Overweight fitness instructors
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I've had several heavy bellydance dance teachers who were truly gifted dancers and had more endurance and cardio fitness than most of their slender students, and a friend who's on the plump side who climbs mountains and does triathalons. So yeah, I'd give a heavy instructor a chance. You can be "fit" in some ways and still heavy.
^^ This.
The Level 3 bellydance instructor I went to was heavier than I was at the time, but unlike me, she could put her forehead to her knees during the warmup stretches. And after 30 minutes of me wheezing through choreography, she hadn't even broken a sweat.0 -
This is great!This thread is pretty discouraging. I'm getting ready to start studying for my ACE test (personal training) and I'm currently still overweight. However, I was once 80 lbs heavier, I've committed to a healthier lifestyle and my habits and coping skills are BY FAR better than they were 5 years ago. I've run a marathon, 4 half marathons and I can lift.
It makes me really sad that I feel like I'd have to give my entire history in order for someone to give me a chance. I'm human just like everyone else. I'm not perfect. I deal with binge and emotional eating and depression. If anything, I think it makes be BETTER equipped to work with certain types of people. I believe in people feeling strong and capable -- no matter where they are starting.
Don't get discouraged. I go to a turbo kick class and my instructor is overweight and she shares her weight loss journey with the class. She keeps us informed on her progress, whether she losing or not, and encourages us to stay focused and look to her class for inspiration. We all love her for it. I was skeptical at first, but the class and her instructions are helping me get in shape even though she may not be losing as quickly as she would like to but she's still inspiring because she's trying and sharing her story.0 -
I've never been to a instructor led class where the instructor was overweight or obese. I would think that would turn off people to coming to take that particular work out. I wouldn't necessarily not go to the class if the instructor was still good at teaching the class. I once had a zumba instructor that continued to teach classes while she was pregnant but the intensity of the workouts continued to be the same up until she went on leave.0
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Kinda like going to a dentist that has bad teeth? Maybe like asking a fat doctor about weight loss?
You live in a town with two dentists.
One has good teeth, the other has bad teeth. Which one do you go to?
The one with the bad teeth because clearly the one with the good teeth is a crappy dentist.
Think about it. There are only two dentists in the town. The one with the bad teeth is doing all the work on the one with the good teeth (and he can't work on his own, obviously). The one with the good teeth is doing the work on the one with the bad teeth (and obviously not an acceptable job).
The one with the bad teeth is clearly the better dentist.0 -
I totally agree. Some would say that's discrimination but I can't help it. It'd be like me going into my local hooters and applying for a waitress position. I have huuge boobs. Alas, I am 80-90 lbs overweight and would look hideous in their outfits. I do have over 15 years experience serving. So I can imagine if I went in there & cried discrimination because I'm qualified but they won't hire me.Ridiculous!Personally, it says to me that the trainers can't even get fit with their workouts. How do they expect participants to get fit? Nope, no overweight trainers.0 -
I totally agree. Some would say that's discrimination but I can't help it. It'd be like me going into my local hooters and applying for a waitress position. I have huuge boobs. Alas, I am 80-90 lbs overweight and would look hideous in their outfits. I do have over 15 years experience serving. So I can imagine if I went in there & cried discrimination because I'm qualified but they won't hire me.Ridiculous!Personally, it says to me that the trainers can't even get fit with their workouts. How do they expect participants to get fit? Nope, no overweight trainers.
Not even close, the comparison is what's ridiculous.
Your fallacy is predicated on the sole concept that they only aspect of service is image. Because you're claiming that the only aspect of training is image.0 -
I don't care what the instructor looks like as long as they can demonstrate what they are teaching and they are engaged in teaching it. I've been to way too many classes where the instructors aren't interested at all and actually seem bored teaching. I go to a core workout class sometimes where the very fit-looking instructor doesn't do anything more than stand there with a stopwatch and tell us when to switch exercises. I go to another core class where the instructor is overweight, but he does everything with the class and I find his classes way more motivating and enjoyable.0
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This would be my choice. Not necessarily someone who is ripped or model material.(not that there's anything wrong with that either) Someone who has been overweight and is close to goal now would be my inspiration. I'd be like show me exactly what you did! (yes diet is first I get that. Still think I would look to them as a role model)If mildly overweight, but physically fit (endurance etc.) - yes.
