Being a PT and your own Personal Appearance?

[bigg_K]

Hey guys,
I'm going to be taking my PT Certification exam, and diving into the industry real soon. (Excited) I was wondering if any of you have noticed difference in obtaining / retaining clients based on your own appearance. Now I don't mean if you're pretty or not, but your physical shape.

Perhaps you've been a trainer for awhile, and have had a much higher BF in the beginning, or vice versa? I was wondering how much it actually affects your clients. Not sure if it matters that much. But from a personal standpoint, I would be hesitant taking diet advice from a trainer that is more overweight than myself. Its a psychological thing, I think.

Thanks in advance, for any responses!

[dasixthsun]

i think appearance helps at least in my case. I do see some trainers that look worse than their clients. It will definitly give you an edge

[afb0032]

You said it and hit it right on the button. If you do not look a certain way, people will normally not heed the advice. It is a combination of knowledge and of personal appearance. Being good looking also plays a bital role in the female category as well.

[SGT_K]

You said it and hit it right on the button. If you do not look a certain way, people will normally not heed the advice. It is a combination of knowledge and of personal appearance. Being good looking also plays a bital role in the female category as well.

A suggested read.

http://www.elitefts.com/documents/sick_of_your_gym_4.htm

[forcefedfreak]

You are a walking billboard for your own business. Keep that in mind. I had a woman ask me to see my abs before she hired me. Fortunately I was just finishing up with a really well planned cut, haha. Now I train more for functional strength and power, so I don't have that "wow" shape to me I used to, I kind of just look big and burly.

[bull.dogz]

I definately think you should practice what you preach. If you don't have a healthy physique I wouldn't even consider hiring you to train me. I look at some of the trainers at my gym, there's one who probably weighs about 80lbs. My wrists are bigger than her arms. She doesn't look like she could even lift a 5lb dumbbell. Doesn't mean she doesn't know her stuff though.

[BulldogVTX]

I definately think you should practice what you preach. If you don't have a healthy physique I wouldn't even consider hiring you to train me. I look at some of the trainers at my gym, there's one who probably weighs about 80lbs. My wrists are bigger than her arms. She doesn't look like she could even lift a 5lb dumbbell. Doesn't mean she doesn't know her stuff though.

I think you definitely need to be in decent shape. I have talked to many trainers at many gyms, none of them have ever really impressed me with their physiques, but I guess I should have seen them "a few years ago". Almost all of them were bigger, stronger and faster back in the day.....

I do know a bunch of female trainers that while they aren't very big, they definitely know their stuff and would definitely train with them. (more so than the guys that are about the same size!)

[FreddyKrueger]

I am not certified yet (working on few certs as we speak), but I do train couple of people ( free for now). I gotta tell you, personall appearance is very, very important. I am 6' 161lbs and I am on the skinny side, however I worked hard on many parts of my body and it shows (especially the chest (my favorite)). People want me to train them because they look at me and want to know how to get to that point. Its also the greatest tool to show your costumer where the muscle is and how its defined by pointing at your own body. So, yes I find it very important and I am just starting out.

Now knowing your nutrition and what to tell people to eat is very important too. So, don't be a fat trainer either. lol. (although I am on a 'bulking' stage right now).

[Tattoogirl4]

You have to live what you teach. I am not perfect, but I work hard and make choices to be the most healthy person I can be. I try to be an example of having a positive body image embracing my strengths and also loving my body, even it's flaws.

[bigg_K]

Thanks all for the input. I'm still working on myself, from looking at me its obvious that I train, but I want to get to that "wow" moment. Where most people heed and listen just because my six pack says so...lol

[BulldogVTX]

Thanks all for the input. I'm still working on myself, from looking at me its obvious that I train, but I want to get to that "wow" moment. Where most people heed and listen just because my six pack says so...lol

Not to bring up one of the most annoying shows on TV right now, but I'm sure there's a couple of people that watch "Work Out". Anyway, the last episode had the 5 big guy trainers get together and do the 10K Mud Run for fun. And wouldn't you know it, Peeler, the guy with the hands like Michaelangelo, could barely finish the run. It was only 6 miles,and the guy who charges over $100/hr to train you, almost didn't finish! He looks like he's in good shape, and I'm sure that people want to train with him, but I wouldn't after watching that fiasco!

