Would you hire a personal trainer who was overweight?

1. 84

   Abby Campbellposted 12 years ago

   Would you hire a personal trainer who was overweight?
   
   I'm curious about this. I have noticed many overweight personal trainers at my local gyms, and I'm just wondering how much business they obtain. Would you expect your personal trainer to be an example for you, or are you only concerned with his/her knowledge and ability to help you with your goals?

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2. 82

   Souther29posted 12 years ago

   Personally, I wouldn't hire a personal trainer who was overweight. Their job is to essentially help people manage their weight and nutrition so should lead by example. For the same reason I wouldn't go to a Dentist who had bad teeth or a Beautician who didn't take care of her appearance (for the girls).
   
   I think the issue is that it can be relatively simple to call yourself a personal trainer with some very basic qualifications but the ones who are truly passionate have often studied for years and have in depth knowledge of both the physical side but the nutritional and psychological side also. It's not really a regulated industry in the UK. In the USA it may be different.
   
   A personal trainer should definitely lead by example and if I am essentially paying for their service I want them to prove that I can trust their advice and most of the time this starts immediately when you see how healthy they look. They are the selling tool - if they look great and are positive people these are two key things I look for.
   
   The only other point is if they are slightly overweight but perhaps focus more on lifting and muscle building and not so much aerobic exercise or cardio then it is a little more acceptable. Their skillset wouldn't necessarily require them to be completely ripped with a six pack etc as not their main focus.

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   1. 84

      Abby Campbellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for answering, Souther29. What if the overweight trainer didn't live the healthy lifestyle himself but proves that he is capable of bringing results with past clients?

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      Souther29posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      In this case it would be more about showing past case studies to prospective clients and getting people to believe that these are 100% accurate and true (as I'm sure they would be). Before and After shots. Suggest 4 session trial to convince people.

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   3. 84

      Abby Campbellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Great advice, Souther29! Personally, I wouldn't go to an out-of-shape trainer as I feel I wouldn't get the motivation I need. If he's not motivated, how can he motivate others? I keep trying to stress this to one of my friends who is a trainer.

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3. 77

   JimTxMillerposted 12 years ago

   I would not hire a personal trainer period. Paying someone else to make me exercise is pure folly.

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      Abby Campbellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      LOL. Thanks for sharing, Jim.

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      Kathryn Stratfordposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Honest answer! That's a good one.

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4. 80

   pguptaposted 12 years ago

   If your trainer is over weight how can he/she can teach you how to lose weight. Our first inspiration is our trainer who teaches us.  It is just like in our childhood days our parents and teachers were our main source of inspiration and guidance.

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   1. 84

      Abby Campbellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for answering, pgupta. I agree as well. I have a friend who use to be a bodybuilder but has let himself go, but he says his ability to coach is the proof in the pudding. But, I would not be inclined to go to someone who isn't motivated himself

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5. 69

   rulalenskaposted 12 years ago

   I wouldn't, but if I were overweight I might find that I would identify with one who had a few (I mean a FEW) pounds to lose. I chose as my trainer a regional bodybuilding champion. He was 55 and looked great and dressed in modest gym clothes. When I see overweight trainers I think, "He lost his normal job and he was able to pass the tests so here he is a 'personal trainer' -- I think not."
   
   P.S. My trainer was WORTH the money. I asked him to help me with back pain and weakness. He chose exercises that would rebuild the muscles in my back. They worked. It is worth any amount of money for me to be able to lift things and sit without pain

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      Abby Campbellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      LOL, rulalenska. I love your thought about job loss with overweight trainers. Too funny! I'm glad you found a good trainer to help rebuild your back and body.

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6. 59

   kristykmr1993posted 12 years ago

   If he got hired for a personal trainer then I'm guessing he would know what he's doing. People a little over weight might feel more comfortable having a trainer a little over weight like them. You know? I mean it just pretty much depends on the person. Because some personal trainers don't exercise with you.. they just tell you what to do. But the only thing is there not setting a good example for a personal trainer being over weight. But everyone's different. Like I said someone might be more comfortable.

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   1. 84

      Abby Campbellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your answer, Kristy. I understand where you're coming from.

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7. 61

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   No, I have to say I wouldn't. The personal trainer can't tell me how to exercise if he/she is not able to do it themselves.  It would be much like having a cardiac surgeon examining you while smoking a cigarette.

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   1. 84

      Abby Campbellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, duffsmom.

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8. 80

   ketageposted 11 years ago

   No, I would never hire a personal trainer that was overweight, keeping fit is a matter of discipline, I would expect that the person training me is disciplined enough to keep fit. If my trainer does not have the discipline to keep himself fit, how is he supposed to motivate me. Also teaching fitness is a practical skill, I would expect my trainer to have first hand knowledge of the subject.
   While some things can be learned in theory, I do not feel personal training is one of them.

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   1. 84

      Abby Campbellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for answering, ketage. Personal trainers do need to know theory, but they also need to know how to motivate and train their clients. Initial motivation must come from his/her example though.

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9. 90

   Efficient Adminposted 11 years ago

   No. I would expect them to follow their own advice and be trim and fit.  I once signed up for a Deep Water Fitness (water aerobics) class and the instructor was very noticeably overweight.
   
   She turned out to be lazy and apathetic and sat there and drank real Coke soda while we exercised and when I asked a question on the water moves she got an attitude like I was bothering her.  I never signed up with that instructor ever again.
   
   I'm not saying all overweight instructors are fat, lazy, and worthless like that instructor was, but I prefer they live and believe what they teach others.

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   1. 84

      Abby Campbellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'd have to agree with you, Efficient Admin. That's a horrible experience and I'm sorry you had to go through it. I hope you didn't give up water aerobics just because of that one coach though. Thanks for replying.

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      Efficient Adminposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hello MaximumFatLoss:  thanks, and yes fortunately there are better instructors around here and I have found a really good one and still do water aerobics!

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10. 92

    Kathryn Stratfordposted 11 years ago

    I might hire them if they were only a touch overweight, as long as they are also toned. But if they're significantly overweight, I would not hire them. I am interested in their knowledge, but also encouraged by their example. For the same reason, I would be hesitant to have a hair stylist touch my hair if their hair is sloppy, or a makeup artist do up my face if their face makeup is hideous.

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    1. 84

       Abby Campbellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That reminds me of a hair salon I went to years ago, Kathryn. I sat in the chair looking at all the hairdressers and wondered. Then I ran the heck out of there before anyone could get their hands on me. LOL.

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    Oisin Devittposted 11 years ago

    As a personal trainer I have to say I find it quite a fallacy judging a personal trainers ability on their own physique. Let me play devil's advocate for a moment, how many of the worlds best football, NFL, baseball, basketball etc coaches were great players? Very few. How good a singer is Simon Cowell? Shocking.
    
    In our profession we are paid for our knowledge not our looks. Now it certainly helps to look the part and we are pretty much a walking advertisement for our business. But in my industry it pretty much goes like this, the better you are, the busier you are, the less time you have to concentrate on looking like a greek god.
    
    All good trainers will also look nice and healthy, but the really top top people wouldn't stand out in a crowd, they got into this line of work to help people not to boast about their job and have people go "oh wow you look like a personal trainer alright" which trust me, alot of the basic gym trainers are there just for that reason.

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    MomsTreasureChestposted 10 years ago

    I don't think I would hire an overweight trainer.  I think I'd want my personal trainer to be fit and at a good weight, not very overweight.  I'd want my personal trainer to "practice what he or she preaches".  I'd also want my trainer to have first-hand experience with healthy eating and a healthy exercise routine.

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