At what size is it okay to start working in a gym?

OMG people on here are so rude!!! I wish i was a size 12 you look fine..that gym is dumb!!! i work out at a YMCA and they have staff members of every size and that doesnt turn me off from the gym or turn me onto it!!! I know i will never be less than a size 12 or a 10!!! I dont think it matters what size you are if you can work out and have the endurance then whats the problem? Dont listen to people who tell you you arent thin enough you have come a long way and you are doing great!! People just need to learn to be nice and if you dont have anything nice to say then dont say anything at all!!!

Sorry, life in an echo chamber is boring.
I want honesty.
Did you miss the part where the OP discovered through the grape vine that she was not rejected for her qualities but appearance?
That's reality. That's as real as life gets, and it hurts.
I KNOW THAT PAIN!
It's not mean to put this out and talk about it. We must live in the world as it is - not as it should be.

OMG people on here are so rude!!! I wish i was a size 12 you look fine..that gym is dumb!!! i work out at a YMCA and they have staff members of every size and that doesnt turn me off from the gym or turn me onto it!!! I know i will never be less than a size 12 or a 10!!! I dont think it matters what size you are if you can work out and have the endurance then whats the problem? Dont listen to people who tell you you arent thin enough you have come a long way and you are doing great!! People just need to learn to be nice and if you dont have anything nice to say then dont say anything at all!!!

Sorry, life in an echo chamber is boring.
I want honesty.
Did you miss the part where the OP discovered through the grape vine that she was not rejected for her qualities but appearance?
That's reality. That's as real as life gets, and it hurts.
I KNOW THAT PAIN!
It's not mean to put this out and talk about it. We must live in the world as it is - not as it should be.

What I find sad here is that you claim to "know how it feels" and yet instead of standing up against discrimination you bow down to it.

OP- just keep trying, it is their loss and I would be hesitant to go to a gym where EVERYONE was fit and no one was working toward goals and that includes employees. I have found myself interested in nutrition while trying to lose weight, I should wait 1-2 years until my weight is gone until I follow that path? Stupid!

I don't know the laws in Australia, but that type of discrimination is illegal in the United States. And if it is in Australia and your friend is willing to testify to what she/he told you, then I would sue the gym.

Also, one of the businesses I own is a job search consulting firm. I would not suggest putting your photo on your resume. Ever. Even once you meet your goal weight. You never know who is looking. The person who gets your resume might not like your hair color. Or your makeup. It's arbitrary.

Instead, when you have the interview, find a time to tell them why you think you're an excellent fit for the position and avoid talking about your certifications. Say something along the lines of (tweaked for you of course): "Why am I qualified for this position? I'm glad you asked that question. As you already know I am "insert certification here" certified. But so are most of your other applicants. What makes me special is that I'm exactly like the people you want to attract to "this gym". I have struggled with weight loss and I am winning the battle. And let me tell you, it is an ongoing battle and I'm still working at it every day. I believe that by being able to interact with me on a daily basis, people in that struggle will be more likely to sign up for a regular membership to "this gym". And because I'm "insert certification here" certified, I'll be able to work with them directly on their problem areas and have a unique understanding of what they need in order to be successful."

Let your resume get you in the door. Let your personality and the way in which you answer questions blow their mind.

It'll work. Just know what's great about you that makes you qualified and let them know it.

That's crappy! I work part time at the gym I was already a member of. I am a size 14. Only thing my boss required of me was to work on my fitness. (basically work out) He has never told me I needed to be or get to a certain size, only that I work on my fitness. Seems reasonable to me.

But actually I am not surprised that a gym would act this way. You would think they would seize the opportunity for a success story.

I wouldn't think that your size would be "too big" but I suppose everyone has their own ideas on what is "big" and not big. Keep trying.

We have a receptionist at our local gym who is much larger than a size 12 possibly a 16. Not to mention she also doesn't have the qualifications that you have. I can't believe they didn't hire you.

OMG people on here are so rude!!! I wish i was a size 12 you look fine..that gym is dumb!!! i work out at a YMCA and they have staff members of every size and that doesnt turn me off from the gym or turn me onto it!!! I know i will never be less than a size 12 or a 10!!! I dont think it matters what size you are if you can work out and have the endurance then whats the problem? Dont listen to people who tell you you arent thin enough you have come a long way and you are doing great!! People just need to learn to be nice and if you dont have anything nice to say then dont say anything at all!!!

Sorry, life in an echo chamber is boring.
I want honesty.
Did you miss the part where the OP discovered through the grape vine that she was not rejected for her qualities but appearance?
That's reality. That's as real as life gets, and it hurts.
I KNOW THAT PAIN!
It's not mean to put this out and talk about it. We must live in the world as it is - not as it should be.

What I find sad here is that you claim to "know how it feels" and yet instead of standing up against discrimination you bow down to it.