Ok, I'm going to go watch something manley.

[Environ]

You are your own best advertisement. If you look fit and healthy, people will recognise this. If you look like you have a staple diet of MacDonalds and Dunkin Donuts, people will also recognise this.

But, appearance isn't everything. Take, for example, a personal trainer whose passion is powerlifting. Few powerlifters are ripped and pretty. That said, he may well be a very knowledgeable trainer, and, this is evident by the fact that he is a very good powerlifers pushing and pulling very big numbers. The opposite of this is a marathon runner. The typical marathon runner is almsot emaciated looking, but again, he may be a very good trainer. A good trainer knows how to apply the science that he/she has studied and is able to use that knowledge to design a goal-specific workout regime. Usually, it is your RESULTS that attracts clients.

One thing that I think is vital for a trainer is to be able to perform correctly any exercise that he/she is prescribing for a client.

[John Prophet]

I think you will get as many varied opinions as the number of people who reply...and the opinions can all be vigorously debated.

Me personally, I think a good trainer should look the part. Then again..what part?? what if he is a powerlifter himself and not so concerned about pure appearance? What if he is a bodybuilder who bulks way up and then cuts and u step into the gym and see him in deep Lee Preistish offseason mode?

My feelings are mixed on it. i think IDEALLY a trainer should be fit and lean. BUT, that being said, plenty of people are fairly lean and fit looking and they dont even workout. We all know the trainers who basically r like 6'0 180 and one never sees them workout...but because they "look fit" everyone assumes they must know something. Soemtimes they do, sometimes they dont.

I have a friend who was one of the busiest trainers in my gym. He comes from more of a strength coach type background. I only ever really saw him "cut" for one short period when he got down to 200lbs. That didnt last long and he ballooned back up. Then he opened his own private training gym and now he looks to be even bigger...and its not muscle. Dude has sort of let himself go. Yet, that being said, id put his training advice above most other trainers I know even if those trainers "look the part".


You also have to remember that a large percentage of people who use trainers are WAY fat..like 25+ %....so if they see a trainer who is, say, 18-20% then it doesnt necessarily register to them that the guy is "out of shape". Hell, to them he looks good.

Now, if dude is offering serious contest prep etc then I would want to see pics of himself in ripped contest shape.

----------------

Another part of the equation is simply the question of leadership. U cant really lead where u havent been yourself and u cant teach what u yourself dont know. People just wont follow you in those cases.

Me, I have had to learn that sort of the hard way. I started PTing after coming off of a year of straight powerlifting when I let my weight go up to 255 at 5'8". I didnt really think that much about it since I had 25 years of gym experience to back me up. But I admit...I am having a hard time (now weighing 212ish) finding a way to motivate people to even try a basic bodybuilding diet....so I have doubled and redoubled my efforts recently to drop my own bodyfat % etc.


I have seen trainers with a few nice cuts having people do the DUMBEST crap imaginable....stuff that I KNOW the trainer didnt use himself to acheive his build.

So yes, I think a trainer should look the part.....yet it is still a huge misconception that the client will in any way automatically look like the trainer.

[John Prophet]

, for example, a personal trainer whose passion is powerlifting. Few powerlifters are ripped and pretty. That said, he may well be a very knowledgeable trainer, and, this is evident by the fact that he is a very good powerlifers pushing and pulling very big numbers. The opposite of this is a marathon runner. The typical marathon runner is almsot emaciated looking, but again, he may be a very good trainer.

One thing that I think is vital for a trainer is to be able to perform correctly any exercise that he/she is prescribing for a client.

that was sort of my point. Some people are naturally lean, or maybe they happen to be a runner...so u stick them in a polo and khakis and people automatically think they must know something cuz they are not fat. Its possible that they dont know diddley squat and they were probably never out of shape at any point to start with.