If “morbidly obese” – no.
My choice would be someone that was once overweight and out of shape, but has lost the weight etc. and kept it off for 2 years or more. That I personally think is inspirational.0 -
I totally agree. Some would say that's discrimination but I can't help it. It'd be like me going into my local hooters and applying for a waitress position. I have huuge boobs. Alas, I am 80-90 lbs overweight and would look hideous in their outfits. I do have over 15 years experience serving. So I can imagine if I went in there & cried discrimination because I'm qualified but they won't hire me.Ridiculous!Personally, it says to me that the trainers can't even get fit with their workouts. How do they expect participants to get fit? Nope, no overweight trainers.
Who says they aren't fit...perhaps they could "exercise" you into the ground.
Exercise isn't for weight loss it's for heatlh and fitness. Calorie deficit is for weight loss.
You have no idea how fit they are or their story.
When I did zumba my instructor was heavier...but she kicked our butts...she had gained weight after a horrific accident and was finally recovered from it but had gained weight...
as for weight lifting trainers friggen right I would...are you telling me you wouldn't go to Arnold for weight training advice...paleeeeze. SMH0 -
You would be the perfect trainer to inspire me!This thread is pretty discouraging. I'm getting ready to start studying for my ACE test (personal training) and I'm currently still overweight. However, I was once 80 lbs heavier, I've committed to a healthier lifestyle and my habits and coping skills are BY FAR better than they were 5 years ago. I've run a marathon, 4 half marathons and I can lift.
It makes me really sad that I feel like I'd have to give my entire history in order for someone to give me a chance. I'm human just like everyone else. I'm not perfect. I deal with binge and emotional eating and depression. If anything, I think it makes be BETTER equipped to work with certain types of people. I believe in people feeling strong and capable -- no matter where they are starting.0 -
It wouldn't bother me. What makes a good group fitness instructor is someone who takes the time to properly prepare the material by thinking about the movements and intensity, has their cues prepped, motivates the class, and shows modifications for people who want to ease up on their workout or increase the intensity. Some are great at it, and others just plain suck, and both groups come in all shapes and sizes.
The other part of a group fitness class is that it is up to the individual to decide how much effort they are going to put forth during the class. You're the one who decides how much resistance to put on the bike, how many moves you want to make high impact, or how far into a pose you want to go. If you find yourself putting forth more effort for a "fitter" instructor because that person's body motivates you, then the problem isn't necessarily with the overweight instructor. You just need to find something within yourself that motivates you to work hard no matter what the person teaching looks like.0 -
as for weight lifting trainers friggen right I would...are you telling me you wouldn't go to Arnold for weight training advice...paleeeeze. SMH
I totally agree. Some would say that's discrimination but I can't help it. It'd be like me going into my local hooters and applying for a waitress position. I have huuge boobs. Alas, I am 80-90 lbs overweight and would look hideous in their outfits. I do have over 15 years experience serving. So I can imagine if I went in there & cried discrimination because I'm qualified but they won't hire me.Ridiculous!Personally, it says to me that the trainers can't even get fit with their workouts. How do they expect participants to get fit? Nope, no overweight trainers.
Sure, Arnold is an icon. He's a self-made man in the truest sense of the word, and it all started with his dedication to becoming a physical marvel, which was just the beginning of what his motivation could accomplish.
Everyone knows Arnold.
But if some old guy walked into my gym, looking like Arnie does now, and started giving me advice, I may be a bit incredulous.
I guess this is why we should ask for resumes when we're looking for workout instructors.
