Overweight spin instructor

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Replies

  • erosales0117
    erosales0117 Posts: 21
    As long as you feel good and want to teach you shouldn't let anybody hold you back! My boyfriend is a personal trainer and he had an amazing body, but he got hurt in the army so he had to get shoulder surgery. Well his shoulder was so bad they told him he couldn't lift weights for at least 6 months. Since he couldn't go any running or any activity he has gained about 40 pounds and has lost the shape of his muscle in his arms, but since he is training people often give a look "how are we suppose to follow him when he is fat" But that doesn't stop him from training. He doesn't care what people say. Either they do the excercise and follow instructions or they use you being "fat" as an excuse and not do anything. Don't let anything stop you and besides, what's better than working out and getting paid!! So I say go for it!!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    So, I was considering getting my spinning instructor certification in November but decided against it because I didn't think that people would want to take a class with an overweight instructor, but now I am considering it again.

    Do you guys think that having an overweight instructor (who is capable of doing the workouts.... I do olympic distance triathlons for pete's sake!) would be motivating or the opposite?

    Would you take a spin class with an overweight instructor if they were knowledgeable about cycling AND spinning, and were also

    It depends how overweight. 10 pounds or so is fine. If someone is really overweight, I don't think they should be a fitness instructor or a personal trainer. A lot of gyms won't hire overweight instructors. It's like going to a hair stylist with really bad hair. I think it's a good motivator towards getting into better shape and then becoming an instructor.

    What you are missing here is that spinning is great for fitness, but it is diet that controls weight (it is far easier to out eat a good exercise program, as you can easily eat or drink 500 cals in 5 minutes but it may take 45 minutes to burn that much). So as long of the instructor is fit, the amount of fat they have is irrelevant for cardio.
  • WhitneyAnnabelle
    WhitneyAnnabelle Posts: 724 Member
    I say go for it, but be prepared for possible rejection by employers because a lot of people DO believe that size is an indicator of fitness (I don't believe this for a second). There's no reason why you shouldn't be able to do it-- I would prefer a healthy, fit, overweight instructor to an unhealthy, unfit, thin instructor. Sure, the fit, overweight thing sounds counterintuitive, but I don't think it is in all cases.
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    GO.FOR.IT

    -I've seen heavier people teach Zumba and whatnot. When you are good, and fit, nothing else should matter. Obviously you're working on it, lol
  • godblessourhome
    godblessourhome Posts: 3,892 Member
    here is my favorite cycling teacher - http://breathedenver.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/im-just-titling-this-one-peggy-dyer/

    she is a large woman, but she knows how to push us and how to keep the class fun. i love her!
    edited to add that her classes are always full and often have a waiting list.
  • kelleybelly35
    kelleybelly35 Posts: 73 Member
    I say go for it :)
    The best spin class I ever went to was taught by an instructor who was 8 months pregnant and she kicked our butts, this just goes to prove weight has nothing to do with fitness....I would take your class gladly :)
  • em9371
    em9371 Posts: 1,047 Member
    the weight / size of the instructor wouldn't bother me, more their ability to do the class. IMO, in order to teach a class properly an instructor should be able to demonstrate everything they exepct people in the class to do.
    I had a boxing instructor last week who wasnt overweight, pretty average size but he couldnt do 10 decent pressups....not a good example!
    If you do triathlons you obviously know a lot about cycling and i would come to your class :-)
  • varosalynn3
    varosalynn3 Posts: 6 Member
    Yes go for it! I had an overweight instructer, she worked me to death. She was in better shape then me. It encourage me not to give up.
  • Pappabacon
    Pappabacon Posts: 104 Member
    the more you spin, the less overweight you will be
  • rosied915
    rosied915 Posts: 799 Member
    here is my favorite cycling teacher - http://breathedenver.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/im-just-titling-this-one-peggy-dyer/

    she is a large woman, but she knows how to push us and how to keep the class fun. i love her!
    edited to add that her classes are always full and often have a waiting list.

    Wow! Checked out your link and she is amazing!! How lucky are you to have her as your instructor!!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    So, I was considering getting my spinning instructor certification in November but decided against it because I didn't think that people would want to take a class with an overweight instructor, but now I am considering it again.

    Do you guys think that having an overweight instructor (who is capable of doing the workouts.... I do olympic distance triathlons for pete's sake!) would be motivating or the opposite?

    Would you take a spin class with an overweight instructor if they were knowledgeable about cycling AND spinning, and were also

    I can't speak to spinning per se but at my triathlon club we have coaches with a range of body types. My first coach was not exactly skinny but she delivered the content very effectively and could seriously kick butt (her triathlon results speak for themselves).
  • badgerbadger1
    badgerbadger1 Posts: 954 Member
    the more you spin, the less overweight you will be

    Did you miss the part where she does triathlons?
  • chelso0o
    chelso0o Posts: 366 Member
    I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome-- an endocrine/reproductive disorder and women with it are predisposed to being obese. :) That's why I'm still overweight... it's not a nutritional issue (although I'm seeing a nutritionist to tweak some things/figure out macros)

    Thank you guys for your input!!!!! I contacted a couple of people in the fitness world here in Pittsburgh who know me, and know what I'm about, and know that I'm an endurance athlete despite being overweight. We shall see!!!!
  • amanda776
    amanda776 Posts: 50
    Definitely go for it! I have been thinking about becoming one also, but my confidence level isn't there yet. If yours is, GO FOR IT GIRL!!
  • amanda776
    amanda776 Posts: 50
    Hey I'm in Pittsburgh, too! Let me know where you end up and I'll definitely come to your class. :) Sending a friend request now.
  • sudders69
    sudders69 Posts: 1
    hello! i know this is an old thread but i found u on google ...i am overweighyt...not massively as im quite muwcular but im definatly chunky lol...anyways i have enrolled with a spining instructors course and in scared to death ofthe other students laughing at me...how did it go? i intend to loose the weight over the next few months i have about 20 pounds to go ive already lost 35...thanks xx
  • FoxyMcDeadlift
    FoxyMcDeadlift Posts: 771 Member
    Can you teach a good class? Will you actually do the spinning with your class? It sounds like you would and you'd be a good instructor. My instructor is a slightly overweight middle aged man, but he shouts at me, and will teach 3 spin classes in a row and thats whats important for me
  • HotMummyMission
    HotMummyMission Posts: 1,723 Member
    I'm my gym the is a women she was obses teaching classes now she is a skinny mini and everyone respect her so much because she looked the same as them and kickd there *kitten* and went on there journey with them x

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