I hope to God that I NEVER look like the typical trainer seen in 99% of photos...150bs soaking wet, polo shirt, no visible muscle mass.

[gischer]

In reagards to ideal for business, I think the trainer simply needs to have a body that appeals to his target market. There is a trainer at my gym who is about 5'11 and on a good day would barely tip the scale past 170. However, nearly all of his clients are 40+ years of age, most of whom are retired. They just want to drop a few lbs, and be more "fit." He does great with them, in my opinion, because he appears to be a little less of a "meathead," and certainly far less physically intimidating.

Myself on the otherhand, I focus on PL'ing. Currently I am about 13% BF (nothing to brag about), and my arms aren't terribly huge 15.5 inches, and I weigh around 190ish. However, when people see a 500lb Deadlift, and in a commercial gym like 24 hour where powerlifting is non-existent, that's pretty damn big, you get a lot of people asking you questions, and wanting to get involved.


I agree with John Prophet in that you should look/train yourself how your clients broadly want to train/look... though this is far from an absolute...

Don't take my words for too much though, I have only been in the biz for 4 months....

[mavrick77]

Hey guys,
I'm going to be taking my PT Certification exam, and diving into the industry real soon. (Excited) I was wondering if any of you have noticed difference in obtaining / retaining clients based on your own appearance. Now I don't mean if you're pretty or not, but your physical shape.

Perhaps you've been a trainer for awhile, and have had a much higher BF in the beginning, or vice versa? I was wondering how much it actually affects your clients. Not sure if it matters that much. But from a personal standpoint, I would be hesitant taking diet advice from a trainer that is more overweight than myself. Its a psychological thing, I think.

Thanks in advance, for any responses!

sex sells brother....always will, always has. IF you had the money, would you buy the HONDA CIVIC....or the PORCHE 911. While the honda is practical the porsche just looks so much better. So why buy the trainer that is Practical and works, even though he might not look the best...when you can have the porsche? Hell you could put a geo metro engine in a porsche and people would still think it was better. same goes for trainers

[SGT_K]

You are your own best advertisement. If you look fit and healthy, people will recognise this. If you look like you have a staple diet of MacDonalds and Dunkin Donuts, people will also recognise this.

But, appearance isn't everything. Take, for example, a personal trainer whose passion is powerlifting. Few powerlifters are ripped and pretty. That said, he may well be a very knowledgeable trainer, and, this is evident by the fact that he is a very good powerlifers pushing and pulling very big numbers. The opposite of this is a marathon runner. The typical marathon runner is almsot emaciated looking, but again, he may be a very good trainer. A good trainer knows how to apply the science that he/she has studied and is able to use that knowledge to design a goal-specific workout regime. Usually, it is your RESULTS that attracts clients.

One thing that I think is vital for a trainer is to be able to perform correctly any exercise that he/she is prescribing for a client.


Nail+head= you hit it. Though some of the average "looking" guys can pull huge numbers "Bob peoples". Some people who are huge can't pull S***.

http://www.oldtimestrongman.com/index.html

[STLJRBLUES]

1. Looking better and setting a higher standard for yourself is not only motivating to others but will give people a goal.

2. While appearance isn't everything, we live in a world where people are very superficial and looks are important.

3. If you do not possess the best physical appearance then you can make up for it by demonstrating proper technique and form when you are training others and yourself.

**Appearance won't make or break you as a trainer but it sure will help if you are a role model for others.**

[Be-Be]

I'm old, fat, strong and know my stuff. My clients are older, fatter, weak and know nothing. I show them that you don't have to look perfect to live a stronger, fitter, healthier, more productive, happier life. They trust me because they feel I understand them and their issues better than someone with a low body fat who has always been physically active and has a six pack. They feel comfortable talking to me because I look "normal". They appreciate my empathy and focus more than my jean size. They don't feel like I'll give them unrealistic standards to live up to or demand more than they can give.

