceptable standard.
atypicalsmith - you would change gym? Why on Earth? Just choose a different trainer or ignore it. Jeez, some people.
*If* their advice is correct.
Maybe you need to read what I wrote again and interpret it better?
It's a very common grammatical construct not explicitly to include the "if" if one is already asking a question that implies the "if."
So, again, how do you know *if* their advice is correct?
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By doing your own research of course. As I stated in my first reply to the OP.
"I think you have to research your own goals nowadays."
If something is very important to me I research it myself, and take advice, and then I will come to my own conclusion.0 -
I dunno, if my PT weighed more than me but could lift 3 times as much as i could then i don't think id give much of a crap. I want to aim for something that is attainable, incredibly lean, fit instructors aren't promoting an atheistic or level of fitness i can achieve. Someone who's a bit soft around the middle but can run three miles and squat my body weight is far more inspiring.0
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Better get rid of all the male OB/GYNs since they are obviously "unqualified" for pregnancy and birthing advice.
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What about doctors and nurses then? Do they have to be in shape to give you advice?
If their advice is correct it shouldn't matter what they look like, just because they don't follow the advice themselves doesn't mean the advice is of any better or poorer quality.
The only change is that you perceive them to be stupid because they are fatter than your acceptable standard.
atypicalsmith - you would change gym? Why on Earth? Just choose a different trainer or ignore it. Jeez, some people.
When obese doctors or nurses comment on your BMI and you think "you realise that the BMI scale is a population measure not an individual assessment tool" then eyebrows tend to get raised, yes
I know a lot more about specific medical conditions than many primary care physicians because do independent research...clearly not more than specialists but I have had to correct hospital generalists before, or double check their prescriptions ...I've been proved right on a number of occasions
I would assume that a dietician would know more about nutrition than a nurse or doctor
As for gym trainers....if you can't do it then how can you advise others too ...
Of course you advise someone else how to do something, even if it's not possible for you at that moment in time.
I've been heavily into scuba, snowboarding, motorbikes etc over the years.. is being fat stopping me from being able to teach someone? No, of course not.
Wasn't there the first wheelchair football coach recently? Not saying he's the best or worst coach, but you can't say he cannot coach because he can't use his own legs.
Most boxing coaches are generally older ex-boxers.. doesn't stop them teaching does it?
Not sure why this is such a difficult concept to grasp really.
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If I've done my research and what they tell me coincides, I don't need their advice; if it doesn't, I don't want it or I'm back to square one.By doing your own research of course. As I stated in my first reply to the OP.
"I think you have to research your own goals nowadays."
If something is very important to me I research it myself, and take advice, and then I will come to my own conclusion.
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... it would be good for people to remember why they go (or at least are supposed to go) to the gym for.... to shut the xxxx up and train!
Ho and by the way - sorry to bust your bubble but with bodypump you won't get that big.... if at all - newbie gains at the most.
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I can't speak for other gyms but the one I use has profile boards of the trainers / physios along with their qualifications and specialities.
I would be wary of taking advice from some random punter wandering up to me in a generic company T-shirt and telling me what to do though.0 -
DeguelloTex wrote: »
If I've done my research and what they tell me coincides, I don't need their advice; if it doesn't, I don't want it or I'm back to square one.By doing your own research of course. As I stated in my first reply to the OP.
"I think you have to research your own goals nowadays."
If something is very important to me I research it myself, and take advice, and then I will come to my own conclusion.
Don't take their advice then, jeez. The point is, people are saying that if you are out of shape/overweight then your advice isn't valid. That's just plain wrong.
People just have a poor attitude towards overweight people and it stinks. Just go to the gym and do your work out, some people will offer poor advice whether they are thin or fat, they are just generally ignorant or wrong, but maybe, just maybe fat people are intelligent too?0 -
Overweight Gym staff with "Health Maker" on their Shirts, trying to advise me how to get fit & healthy - wouldn't fill me with too much confidence.
That's like going to a Dermatologist who's face is covered in Spots!0 -
Aren't some boxing coaches waifs who look as though they couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag? They inspire and teach big guys and girls with big muscles...0
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ExRelaySprinter wrote: »Overweight Gym staff with "Health Maker" on their Shirts, trying to advise me how to get fit & healthy - wouldn't fill me with too much confidence.
That's like going to a Dermatologist who's face is covered in Spots!
What a terrible metaphor just because someone has spots would not mean they are a bad dermatologist. They could have a condition that is difficult to treat by anyone no matter how good. Maybe they became a dermatologist due to their issues. In the same way someone may work at a gym because of their personal issues. I've seen over weight and unfit looking Olympic coaches that have trained people to Gold medals. How someone looks is not an indication of their knowledge.0 -
What about doctors and nurses then? Do they have to be in shape to give you advice?
If their advice is correct it shouldn't matter what they look like, just because they don't follow the advice themselves doesn't mean the advice is of any better or poorer quality.
The only change is that you perceive them to be stupid because they are fatter than your acceptable standard.
atypicalsmith - you would change gym? Why on Earth? Just choose a different trainer or ignore it. Jeez, some people.
When obese doctors or nurses comment on your BMI and you think "you realise that the BMI scale is a population measure not an individual assessment tool" then eyebrows tend to get raised, yes
I know a lot more about specific medical conditions than many primary care physicians because do independent research...clearly not more than specialists but I have had to correct hospital generalists before, or double check their prescriptions ...I've been proved right on a number of occasions
I would assume that a dietician would know more about nutrition than a nurse or doctor
As for gym trainers....if you can't do it then how can you advise others too ...
Of course you advise someone else how to do something, even if it's not possible for you at that moment in time.
I've been heavily into scuba, snowboarding, motorbikes etc over the years.. is being fat stopping me from being able to teach someone? No, of course not.
Wasn't there the first wheelchair football coach recently? Not saying he's the best or worst coach, but you can't say he cannot coach because he can't use his own legs.
Most boxing coaches are generally older ex-boxers.. doesn't stop them teaching does it?
Not sure why this is such a difficult concept to grasp really.
Specific skills / sports experience are very different from general fitness coaches in gyms IMHO
I choose my PT because of his knowledge base, training and experience, he is fit because he puts his own advice into practice...if he was unable to implement his own advice I would wonder how valid his knowledge base is and whether he actually is qualified to instruct others. That said, I continue to go to him when he is injured because of his knowledge base and ability to teach..
.but we are talking first impressions here...if someone swanned around with health coach on their t-shirt and a clearly obese body underneath it then I would think "he can't walk the walk" and that would be my right. There is so much crap advice in the fitness industry that a physical representation of "I don't take my own advice" would be enough to make me vote with my wallet
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The point is, people are saying that if you are out of shape/overweight then your advice isn't valid. That's just plain wrong.
While I agree with you there is a certain reality here. We, as human beings have limited time within which to make decisions usually based on imperfect information. It would be great if we judged everyone on the basis of sufficient evidence to come to a conclusion but I don't feel that is likely to happen.
So, we statistically discriminate as a mental shortcut. In the absence of a detailed exploration of what the person's qualifications are a fit appearance suggests more strongly that they are able to give better advice ("walking the walk") than someone who doesn't look as good.
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