Overweight fitness instructors

I understand the points for both sides. Unfortunately, certain industries, you have to look like the product of your product. I mean, you see those car stickers "Achieve independent financial wealth. ASK ME HOW!" on rusty 15 year old hatchbacks - not sure the driver's nailed it yet. And then there's the "Lose weight the easy way" sticker I saw on an MPV once in a car park - an obese family fell out of it. And the shabby degenerates outside betting shops happy to give you a tip on the horses. It is of course possible that each of those individuals knows the secrets but they don't sell it very well.

My gym is an annex to the local hospital. When I first joined I was a bit appalled by the "thickness" of some of the bodies in there. I have now learned that the vast majority of the heavier (and OLDER) people are not fitness instructors but RN's (cardio rehab), and office workers. However, I was 350 lbs when I joined and I could have probably broken my 99 lb fitness instructor like a matchstick. To me, it felt much more comfortable to be in a gym where not everybody has a super hot body. I about died when one of the water aerobic instructors took off his shirt and joined us in the water. That man had been hiding some serious flab under the shirt, but he is an awesome instructor. I would likely have problems with his weight if I was a hard bodied 21 year old. I was always more impressed that the gym was staffed by "regular people" who were certified but were able to hold jobs in this field. Let the overweight instructors keep their jobs and show us that everybody needs to work out for the hot bodies.

Perhaps we need more of them...An overweight instructor maybe an incentive and more welcoming. And might encourage folks who are intimidated to go to the gym more often.

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.

Yes. I agree. It does not make any sense.

All those models I see in catalogs must know lots about health and fitness.

Life is so much easier when we can judge a person's value and knowledge based solely on their appearance.

The female instructors for the classes at my gym are all overweight (some more than others); and all lift less weight than I do. I'm not saying that maybe they don't have some knowledge that I don't have...but for me, I don't see the point in taking these classes if I weigh less and lift more than the instructors.

That is a bad reason to skip a class you would otherwise take if they were stronger. I lift 2 to 3 times as much as my body pump and grit instructors do in class, but they still push me and I get an incredible workout every time I go, its not like they have to outdo you in order to motivate. They are a lot smaller people and cannot be expected to lift as much as I do. Everybody is at different levels in their fitness and fitness instructors and trainers often are just average people like you and me except they have a little more specific training and are certified.

Perhaps the instructors are pacing themselves because they teach more than one class

I am confused by this thread. I am in the obese category and my physical fitness is better than some "skinny" people I know. I don't really see what size has to do with fitness or knowledge about fitness. There is all this talk about size having to do with how much you eat, not how much exercise you do. You can't "out exercise over eating" and all that. If you are taking nutrition advice - that is a different story, but fitness instruction? I just don't understand.

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...

Well now it seems like you've quite contradicted yourself. You state that you want someone who is experienced and who can teach you correctly how to do something. What if the slightly overweight instructor has a ton of experience and is very knowledgeable in what they are doing? What if the instructor was on the thin side with no muscles but again, had knowledge and knew what they were talking about? Would you still not go to them based purely on looks?

On the flip side a person who is super buff and "looks the part" could have zero knowledge on what to do. Believe me I know instructors who are fit that know squat about what they are teaching.

So really, you can't judge a book by its cover.

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?

To me, yes. Being experienced means doing it often. I'm not gunna assume an overweight person does cycling classes regularly, nor an incredibly frail person. I'm not going to learn my correct yoga form from someone who can't do it themselves. You wanted opinion. You got one.
I'm gonna learn yoga from some I think could, ya know, DO yoga. That doesn't mean someone fat, or scrawny or with tons of glamour muscles. Someone with a yogi body is the only one I personally trust to teach me that exercise. Period.

Wouldn't motivate me to see them at the front of the class. If they're so d*mn experienced, why are they large? And I'm not talking 20lbs over ideal. I'm talking actual overweight category. Sorry, I just couldn't trust it.

Seriously disappointed in some of the attitudes displayed in this thread. Seriously disappointed...

You don't know where that person is in their fitness journey. The instructor may appear obese/overweight, but in fact has already lost 50-100lbs. Judge the class based on how it makes you change; not the instructor's physical appearance. The best yoga class I went to was taught by what people would consider an overweight instructor; she was rockin' awesome! I improved my strength and flexibility. Despite the overweight/obese outer appearance, they are still there working out just like you instead of sitting on the couch. Kudos to them for being brave to show their imperfections.

My personal trainer is amazing and she isn't a ripped stick. I love that about her. I love that she has a body that I can realistically look at and be like 'I want that.' Because I'm never going to be this "perfect physique" that a lot of people here are wanting in their class leaders/trainers.

This thread makes me sad, honestly.

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...

Well now it seems like you've quite contradicted yourself. You state that you want someone who is experienced and who can teach you correctly how to do something. What if the slightly overweight instructor has a ton of experience and is very knowledgeable in what they are doing? What if the instructor was on the thin side with no muscles but again, had knowledge and knew what they were talking about? Would you still not go to them based purely on looks?

On the flip side a person who is super buff and "looks the part" could have zero knowledge on what to do. Believe me I know instructors who are fit that know squat about what they are teaching.

So really, you can't judge a book by its cover.

I'm trying to see it your way. Really, excellent points. But be it shallow or naive; I still think it would deter me. I just want someone who looks as capable as they are. Horrible, I know.


I have yet to read the boxing page... Maybe it will convince me.

I would have negative thoughts about them. I would have doubts that they know what they are doing.

But be it shallow or naive; I still think it would deter me. I just want someone who looks as capable as they are. Horrible, I know.

I don't think you're alone here.

I suspect the majority of people out there probably share the same view egged on by a "fitness" (and I use that term in a very loose way) industry which exploits these assumptions /prejudices to sell programmes, supplements and other useless paraphernalia.