It's all about picking your target market - I picked one that respects my strengths and doesn't care as much about my weaknesses. And I know better than to try to get clients from the younger crowd who are into physical appearance. Oh, and I picked a target market with a lot of disposable cash. Very important consideration. :D

[WhySoSerious?]

yeah i thought about that myself
Im currently studying, almost finished cert 4 so ill be out there soon
and yeh. im really tall and skinny and i thought that wouldnt be good cause those blokes that want to get massive will take a huge PT but i challange that

think of Aus. The 2nd biggest obese country, so we have heaps of fat people, and its not hard to see that - go for a walk anywhere lol

you have a huge target market out there [the ppl who u could get as clients]
alot of them are women, some are younger kids, plenty now adays are older people, most people are fat, some want to get massive.

i would say that the number one goal is fat loss, to women and mid age
meaning what. - They dont want some huge bulging massive bloke to train em
and yeh people will look up to their trainers shape to see something. and if im skinny:D:D:D:D well.... i dont have to explain do i.

besides im conditioning myself. so ill show em my skinnier, ugly postured self and they can compare that to the body i will have in a few years

[Environ]

think of Aus. The 2nd biggest obese country, so we have heaps of fat people, and its not hard to see that - go for a walk anywhere lol



I never knew this until last week. I always figured that Aussies were a pretty healthy bunch until an Aussie strength and conditioning coach presented us with some rather surprising (for me) statistics. I guess the last impression I had of Aussies was Home and Away and I haven't watched TV in about 12 years. :D Also, we get quite a few Aussies coming to Ireland every year. They're usually in pretty good shape. I guess only the fit ones travel.

[Ethereal]

I noticed that looks matter somewhat, but a lot of it comes down to how good of a salesman you are. I am not real big by any means (5'8 175) but I have a very pronounced V-taper since my shoulders are so broad and my waist is so small. It also helps when members see you doing squats with 405 pounds (I compete in USAPL so my squats are legit) and benching 300 raw.

[John Prophet]

it probably comes down to personal beliefs....if your appearance bothers YOU then you need to do something about it, otherwise it will ruin your confidence and overall vibe.

there is a saying "fat, dumb, and happy"....some trainers are just that and they can get away with it. if a guy is "fat, knows he's fat, and depressed because of it" then he cant get away with it.

[EMISGOD]

Hey guys,
I'm going to be taking my PT Certification exam, and diving into the industry real soon. (Excited) I was wondering if any of you have noticed difference in obtaining / retaining clients based on your own appearance. Now I don't mean if you're pretty or not, but your physical shape.

Perhaps you've been a trainer for awhile, and have had a much higher BF in the beginning, or vice versa? I was wondering how much it actually affects your clients. Not sure if it matters that much. But from a personal standpoint, I would be hesitant taking diet advice from a trainer that is more overweight than myself. Its a psychological thing, I think.

Thanks in advance, for any responses!

Back when I was actively training people, I was by no means either ripped or fat. I was very lean, with enough mass and shape so that I was apparently the living visage of what was considered "ideal" back then. I've always been somewhat naturally strong, but most of what I did back then was not particularly geared towards lifting weights and I was somewhat but not hugely stronger than I was naturally. For a while, in fact, I was referred to, part half-jokingly, but also partly serious, as the "cardio king"...

The reason I call it an ideal shape was because nearly everyone I trained wanted to know how to look like I did or wanted their S/O to look like me. The way I started training was from people constantly asking me, sometimes interrupting my training, to ask me questions how to move them from what they were to what I was. It was an effort to get some peace (headphones weren't working) that I started charging them money for first advice, then for actual training. From there, it wound up being strictly through referrals until I graduated college. Whole different world now, but I still wind up inevitably having someone ask me questions, though I'm not yet near the bf% I was then...

