Overweight personal trainers
Replies
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To be 100% honest and tell the the truth - even when it's an ugly truth - I'm going to say what I DO and not what I should do.
To me, if I'm going PAY you to coach me in how I workout and eat, I want to see that YOU are also able to do it. I think as a trainer you're also sort of selling yourself, you know? I feel like if even you can't do it, a certified trainer - than how the heck can I?
Fair? Maybe not. I realize that they may also be out of shape and still have the knowledge I need - but again, I'm being honest about what I actually do, not what I should do.
But I'm all about results based fitness.
I love the honesty. And feel the same way. I wouldn't go to a hair dresser with bad hair or dentist with bad teeth. Just being honest. :-/
You can say what you want about overweight trainers being able to do the job but Im like the posters above. If trainers cant look after themselves I dont want to pay for them to help me.
Oh, and Im guessing the well known Canadian chain is Goodlife?0 -
I agree with just because someone is overweight, doesn't define health or knowledge. My body will be messed up for a long time after having 3 kids, even since I was 21, after my first, my stomach is a wreck and saggy skin/extra fat. It'll never be perfect. However, I am majoring in nutrition and health and wellness in college. Despite my weight, I do know how to eat healthy and exercise and do so, even pregnant with my 3rd child. By the time I graduate, my body will not be where I want it to be due to my Hashimoto's, but I would hope that it won't hurt me when finding a job. I know a lot of nutritionists at my local hospital and other places that are bigger than I am. Point is, I guess, don't be quick to judge a book by its cover.0
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They might be overweight and have a vast knowledge of fitness, but the trainer who is ripped has PROVEN visually that he has that vast knowledge. The overweight trainer has no proof of his knowledge by not being able to show visible results. Sure, he could tell you stories and show you pictures of people he helped, but who's to say he's not shining you on? I want the guy that can prove he knows about fitness.
If you're going to get a job in physical fitness, all the knowledge in the world isn't going to change people's perception of you as out of shape, and in that business your body is your advertisement.0 -
They might be overweight and have a vast knowledge of fitness, but the trainer who is ripped has PROVEN visually that he has that vast knowledge. The overweight trainer has no proof of his knowledge by not being able to show visible results. Sure, he could tell you stories and show you pictures of people he helped, but who's to say he's not shining you on? I want the guy that can prove he knows about fitness.
If you're going to get a job in physical fitness, all the knowledge in the world isn't going to change people's perception of you as out of shape, and in that business your body is your advertisement.
Except, you've equated low bf % with being "fit". Do you mean that you need to have a low bf % to be fit? What about flexibility, mobility, speed, power, agility, endurance, strength-endurance, VO2Max, raw strength? Or any combination thereof?
You want the guy who you think looks like he can "prove he knows about fitness". Except you've demonstrated that you wouldn't really know the "proof" if you were looking at it.
The problem with this whole thread is one of aesthetics. I suspect, sadly, that performance does not feature in most people's definition of what being "fit" means nowadays. We used to call this "all show and no go".....0 -
Medhi (Stronglifts dude) is always going on about training with someone that's accomplished. You want to get where they are, and they are they've lived it...
...Is Medhi accomplished?0 -
They might be overweight and have a vast knowledge of fitness, but the trainer who is ripped has PROVEN visually that he has that vast knowledge. The overweight trainer has no proof of his knowledge by not being able to show visible results. Sure, he could tell you stories and show you pictures of people he helped, but who's to say he's not shining you on? I want the guy that can prove he knows about fitness.
If you're going to get a job in physical fitness, all the knowledge in the world isn't going to change people's perception of you as out of shape, and in that business your body is your advertisement.
Except, you've equated low bf % with being "fit". Do you mean that you need to have a low bf % to be fit? What about flexibility, mobility, speed, power, agility, endurance, strength-endurance, VO2Max, raw strength? Or any combination thereof?
Lol, yeah, but I just want to look GOOD! I'm going to pick the trainer who looks closest to how I want to look - low bf, toned, strong. I don't want to be able to bench press a Volkswagen, I just want to fit in my skinny jeans. It's vain, but yeah, I'm all about the show, not so much on the go.0 -
The personal trainers that look good, are generally the clueless ones.. (obviously can't tar everyone with the same brush, but 90% of them)0
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If I were hiring a consultant to help me, I would be more interested in how successful their clients are than in their personal appearance.
I don't want the trainer to look fit, I want ME to look fit. The trainer can look any way they damn well please.0 -
Never had a personal trainer but yea the motto practice what you preach.0
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If you want a good trainer, you go to someone who is a good trainer. References and success. Little, big, warts, whatever. But that's not the scenario people are talking about here.
If two random people with no real experience and the same certification offer to train, and one is in shape while the other looks like a train wreck, my guess is 99/100 would rather work with the person who is showing success in the personal fitness arena.0 -
When I went to a gym just as a spectator to decide if I'd like to try it. I tagged along with my friend who was a member there and letting me see it on her guest pass.
