Gym controversy- would you hire an unfit trainer?
100_PROOF_
Posts: 1,168 Member
My gym was recently looking into hiring a new trainer. More or less just to catch the overflow so this person didn't have to have much experience (2+ years) . They would also have the option of teaching some of the newly added classes if they wanted to.
A lady came in and applied and was called in for an interview. She happened to be a member there so everyone already knew who she was, for the most part.
She said that she had 5 years experience one on one training and 1 year for group classes.
She was not hired though. Management told her that they where looking for someone with better qualifications even though she had experience in the field. They explained to her that they really wanted her to take on some additional education in the field and then reapply at a later date.
I do know that not all trainers are created equally so to say. I understand that some even just take week long online courses and print out their certification. ( I'm assuming that was the type of education she had but that is just an assumption and not fact)
Anyway ,she is particularly unfit and over weight. She thinks that she was passed over for the job because of this. She thinks that the gym ( privately owned, not a chain, small family business) may think that people wouldn't hire an unfit trainer.
Would you hire a trainer that was over weight or unfit ? Would you think something like " why don't they take their own advice" or maybe even " they can't even perform the exercise themselves" ?
Because she has accused the gym if this, it really made me start to think about the subject. I personally wouldn't hire an unfit trainer or coach. I would also want them to have certification from a reputable organization though.( Apparently she did not) I wouldn't trust someone who just took an online week class and printed their certs at home.
I have no idea if the gym really discriminated against her because of her size but for some reason I can't say that I would have personally hired her either.
She had a lawyer draw up a letter on her behalf and said she is seeking compensation for discrimination. I don't think she can prove it though and I don't think the gym is particularly worried about it at all but it definitely got me thinking about the subject.
Would you hire an over weight trainer? Do you think the gym may have really discriminated against her? ( I know there's no real way to answer that question, I'm just looking for opinions and chit chat)
A lady came in and applied and was called in for an interview. She happened to be a member there so everyone already knew who she was, for the most part.
She said that she had 5 years experience one on one training and 1 year for group classes.
She was not hired though. Management told her that they where looking for someone with better qualifications even though she had experience in the field. They explained to her that they really wanted her to take on some additional education in the field and then reapply at a later date.
I do know that not all trainers are created equally so to say. I understand that some even just take week long online courses and print out their certification. ( I'm assuming that was the type of education she had but that is just an assumption and not fact)
Anyway ,she is particularly unfit and over weight. She thinks that she was passed over for the job because of this. She thinks that the gym ( privately owned, not a chain, small family business) may think that people wouldn't hire an unfit trainer.
Would you hire a trainer that was over weight or unfit ? Would you think something like " why don't they take their own advice" or maybe even " they can't even perform the exercise themselves" ?
Because she has accused the gym if this, it really made me start to think about the subject. I personally wouldn't hire an unfit trainer or coach. I would also want them to have certification from a reputable organization though.( Apparently she did not) I wouldn't trust someone who just took an online week class and printed their certs at home.
I have no idea if the gym really discriminated against her because of her size but for some reason I can't say that I would have personally hired her either.
She had a lawyer draw up a letter on her behalf and said she is seeking compensation for discrimination. I don't think she can prove it though and I don't think the gym is particularly worried about it at all but it definitely got me thinking about the subject.
Would you hire an over weight trainer? Do you think the gym may have really discriminated against her? ( I know there's no real way to answer that question, I'm just looking for opinions and chit chat)
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I haven't used any trainers. If I were to get one though I would want someone that's fit so at the very least they're practicing what they preach. I wouldn't want someone to just tell me how certain things should be done and believe them because they have certs. I would also want them to show me right then and there to do a clean rep of what they're training me to do and go through which muscles they're tensing up, at what time, and what form cues that they're doing that I should pay attention to.4
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manwithmustache wrote: »I haven't used any trainers. If I were to get one though I would want someone that's fit so at the very least they're practicing what they preach. I wouldn't want someone to just tell me how certain things should be done and believe them because they have certs. I would also want them to show me right then and there to do a clean rep of what they're training me to do and go through which muscles they're tensing up, at what time, and what form cues that they're doing that I should pay attention to.
This is exactly how I feel too. You where just able to put it into words much better than I was.
I got to hear both sides of this situation because the girl works at my bank. I had no choice but to go while she was working today and she let it all out. She asked me if I'd hire her ( hypothetically) and I was honest and said no. I was able to say it in a sparing way though as I explained that I'm interested in a different level of fitness so need a special kind of trainer and a special kind of coach.