I've long said that the ideal shape for the vast majority of the people was the look Jon Erik Hexum had before his death. That was more or less what I looked like, though a thinner version of that. It's more or less a fairly thin body with just enough muscle to look like you have some strength. Nearly every woman I've ever known has echoed this, incidentally. Whether this bears any relation to the actual reality of how the body works in relation to resistance training, the general public has very little interest in huge amounts of mass and is very much worried about being "too big", either through muscle or through fat...I think it's important to remember this as many of us get captivated through the whole "bodybuilding" lifestyle and try to incorporate it everywhere, whether desired or not. The really good (and successful) trainers can differentiate and those who can't are honestly better off sticking to a specialty (i.e. powerlifting, strongman, bodybuilding, et. al.)...

[ctgblue]

I would echo the "who are you training" mantra.

You should be "in shape" if you profess to know enough to give advice. But what is "in shape"

If you train older people, couplees, or people who are WAY out of shape, they may not want "me in contest shape" they would prefer the softer version I am now(working on this). In shape, looks like I know what I am doing, but not intimidatingly ripped.

If you are training guys who want "to look jacked", you need to look jacked or at least like you might be if leaner.

If you are training someones teenage son, you want to look in shape, but not reek of "roid freak" vascularity etc...

So figure out who your target group is and try to make them comfortable.

If you are big a ripped, wear a large baggy shirt when training someone older, or way out of shape, vice versa if you were training me.

[MVP]

Personal Trainers are pretty much an icon in the fitness industry, because you are suppose to look your part and know your ****!

There are way too many out of shape trainers out there, who dont know anything, which gives personal trainers a bad rep. It's sad to see a trainer with a big gut trying to give advice on diet, or even teach an ab class. It's a shame

Looks plays a huge part, your personality, social skills, and most important - you bring results! That's how you maintain a client

[Be-Be]

Personal Trainers are pretty much an icon in the fitness industry, because you are suppose to look your part and know your ****!

There are way too many out of shape trainers out there, who dont know anything, which gives personal trainers a bad rep. It's sad to see a trainer with a big gut trying to give advice on diet, or even teach an ab class. It's a shame

Looks plays a huge part, your personality, social skills, and most important - you bring results! That's how you maintain a client

Well, I guess I just have to quit then. You don't mind explaining to the appx 55 people per month that pay me to help them achieve their goals exactly why I won't help them anymore, do you?

[spirit3530]

I would echo the "who are you training" mantra.

You should be "in shape" if you profess to know enough to give advice. But what is "in shape"

If you train older people, couplees, or people who are WAY out of shape, they may not want "me in contest shape" they would prefer the softer version I am now(working on this). In shape, looks like I know what I am doing, but not intimidatingly ripped.

If you are training guys who want "to look jacked", you need to look jacked or at least like you might be if leaner.

If you are training someones teenage son, you want to look in shape, but not reek of "roid freak" vascularity etc...

So figure out who your target group is and try to make them comfortable.

If you are big a ripped, wear a large baggy shirt when training someone older, or way out of shape, vice versa if you were training me.
Just as others have said I agree with you. As a semi competitive natural bodybuilder I would want to be trained by someone that has been where i am going or has had previous clients that have been where I am going. Even if a trainer is having a crisis and lost the "look" at least have a portfolio of success. I do think a trainer should have a healthy appearance and look the most inshape of what your target group aspires to look like.

If you don't respect your body how can you lead me. Btw I was going though a crisis. We were getting a mass briefing and my Captain was talking about BMI and such. He brought my name up. How would I be representing a fit lifestyle if I wasn't in good shape. So I pulled back on the weight gain and now plan to continue on my lean bulking to be a good representative of what living a fit lifestyle is all about. Hence NO Super bulking (YO YO dieting) for me.

[John Prophet]

Just as others have said I agree with you. As a semi competitive natural bodybuilder I would want to be trained by someone that has been where i am going or has had previous clients that have been where I am going. Even if a trainer is having a crisis and lost the "look" at least have a portfolio of success. I do think a trainer should have a healthy appearance and look the most inshape of what your target group aspires to look like.