I was helping her figure out some things to do since she seemed to know very little and also was receptive and asking more and more questions. Later another gym goer who happened to be in that little room approached me in the locker room as I headed into a bathroom stall shoving a flyer into my hand. She said she'd found me incredibly "motivating" and "kind" in addition to seeming knowledgeable and whatnot and wanted me to follow the instructions on the flyer to apply to work there as a trainer.
I found this a flattering but preposterous idea since I was more overweight than I am now. We continued to have an awkward conversation with me having one foot in and one out of the bathroom stall which I could only get out of the conversation by promising said lady I'd look into it. I am embarrassed to say I did not. I feel like anyone lookign for a trainer would take one look at me and discount me unless I am at a more fit level. That's just me though. Apparently people feel differently about this.
Also, I should add I have no training or certifications as any kind of trainer or anything else physical. All my advice was just one friend to another from past experience in extra-curricular things in school and etc. Also a lifelong love of fitness stuff.0 -
Im currently training to be a PT, and working really hard to get myself ripped and amazingly fit. My feeling is that clients want to be able to trust 100% what you're saying. You are your biggest advert of what can be achieved.
Agreed
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Welcome back. You've been missed.A lot of people look at overweight people and think they aren't healthy and that's not always the case. A lot of overweight people are healthy and not only that, but fit. Just because someone is skinny it doesn't mean they are healthy or fit. A lot of skinny people eat a lot of junk food and would rather have the junk food over healthy food or should I say healthy eating, because you can make what seems to be bad, be a healthy choice. Being skinny doesn't mean being fit. Plus, just because someone is skinny, it doesn't mean they aren't overweight. A trainer can look skinny and be 180 pounds and her clients wouldn't know that if she didn't tell them that. But, according to the Height/Weight chart (which I don't follow), she could be classified as being overweight.
My goal one day is to be a personal trainer. According to my doctor at one time and the height/weight chart, I am supposed to be 101 pounds, but I will never get that skinny. I'm aiming for an overweight goal, but I will look thin to my clients.
If the overweight personal trainer knows what they are doing, then yes, I would have workout with one.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I would never use an overweight personal trainer. If they cannot take care of their own body then why should I trust them with mine?0
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I would never use an overweight personal trainer. If they cannot take care of their own body then why should I trust them with mine?
Because it doesn't mean they don't have the knowledge to teach you.0 -
My trainer is in ridiculously good shape. She blows my mind every time I see her. The other six trainers in her facility are also in great shape, albeit different shapes,they definitely apply what they teach in their facility to themselves outside of work. They each have a certain type of person they work with, and my trainer specializes in tough cases where there are limitations to be broken. She gets the older clientele, they very over weight, the injured. She is so great with all of them too and has so much dedication. I absolutely adore her. And yes I can say I would judge a trainer on their physicality because it would give me a better perspective on how seriously they take their profession. Practice what you preach. But I was intimidated by my trainer at first because I thought how can I ever be in as good of shape as her? She probably thinks I'm gross and will try to make me do things I just can't do. She turned out to be a wonderful person. Just can't judge a book by it's fat or skinny cover I guess.0
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A "RIPPED" trainer shows they have DISCIPLINE and knowledge of their own body. Not to mention, I have yet to meet one who wasn't "enhanced" in one way or another.They might be overweight and have a vast knowledge of fitness, but the trainer who is ripped has PROVEN visually that he has that vast knowledge. The overweight trainer has no proof of his knowledge by not being able to show visible results. Sure, he could tell you stories and show you pictures of people he helped, but who's to say he's not shining you on? I want the guy that can prove he knows about fitness.
If you're going to get a job in physical fitness, all the knowledge in the world isn't going to change people's perception of you as out of shape, and in that business your body is your advertisement.
May they have knowledge? Possibly, but lots of the knowledge they have usually revolves around broscience.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I want a trainer who is healthy I don't think overweight has much to do with it as long as they are not obese and can keep up and are doing the same routine they instruct me to do.....a lot of things to me come in to factor when picking a trainer not just weight..do they smoke?..drink? etc etc....I don't want a "Ripped" trainer who smokes a pack a day sorry.0
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I am a PT. I am in good shape now but have been up to 30kgs overweight. I couldn't PT when I was overweight because my standard is to never ask my clients to do something I can't and when I was overweight I wasn't able to do all the things I like my clients to do.
I think as PT"s we are selling a message of health and fitness and while overweight people can be fit, if it is excess fat around your organs it is never healthy, regardless of what people say. If muscle is giving an overweight measurement this is different.
Health is not just about cholesterol readings and blood pressure. If you are carrying too much body fat it is not good for you.
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Just my two cents.
Donna.0 -
I'm a bit overweight (just a 2 pack right now), so you wouldn't trust any information from me?I would never use an overweight personal trainer. If they cannot take care of their own body then why should I trust them with mine?