(She lifts 5lb dumbbells so that isn't really the training I'm interested in)4 -
I do appreciate someone who practices what they preach in most aspects of my life. I wouldn't hire a financial advisor who was on welfare because they can't find work. I wouldn't use a stock broker that works at McDonalds. If I'm trusting this person with my health or finances, I'd want them to be as professional as possible and at the top of their game.4
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Idk. I would LOVE to get certified as a spin instructor. I'm not overweight, but I'm not as athletic as the other instructors, I'm curvy. And I can keep up or out cycle most of the other instructors and my class would be tough.
But, I've taken classes with instructors who were overweight and their classes kinda sucked. Like way too easy and backed off any intensity fairly quickly.
So I guess I would say I wouldn't care as long as I felt pushed to go beyond what I think I can do.2 -
leut_underpants wrote: »Would you hire an investment advisor who wasn't wealthy?
Do you happen to be an investment advisor? If so, my answer is yes.
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On page 4/15 @SideSteel speaks with Lawrence Judd about this topic. I love what they have to say. "Should You Hire a Fat Trainer?"
https://shreddedbyscience.com/podcast/0 -
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Personally, no, I would not. How unfit/overnight are we talking though? I would hire a person that is of normal BMI and reasonably athletic though. I don't think trainers need to be super jacked or anything but they have to be knowledgeable and able to practice what they preach. I wouldn't want my personal trainer to look like they need a personal trainer.2
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My Kindergarten teacher was wheelchair bound, via a motor vehicle accident; should he've quit because he was then unable to physically, do an exercise; with us? Also what about, all of the elderly; various professional sport team coaches because they're old & thus've the inability, to physically demonstrate/practice; they should quit? Knowledge trumps physique, therefore their physique; doesn't matter!8
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As a personal trainer I would feel like a hypocrite if I were advising and working with someone to help with health and fitness and I was not an example of what I preached.5
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My Kindergarten teacher was wheelchair bound, via a motor vehicle accident; should he've quit because he was then unable to physically, do an exercise; with us? Also what about, all of the elderly; various professional sport team coaches because they're old & thus've the inability, to physically demonstrate/practice; they should quit? Knowledge trumps physique, therefore their physique; doesn't matter!
I'm having a hard time following what you are saying here?7 -
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I would hire her. I believe in all people.1
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100_PROOF_ wrote: »
What are all these crazy gyms?! Is there one with cats?My Kindergarten teacher was wheelchair bound, via a motor vehicle accident; should he've quit because he was then unable to physically, do an exercise; with us? Also what about, all of the elderly; various professional sport team coaches because they're old & thus've the inability, to physically demonstrate/practice; they should quit? Knowledge trumps physique, therefore their physique; doesn't matter!
I think it's all relative. I think their knowledge can still be of value to someone that is new to exercising for example. But someone who's more advanced or looking for very specific training is better served shilling out their dollars for someone who has both the knowledge and the physique. No one is suggesting that they should quit.0 -
no0
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manwithmustache wrote: »100_PROOF_ wrote: »
What are all these crazy gyms?! Is there one with cats?My Kindergarten teacher was wheelchair bound, via a motor vehicle accident; should he've quit because he was then unable to physically, do an exercise; with us? Also what about, all of the elderly; various professional sport team coaches because they're old & thus've the inability, to physically demonstrate/practice; they should quit? Knowledge trumps physique, therefore their physique; doesn't matter!
I think it's all relative. I think their knowledge can still be of value to someone that is new to exercising for example. But someone who's more advanced or looking for very specific training is better served shilling out their dollars for someone who has both the knowledge and the physique. No one is suggesting that they should quit.
There is a major difference between a coach with knowledge of a game that can instill his knowledge and help develop skills, and of that of a strength and conditioning trainer/coach that gets the player in shape to perform these learned skills.0 -
I would only hire a trainer if I knew their background and success. They wouldn't have to be fit but they would have to be fairly prominent in the field.. I am very picky and would never hire just anyone, a really fit trainer would probably turn me off to be honest.0
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manwithmustache wrote: »100_PROOF_ wrote: »
What are all these crazy gyms?! Is there one with cats?My Kindergarten teacher was wheelchair bound, via a motor vehicle accident; should he've quit because he was then unable to physically, do an exercise; with us? Also what about, all of the elderly; various professional sport team coaches because they're old & thus've the inability, to physically demonstrate/practice; they should quit? Knowledge trumps physique, therefore their physique; doesn't matter!
