Overweight spin instructor

chelso0o
chelso0o Posts: 366 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I was considering getting my spinning instructor certification in November but decided against it because I didn't think that people would want to take a class with an overweight instructor, but now I am considering it again.

Do you guys think that having an overweight instructor (who is capable of doing the workouts.... I do olympic distance triathlons for pete's sake!) would be motivating or the opposite?

Would you take a spin class with an overweight instructor if they were knowledgeable about cycling AND spinning, and were also
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Replies

  • mgmlap
    mgmlap Posts: 1,377 Member
    I think you should do what you want..cause if you are knowledgeable..I don't think people will care...especially if you can kick their butts
  • UpToTheChallenge
    UpToTheChallenge Posts: 247
    I think it is motivating, especially for the men and women who are overweight and worried that they wouldn't be able to do a spin class.

    At the gym I work at, the spin instructors come in all shapes and sizes. I never once look at them and think "wtf. why are they teaching?"

    If anything, my mom who is self-conscious sees an instructor who is not a stick and feels better about her decision to try a class.

    go for it, girl!!
  • Leesseebee
    Leesseebee Posts: 216
    I was thinking the exact same thing (getting my instructors) I teach yoga-but I prefer teaching to kids-for a lot of (pretentious-based) reasons, but I am looking forward to the thoughts on this!
    Thanks for posting it (and I am of the mind that you should go for it)!
  • LilynEdensmom
    LilynEdensmom Posts: 612 Member
    Personally I would rather see a realtable instructor especially one that is healthy and knowledgeable than a fake barbie wanna be.
  • vickyd205
    vickyd205 Posts: 29 Member
    I say GO FOR IT!

    Last week, I went took a Zumba class on a different night with an instructor I'd never seen. I would say she is probably 20-25 lbs overweight. Initially, I was surprised because all of the other instructors are so fit but in the end she was one of the best instructors I've ever had. Her routines were challenging and she just looked like she was having so much fun and her attitude was infectious! Her Wednesday night class is now permanently on my calendar!
  • christinehetz80
    christinehetz80 Posts: 490 Member
    My favorite spin instructors have always been bigger girls. They ARE FIERCE!!!!!! And seriously powerhouses! And my extra weight has kept me back from making career changes that I would love to make in terms of pursuing a career that is more fitness focused. So I completely understand what you are saying, but I can tell you that NOONE would care about your weight in your class...if anything it would be more inspiring.
  • scott091501
    scott091501 Posts: 1,260 Member
    I'll try anyone's class a few times. If you know you're stuff and bring the pain I could care less what you look like to be quite honest.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I might be more likely to take a class if the instructor was overweight, given how overweight I am myself. Someone closer to my body type could probably help me learn to position and pace myself for the optimal workout without hurting myself. Bonus if that instructor has back problems and is close to my age.
  • jjelizalde
    jjelizalde Posts: 377 Member
    I think you should go for it! Haven't you had enough of your weight holding you back? What an inspiration you can be!
  • barefoot76
    barefoot76 Posts: 314 Member
    I think it is motivating, especially for the men and women who are overweight and worried that they wouldn't be able to do a spin class.

    At the gym I work at, the spin instructors come in all shapes and sizes. I never once look at them and think "wtf. why are they teaching?"

    If anything, my mom who is self-conscious sees an instructor who is not a stick and feels better about her decision to try a class.

    go for it, girl!!

    ^^THIS!!!
  • logicman69
    logicman69 Posts: 1,034 Member
    Ever see a skinny basketball coach?

    ;-)
  • janet0513
    janet0513 Posts: 564 Member
    YES! Absolutely. In fact if you can kick butt while being overweight, it would actually encourage me more that I can do it too.
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    I would, hell if you can out perform others being overweight then definitely! I had a friend who was bigger and thicker, she was kinda chunky, but could run like a machine and talk the whole dang time. I say go for it
  • rides4sanity
    rides4sanity Posts: 1,269 Member
    I'll try anyone's class a few times. If you know you're stuff and bring the pain I could care less what you look like to be quite honest.

    Totally this^^^ I have been teaching spin for 5 years(and my weight fluctuates), a kick *kitten* class with a motivating instructor is the key. Most cyclist/spinners will give a newbie a try (even a few tries) before making a judgement. Some of the best classes I've taken were given by a 50 something overweight former racer. He knew his stuff and he knew how to get me to go when I wanted to stop. I learned from one of the best and developed my own style and they leave dripping every time. Go for it, it's ablast!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    weight is not an indication of fitness. weight has a lot more to do with the diet side of the equation then the fitness side.
  • Iris_Jay
    Iris_Jay Posts: 17
    I've taken a spin class with an overweight instructor. They kicked my *kitten*! :S Doesn't matter what your weight is, as long as you can give them a good workout. Also, what is important to me in a class, is how much your voice can motivate me not to give up.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    It would probably make me less intimidated and want to take your class! To be honest, I think with spinning it all depends on how well you can motivate the class. If you're fit enough and can challenge the class, then your size shouldn't even be an issue (because we all know, "skinny" does not necessarily mean "fit"!).