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I don't pay for a trainer. I just do my own research and craft my own nutrition and exercise plan. There may come a day that I plateu and hire one, but I am not there yet. But if I do, I will only hire someone that is cut and jacked. I will better trust you to get me to where I want to be if you have gotten yourself there first.
This. There is an out of shape trainer at my gym. While she was training a client, she was staring at me lifting, it was really weird.0 -
To be 100% honest and tell the the truth - even when it's an ugly truth - I'm going to say what I DO and not what I should do.
To me, if I'm going PAY you to coach me in how I workout and eat, I want to see that YOU are also able to do it. I think as a trainer you're also sort of selling yourself, you know? I feel like if even you can't do it, a certified trainer - than how the heck can I?
Fair? Maybe not. I realize that they may also be out of shape and still have the knowledge I need - but again, I'm being honest about what I actually do, not what I should do.
But I'm all about results based fitness.
I agree with this. I feel the same way about anybody who tries to sell me healthy living products too.0 -
If you are looking for a personal trainer you are likely to pick one which is in good shape, as they are the main advertisement for their work.0
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I am a PT. I am in good shape now but have been up to 30kgs overweight. I couldn't PT when I was overweight because my standard is to never ask my clients to do something I can't and when I was overweight I wasn't able to do all the things I like my clients to do.
I think as PT"s we are selling a message of health and fitness and while overweight people can be fit, if it is excess fat around your organs it is never healthy, regardless of what people say. If muscle is giving an overweight measurement this is different.
Health is not just about cholesterol readings and blood pressure. If you are carrying too much body fat it is not good for you.
,
Just my two cents.
Donna.
So what if you are an elite athlete? Can you only train with an athlete more elite than you? In other words, if you are the world's best athlete, nobody can train you?
Or here is a thought experiment. What if the world's most successful trainer, whose clients regularly earn Olympic gold medals, is in a car accident and paralyzed for life. Should they just give up?
this attitude of seeking authority figures to think for you is very destructive. But doing that based on appearance is beyond silly. If you come up with a really stupid and dangerous training program, and put a thousand people through it, a few will come out ripped, lean, and uninjured. Would they be able to convince you their program was a good idea?
Choosing a trainer based on appearance is the reason the profession is dominated by charlatans0 -
Ian McCarthy is not in any 'special' shape by any means, but I'd listen to him over anyone on earth about nutrition and training.0
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Ian McCarthy is not in any 'special' shape by any means, but I'd listen to him over anyone on earth about nutrition and training.
He isn't overweight either.
There's a bit of a false dichotomy going on here. Doesn't look like a fat slob vs 4% body fat.
Basically, if you don't look like a fat slob, you're in the realm of credible teaching based on appearance.
Do you look like you have any experience doing anything you're telling people to do? Yes? Ok. No? Better hope you have a great resume to back you up.0 -
Ian McCarthy is not in any 'special' shape by any means, but I'd listen to him over anyone on earth about nutrition and training.
He isn't overweight either.
There's a bit of a false dichotomy going on here. Doesn't look like a fat slob vs 4% body fat.
Basically, if you don't look like a fat slob, you're in the realm of credible teaching based on appearance.
Do you look like you have any experience doing anything you're telling people to do? Yes? Ok. No? Better hope you have a great resume to back you up.
Who said anything about weight? It isn't ALL about weight..
My point was, I would never listen to Dexter Jackson, or Kai Greene for weight lifting advice, etc, or nutrition advice.
I'd listen to Ian.0 -
I would want a personal trainer that has actually helped people reach fitness goals. The football coaches at my high school weren't in that great of shape, but the team consistently won regional and state championships. A good coach is a good coach. How they look is secondary.0
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I am a PT. I am in good shape now but have been up to 30kgs overweight. I couldn't PT when I was overweight because my standard is to never ask my clients to do something I can't and when I was overweight I wasn't able to do all the things I like my clients to do.
I think as PT"s we are selling a message of health and fitness and while overweight people can be fit, if it is excess fat around your organs it is never healthy, regardless of what people say. If muscle is giving an overweight measurement this is different.
Health is not just about cholesterol readings and blood pressure. If you are carrying too much body fat it is not good for you.
,
Just my two cents.
Donna.
Was your waist over 33"? Over that and you were unhealthy. Under that and you were a healthy weight, unless you were too thin.0 -
I don't care about how they look , I want to see how their client looks. I use to go to a gym and they had two different trainers , one of them looked like he came out of fitness magazine and the other was average and looked soft.
The one who looked super fit was the worse trainer ever , he was always giving the worse advice and his clients were always ill or injured. I still haven't met a client who has stuck with him .
The pudgy one had a long list of loyal clients with great results and he was always recommended.
Unfortunately I chose the fit looking trainer, I have never gone back to that gym.
I also made the mistake of judging a female trainer because I use to have the impression that for someone to be fit , they had to have great abs and a super flat stomach and this female trainer had a tiny pouch . Now that I look back it was probably excess skin and I was being stupid because she gave me great advice and was really attentive. Back them I was really ignorant .0
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