A question

My only thought would be that if you are targeting yourself to obese/overweight people only, you are disregarding the wider gym population so may struggle with getting enough clients.

I used to have a fat gym instructor, but man she could push you to get a good workout. Some days she attended as client to the class. I was young at the time and did find it funny but respected that she was good at what she did dispite weight.

I once asked a dr about weight management. She wasn't very helpful and I came away feeling worse about myself and the effort I'd made. I don't think she realised how she came across this skinny woman to a fat one. I ended up going backwards shortly after this. And she was quite quick to judge, super surprised to find out I had just completed a 12.5km running event that she herself had a goal to do one day.

I recently saw a nutritionist who was probably slightly overweight. I actually didn't even think about it till later as the advice he gave was constructive and non judgemental. I liked his style.

But if someone was obese, i would probably wonder how good they were really. But assuming I could see they too were making progress I would actually probably find them more relatable.

Anyway I say go for it.

Most of the doctors & nurses who have provided me treatment have been overweight & they performed their jobs well. Besides, you will likely lose the last 40 lbs. anyway.

I would WELCOME it. Because you are a living breathing success story I would probably share more of myself with someone who could relate to what I'm feeling. Especially the self conscious feeling of walking into the gym those first few times.

As a trainer yes because your a success and you know how to do it. I know a lady however who has many certifications in the field along with a college degree in exercise science who is 20-30lbs overweight and I would have a hard time taking her seriously.

Having been to the Dr's office with my wife and having the 100+ pound overweight Dr. telling us that we needed to lose weight seemed very hypocritical.

I think your experience in losing weight would be helpful to anyone that wants to get a PT to lose weight, whether it's 20 lbs or 100+ lbs. The fact that you know the challenges someone faces in losing weight would be very helpful.

The Body Pump Instructor at my gym is overweight, but she's awesome and can handle more weight than most. Some of the male PTs at the gym have taken her class and can't get through the work outs without stopping to take a break. Therefore, if I were to get a PT, I'd pick her any day over the guys who either have too much weight on their bar to get through a workout or can't mentally push themselves to get through the workouts without stopping. She does it while talking and cheering us all on!

I am a personal trainer myself, and i'm currently carrying an extra 10 pounds or so (i'm cutting right now so that shouldn't be an issue much longer). In my experience there is certainly an expectation to be "cut" or as lean as possible as a trainer and my clientele expect that out of me. I think especially women there's a few things they will look for in me and others "toned arms, flat belly/slightly visible abs, round and lifted butt" to name a few.

They look for certain things in me which they hope to achieve for themselves. It's a fine balance of looking "fit" and "lean" without being TOO lean or TOO muscular which can be off-putting to most women who are just starting out.

It's a shame that it is the way it is because I really value people based on their information and knowledge and skill rather than their personal physique, but i think ESPECIALLY for women we are expected to be in prime condition 24/7. I do understand, however, why would someone want to train with me if i can't even train myself or achieve what they hope to achieve? same reason we don't have "average person" models.... we are selling a "dream" we are selling an image that people want to imagine themselves as.


I don't want to get into "sexism" and the like, but i feel like it is a little bit more acceptable for men to be a little overweight or perhaps "past their prime" and still be considered experts in the industry (i'm looking at you mark rippetoe).

I know i've had coaches in gymnastics who were very fit in their day or were bodybuilders, had some sort of injury, etc. and are now "husky" but have still managed to maintain a positive image in this industry. I don't know (please correct me if i'm wrong) and women who've managed to pull that off.


In any case, if it's something you want to do then you should do it. But certainly don't be surprised if you're met with this expectation or negative criticism regarding your own body.


EDIT: P.S. when i say "carrying an extra 10 pounds around" i mean that i am 123lbs and 5'4.