Does a personal trainer have to look in absolute top-shape?

Let's not get carried away

*LMAO* Love you long time.

1. Jillian Micheals is perfectly feminine.

2. If you prefer smaller muscles and/or slightly higher body fat (22% vs. 18%), just say that. It's a preference not a definition of what is feminine and what is not.

3. Yes. You can be a trainer with smaller muscles and 22% body fat.

There is a trainer at my gym who is a woman who is heavier. While I've never trained with her directly, I've observed a spin class she teaches a couple times (while I was running laps), and she substitute taught one of my bootcamp classes. I have no doubt that she is incredibly fit, knowledgeable, and could likely kick my butt at most things from what I've seen. However, if I were meeting her for the first time, I wouldn't know those things... so her appearance would likely make me wonder. I guess what I'm saying is, getting clients after meeting them only once may be a little harder if you don't look like the stereotypical trainer. However, if people get to know you first (through classes or what have you), then they will understand how much know and how hard you can push, and they will likely still want to train with you.

Yes. Just be good at what you do and provide value.

ETA: But maybe work on not isolating women who are muscular by implying that they aren't 'feminine'. A good teacher is empowering.

prediction: thread derails because implication is made that muscles do not = feminine.

Answer to question: no you dont need to be ripped, unless you are trying to cater toward women who want to get ripped.

fit is fine for most people.

you would likely attract people who want to look like you.

I thought I was done with this, but you know what - I'm not.



OP - I would NEVER, EVER, EVER hire a trainer who tried to push what THEY thought was the ideal figure. Which you very obviously would, since you think my ideal is unfeminine.


Grow up.

Someone once thought I was a personal trainer, so I'll go with no.

Let's not get carried away

How fit you look should have nothing to do with it, as "looking fit" comes down to diet, which is not what a trainer is paid to do. essentially what you should look for would be knowledge, referrals, qualifications, personality, etc.

I think the key is to practice what you preach. If what you preach has them enjoying their workout and leaving with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment... then you've nailed it.