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What are your unpopular opinions about health / fitness?
Replies
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amusedmonkey wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »joemac1988 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »joemac1988 wrote: »Trainer's should be in shape. Having CPT after your name proves nothing. I've seen trainers that have credentials but are obese and have their clients do the most ridiculous exercises.
I don't think that it is essential to be in shape if a PT has a track record of satisfied clients, high-level experiences (celebrity trainer/high school, college, pro athletic trainer, etc.), and/or some sort of injury/medical condition that impedes their own training. Otherwise, if the person is a 20-40 something year-old PT hustling business at the local gym, I would find it unsettling if he/she doesn't give the appearance that they actually follow their own advice and that their program results in a high level of fitness.
I think you're essentially agreeing with me...? I wouldn't care if they weren't in tip-top shape, but they should be at least average. I said "in shape" not shredded or anything like that.
I am agreeing with you, just with the few qualifiers in the first sentence of my post above:)
To look at it from a different angle: lets say a PT approached me at my gym who just received his/her certification 6 months ago and without any other sort of qualifications - if that person is in amazing shape I may still consider him/her. If another person with the same limited PT experience approached me but didn't appear to be fit, I doubt that I would pay that person to train me.
I personally would take on anyone with good reviews for a trial run regardless. If I'm presented with two trainers with roughly equal reviews and results, I'll take the cheaper one for a trial run then switch to the other if I don't click with the first one. If they both charge the same I'll take the one that I feel would be easier to communicate with. I understand why people would pick based on looks and it's a valid point of view, it's just that my brain doesn't operate that way having experienced being morbidly obese and knowing what I am capable of.
I don't even need someone to "demonstrate" good form. Correcting my form and easily applicable form tips then are much more important to me than demonstrations. There is a disconnect between the what I see and what my body does when I'm new to something. I'm not kidding, the kind of disconnect I personally have is extreme. I'm so clumsy and awkward I may think I'm doing exactly what I "saw" but I end up looking like one of those "what I think I look like/what I actually look like" memes, it's not even funny (it actually is funny, and I laugh a lot at myself when I start something new that involves movement and record myself).
Ok, I can agree with you on this but we're getting away from my original point a little. I just think a PT SHOULD be in shape. Can an overweight PT be a great one? Sure. Do credentials or nifty letters after your name qualify you? Nope.0 -
joemac1988 wrote: »Trainer's should be in shape. Having CPT after your name proves nothing. I've seen trainers that have credentials but are obese and have their clients do the most ridiculous exercises.
If Mark Rippetoe wants to train me...I am not saying float buddy you aren't in good enough shape...
I do however agree that CPT means about as much as the paper it's written on...2 -
joemac1988 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »joemac1988 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »joemac1988 wrote: »Trainer's should be in shape. Having CPT after your name proves nothing. I've seen trainers that have credentials but are obese and have their clients do the most ridiculous exercises.
I don't think that it is essential to be in shape if a PT has a track record of satisfied clients, high-level experiences (celebrity trainer/high school, college, pro athletic trainer, etc.), and/or some sort of injury/medical condition that impedes their own training. Otherwise, if the person is a 20-40 something year-old PT hustling business at the local gym, I would find it unsettling if he/she doesn't give the appearance that they actually follow their own advice and that their program results in a high level of fitness.
I think you're essentially agreeing with me...? I wouldn't care if they weren't in tip-top shape, but they should be at least average. I said "in shape" not shredded or anything like that.
I am agreeing with you, just with the few qualifiers in the first sentence of my post above:)
To look at it from a different angle: lets say a PT approached me at my gym who just received his/her certification 6 months ago and without any other sort of qualifications - if that person is in amazing shape I may still consider him/her. If another person with the same limited PT experience approached me but didn't appear to be fit, I doubt that I would pay that person to train me.
I personally would take on anyone with good reviews for a trial run regardless. If I'm presented with two trainers with roughly equal reviews and results, I'll take the cheaper one for a trial run then switch to the other if I don't click with the first one. If they both charge the same I'll take the one that I feel would be easier to communicate with. I understand why people would pick based on looks and it's a valid point of view, it's just that my brain doesn't operate that way having experienced being morbidly obese and knowing what I am capable of.
