Walking advertisment.. For the trainers not in great shape, Whats your excuse?

[db2012]

One thing that I have always had trouble understanding, is what the deal is with all these fat out of shape personal trainers? I just picture a personal trainer as some one that has passion about fitness, physically that should reflect with your own body. I just don't get it, I wouldn't trust a fat out of shape trainer if I was an avg Joe. Is there any one who realizes they are in fact NOT in shape that can elaborate on this?

[Jamps]

One thing that I have always had trouble understanding, is what the deal is with all these fat out of shape personal trainers? I just picture a personal trainer as some one that has passion about fitness, physically that should reflect with your own body. I just don't get it, I wouldn't trust a fat out of shape trainer if I was an avg Joe. Is there any one who realizes they are in fact NOT in shape that can elaborate on this?

lol have u seen how nutritionists look?

I think thats part of it (more so for marketing purposes), but the main part would be that persons potential at producing results with their clients.

[John Prophet]

first, get all the psychiatrists to stop committing suicide....then we will worry about the fat PTs

[EMISGOD]

One thing that I have always had trouble understanding, is what the deal is with all these fat out of shape personal trainers? I just picture a personal trainer as some one that has passion about fitness, physically that should reflect with your own body. I just don't get it, I wouldn't trust a fat out of shape trainer if I was an avg Joe. Is there any one who realizes they are in fact NOT in shape that can elaborate on this?

Maybe they can just wear a gigantic sign around their neck that says, "I know stuff...HONEST!"


I think thats part of it (more so for marketing purposes), but the main part would be that persons potential at producing results with their clients.

There is no way of knowing this just from looking at them, though...if they're in good shape, at least the person seeing them for the first time can reason that they knew enough to get themselves in decent shape...

[MVP]

One thing that I have always had trouble understanding, is what the deal is with all these fat out of shape personal trainers? I just picture a personal trainer as some one that has passion about fitness, physically that should reflect with your own body. I just don't get it, I wouldn't trust a fat out of shape trainer if I was an avg Joe. Is there any one who realizes they are in fact NOT in shape that can elaborate on this?


Well there are plenty of fat out of shape personal trainers. It's sad, because it hurts the fitness industry as a PT is an icon in a gym. Every member will watch and criticize you! It gives trainers a bad rep, and people see trainers as a joke!

The thing is anyone can get certified fat or not. From what i see, out of shape people who want to be trainers, just do it because it's just a job. They hear trainers can make $35+ / hr, so they'll try it out.

I just wish they would have some type of board or state test, which would incorporate a brutal physical test to see if you are in shape, strength, endurance etc...

I know if i was an average joe, i would never ask a out of shape trainer to train me. It's a waste of time, and time is money. Trainers should practice what they preach

There's nothing True Trainers who have a passion for changing people's lives, can do about it. There are more out of shape trainers out there, than in shape trainers

[Baker19]

STFU

They're bulking DUMBASSES GOSH

[EMISGOD]

Well there are plenty of fat out of shape personal trainers. It's sad, because it hurts the fitness industry as a PT is an icon in a gym. Every member will watch and criticize you! It gives trainers a bad rep, and people see trainers as a joke!

The thing is anyone can get certified fat or not. From what i see, out of shape people who want to be trainers, just do it because it's just a job. They hear trainers can make $35+ / hr, so they'll try it out.

I just wish they would have some type of board or state test, which would incorporate a brutal physical test to see if you are in shape, strength, endurance etc...

I know if i was an average joe, i would never ask a out of shape trainer to train me. It's a waste of time, and time is money. Trainers should practice what they preach

There's nothing True Trainers who have a passion for changing people's lives, can do about it. There are more out of shape trainers out there, than in shape trainers

There's a lot wrong with it, the lack of standards having most to do with it. You probably will always have this when so much of it is freelance and there's no barrier to entry at all. All you have to do to become a trainer is say you are one, which gets us into the current situation. A lot of so-called trainers are what I like to call "exercise demonstrators" and can't make much more of a comprehensive "training schedule" than do this exercise on this day, that one on this day, etc. etc.