If you don't respect your body how can you lead me. Btw I was going though a crisis. We were getting a mass briefing and my Captain was talking about BMI and such. He brought my name up. How would I be representing a fit lifestyle if I wasn't in good shape. So I pulled back on the weight gain and now plan to continue on my lean bulking to be a good representative of what living a fit lifestyle is all about. Hence NO Super bulking (YO YO dieting) for me.

for conversations sake...what % of trainees do you think will EVER actually compete??

Ill go out on a limb and say perhaps .05%? if my math is correct thats like 1 out of 200.

[spirit3530]

Oh yeah I am with you on that.

I still believe a trainer should look like a person that is in the best shape of their target clients. There are always exceptions but for the most part they should look the part.

[John Prophet]

Oh yeah I am with you on that.

I still believe a trainer should look like a person that is in the best shape of their target clients. There are always exceptions but for the most part they should look the part.

I totally agree (even if im not there yet)

A trainer is a LEADER...or should be anyway

[UCONN_CSCS]

Yeah, looks matter when selling to people, but after a while they tend not to matter as much when people see the results your clients are getting and the interesting/effective regimens you use. Plus knowledge is power. I find tht if you can wow people with your extensive knowledge, scientific and practical, they will want you to train them.

Also, many people don't understand that just because you aren't cut, doesn't mean you aren't in great shape. Strong-man competitors aren't super cut, many bodybuilders aren't putting up huge weight, and triathaletes (some of the best conditioned people in the world) arent huge, super strong, or always all that cut.

That being said, if you work at a Ballys or whatever, with inconsistent clients and the world of meatheads and narcissists your look will dominate your ability to get clients. Knowledge will keep them.

[wide lats]

Looks? M, i'm not pretty or ripped, i do know what i'm on about though and i get several people asking me to take them through the workouts, even though i'm not getting paid its all experience till i get my top level qualifications, most flattering person ive had was a guy wanting to feel my biceps he was "WOW! and look at your calves they are better than mine - WOW! " LOL :D i dont mind them people.

A trainer is not a leader a trainer is a friend. Money comes last for me.

[spirit3530]

Oh yeah I am with you on that.

I still believe a trainer should look like a person that is in the best shape of their target clients. There are always exceptions but for the most part they should look the part


Yeah, looks matter when selling to people, but after a while they tend not to matter as much when people see the results your clients are getting and the interesting/effective regimens you use. Plus knowledge is power. I find tht if you can wow people with your extensive knowledge, scientific and practical, they will want you to train them.

Also, many people don't understand that just because you aren't cut, doesn't mean you aren't in great shape. Strong-man competitors aren't super cut, many bodybuilders aren't putting up huge weight, and triathaletes (some of the best conditioned people in the world) arent huge, super strong, or always all that cut.

That being said, if you work at a Ballys or whatever, with inconsistent clients and the world of meatheads and narcissists your look will te your ability to get clients. Knowledge will keep them.

see the above bold type

[Sikk]

UCONN hit the nail on the head, but I'll go a little further.

I think the trainer should look the part of what they are training. Im a bodybuilder, I spend my free time reading/studying how to get bigger, that to me, is my specialty. I don't go around reading how to train marathon runners and quite frankly, really don't know **** about doing so. If someone came to me who wanted to get in shape to run a marathon, I could help them with getting their body into the correct shape to do the actual running, but if they wanted help setting up a running program to prep for a marathon, well then I'd refer them to someone who has more knowledge in that area.

I don't train just anybody and yes at times that hurts me a bit financially but I don't feel I'm an expert at everything. triathletes, marathon runners, baseball pitchers etc I for the most part stay away from. However, when it comes to bodybuilding I consider myself top notch.

Trainers should look the part they preach. I woudlnt want a 245 pound powerlifter trainer telling me how to train for a triathlete. If you havent done it yourself, what right do you have to tell someone else how to do it?

I understand people will say, "You can study it and learn about it without doing it." But personally, I don't preach what I dont practice, even if I have knowledge of it. I'm not going to train a marathon runner in how to run a marathon because I havent done it.

