Personal Trainer--need honest feedback

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ValerieMomof2
ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am currently a SAHM and am looking to get back to work in about a year when my youngest starts school and I have a lot of ideas floating around. I was actually certified as a personal trainer about 7 years ago but never pursued it as a career mainly bc I was overweight and didn't think it was a good idea. I have always been passionate about fitness (unfortunately, my diet sucked which is why I was overweight) but have gotten on a better track. I have lost over 20 lbs, am now a size 8 and feel much better. However, I have had 3 major abdominal surgeries that have left my core looking horrendous that nothing will fix other than a tummy tuck which is not happening so when people see me, they don't see someone "fit" in that area. Arms are strong, legs are strong, abs are flabby. I am a runner, do Body Combat, weight training (mainly HIIT or Body Pump) and whatever I feel like at the time (hiking, soccer, dancing...) So question, would you be skeptical about a personal trainer that is slightly overweight or unfit in appearance? And yes, I know I have a year to work on it, but it's all that nasty loose skin :(

Replies

  • atamrowski
    atamrowski Posts: 417 Member
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    I think you can do whatever you want to do, regardless of your appearance. My dentist has crooked teeth and my doctor smokes. But I go to them because of not how they "look" but how they treat me. They are wonderful doctors! I am sure you would make a wonderful trainer. If you possess enough drive and performance, and have your educational credentials to back it up then many of your clients will see that. In fact, you not "looking the part" might make your clients feel more comfortable because you are realistic.

    Sometimes I think it might be intimidating to some of those to reach out the personal trainers that are skinny/ripped because they compare themselves to their appearances and might feel at a disadvantage and can be intimidating.

    So go for it! You've got a year to improve!
  • phoenixgirl81
    phoenixgirl81 Posts: 309 Member
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    Will you be wearing clothes that display your midsection? If not, then they're not going to really see you don't have ripped abs.

    Personally, I would choose a trainer for their knowledge and their attitude, not what they look like. There's a PT at my gym who has (what looks like) a pretty serious beer belly. But MAN does he know his stuff. I also found out that his speciality is working with people recovering from strokes...so his appearance is actually perfect for his target audience. The trainer I've chosen to work with can do chin ups and has specialised in working with women getting back into a good shape after losing weight. Those are the two factors that made me decide I could work with her.
  • bbgughj
    bbgughj Posts: 219 Member
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    I'd say , GO FOR IT !

    There is a personal Trainer for everyone out there!
    People of all ages , shapes and sizes , may be comfortable with someone who doesn't look intimidating to them .. You'll do fine . Just do it...
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,704 Member
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    Trainers don't need to be super fit. The ones that are have physiques that require diets and exercise regimens that the average person will probably never do.

    I consider myself in great shape, but to say a competitive bodybuilder or Crossfit athlete, I'm "soft". But I do know my ****! And that's why I have a good clientele base (with others in the wings waiting for someone to finish so they can train with me) and packed group fitness classes.

    My advice is NOT to join a corporate gym like 24 hour Fitness where you'll be judged more on how you look to attain clients rather than your actual knowledge. While I probably would do good at 24 hour (I worked with them for a year before moving on), I choose now to work at a Wellness Center where we focus more on lifestyle and overall health, then just external looks.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
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    I never wear revealing clothes, but I do wear technical shirts and pants that are snugger (the shirt goes below my waist) and so you can see the outline of my belly. I find it appalling but I wear clothes for function and refuse to workout in big oversized t-shirts LOL
    Thanks for the replies. I would hope that it wouldn't be the case, but I know some people are going to be particular
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
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    Trainers don't need to be super fit. The ones that are have physiques that require diets and exercise regimens that the average person will probably never do.

    I consider myself in great shape, but to say a competitive bodybuilder or Crossfit athlete, I'm "soft". But I do know my ****! And that's why I have a good clientele base (with others in the wings waiting for someone to finish so they can train with me) and packed group fitness classes.

    My advice is NOT to join a corporate gym like 24 hour Fitness where you'll be judged more on how you look to attain clients rather than your actual knowledge. While I probably would do good at 24 hour (I worked with them for a year before moving on), I choose now to work at a Wellness Center where we focus more on lifestyle and overall health, then just external looks.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    This is my concern. I live in a very rural area so the only gyms within 30 miles are the corporate type (Golds Gym is where I go and talked with someone today). All their trainers look like elite athletes so it is intimidating, however the fitness director I talked with actually was the one who said I should get my certification back.
  • territurner908347
    territurner908347 Posts: 30
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    As long as you can show me "how to" do things and teach me, provide the knowledge and motivate, that doesn't matter. And as a Mommy- I have that "mommy bit" myself that no matter how skinny I was after baby, it didn't go away.

    Do what you love and love what you do!
  • mlh150
    mlh150 Posts: 28 Member
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    I would say go for it if it is something you are passionate about. I am a group fitness instructor and while I'm in shape, I have some extra weight still left to lose. I have had several people tell me they like that I look average...it's less intimidating and encouraging to them that they can do it too.
  • Goal_Line
    Goal_Line Posts: 474 Member
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    I live in a very rural area so the only gyms within 30 miles are the corporate type (Golds Gym is where I go and talked with someone today). All their trainers look like elite athletes so it is intimidating

    Sounds like your market place has an unfulfilled niche....
  • cjordan7496
    cjordan7496 Posts: 2
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    I think you can do whatever you want to do, regardless of your appearance. My dentist has crooked teeth and my doctor smokes. But I go to them because of not how they "look" but how they treat me. They are wonderful doctors! I am sure you would make a wonderful trainer. If you possess enough drive and performance, and have your educational credentials to back it up then many of your clients will see that. In fact, you not "looking the part" might make your clients feel more comfortable because you are realistic.

    Sometimes I think it might be intimidating to some of those to reach out the personal trainers that are skinny/ripped because they compare themselves to their appearances and might feel at a disadvantage and can be intimidating.

    So go for it! You've got a year to improve!

    I couldn't have said what I was feeling as a new gym member better
  • notthatthis
    notthatthis Posts: 218
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    "However, I have had 3 major abdominal surgeries that have left my core looking horrendous that nothing will fix other than a tummy tuck which is not happening so when people see me, they don't see someone "fit" in that area"

    I did not know we could see core muscles now, which is why they are so underexercised, like rotator cuff muscles. You mean ABS.
    Please become th sort of PT who differentiates the two - ie VANITY versus Useful
  • MrsJBro
    MrsJBro Posts: 59 Member
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    I am a personal trainer, currently certified through CSEP, and I can empathize with your plight. Our body is our billboard, which is why I use MFP in the first place to track everything so closely. People will judge you based on how you look, but you will be able to dress strategically to help with your stomach. You've had surgeries, that doesn't make you an unfit person. As for your arms, just wear long sleeve black shirts when training, those slim down anyone's arms.
    This profession comes with a lot of pressure to look a certain way, but as long as you look healthy and clearly love what you do, the clients will be there.
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
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    "However, I have had 3 major abdominal surgeries that have left my core looking horrendous that nothing will fix other than a tummy tuck which is not happening so when people see me, they don't see someone "fit" in that area"

    I did not know we could see core muscles now, which is why they are so underexercised, like rotator cuff muscles. You mean ABS.
    Please become th sort of PT who differentiates the two - ie VANITY versus Useful

    Sorry. I didn't mean that you could see it, I didn't write it out fully. I am a horrible example core exercises are very weak--I look horrendous doing them and then I simply look horrendous with the loose skin. I was trying to be brief. But thanks for pointing out my error ;)

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