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What are your unpopular opinions about health / fitness?

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Replies

  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Trainer's should be in shape. Having CPT after your name proves nothing. I've seen trainers that have credentials but are obese and have their clients do the most ridiculous exercises.

    I don't think that it is essential to be in shape if a PT has a track record of satisfied clients, high-level experiences (celebrity trainer/high school, college, pro athletic trainer, etc.), and/or some sort of injury/medical condition that impedes their own training. Otherwise, if the person is a 20-40 something year-old PT hustling business at the local gym, I would find it unsettling if he/she doesn't give the appearance that they actually follow their own advice and that their program results in a high level of fitness.

    I think you're essentially agreeing with me...? I wouldn't care if they weren't in tip-top shape, but they should be at least average. I said "in shape" not shredded or anything like that.

    I am agreeing with you, just with the few qualifiers in the first sentence of my post above:)

    To look at it from a different angle: lets say a PT approached me at my gym who just received his/her certification 6 months ago and without any other sort of qualifications - if that person is in amazing shape I may still consider him/her. If another person with the same limited PT experience approached me but didn't appear to be fit, I doubt that I would pay that person to train me.

    I personally would take on anyone with good reviews for a trial run regardless. If I'm presented with two trainers with roughly equal reviews and results, I'll take the cheaper one for a trial run then switch to the other if I don't click with the first one. If they both charge the same I'll take the one that I feel would be easier to communicate with. I understand why people would pick based on looks and it's a valid point of view, it's just that my brain doesn't operate that way having experienced being morbidly obese and knowing what I am capable of.

    I don't even need someone to "demonstrate" good form. Correcting my form and easily applicable form tips then are much more important to me than demonstrations. There is a disconnect between the what I see and what my body does when I'm new to something. I'm not kidding, the kind of disconnect I personally have is extreme. I'm so clumsy and awkward I may think I'm doing exactly what I "saw" but I end up looking like one of those "what I think I look like/what I actually look like" memes, it's not even funny (it actually is funny, and I laugh a lot at myself when I start something new that involves movement and record myself).

    Ok, I can agree with you on this but we're getting away from my original point a little. I just think a PT SHOULD be in shape. Can an overweight PT be a great one? Sure. Do credentials or nifty letters after your name qualify you? Nope.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Trainer's should be in shape. Having CPT after your name proves nothing. I've seen trainers that have credentials but are obese and have their clients do the most ridiculous exercises.

    If Mark Rippetoe wants to train me...I am not saying float buddy you aren't in good enough shape...

    I do however agree that CPT means about as much as the paper it's written on...
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Trainer's should be in shape. Having CPT after your name proves nothing. I've seen trainers that have credentials but are obese and have their clients do the most ridiculous exercises.

    I don't think that it is essential to be in shape if a PT has a track record of satisfied clients, high-level experiences (celebrity trainer/high school, college, pro athletic trainer, etc.), and/or some sort of injury/medical condition that impedes their own training. Otherwise, if the person is a 20-40 something year-old PT hustling business at the local gym, I would find it unsettling if he/she doesn't give the appearance that they actually follow their own advice and that their program results in a high level of fitness.

    I think you're essentially agreeing with me...? I wouldn't care if they weren't in tip-top shape, but they should be at least average. I said "in shape" not shredded or anything like that.

    I am agreeing with you, just with the few qualifiers in the first sentence of my post above:)

    To look at it from a different angle: lets say a PT approached me at my gym who just received his/her certification 6 months ago and without any other sort of qualifications - if that person is in amazing shape I may still consider him/her. If another person with the same limited PT experience approached me but didn't appear to be fit, I doubt that I would pay that person to train me.

    I personally would take on anyone with good reviews for a trial run regardless. If I'm presented with two trainers with roughly equal reviews and results, I'll take the cheaper one for a trial run then switch to the other if I don't click with the first one. If they both charge the same I'll take the one that I feel would be easier to communicate with. I understand why people would pick based on looks and it's a valid point of view, it's just that my brain doesn't operate that way having experienced being morbidly obese and knowing what I am capable of.