    Also, my favourite yoga instructor is overweight - I've never had a yoga instructor challenge me like she does. Her classes are always packed and I've definitely improved my yoga technique under her guidance. This might sound shallow, but one of the reasons why I originally decided to take her class was because she is overweight - I thought it would be easy! Silly me...looks can be very deceiving! Now I take it because she kicks my *kitten*! (Which, I know, is not what yoga is about...)
  • sillygoose1977
    sillygoose1977 Posts: 2,151 Member
    Go for it! I don't think it matters. I've had skinny and overweight instructors. The good thing about you, is that you are an experienced cyclist, and for me, that is a huge bonus to have in a teacher.
  • rmhand
    rmhand Posts: 1,067 Member
    DO IT! My aerobics instructors new far from their weightloss goals, and they mentioned it! We are all working for the same thing.
  • rcc1988
    rcc1988 Posts: 125 Member
    I've known plenty of people who are technically overweight (even obese) but who are also very athletic and strong. Anyone who'd look at an overweight fitness instructor and decide not to take their class based solely on that is either judgmental and ignorant or is looking for any excuse not to take a hard class!
  • katscoots
    katscoots Posts: 255 Member
    I personally don't consider it one way or the other. if the instructor can do the class and challenge me, then I will return to that class.
  • tara7302011
    tara7302011 Posts: 89 Member
    I think I might actually try a spin class if I wasn't the only overweight person there....Go for it!!
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    I don't think it matters what you weigh if you can do the workout and have the ability to inspire people to do more than they thought they could. If the workout is fun and challenging, people will come back.
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    My favorite personal story. Because it involves me.

    So I'm helping people run to train for 5k and Warrior runs etc... last fall I was told that I was too fat to try to instruct. After all... how can a fat guy possibly run 5k.

    ;)

    Being an endurance runner most of my life... I warm up with 5ks. Even as a fat guy. So yeah. Who the hell cares if they are overweight if they can train you and can do what they are preaching?
  • 00trayn
    00trayn Posts: 1,849 Member
    There's a spin instructor at my gym who is considerably overweight, but he's known for having a butt-kicking workout! Once you go once, you know he's legit and you'll have a good workout with him. That's really all that matters, I don't really care what the instructor of a class looks like, I just want to have fun and work up a sweat.
  • fanceegirl75
    fanceegirl75 Posts: 620 Member
    You would not be the first and certainly not the last. I say go for it. It will be great for you and you never know who you may encourage to jump on board!
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    As long as you have the knowledge you should and can do everything you would be teaching, I say go for it. It seems silly to expect every instructor to be a twig or someone that looks like they run marathons on the highway for fun. Many people would feel more comfortable with someone that's not intimidatingly thin/toned and some would find it unappealing, but at the end of the day so long as you're helping the people you're instructing, that's all that matters.
  • cPT_Helice
    cPT_Helice Posts: 403
    So, I was considering getting my spinning instructor certification in November but decided against it because I didn't think that people would want to take a class with an overweight instructor, but now I am considering it again.

    Do you guys think that having an overweight instructor (who is capable of doing the workouts.... I do olympic distance triathlons for pete's sake!) would be motivating or the opposite?

    Would you take a spin class with an overweight instructor if they were knowledgeable about cycling AND spinning, and were also

    It depends how overweight. 10 pounds or so is fine. If someone is really overweight, I don't think they should be a fitness instructor or a personal trainer. A lot of gyms won't hire overweight instructors. It's like going to a hair stylist with really bad hair. I think it's a good motivator towards getting into better shape and then becoming an instructor.
  • lau444
    lau444 Posts: 120 Member
    I think the general consensus here is: GO FOR IT! You obviously have the stamina to lead a class, so why not? Gyms can be a very intimidating place for overweight people, so seeing you, someone who is heavier and full of endurance, can help a lot of people who otherwise would have never given spinning a try.
  • LaviMc
    LaviMc Posts: 355 Member
    I was also thinking of doing this. And although I'm overweight for now, I wasn't always and I kick *kitten* in the HARDEST of spinning classes. I don't think it would matter if you really know what you're doing. Plus, I hear that the training is so intense that you'll lose weight during the training anyway. Just because you may be a bit overweight, doesn't mean your health is completely in the toilet, because just like there are skinny, out of shape people, there are healthy, overweight people.

    If it's your passion, I say go for it, full speed ahead! And let me know how it turns out. After all, I will be following in your footsteps in the future! :wink:

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