I don't even need someone to "demonstrate" good form. Correcting my form and easily applicable form tips then are much more important to me than demonstrations. There is a disconnect between the what I see and what my body does when I'm new to something. I'm not kidding, the kind of disconnect I personally have is extreme. I'm so clumsy and awkward I may think I'm doing exactly what I "saw" but I end up looking like one of those "what I think I look like/what I actually look like" memes, it's not even funny (it actually is funny, and I laugh a lot at myself when I start something new that involves movement and record myself).
Ok, I can agree with you on this but we're getting away from my original point a little. I just think a PT SHOULD be in shape. Can an overweight PT be a great one? Sure. Do credentials or nifty letters after your name qualify you? Nope.
In my book, a PT SHOULD know how to train to be a good one. Looks, credentials and nifty letters carry little importance to the fact, at least to me.1 -
I think being in shape is good for the PT's business, but it is not a requirement to be a top notch trainer. I'd like to think I would look past the physical appearance and see what's under the hood. Don't judge a book by it's cover...3
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Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance?
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joemac1988 wrote: »Trainer's should be in shape. Having CPT after your name proves nothing. I've seen trainers that have credentials but are obese and have their clients do the most ridiculous exercises.
If Mark Rippetoe wants to train me...I am not saying float buddy you aren't in good enough shape...
I do however agree that CPT means about as much as the paper it's written on...
Of course! I'm talking about your local gym PT, not a former powerlifter and respected strength coach.2 -
stevencloser wrote: »100% inferior to German Stollen.
Agreed. I make at least 4 loaves of Dutch Stollen (basically the same thing) every Christmas.1 -
jseams1234 wrote: »Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance?
You're god damn right I would. And pay a *kitten* load of money for his damn accreditation.1 -
jseams1234 wrote: »Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance?
Getting away from my point but let's play this out... Since I'm referring to CPT's, if I can hire him for $30/hr at my local Retro Fitness, based on his looks, no. Knowing who he is and his accomplishments, I don't care if he has ZERO certifications.
Back to my points. 1. a CPT should be in shape and 2., certifications mean nothing. In the example given here, I doubt he considers himself a CPT and you'd hire him whether he's certified or not.2 -
jseams1234 wrote: »Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance?
I don't think that the argument is that out-of-shape trainers can't be effective trainers
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Bry_Lander wrote: »jseams1234 wrote: »Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance?
I don't think that the argument is that out-of-shape trainers can't be effective trainers
Thank you lol.0 -
I don't trust my optometrist unless they're wearing glasses.
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I don't trust my optometrist unless they're wearing glasses.
Would you trust a blind optometrist? Or one that needs glasses but forgot them? That's what your analogy should have been. If they don't need glasses (in shape), they can see. If they need and have glasses (formerly out of shape or even currently but working on it), they can still see. If they need, but don't have...well, I sure as heck ain't letting them near my eyes. But you do you.2 -
How am I supposed to trust a person to give me glasses if he doesn't have glasses. How am I gonna get muscles if the trainer doesn't have muscles.
Also blind optometrist doesn't sound out of the realm of possibilities for 2017; are you being visionist. He identifies as a not blind man. Haha4 -
How am I supposed to trust a person to give me glasses if he doesn't have glasses. How am I gonna get muscles if the trainer doesn't have muscles.
Also blind optometrist doesn't sound out of the realm of possibilities for 2017; are you being visionist. He identifies as a not blind man. Haha
I don't care if the trainer is jacked...people keep redefining what my point was. I said they should be in shape. That could be 30% bodyfat powerlifter, lean lightweight runner, average build, shredded bodybuilder, whatever. That being said, would you not doubt that a trainer that had no muscle might struggle to help you build it? I believe there can be a disconnect (not always!) between knowledge and the practical application of it. And, if you aren't an example, how do I know you know how to guide me through the practical application? I'm talking about the general rule and everyone seems more interested in throwing obscure exceptions for the sake of arguing. Which I'm fine with...otherwise it wouldn't be an unpopular opinion.
Whatever. People can go get their eyes checked at a blind optometrist, get singing lessons from a mute, learn to play piano from a guitar teacher, hire a broke financial advisor and work with an obese dietitian.0 -
How much do you trust the Belgium Minister of Health.