    I don't even need someone to "demonstrate" good form. Correcting my form and easily applicable form tips then are much more important to me than demonstrations. There is a disconnect between the what I see and what my body does when I'm new to something. I'm not kidding, the kind of disconnect I personally have is extreme. I'm so clumsy and awkward I may think I'm doing exactly what I "saw" but I end up looking like one of those "what I think I look like/what I actually look like" memes, it's not even funny (it actually is funny, and I laugh a lot at myself when I start something new that involves movement and record myself).

    Ok, I can agree with you on this but we're getting away from my original point a little. I just think a PT SHOULD be in shape. Can an overweight PT be a great one? Sure. Do credentials or nifty letters after your name qualify you? Nope.

    In my book, a PT SHOULD know how to train to be a good one. Looks, credentials and nifty letters carry little importance to the fact, at least to me.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,009 Member
    I think being in shape is good for the PT's business, but it is not a requirement to be a top notch trainer. I'd like to think I would look past the physical appearance and see what's under the hood. Don't judge a book by it's cover...
  • jseams1234
    jseams1234 Posts: 1,219 Member
    Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance? ;)

    kd6pjbftxs1w.jpeg
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Trainer's should be in shape. Having CPT after your name proves nothing. I've seen trainers that have credentials but are obese and have their clients do the most ridiculous exercises.

    If Mark Rippetoe wants to train me...I am not saying float buddy you aren't in good enough shape...

    I do however agree that CPT means about as much as the paper it's written on...

    Of course! I'm talking about your local gym PT, not a former powerlifter and respected strength coach.
  • magster4isu
    magster4isu Posts: 632 Member
    100% inferior to German Stollen.

    slider_01.jpg

    Agreed. I make at least 4 loaves of Dutch Stollen (basically the same thing) every Christmas.
  • jseams1234 wrote: »
    Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance? ;)

    kd6pjbftxs1w.jpeg

    You're god damn right I would. And pay a *kitten* load of money for his damn accreditation.
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    jseams1234 wrote: »
    Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance? ;)

    kd6pjbftxs1w.jpeg

    Getting away from my point but let's play this out... Since I'm referring to CPT's, if I can hire him for $30/hr at my local Retro Fitness, based on his looks, no. Knowing who he is and his accomplishments, I don't care if he has ZERO certifications.

    Back to my points. 1. a CPT should be in shape and 2., certifications mean nothing. In the example given here, I doubt he considers himself a CPT and you'd hire him whether he's certified or not.
  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    jseams1234 wrote: »
    Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance? ;)

    kd6pjbftxs1w.jpeg

    I don't think that the argument is that out-of-shape trainers can't be effective trainers




  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    jseams1234 wrote: »
    Would you allow this guy to train you based on his appearance? ;)


    I don't think that the argument is that out-of-shape trainers can't be effective trainers




    Thank you lol.
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    edited December 2017
    heytimsla wrote: »
    I don't trust my optometrist unless they're wearing glasses.

    Would you trust a blind optometrist? Or one that needs glasses but forgot them? That's what your analogy should have been. If they don't need glasses (in shape), they can see. If they need and have glasses (formerly out of shape or even currently but working on it), they can still see. If they need, but don't have...well, I sure as heck ain't letting them near my eyes. But you do you.
  • How am I supposed to trust a person to give me glasses if he doesn't have glasses. How am I gonna get muscles if the trainer doesn't have muscles.

    Also blind optometrist doesn't sound out of the realm of possibilities for 2017; are you being visionist. He identifies as a not blind man. Haha
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    heytimsla wrote: »
    How am I supposed to trust a person to give me glasses if he doesn't have glasses. How am I gonna get muscles if the trainer doesn't have muscles.

