Would you trust an overweight trainer?

riffraff2112

cahubbard6421 wrote: »

OP-
Think about your post. Now think about where it is. Everyone in this forum is on a journey. Everyone in this forum has given advice, sought advice, and taken advice from people much like your "overweight" trainer. Not one person has questioned the validity of sound advice. Didn't matter if the advice came from a rock solid stud or a less than average joe. To arbitrarily dismiss a personal trainer based on the fact that he "appears overweight" is judgemental and completely wrong.

Great response

To clarify, I never agreed with the comment made by the gym member. It did make me think however, and I wanted to know where others stood. A small part of me was being 'judgy' and I hate that part of me. I have been overweight 90% of my life, hated being judged on my knowledge based on appearance alone.

I often post questions in these forums, and I know the answers are going to come from people like myself, who are working on improving. Some are avid weightlifters/fitness experts who already are there, and others are finding early success and happy to share what they have learned. Others are dealing with their own struggles and still have some experience worth sharing. The more information the better.

Thanks for clarifying a few things all.

Cylphin60

The only correlation I can make personally is a Kenpo master I trained under many years ago. He was more than just a little overweight, yet within 3 years of opening his Dojo he became the "Go-To" for literally every other dojo in the area to spar against as a gauge of their proficiency.

So no, I wouldn't avoid a trainer due to his/her weight alone.

BruinsGal_91

deluxmary2000 wrote: »

Maybe not entirely fair, but no I wouldn't.

I also once refused to go to a dentist who had jacked up teeth. *shrug*

Ah, but did he work on his own teeth? It's his dentist you need to avoid, not him.

MeanderingMammal

riffraff2112 wrote: »

On the other, I can see how someone who is suppose to be giving advice on being your best, should model that same behavior and life habits.

This brings to mind a discussion on here the other day. If I'm going to a coach I'm not expecting someone who is going to try to mould me into an echo of themselves. I want someone to help me identify and develop my strengths, identify and reinforce my weaknesses.

That means that they need credibility in terms of delivering outcomes; do they know their theory, do they know how to apply theory in the real, who else have they worked with and what were their results.

goldenday

Yes I would because he is human- I have no idea what he is going through in his life. If i can put on weight why can't he?

LolBroScience

Yes, but it depends on their credentials and accolades.

AliceDark

I don't care about what my trainer does in her/his own life; all I care about is whether they can effectively communicate the information to me. Teaching is a skill in its own right, so just being able to do something doesn't necessarily mean that you can teach others.

SeagalDeeDee

Probably not!

Lizarking

Depends on the trainer's credentials and history. Mark Rippetoe? F yeah.
Some rando? Probably not.

hazcad

Just because someone is bigger doesn't mean they are less healthy. His knowledge and qualifications should mean more than his appearance. Their are sooooo many "buff" personal trainers out there that seem to think they know what they're doing when in reality they know F all despite having a good physique themselves.

humpbackgirl

I would be more comfortable with an overweight trainer than a thin trainer if it were me.

pondee629

Just because someone may not practice what they preach, does not mean that they are not a good "preacher".
There are many good coaches, teachers and gurus who aren't that good at what they teach but are great at getting the point across. So, Yes. Why not?

Packerjohn

rileysowner wrote: »

Have you ever seen a picture of Mark Rippletoe? I would love to have him as a trainer, but it isn't because of his buff body, but his knowledge. How a trainer looks is less important than whether they know what they need to know, and know how to motivate you.

Same with Dan John, one of the best in the world.

What is his background, experience and education? Person that has 20 years experience, exercise science degree ,etc i would have no problem working with the person if a bit overweight. 2 months experience and an on line certiffiction, no.

RachelElser

Probably not......I also wouldn't go to a dentist with bad teeth, I wouldn't listen to an adulterous preacher, or take piano lessons from someone who is tone deaf. Practice what you preach.
HOWEVER, if they themselves were also losing weight, midway through their journey and realized that they enjoyed it and became a personal trainer, then probably yes.

rileysowner

Relser wrote: »

Probably not......I also wouldn't go to a dentist with bad teeth, I wouldn't listen to an adulterous preacher, or take piano lessons from someone who is tone deaf. Practice what you preach.
HOWEVER, if they themselves were also losing weight, midway through their journey and realized that they enjoyed it and became a personal trainer, then probably yes.