[PowerD]

I get a lot of the middle aged folks approaching me for training, when I really want to train athletes and guys who want to be huge. I am going for the Brad Pitt in fight club look with about 15 more lbs of muscle, and I do a good job of staying there. The problem is, the guys who want to be bodybuilders dont think I know how to get them there based on how I look. Meh, I stay healthy and busy anyway.

[jules_d1]

I understand people will say, "You can study it and learn about it without doing it." But personally, I don't preach what I dont practice, even if I have knowledge of it. I'm not going to train a marathon runner in how to run a marathon because I havent done it.

So whats your opinion of trainers such as myself who deal with rehab clients? I have not destroyed my knee nor have I ever had a rotated pelvis etc....

Just curious, no hate.

[Sikk]

So whats your opinion of trainers such as myself who deal with rehab clients? I have not destroyed my knee nor have I ever had a rotated pelvis etc....

Just curious, no hate.

I dont know how you took what I posted towards rehab patients.

Dealing with rehab patients takes a certain person with certain skills and a very strong knowledge of the human body. My hats off to physical therapists and others who deal with them.

Of course I dont think you have to have experienced an injury to treat it. Every injury is unique, it would be almost impossible to compare one to another.

I just simply stated that I'd rather be an expert in one or 2 areas then try and train 10 different people all with 10 completely different goals. I don't feel I could give them their full money's worth in some situations.

[BOLDERNECK]

Oh yeah I am with you on that.

I still believe a trainer should look like a person that is in the best shape of their target clients. There are always exceptions but for the most part they should look the part.if you are going to talk the talk you better walk the walk! you dont have to be mr. O but you should at least train...i personally would not listen to you or give you a nickel if you look like you go out and get drunk all the time! i dont care what kind of 'education' you have! i have had my own business for 9 years,i have a diploma and a couple certs[so im not an idiot] i had one client that told me she was nervous when she had to cancel because she was nervous about telling me...she told me she felt this way because she could tell i lived and breathed that lifestyle...i know that is a little hard as an example.....i really believe you must look the part!

[kserajuddin]

Now I don't mean if you're pretty or not, but your physical shape.



They say 90% of the first impression we make with people is on appearance - when a lot of trainers are selling services that improves appearance, it's got to be at least that much if not more -

Yeah, being in shape is a big part - but there's also another dimension to it above and beyond -

You've also got to look the part of a fitness professional - too many trainers think they can get away with working in their beat up gym clothes or with poor grooming - these are always **** trainers that are not making that much -
If you expect to charge over $50 an hour of take-home money and have a full schedule, you better look the part - you should have a matching outfit, new sneakers, and any necessary materials to do the job - you may even want to produce an embroidered shirt so you really look professional -

And make sure you're groomed well and smell good - and have a positive demeanor and personality - it's only the highest educated people in our society that are allowed to earn as much as an independent trainer, so the least you can do is be grateful and act like it -

People just gravitate to you when you represent what they picture a trainer to be - there's a lot more to that than just your physical shape -

So if you're just starting out as a trainer and aren't in shape yet cover it up by making sure you dress well - consider wearing khakis instead of sweats - people will think you're a scientist -

But being in shape has got to be a high priority - If you're not motivated enough to stay in outstanding shape and put in the time to do so, you've got to ask yourself why -

For my style of training, it's very important - but yeah, I can imagine for a powerlifter it won't be a big deal how you look - just what you lift -

[John Prophet]

If you expect to charge over $50 an hour of take-home money and have a full schedule, you better look the part - you should have a matching outfit, new sneakers, and any necessary materials to do the job - you may even want to produce an embroidered shirt so you really look professional -

And make sure you're groomed well and smell good - and have a positive demeanor and personality - it's only the highest educated people in our society that are allowed to earn as much as an independent trainer, so the least you can do is be grateful and act like it -



I absolutely and totally agree.