    Also blind optometrist doesn't sound out of the realm of possibilities for 2017; are you being visionist. He identifies as a not blind man. Haha

    I don't care if the trainer is jacked...people keep redefining what my point was. I said they should be in shape. That could be 30% bodyfat powerlifter, lean lightweight runner, average build, shredded bodybuilder, whatever. That being said, would you not doubt that a trainer that had no muscle might struggle to help you build it? I believe there can be a disconnect (not always!) between knowledge and the practical application of it. And, if you aren't an example, how do I know you know how to guide me through the practical application? I'm talking about the general rule and everyone seems more interested in throwing obscure exceptions for the sake of arguing. Which I'm fine with...otherwise it wouldn't be an unpopular opinion.

    Whatever. People can go get their eyes checked at a blind optometrist, get singing lessons from a mute, learn to play piano from a guitar teacher, hire a broke financial advisor and work with an obese dietitian.
  • i4h27aqaq91o.jpg

    How much do you trust the Belgium Minister of Health.

    Also I think you're missing the sarcasm
  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    heytimsla wrote: »
    I don't trust my optometrist unless they're wearing glasses.

    If I walked into an optometrists office and he was wearing a pair of ill-fitting glasses and said "I prescribed and created these myself!" and then promptly walked into a wall, I would probably question whether he was competent.
  • All good my dude. I think her real reason is to tell people not to eat junk food so she can have it for herself.
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    heytimsla wrote: »
    I don't trust my optometrist unless they're wearing glasses.

    If I walked into an optometrists office and he was wearing a pair of ill-fitting glasses and said "I prescribed and created these myself!" and then promptly walked into a wall, I would probably question whether he was competent.

    Bingo!
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    edited December 2017
    Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to and if it doesn't affect their ability to train) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.
  • Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.

    Are you .....amused
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    heytimsla wrote: »
    All good my dude. I think her real reason is to tell people not to eat junk food so she can have it for herself.

    Aaaaaaahahaha!!!
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    edited December 2017
    Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to and if it doesn't affect their ability to train) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.

    My opinion: A PT SHOULD be in shape. Being out of shape CAN affect their ability to train. Not once did I say a PT has to be in shape or they're incapable.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    heytimsla wrote: »
    Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.

    Are you .....amused

    I am actually. I'm more amused than insulting by fat shaming. I wonder why it happens and what mechanisms drive it.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to and if it doesn't affect their ability to train) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.

    My opinion: A PT SHOULD be in shape. Being out of shape CAN affect their ability to train. Not once did I say a PT has to be in shape or they're incapable.

    There is a big difference between "can" and "will". Many things can affect ability to train including things completely unrelated to fitness. I would rather go for "a good PT is one who knows how to train" rather than single out one single factor that may or may not be relevant.
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Yep. This has taken a weird turn. From "a PT must be in shape" (I still think they don't have to if they don't want to and if it doesn't affect their ability to train) to all kinds of irrelevant silliness.

    My opinion: A PT SHOULD be in shape. Being out of shape CAN affect their ability to train. Not once did I say a PT has to be in shape or they're incapable.

    There is a big difference between "can" and "will". Many things can affect ability to train including things completely unrelated to fitness. I would rather go for "a good PT is one who knows how to train" rather than single out one single factor that may or may not be relevant.

    I agree completely that knowing how to train is the single biggest factor. I also think that if you're out of shape it begs the question why? Lack of self respect, lack of drive, or is it application of your knowledge?
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    I mostly like fruitcake, but if one wants it to be really decadent-good, it's important that it omit those ucky commercial fake-dyed candied fruit in favor of homemade actual candied delicious fruit. And lovingly bathe it in alcohol for weeks, of course.

    I don't really understand why @Tacklewasher wants to shoot those of us who so generously and selflessly volunteered for the Fruitcake Disposal Squad, though. ;)

    Exactly! We're eating the fruitcake so that nobody else has to worry about it. It's basically a public service!
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    Keywords here to remember are "unpopular" and "opinion".

    This is why I posted. Of course, I thought I was being silly but others seem to hide behind the thread title.

This discussion has been closed.