is it stupid to...if youre overweight?

I think with hard work you would definately tone!

But I think that people can be harsh, and there would be judgements made. If you dont mind then go for it!!

I don't think it's stupid at all! You'd be going to school and learning new things for yourself, too I say go for it! I'm going to do it this fall (i'm finishing up my mt courses now so i need a school break) lol.... but i'm doing it mainly to help myself and my family!

it really depends on who you'd be training. if its someone who's already in great shape and wants to get into even better shape, they probably wouldn't hire you. however, if its someone who is overweight and wants to get into shape, i bet they'd hire someone who has been in their position and knows what works and what doesn't.

Please do not take offense at this. I would not hire a fat person to be my personal trainer. I would expect to have someone that looks like they practice what they preach. Sorry. Just my opinion. Others may feel differently.

I think it also depends what type of gym or workout facility you plan to work in. Some facilities are really image conscience, I think it would be harder to be overweight and work in a facility like that. It also depends on your clientele, if you're training someone who's goal is to lose a lot of weight, you could be a good support. On the other hand, if you're training someone who's already in shape and just wants to take their fitness to the next level, then I they might not completely respect what you tell them. But overall, I think that if you love what you do and are really enthusiastic and supportive of people, that goes a long way! IDK - just my thoughts. Either way, I wish you the best with your weight loss and career goals.

I would hire a man. A HOT MAN haha simply so that I had somethiing to look forward to because personal trainers are HARD on you! which is good.

I say go for it! I took a yoga class from someone who was not a size 2 muscle builder skinny chick, and she showed me how much more "healthy" and "fit" she was than me.

Just because you don't look like a size two doesn't mean that you aren't knowledgeable, and can show someone how to get in a good and healthy work out.

Just make sure you can back up what you preach. thats really the basis of it. You don't have to be your ideal weight to be an expert. And I do think that the fact that you have struggled is a great benefit for you...

Jillian michaels struggled with her weight and look how successful she is!

But aparently there are those who would not hire someone who didn't LOOK fit so be aware of judgements, there will always be judgements. If you are strong and can take it then go for it!

Speaking from experience, I LOVED working with a trainer who has once been overweight! She had lost 80 pounds and was by no means "skinny", but she was fit and new the mental blocks I was going through. She was the best support system I could have asked for. I think it helped me connect with her and she really knew how to connect with me because she understood where I was holding back. So basically, I say go for it! You can really help someone else in a way that someone who has never struggled never could.

i think you're gonna be fabulous!

honestly, there are people who won't work with female trainers, and others who specifically won't work with men. so it's just a matter of finding your niche clientele, which i'm SURE is out there.

good luck and keep up the great work helping to change lives, starting with yours no doubt!

xoxo

Would I hire a personal trainer that had once been overweight and out of shape and was now healthy, lean and toned? Absolutely.

Would I hire a personal trainer that was currently overweight? No.

I personally wouldn't want someone that is clearly still on their fitness journey telling me what to do on mine. I'd want to make sure that whoever I was paying knew how to fully reach their goal, maintain and succeed, because that's what I'd be looking for guidance on.

So if you really want to be a personal trainer, I say follow that dream, but I'd make sure you've become an example if how to do it right first.

They way I see it, I wouldn't go to a hair stylist with bad hair or a dentist with bad teeth either.

I would not hire a financial advisor who was in dept and foreclosure, no matter how good his advise sounded on paper. I wouldn't go to a church where the pastor was an alcoholic wife beater, not matter how great his sermons were. I would not go to driving school from someone with 8 accidents and a DUI on their record, even though they can tell me where to turn and when to brake. I wouldn't have my accounting done done by someone in collection by the IRS. I would not send my kids to school with a teacher who did not pass the 11th grade. I would not get my hair cut and colored by someone who had an awful dye job...

I think it's similar. You need to be able to show that your methods work, that you are serious about it, that you know what you are talking about and not just regurgitating stats and routines from class.

That being said - how long can it actually take to get into really great shape if you put 100% too it. Have you seen the P90X results? In 3-6 months you can be looking fantastic to go along with your new certification. It would take a ton of work, but again, that just goes to strengthen your credibility in your new roll.

You, IMO, would not have to be 2% body fat and ripped, but you should be healthy. Even so much as what you eat and how you live should be along the lines of what you "preach" to your clients. No one wants to hear - I eat McDonalds 3 times a week, but you can't. Etc.

I have an ex-alchoholic nephew. He's now a very good drug & alcohol counsel:happy: lor!

I totally think you should go for it! There are all kinds of trainers for all kinds of people. There are the clients that want the trainer with the perfect body (you can't do anything about that) and there are clients who prefer their trainers to have average bodies. *shrug* I think much of it comes down to personality and rapport-building with clients. If you aren't fun and don't make the sessions interesting, the clients aren't probably going to stick around regardless of your body.

Best of luck to you!

Would you take health advice from a fat doctor??? One who smokes?? Come on people!! I say go for it girl no matter what size you are. I would hire a fat personal trainer who is making an effort to change way faster than a skinny airhead who is more concerned about her bra size than her brain size.

Would you take health advice from a fat doctor??? One who smokes??

Not if he is instructing me on weight loss or successful ways to stop smoking. If his specialty is podiatry, then who cares, but when it's counter to what he is teaching / preaching - yes, it definitely matters.