Otherwise, don't cry foul when someone rightfully assumes your body is a reflection of your abilities (which is clearly the case the majority of the time, no matter how PC society becomes).0 -
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Even just the title on this thread makes me laugh. Therefore, yeah, I'd avoid that class. When I think about why; I'd rather have somebody that I could see being EXPERIENCED in that type of exercise to TEACH me how to correctly do it.
I feel like the term "overweight fitness instructor" is quite an oxymoron...0 -
I took a pilates class years ago, and that class helped me lose 30 pounds that summer (in addition to diet and bicycling) and for the first time in my life I felt STRONG. The first day of class I walked in and looked at my overweight instructor, and thought, "No way she's going to be able to help me," but she had a really great understanding of how muscle groups work together, and how posture and motion contributes to strength training, and her class DID really help me.
So maybe she had another reason she was overweight, or maybe she didn't really do her own workout much, but she did know what she was doing, and was therefore able to teach it.
So yeah, I wouldn't expect a fitness instructor to have nothing to teach me based on what they look like themselves.
Also, somewhat related, once I had a really old yoga teacher, and with him, too, at first I thought I couldn't learn from him--but then I realized that if he was seventy and still doing yoga, he was probably EXACTLY the person I wanted to learn from.0 -
I know a girl named Christi who used to be a personal trainer. She was good at it too and had a lot of clients. However, her boyfriend (at the time) had a motorcycle. She was riding on the back, he popped a wheelie, and threw her off the back at 45 mph. She suffered injuries (mainly back) that prevented her from being able to keep her fitness level up and did eventually start putting on weight. People judged her on her weight and she had to go back to school to become a dietitian because she could no longer support herself as a personal trainer.0
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For all we know those overweight trainers may have been obese and have lost weight and still working on it and became instructors to help them get there.1
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As much as I hate the Patriots, Bill Belichick never played a down of football in the NFL but is a future hall of famer.
I guess players should not take advice from him.
If the instructor possesses the skill to help clients reach a goal, does it really matter?0 -
Even just the title on this thread makes me laugh. Therefore, yeah, I'd avoid that class. When I think about why; I'd rather have somebody that I could see being EXPERIENCED in that type of exercise to TEACH me how to correctly do it.
I feel like the term "overweight fitness instructor" is quite an oxymoron...
Your logic makes zero sense.
Being overweight automatically means that they are not experienced?0 -
I'm really not sure what I'd think. It has never happened to me yet, as all the trainers and instructors at my gym are super fit and ripped. So it's hard to give an honest answer without really being in the situation I guess.0
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I had an obese fitness instructor who was excellent at pushing me, teaching me proper form, and -- very important -- teaching me how to do the classes so I wouldn't hurt myself because I, too, was overweight. She was a goldmine of information and she never let me off easy. Plus, she knew what it was like to be overweight so she was extremely compassionate. I loved her.0
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This.As much as I hate the Patriots, Bill Belichick never played a down of football in the NFL but is a future hall of famer.
I guess players should not take advice from him.
If the instructor possesses the skill to help clients reach a goal, does it really matter?
Someone's size says very little, if anything, about their skill set in the type of exercise in question. Like another poster said previously, you build your body at the gym and you lose weight in the kitchen. So being overweight doesn't mean they don't know how to exercise. When taking classes, I don't care about size or other shallow concerns, I care if the instructor is knowledgeable, if the class is fun, and if I can progress in my fitness goals. I fail to see where weight matters here.0 -
Fitness instructors are selling a product, if the package to the product is unattractive then nobody is going to want to purchase the product. I don't care how they can "bring it".0
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I think if I was to go to a class now and the instructor was bigger, I'd actually feel a little reassured, because I'm big and out of shape and I'd feel less.... less?