Problem being, I hate, loath, and despise the typical 'trainer look' as presented in most ads etc. The sort of "20yr old baby faced college kid with no muscle, 150lbs soaking wet with a polo shirt who is touch spotting a women with pink 5lb dbells"


example?? no offense to either of the models--> http://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Personal-Training-Conditioning-Association/dp/0736000151

[SK1989]

I think a personal trainer even with the knowledge needs to adapt that knowledge into their appearence and physical shape. For example let's say I wanted a personal trainer, wanted to gain good amounts of muscle, following by a generalization I would be more inclined by a lot to choose the personal trainer who is actually a big bodybuilder, as you know if they got the results it's likely they can get you them too.

[Retardo-pex]

The thing about appearance is that it can be a double edged sword. Looking in shape will attract the weight loss crowd but make the guys looking to get huge shy away, looking huge might attract the teenagers who want to be bodybuilders crowd while scaring away the weight loss/triathlete crowd.

Now I'm not saying this is some sort of fact, just my own experience. The best way to attract clients is to show you know what you are talking about on more then one subject. You could have all the strength training info in the world but you'd be losing some money if someone looking to get into marathons asked you a few questions and you had zero experience with the sport.

My advice is to look how you want to look. The smart clients will hear what you have to say and see you know your ****. Those are usually the easier to deal with people to begin with. I'm by no means a bodybuilder, but I trained a bodybuilder who looked way better then me but was stagnant in his training. He had enough common sense to know not all the best trainers need to be pro bodybuilders to give good training advice.

[Beefcake Girl]

I work for The Fitness Factory (Mike Davies) and all of us girls are required to be in shape. Not contest lean at all times but we MUST be able to perform any and all exercises we ask our clients to perform (and we do some crazy stuff with our athletes!). But that is one of Mike's sayings..."I wouldn't ask you to do something I couldn't do myself."

So needless to say we are all in pretty good physical condition, especially since we are all trained by Mike too. That is another unspoken requirement...he coaches us so we can coach others on his methods :)

And being in great shape and "looking the part" is a huge selling point for me. There are a lot of personal trainers in my gym and most members do not know anything about my contest history or stage accomplishments that set me apart. But one look at me and they can tell I have a clue about training and nutrition!

[josephinedalton]

I think your overall image has alot more to do with it than you think. At least until you've develped a reputation nor a pipeline to draw new clients from.

If you are overweight and new, don't expect to be taken seriously. If you're a bodybuilder, expect to attract alot of men who want to get big. If you're a pretty girl, expect to attract alot of men who just want to get close to you. If you are just overall just dog gone HOT, expect that your image will either draw people to you and intimidate others. If you look like an athlete, don't be surprised if you only attract athletes. If you you wear body defining clothes, expect to attract clients who may want to look exactly like you ! ! (of course this isn't the case all the time)

Remember that most people work out to look better and gain more self confidence.... superficial reasons. And many will base their initial opinion of someone off image. So make a good first impression and know that you are being watched at all times. Always stay in shape.

[kserajuddin]

I think your overall image has alot more to do with it than you think.

Truer words were never spoken.

[askthetrainer]

bump

More threads about personal trainer appearance....

Being a PT and your own Physical Appearance (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=107558711)
Would you trust a fat personal trainer (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=108754261)
Trainer Appearance (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=114025921)
Walking advertisment.. For the trainers not in great shape, Whats your excuse? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=107937231)
do you find fat/out of shape trainers credible? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=113292401)
Why do gyms hire overweight, out of shape trainers? (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=125262451)

[SerpentHearted]

The main things a PT is selling is knowledge and enthusiasm.

Your enthusiasm is what is going to keep your clients motivated, of course getting good results based on your knowledge helps as well! To my way of thinking, if you aren't in pretty damn good shape, it shows a lack of enthusiasm. How can you inspire your client to be highly motivated, train regularly and consistently, and follow your dietary recommendations if you look like you really don't care much about this stuff yourself?

I don't think that means you have to look like the most enormous hardcore body builder by any means, you just have to look like someone who's in good shape, knows what they're doing and CARES about it.