Also I think you're missing the sarcasm3 -
How much do you trust the Belgium Minister of Health.
Also I think you're missing the sarcasm
Haha, I don't even trust her not to eat me! But it seems there's a ton of people on here that will jump in saying "Just because she's not healthy doesn't mean she can't do her job!" Well, no; that's correct. She still shouldn't have that position though, in my (unpopular) opinion.
Ok, sometimes gets lost in translation lol9 -
I don't trust my optometrist unless they're wearing glasses.
If I walked into an optometrists office and he was wearing a pair of ill-fitting glasses and said "I prescribed and created these myself!" and then promptly walked into a wall, I would probably question whether he was competent.1 -
All good my dude. I think her real reason is to tell people not to eat junk food so she can have it for herself.
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Bry_Lander wrote: »I don't trust my optometrist unless they're wearing glasses.
If I walked into an optometrists office and he was wearing a pair of ill-fitting glasses and said "I prescribed and created these myself!" and then promptly walked into a wall, I would probably question whether he was competent.
Bingo!0 -
Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to and if it doesn't affect their ability to train) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.0
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amusedmonkey wrote: »Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.
Are you .....amused2 -
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amusedmonkey wrote: »Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to and if it doesn't affect their ability to train) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.
My opinion: A PT SHOULD be in shape. Being out of shape CAN affect their ability to train. Not once did I say a PT has to be in shape or they're incapable.0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.
Are you .....amused
I am actually. I'm more amused than insulting by fat shaming. I wonder why it happens and what mechanisms drive it.1 -
joemac1988 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to and if it doesn't affect their ability to train) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.
My opinion: A PT SHOULD be in shape. Being out of shape CAN affect their ability to train. Not once did I say a PT has to be in shape or they're incapable.
There is a big difference between "can" and "will". Many things can affect ability to train including things completely unrelated to fitness. I would rather go for "a good PT is one who knows how to train" rather than single out one single factor that may or may not be relevant.1 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.
Are you .....amused
I am actually. I'm more amused than insulting by fat shaming. I wonder why it happens and what mechanisms drive it.
I'm sure this is going to be another unpopular opinion but I think the nasty insults are ones you have no control over or are plain false. Race, sex, sexual orientation, cognitive function, etc are inexcusible. Fat, lazy...if it's true and what they say bothers you, change it! If it's not true or you don't care, why are we still talking about it?
Personally, I fat shame because it worked on me. I was fat and became so ashamed of it due to nicknames, comments etc that I actually did something about it. Sometimes the best helping hand is a swift kick in the @$$. Did it suck at the time? Yup. Now, I wouldn't change it for anything.
For the record, I'd never fat shame someone I don't know personally. I acknowledge that tough-love approach doesn't work for everyone. But it does work for some...there's this chef from the UK (I forget his name) that lost over 100lbs because his friend texted him "Fat F***" every morning.
I'd rather hear what I need to hear over what I want to hear 100% of the time.11 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »joemac1988 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to and if it doesn't affect their ability to train) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.
My opinion: A PT SHOULD be in shape. Being out of shape CAN affect their ability to train. Not once did I say a PT has to be in shape or they're incapable.
There is a big difference between "can" and "will". Many things can affect ability to train including things completely unrelated to fitness. I would rather go for "a good PT is one who knows how to train" rather than single out one single factor that may or may not be relevant.
I agree completely that knowing how to train is the single biggest factor. I also think that if you're out of shape it begs the question why? Lack of self respect, lack of drive, or is it application of your knowledge?2 -
I mostly like fruitcake, but if one wants it to be really decadent-good, it's important that it omit those ucky commercial fake-dyed candied fruit in favor of homemade actual candied delicious fruit. And lovingly bathe it in alcohol for weeks, of course.
I don't really understand why @Tacklewasher wants to shoot those of us who so generously and selflessly volunteered for the Fruitcake Disposal Squad, though.
Exactly! We're eating the fruitcake so that nobody else has to worry about it. It's basically a public service!4 -
joemac1988 wrote: »Keywords here to remember are "unpopular" and "opinion".
This is why I posted. Of course, I thought I was being silly but others seem to hide behind the thread title.
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