sport science credentials

I_give_it_2_u_str8

Do you think its necessary that your trainer/person giving you advice be the embodiment of the said advice? For example, if you’re asking a nutritionist about dieting advice, wouldn’t you want them to not be overweight?

The reason I ask is because im thinking about hiring a personal trainer, with specific goals in mind. There are many trainers who have respectable credentials like bachelor degrees in kinesiology or other sport science background. But personally, I would still rather pick a practitioner of that science rather than someone who has a wealth of information behind it, but is not a model behind that school of thought. After all, if I went to my doctor and he told me to quit smoking but he smokes himself, somehow im less likely to believe it.

Just wondering what your thoughts are.

ilovedeadlifts

I can see it from both sides.


Yes, I'm not going to take training advice from a fat slob. But you don't neccessarily have to look the part to know it, and vice versa.
I know a ****ton more about training, supplements, nutrition that a lot of my friends, even though they look a lot bigger.
They've got more lifting experience.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I would rather take the word of their clientel than their appearance, althought it is more appealing to train with someone who is fit. My last trainer is excellent, but he'll tell you that he spends so much time in the gym working on other people that when his day is done the last thing he wants to do is hang out in the gym for another 60 - 90 minutes. I totally get that, I have a job and when I'm done with it I want to go home and hang out with my family too.

liftingbro

Two things here:

#1- Depends on age. If they are an older trainer I expect less in the looks deperartment.

#2- Fitness level isn't a deal breaker if they have a good reputation and background (education and their clients recommend them).

I would judge how the trainer's clients look more than by how the trainer looks. However, if I don't know much about them then appearance would give me an initial impression.

Beastette

I'd pick a trainer based on the depth of knowledge, fitness level, and willingness to tailor the program to my specific goals. I've seen people who didn't have the best appearance in the gym, but could kick major *kitten*. If I were going for a dietician, I might expect more in the appearance department. But I have learned that the most competent people in any profession might be the ones who have struggled with the same issues.

I might be slightly biased against having a trainer who'd never struggled with their appearance. I used to model my fitness ideal after Lisa Lowe, until I realized she had been an ultra-thin dancer who packed on muscle to compete. We aren't in the same bracket. I've had delineated quadriceps since I was ten. :-) So, I might be swayed toward a trainer who had lots of muscle naturally, and had worked to trim off the fluff.

Good luck!