But I can understand that if I was fit and a healthy weight and an instructor was bigger, it may give me some uncertainty.0 -
Makes no difference to me. The following do:
1. Do they have a personality.
2. Are they hard.
3. Are they fun.
I don't judge anybody, instructor or not, on body size.0 -
I "teach" a Zumba class now and then and I'm a good 30 pounds over my goal weight. I also have lost over 40 and kept it off for about 6 years. I live in a teeny town and my class is offered for free through the school district's Adult Education program. There is no one coming to my class that expects to see a stick girl teaching my class. We are all just there to shake our hineys and have some fun.
BUT, if I had to charge for my class or depend on teaching for my income, I would definitely feel the pressure to be in better shape and at a smaller size. "For fun" and "for pay" are big differences. I am paying my $30/mth for my Zumba membership and choreo DVDs and I would probably feel a little ripped off if the instructors on my videos were lardbutts and not dancing at full-on intensity.
To each their own.
I'm sad that someone who lost 40 lbs would call another another overweight person a lardbutt. I'm about at the half-weight mark (230 lbs vs. 117.5 lbs) and when I first started losing weight made a very conscious decision to never forget.0 -
I'd prefer a trainer who was at least as fit as I am, depending on their specialty and what I'm training for. I'm not really motivated to follow someone who appears to be going in the opposite direction from where I want to end up. I'm looking for a mentor or role model. If your career is fitness, I tend to feel that having a fit physique appears more professional.
I felt the same way about a doctor I once saw. He was very obese and came in smelling like an old cigarette butt. He was short of breath and looked like death warmed over. It didn't inspire confidence. I see quite a few overweight and even obese cops and firefighters, too. It makes me wonder whether they're up for the job. Imagine if our military members were out of shape. I do realize that not everyone who is overweight is out of shape, but the majority seem to be. Now perhaps I'm a judgmental person, but I can't help my first impressions. :ohwell:
I DO feel that there is a place for overweight fitness instructors. Some may be transitioning to a healthier lifestyle and that's cool. They also might tend to be more motivational for other overweight people who might relate better or feel more comfortable with them. Everyone has to pick the trainer that's right for them. :flowerforyou:0 -
Weight can be a bit deceptive to the untrained eye. Especially if clothing is loose. For instance my husband is 6 foot tall and 225lb, when his body fat is over 15% he loses a lot of definition and looks more 'cuddly' (which I love btw) rather than ripped. The number of doctors who have given him a bashing because his BMI is over 30 so he is technically obese, when in reality he could bench press the doctor without breaking sweat. I don't think the entire time we've been together his BF has been higher than about 18%, he's hardly a health risk!
So if we are talking about really fit people with a slight layer of padding which just covers some muscle definition, then no, it wouldn't put me off at all. My husband isn't a PT but I'd be more than happy if I turned up and saw someone with the same 'obese' physique whether they are male or female. If we are talking PT's who are out of breath by just getting out of a chair, walking up a flight of stairs or watching me workout, then yes, that would massively put me off. I would tend to think if what they are telling me is so straightforward and achievable why aren't they applying it themselves, although if i'd turned up to something I'd be too polite not to complete the class or session, so they would at least get a chance.
The only exception to that would be if I knew of a situation which impacts size such pregnancy, having recently had a baby, or being laid up with an injury, but even then we are talking a reasonable amount of weight gain for the situation and not body fat levels through the roof.0 -
It really depends on the class and person, I think. For example, I've known relatively heavy men who were amazing martial artists and could perform moves much younger and thinner men couldn't. On the other hand, I've known heavier men who were out of practice and couldn't correctly perform even simple moves. While the instructor's weight wouldn't stop me from trying a class, if I found the class to be lacking due to it, then yes, I would drop.
My theory is that there's probably a good reason they were hired to teach, and you never know what you might be missing when you refuse to learn from someone based on shallow observations.0 -
It would depend on what I was getting out of the class. Is the instructor motivating me, making it a great experience that makes me want to come back? Or is this person sitting on a bench most of time, drinking water and out of breath because they walked across the room?0
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