As stated earlier, the person you want to avoid in the case of a dentist with bad teeth, is the dentist's dentist. As stated by me and others, some of the best trainers in the world are not what you would probably consider to be fine physical specimens, but that does not diminish their ability as trainers. Also as mentioned, you don't know why a trainer is the way they are. Trainers could have been in good shape at one time, but due to injury, no longer be able to maintain that. They could have been much more out of shape, and be on the same journey as you are. Frankly, I find the most annoying trainers, at least in terms of weight loss, those who have never struggled with being fat. I would rather have a slightly overweight PT who used to be morbidly obese and understands the battle from the inside than someone who has no idea about it because they never faced more than having to get rid of 10 pounds of vanity weight.

ajwcyclist2016

If the trainer was fit and only interested in themselves and not the person they are meant to be training would you use them. Properly not. A trainers job is to train you not themselves

FatMoojor

There are a couple of trainers at my gym who are totally ripped but when you hear them actually talk to their clients and watch issues with form go un-corrected you realise that what someone looks like has nothing to do with their abilities to be great trainers/teachers.

ilfaith

ninerbuff wrote: »

Lol, I'm deemed a bit overweight right now and have more clients than the most fit trainer in our gym. Why? Because I know a lot more than he does and am much better at assessment and designing the right programs for people.
There are lots of people who are in shape who are great trainers and lots of people who aren't in great shape who are great trainers. And vice versa.
The best way to assess a trainer IMO is seeing the results of their clients.

Reminds me of the riddle about going to a barber shop where there are two barbers, one has a great haircut and the other has a terrible haircut. Which do you choose? If you're smart, you pick the one with the terrible haircut...because you realize each barber would have to cut the other's hair.

I have a friend who is a trainer. I don't PT with her, but I've taken some of her classes. In the past year she has gone through a difficult time taking care of a terminally ill family member. Between stress-related eating and not having as much time to work out herself, she's put on weight. Does that make her any less knowledgable about what is good for her clients? Of course not. But, if I just met her now, in the shape she's currently in, I might look at her and think "how is SHE going to motivate me?" On the other hand, some might prefer a trainer who seems less intimidating.

stanmann571

A better question is "is the trainer fit" weight is not a direct correlation to fitness.

Strength and speed are more germane.

chunky_pinup

I have a friend who ended up on the cover of People magazine a few years ago – their annual “I Lost Half My Weight!” edition where they showcase people who have lost massive amounts of weight. She does fitness competitions now and is a certified personal trainer, but she started taking personal training clients before she’d gotten to the “end” of her weight loss journey. So at one point, she was an overweight trainer, but she’d learned what she needed to do and was applying the lessons she was teaching others to herself as well. People I’m sure looked at her the same way they are judging the trainer where you are, but you never know…maybe he was 100 pounds heavier not so long ago…

ninerbuff

sgt1372 wrote: »

Not for weight loss.

Body building and lifting would be another matter. Lots of overweight people who can lift incredible amounts of weight. Also assessment of lifting technique is primarily a matter of observation.

You don't have to be skinny to do that but, if you are giving advice about how to eat well and lose weight, you should be able to walk the walk to give the talk about that. Just my POV.

I've trained body builders and fitness competitors. Trust that I'm not in their shape at all. Experience teaching it has nothing much to do with how I look now.


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

ninerbuff

lizery wrote: »

I would be more interested in the results their clients were getting from the trainers advice and guidance.

THIS.


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

mgalovic01

Yea, if they knew what they were talking about. You can't judge a book by it's cover.

cwolfman13

I personally am more interested in their actual knowledge and ability to coach me in whatever it is I want to achieve. I work with a trainer and he has helped me be a better cyclist and improved my Olympic lifts among other things...his ability to do that has nothing to do with how lean he is (though is is lean) so I guess in that regard, it wouldn't really matter.

That said, i don't think I've ever seen a grossly overweight or out of shape trainer. My first trainer would put on a bit of weight in the winter and be a bit over fat, but he was still in awesome shape and he would ultimately cut it...but that's about as close as I've come to ever seeing an overweight trainer.

lemurcat12

I would, but I've never used a trainer for weight loss advice. I've gone to a trainer when I want someone to help me with a weights-based workout routine, give me tips on that, so on.

Need2Exerc1se

I would. Or rather them being overweight wouldn't be reason enough for me to not trust them. Not choosing to do something doesn't mean you don't know how to do it.

Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals don't always do what they should for their health. That doesn't mean they can't treat the medical problems of others.

kami3006

If I interviewed them and they weren't spouting woo, then there would be no issue.

Many experts in various fields don't practice what they preach but are very successful in helping others. I have worked with several.

ETA: and there may very well be a good reason for them to not be in top condition.

fattothinmum

There's also the consideration that many strongman type athletes look pudgy. As do some on a bulk with clothes on or unflexed. What trainers look like doesn't necessarily reflect what they can do/know.

schwest76

I've never used a trainer but it wouldn't stop me from hiring him. As long as he has the knowledge and I see results, who cares.

cityruss

My history teacher wasn't around in 1066.