Chubby Trainers & Nutrionists

I understand where you're coming from when you say that physical appearance is particularly important in some lines of work, such as the health/fitness industry. However, I'm more concerned with a person's KNOWLEDGE of said industry more than whether or not they choose to apply it to their own lives. Just because a health/fitness professional appears not to be physically fit, that doesn't mean they don't know HOW to get fit. I may be a little leary because of their appearance, but, more often than not, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I will admit, though, sometimes it does take a conscious effort not to jump to conclusions based on somebody's appearance.

Weight is not an indicator of health.

You can be heavier AND in better shape then people who weigh significantly less than you do.

Thinness and hardness are not an accurate measure of how healthy/active a person is.

I think it is important for nutritionists and personal trainers to be healthy and active, of course. But I've seen amazing fitness instructors who have "chubby" bodies, and I've seen hardbodied and skinny personal trainers who are completely useless at their job.

The problem is one of perception of health, and the way the (American) media portrays health.
/rant

No. not really bothered.
I remember back when I took a nutrition class in college and had two instructors. One, thin and had previous eating disorder issues (she admitted). The other a little heavy. Who knows what path led her to that job, but she still knew her stuff. I still learned a lot from her.
So, there's also a difference between a trainer and nutritionist.

I've had a trainer who was heavy and I think it was because he'd put on the pounds after years of football, so he naturally looked bigger. My current trainer is female, less than 30 years old and weighs about 140 pounds. Shrug. I had no clue *what* she would look like, I only knew her credetials in writing.

oh I am so sorry about my terrible typing! The smiley is in the wrong place too, can you tell I am new at posting,, its a little scary to be honest!

For me it makes me question their ability. I mean I am relying on them to help ME be the best I can be and if they aren't at their best how can they help me. I had a nutritionist that was on the chubbier side a while ago and she was the one that brought up why... turns out she had just had a baby and was in the midst of losing her baby weight - so I forgave her gave her a shot. But in general I have a hard time listening to someone tell me what to do when they don't appear to follow the same thing.

I feel the same about Dr's though. I had an extremely over weight Dr. tell me I was fat and that I needed to lose weight (something I was working on at the time) and I looked at him and said "Yup, as soon as you do." he didn't know how to answer me.

I could not agree more! It's a profession where image is everything. Most personal trainers have to "sell themselves", and it would be tough to do that when you don't look fit. I had a trainer approach me at the gym asking me what my goal was. I really didn't realize she was a trainer - I thought she was a fellow (chubby) member looking for a work-out buddy. I almost asked her what her goal was until I saw her name tag. I certainly wasn't in any position to pay someone who looks worse than me (and I am admittedly in terrible shape and quite chubby myself) to tell me how to look "better". I already know how to look like THAT, I'm living it. It's an industry where you need to lead by example. So, I'm sure I will also get beat up for my comments, but I am a "chubby" person myself, and I also would expect a "fitness professional" to actually be "fit" and walk-the-walk.

My initial knee jerk reaction agrees with you. I would never higher a personal trainer that looks like my "before" photo (when I was 235). As for a nutritionist who looks unhealthy, if they appear "chuuby" I hope it's because they are in the process of losing weight and perhaps havent hit their goal weight.

If the trainer/nutritionist is male and overweight, then I would only work with that person if they are in the process of returning to their normal weight (they could have recently recovered from an injury that prevented him from working out for 5-8 months). Perhaps he is finishing his bulking cycle and will soon be cutting? If female, I would subtly find out if they recently had children (within the last year or two).

I wouldn't hire a trainer/nutritionist who doesn't practice what they preach. I also wouldn't visit a doctor who smokes. Working with a trainer is about trust and finding one that is the right fit. If that trainer isn't the right fit, there are plenty of other trainers to choose from. In the end, it's your money. Spend it on a person who you trust.

Logically, sure, I know a trainer could be overweight and still have just as much (or more) experience in the field than one who was in shape, as their own habits have no direct link to the lessons they've learned. But... I'd still pass. On some level, it would be annoying to have someone in worse shape than me telling me how to get in shape.