OP- just keep trying, it is their loss and I would be hesitant to go to a gym where EVERYONE was fit and no one was working toward goals and that includes employees. I have found myself interested in nutrition while trying to lose weight, I should wait 1-2 years until my weight is gone until I follow that path? Stupid!

You are so right.
I am not strong willed enough to kick against the goads when it comes to what is right or wrong except where I can actually either control the situation or affect change.
I was manager of 3 health clubs several years ago, so I know the situation from their point of view.
One facility was very flexible while the other was not.
In fact one facility was only interested in bodybuilders or model-types.
Don't laugh. I am warning you!
OK, here goes....
Before getting the job...I went out and....[I can't believe I am saying this]
...and had myself fitted for a toupee' just to make the cut. I was fit and acceptable in every way, except for male pattern baldness:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
They hired me, but my wife thought I looked like a total *kitten*.
I felt like a fool and was always worried about my hair falling off. It was HELL!

People are ridiculous. You wouldn't work in a place like that anyways...

I worked at a gym when I was a size 11/12.

OMG people on here are so rude!!! I wish i was a size 12 you look fine..that gym is dumb!!! i work out at a YMCA and they have staff members of every size and that doesnt turn me off from the gym or turn me onto it!!! I know i will never be less than a size 12 or a 10!!! I dont think it matters what size you are if you can work out and have the endurance then whats the problem? Dont listen to people who tell you you arent thin enough you have come a long way and you are doing great!! People just need to learn to be nice and if you dont have anything nice to say then dont say anything at all!!!

Sorry, life in an echo chamber is boring.
I want honesty.
Did you miss the part where the OP discovered through the grape vine that she was not rejected for her qualities but appearance?
That's reality. That's as real as life gets, and it hurts.
I KNOW THAT PAIN!
It's not mean to put this out and talk about it. We must live in the world as it is - not as it should be.

I love this. Thank you!

And for everyone yelling "Sue" and "Discrimination!", really? Come on, let's be grown ups for a minute.

Let's all not pretend that this doesn't go on. I mean, are people really shocked by this??? Weight discrimination is so easy to do and happens all the time.

Same thing happened to me a few years ago, I was 30lbs+ heavier and I was turned down for a receptionist position at the gym. Its sad really...

Back to the actual post... can someone let me know at what size I should be before I start applying then? How much more I should lose before thinking of finding a job???

Why don't you ask them? Or ask several potential gyms what they look for in an employee. Lots of jobs have physical requirements and its not discrimination, it's part of the job. Would hooters hire a fat chick? Probably not, it's just part of the territory. I think a fitness center would be one of those types of places (w/o the fake boobs lol) that wants to have people who "look the part" of fitness. They would probably tell you what they're looking for whether it be a range of body fat or BMI or whatever. Don't let it get you down, you sound very driven and motivated but maybe this gym just wasn't a good fit for you - everything happens for a reason. You'll find the right place. :-) Good Luck!

At my gym in the US, there are no overweight people working...be it front desk, trainers or mangers.. every last one of them is fit and attractive.. as it should be.

Gyms are concerned about making money.. as any business is. You won't get people to come into your gym if you hire overweight people.. because then people are going to think well if they work in a gym and look like this, then what am I going to look like?

LIke or not, everything these days is about looks and presentation.. so get yourself in order and then try again.

I applied in a gym in March for a receptionist position, whilst studying my Fitness course. I got an email back, a month after the interview saying I was not successful. I talked to a friend of mine who also works there and she was told by her manager they would have hired me, I seemed like a smart, intelligent, young girl but they didn't like that I was "too big" and would "not be a good advertisement for the gym."

Yeah, I understand that you need to be visibly fit but at a size 12 it's not like I'm humongous either.

What size is it okay to start working in a gym?

I ask because I have just gained my cert 3 in Fitness but I am scared if I go apply to work on a gym floor somewhere they are all gonna turn me down cos of my size.

UK size 10 is small - that's my goal!! Ultimate goal! I think I would apply and go for it - but not at the place your friends works - where that chauvinist pig works. What an *kitten*! Seriously I bet he wasn't great to look at. OMG I can't believe how annoyed I feel ready that. I'm so sorry for you - please don't let it knock your confidence. size 10 is fantastic. Good luck and well done on passing your fitness exam. x

I agree with posters who suggest applying at other gyms. Your success story is your selling point!

There are many trainers here in the US that are all about the money, not the client. I've seen it so many times and its given CPTs a bad rep. Some trainers are hyped up on supplements and have no clue on nutrition. Others give the same workout over and over to clients without tending to the clients goals.

Then you have CPTs that are well educated in all areas of fitness, have many certifications and or degrees. Who listens and caters to what their clients wants/needs. Has success stories, etc. Goes above and beyond. THATS the kind of trainer *I* want.

So, you go on with your bad self and get the job YOU deserve!! :bigsmile: