Who would you be more inclined to spend your money on?

jarrodc

A personal trainer that is ripped.

OR

A personal trainer with an okay body that has studied at university for 2 years.

Which one? This is totally hypothetical of course

edit: for those that need clarification on "ripped", here is the definition we shall go by: http://bumpshack.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/ryan_reynolds_ripped.jpg

edit: also assume this is all you know about them.

nickyfm

I used to have a personal trainer who was incredibly strong, but she didn't exactly look 'ripped'. And I thought she was fab

jarrodc

I used to have a personal trainer who was incredibly strong, but she didn't exactly look 'ripped'. And I thought she was fab

Did you know if she'd studied?

sweet110

Honestly...the university education wouldn't sway me per se...it would depend on the degree and where. Some online certificate program? Or something official (although I don't really know what would be applicable for a trainer).

As for the body type....ripped wouldn't necessarily sway me. Just because someone knows how to get themselves ripped doesn't mean they know how to do it for other people...particularly, that they know how to do this for "normal" people (I read forums for fitness models and serious lifters....some of those people are obsessed and either have some seriously unhealthy habits, or got ripped with a level of "multiple hours in the gym everyday" dedication that I have no interest in).

So...I see what you're looking for in terms of comparison (book learnin'? or awesome real world results?). But if that's all the information I had, it would be a toss up, because that information isn't really very useful for someone like me.

jarrodc

Honestly...the university education wouldn't sway me per se...it would depend on the degree and where. Some online certificate program? Or something official (although I don't really know what would be applicable for a trainer).

As for the body type....ripped wouldn't necessarily sway me. Just because someone knows how to get themselves ripped doesn't mean they know how to do it for other people...particularly, that they know how to do this for "normal" people (I read forums for fitness models and serious lifters....some of those people are obsessed and either have some seriously unhealthy habits, or got ripped with a level of "multiple hours in the gym everyday" dedication that I have no interest in).

So...I see what you're looking for in terms of comparison (book learnin'? or awesome real world results?). But if that's all the information I had, it would be a toss up, because that information isn't really very useful for someone like me.

I think you thought about this question more than I did :P

chefkev

for me, I would rather find a former fatty who made good. They have "been there and done that" so I know they understand what it is like to start from scratch. As opposed to someone who has been in shape their whole life and doesn't understand what it is like to have not been an athelete forever.

Once you are in good shape, then move to a different type of trainer.

BerryH

I think rather than either of those I'd go with one who'd specifically trained in the area I want to improve. No use hiring a body builder if I'm training for a Marathon, for example.

seekingstrengthX2

Well, I alternate between 2 trainers now, depending on what day I go .

One is a woman, no college education, extremely fit, competes in fitness competitions in her spare time. Not bodybuilding, but something like that, where they get up on stage in those tiny bikinis and make their skin all shiny. LOL.

The other is a man, he has an Engineering degree and used to be a Metallurgists before opening his training studio. He's highly intelligent, but not ripped. In fact, he really ought to shed a few pounds. Hee.

I love them both. :-)

jarrodc

Interesting answers, despite not answering the question directly, they still interest me Keep them coming!

jarrodc

Well, I alternate between 2 trainers now, depending on what day I go .

One is a woman, no college education, extremely fit, competes in fitness competitions in her spare time. Not bodybuilding, but something like that, where they get up on stage in those tiny bikinis and make their skin all shiny. LOL.

The other is a man, he has an Engineering degree and used to be a Metallurgists before opening his training studio. He's highly intelligent, but not ripped. In fact, he really ought to shed a few pounds. Hee.

I love them both. :-)

Maybe she's a figure competitor / model?

Lucky you, having 2 trainers! /envy

seekingstrengthX2

Interesting answers, despite not answering the question directly, they still interest me Keep them coming!

To answer your question directly I don't care whether they are ripped or what their education is. They just need to know what they are doing and MOTIVATE me to follow suit.

Cheval13

Eh. I honestly have more respect for educated people which makes me trust them more. Is that poor of me? Possibly, but I have had bad experiences with trainers who knew less than I did about general knowledge and I was not motivated to do the work they expected of me (even if it was for my own good).

Toddrific

The only time I've considered a trainer was to watch my form, so I would want some sort of accreditation. Mark Rippetoe doesn't look nearly as ripped as the guy from T-Nation or the Hodge Twins, but I'd trust him over them.

Plus, ripped without a degree/certification= you'll probably be getting bro-science.

luvnthenewme

I would not choose a trainer based on those facts alone. Really, education and physical fitness are like apples and oranges...aren't they?

Crazyartgrrl

I chose my trainer (just last week actually) based upon the things he said and how he looked. He's not young nor is he fresh out of college with a fancy degree. He has some certifications (I'd love to share them but I know its acronymical and what they mean eludes me, so I didn't commit them to memory.).
I don't think either of your hypotheticals is enough for me. Seem people are ripped because their genetics helps that, not to mention age. But that totally discounts those that have been doing what they've been doing for 20 years, that probably didn't get the fancy college degree, but has so much real experience. That and a person in their late 40's and 50's isn't going to have that same "ripped" physique as someone younger (less experienced) might.
So I guess neither. Give me older, give me in decent solid shape, give me experienced. That's what I spent my money on.

renkath

If that ripped/toned/healthy trainer were a 65-year old man or woman, or a 20-year old man or woman would matter to me. A great deal.

Depends what you are after, doesn't it?

em9371

[/quote]


To answer your question directly I don't care whether they are ripped or what their education is. They just need to know what they are doing and MOTIVATE me to follow suit.
[/quote]

^^^
this. The main thing is that they can motivate you to work out, and know how to do it correctly. Ive seen various instructors over the years, and never been interested in having PT sessions with them, some of the 'officially qualified' ones are absolutely useless and dont look like they have ever set foot in a gym, so if i had to choose i would say experience over qualifications any day.
My PT is an ex dancer still studying for her PT exams, so doesnt have the 'muscly gym body' or qualifications but she is fantastic and i really look forward to my workouts with her :-)

amymaria91

People who are super ripped can sometimes scare me! Lol.

I personally look at how much experience someone has. A degree wouldn't bother me too much cause I've met some people who did a degree but are still extremely thick

renkath

This is a PT who gained on purpose: http://www.fit2fat2fit.com/

dinosnopro

The only time I've considered a trainer was to watch my form, so I would want some sort of accreditation. Mark Rippetoe doesn't look nearly as ripped as the guy from T-Nation or the Hodge Twins, but I'd trust him over them.

Plus, ripped without a degree/certification= you'll probably be getting bro-science.

this is Mark Riptoe in his early days

lhague

I have had several over the years. I like a trainer that is fit and educated. When I say fit I don't mean ripped. I had one like that before and it bothered me that he would always catch himself in the mirror and do a flex, or always point out the other ripped guys and say what they were doing wrong. I had a trainer I used for 2 years straight who was extremely fit and kept up certifications and classes. He was awesome. I never tried one who wasn't fit yet educated because I wouldn't be able to stand the "do as I say and not as I do" Where is the inspiration in that?

Troy67

I agree with chefkev. Anyone who has been where I was and made it all the way to fit is gold in my book.

XFitMojoMom

one that would meet my criteria: background in athletics (degree and certifications), 2) motivating; 3) ready to get sweaty and work with me; 4) inspiring.

chrishgt4

I'd go with ripped all day long.

given those are the only things we are going on, the ripped guy clearly has done it. Whether he knows the scientific reasons behind what he does or not, he has his success right there.

The other guy might know the science behind it but know nothing about putting it into practice.

Would you like to be taught to drive by (hypothetically) a rally driver with no UK licence or by someone who has studied the internal workings of cars and their workings but has never driven as far as you can see?

dad106

The first trainer I had, had a 4 yr college degree(not in fitness or anything) but was an absolute idiot. He was kind of ripped, but it didn't really help much. As I describe it, he's a pretty boy... cared more about looking good and posing in the gym, then he did anything else!

Trainer 2 started college(not fitness related), but didn't finish I don't think. KInd of ripped but not really.. and a really good trainer. I learned a lot from him in only the short time I had with him.

Trainer 3, has a degree in Computer Science, been in the business for 5 years and is going for his second PT certification. He's built but could stand to lose the gut. He's one of the sweetest people I've ever met and really good at motivating. Since he's been in the business for so long, he knows what works and what doesn't.. and always has a dozen alternatives if I don't like something that we are doing.. and to me, that matters more than anything! If I don't like what we are doing, then I won't want to do it.. and he's able to pick up on that instantly and tweak it till I like it.

TrainingWithTonya

Depends on what the personal trainer has studied at university for two years. If they have a degree in art, history, English, engineering, or anything other then a degree in exercise physiology, exercise science, athletic training, or kinesiology, then it is useless for them to have studied for 2 years because it doesn't relate to the gym. If they are working toward an exercise related degree, then that is who I would go with.

Appearance doesn't mean anything when it comes to trainers. Just because they have good genetics that help them have a ripped look or bad genetics that they are working toward overcoming doesn't mean they know how to work with me. The education is much more important.

But remember, my opinion is based in 16 years as a certified personal trainer and as a student who has just completed a bachelors in exercise physiology, so I'm kind of partial to education and not just calling yourself a trainer because you look good.

Cwilliams8676

for me, I would rather find a former fatty who made good. They have "been there and done that" so I know they understand what it is like to start from scratch. As opposed to someone who has been in shape their whole life and doesn't understand what it is like to have not been an athelete forever.

Once you are in good shape, then move to a different type of trainer.

This this is one reason i love listen to Jillian Michaels As a former fatty she gets it more than someone who never was overweight

JoolieW68

I've never used a personal trainer. If I ever did, my first criteria would be their personality - honestly. If I met the person and I felt he/she was a schmuck, no amount of ripped-ness or schooling would make me want to listen to them.

Beyond that..... probably the one in better shape. A degree doesn't mean anything to me.

rml_16

I would actually go with the one with the education who is not ripped. Just because a person has trouble practicing what he or she knows doesn't mean he or she doesn't know it.

A ripped trainer I know is pushing diet pills that he sells on the side. I'd hope an educated but less ripped trainer wouldn't do something like that.

And when I say "education," I mean in the field. I have a degree in English. That doesn't make me qualified as a PT.

nickyfm

I used to have a personal trainer who was incredibly strong, but she didn't exactly look 'ripped'. And I thought she was fab

Did you know if she'd studied?

Yah she had her certificates, and a bazillion degrees. She is also just about to finish her post grad in psych.

mmstgr

For sure the one with the education.