I think it's all relative. I think their knowledge can still be of value to someone that is new to exercising for example. But someone who's more advanced or looking for very specific training is better served shilling out their dollars for someone who has both the knowledge and the physique. No one is suggesting that they should quit.
However the elderly coaches're exactly, like the bold part; of your quote but without the physique &'re being paid millions of dollars, to train; professional sports stars!
This' a slippery slope, lets take a gander; at another profession: Gynecology! Should men, not be allowed; to become gynecologists because they, don't have; a female physique {genitalia} but've the knowledge, to help; females otherwise?2 -
My powerlifting trainer is overweight. She also squats 315 for reps. I don't care about her weight.
If my goal was to lose fat, I wouldn't hire an overweight trainer. It's not good "self-promotion" in the health/fitness field to look "unfit."
An overweight trainer may signal to new clients that losing weight and being fit is really hard...so hard that even a professional can't be fit.3 -
They'd have to be a chubby weightlifter because otherwise no.0
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I hate to discriminate but I would not. There was a PT that kept trying to get me to take sessions with her and she probably was fit but didn't look fit. I was already taking sessions with another PT plus I do Bootcamp (extra money) so I told her No because of that.
But in my mind I was thinking "I'm more fit than you why would I listen to what you are telling me.."
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I would only hire a trainer if I knew their background and success. They wouldn't have to be fit but they would have to be fairly prominent in the field.. I am very picky and would never hire just anyone, a really fit trainer would probably turn me off to be honest.
I think it's smart to check the background of a trainer...or really anyone you hire. I am a trainer and extremely physically fit. But it's not because I want Instagram followers, nor because I'm a meathead. It's because the aesthetics of my body come from me applying my knowledge on a daily basis, and I'm not only extremely qualified but love what I do and practice what I preach to those that hire me.
I train athletes as well as people barely able to sit up out of their chair. While it's true advice and knowledge can come out of any mouth from any mind regardless of the body.....I personallyh would feel like such a hypocrite asking so much from someone without willing to have done it myself.4 -
Depends on my goals and the knowledge of the professional. I powerlift. Someone I would want to coach with may not look "fit" to many people.
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There is a major difference between a coach with knowledge of a game that can instill his knowledge and help develop skills, and of that of a strength and conditioning trainer/coach that gets the player in shape to perform these learned skills.However the elderly coaches're exactly, like the bold part; of your quote but without the physique &'re being paid millions of dollars, to train; professional sports stars!
For coaches or those teaching professionals, 100% agree. I feel like we're getting a bit off topic with all these hypotheticals. I was mostly talking about the situation that the OP described and how I would react in that situation.This' a slippery slope, lets take a gander; at another profession: Gynecology! Should men, not be allowed; to become gynecologists because they, don't have; a female physique {genitalia} but've the knowledge, to help; females otherwise?
This is also totally not the same thing but you're still hung up on the idea that I'm saying that people shouldn't be allowed to do x y z or should quit x y z. Not saying that at all!
There are probably amazing male gynecologists, I honestly don't know but I don't doubt it at all. I'm just saying (in this specific strawman example) there's someone out there who will personally feel that if they had to see a gynecologist, that they would prefer them to be female. Which doesn't take away from the male ones, they should keep doing what they do and other people with no preferences will see them and get the desired results just fine.1 -
On page 4/15 @SideSteel speaks with Lawrence Judd about this topic. I love what they have to say. "Should You Hire a Fat Trainer?"
https://shreddedbyscience.com/podcast/
Thanks for the mention. This is a good topic and one I am pretty opinionated on.1 -
I wouldn’t take financial advice from someone driving a 1997 Yugo.0
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ClayBengal wrote: »I wouldn’t take financial advice from someone driving a 1997 Yugo.
Even when Sam Walton {Walmart} was the wealthiest person, within the world; he lived like a poor person!
Also:
https://cnbc.com/2016/08/29/janitor-secretly-amassed-an-8-million-fortune.html2 -
Eh it depends. You can be 500 pounds and still know what it takes to be fit and teach others how they can do it. Of course it's better for them to practice what they preach. Kinda like a fat nutritionist telling you how to lose weight. You can take his advice and still be successful. His weight doesn't affect your success.2
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I definitely would IF it was a personal trainer just for my own benefit because I would know that she would know exactly what NOT to do. Just like a personal investment banker who has been/is on the poor side instead of filthy rich; they've seen the worst and know how to help guard against it. At least in my uninformed opinion.
Then again if it were a gym that has a business to keep up and an image to maintain... I could understand only wanting the most "fit" looking body builders and lean people as trainers. They wouldn't be any less qualified but it would be too controversial and bad for business.2
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