[Superhuman7]

Well there are plenty of fat out of shape personal trainers. It's sad, because it hurts the fitness industry as a PT is an icon in a gym. Every member will watch and criticize you! It gives trainers a bad rep, and people see trainers as a joke!

The thing is anyone can get certified fat or not. From what i see, out of shape people who want to be trainers, just do it because it's just a job. They hear trainers can make $35+ / hr, so they'll try it out.

I just wish they would have some type of board or state test, which would incorporate a brutal physical test to see if you are in shape, strength, endurance etc...

I know if i was an average joe, i would never ask a out of shape trainer to train me. It's a waste of time, and time is money. Trainers should practice what they preach

There's nothing True Trainers who have a passion for changing people's lives, can do about it. There are more out of shape trainers out there, than in shape trainers

I think my gym (24 Hour Fitness) is the worst case scenario as far as fat, out of shape trainers are concerned. Not only are they out of shape, they frequently tell me things like, "If I trained you, I'd teach you to lift so you wouldn't HAVE to lift all those heavy weights," or they'll criticize the supplements I take (without even knowing what they are) and tell me how nothing can even come close to Apex products. The funny thing is that it all comes down to the question that the OP posed. You can have all the knowledge in the world, but why would anybody trust you to teach them how to improve their physique if you don't look the part? The experienced among us may know that size/strength does not necessarily indicate knowledge or lack thereof, but the average newcomer to the gym has a different perspective.

[D1-FS-19]

We have one fat PT at our gym and he that's because he's a powerlifter.

[EMISGOD]

To sum up, unless you have great word of mouth, not being in shape will hurt you as a personal trainer in regards to new customers and first impressions...

[John Prophet]

the irony being....a large percentage of IN SHAPE trainers wouldnt know their arse from a hole in the ground either.

seeing someone in good shape absolutely doesnt mean they can get YOU into good shape.


go to any physical labor workplace and you will see people who work hard and eat modestly and they display a lean, taught physique......do u think they know anything about training?

I worked with airplane tirebuilders at goodyear who AFAIK didnt lift weights at all....I could do roids, perfect diet, cardio etc etc and I could NOT attain the physique some of these guys had. But I wonder if they know more about training than I do?


How about the proverbial wet behind the ears 19 YO, 5'11" 155lb baby faced trainer we see in 95% of PT ads?? Dude hasnt even had TIME to get out of shape, lol. How the hell is he going to know how to get someone into shape when he himself probably can still eat at Mcdonalds every day yet his young metabolism keeps him "fit"?



of course, though I am playing devils advocate, I definitely agree that trainers should feel duty bound to be reasonably in shape. Even so, their personal shape, good or bad, doesnt guarantee anything.

If that were the case, how would doctors ever keep their jobs when most of them dont appear to be very healthy at all?

[jules_d1]

I think sometimes trainers can be forgiven for being out of shape if they HAVE BEEN in shape.

For example if they have competed in a contest, ran a marathon etc.

With that said, you dont want them to be a total slob.

[omnisjdi]

As some one who is deciding whether or now to be a personal trainer in the future, I can tell you that appearances are important. As a gym client I also like to see and potential PT working out in the gym. I'm much more likely to ask some that I've seen working out questions than one I haven't seen train. Especially if they appear out of shape.

Jeff

PS: Had a similar problem as a Licensed Massage Therapist. The fact that I didn't look healthy probably cost me a lot.

[John Prophet]

As a gym client I also like to see any potential PT working out in the gym.

I always wonder about that. Seems some people would rather somehow think of a trainer as some mystical being with a lot of mystery around them. Like the trainer somehow stays in shape without working out or he has some "secret" stuff he does. Like, if they actually SAW him workout it would lessen some of the mystique.

Its sort of like a preacher. They like to see them ushered in from the wings with an entourage like a rock star.....if they saw them out cutting the grass in cut off denims and a t shirt it would dampen the effect.

Thats why I have asked questions about doing PT in the same gym u yourself workout in.....when peopel see you just doing basic nuts and bolts stuff I think in soem cases it lessens that mystique. I guess thats why some trainers choose to do esoteric "flashy" stuff

[Bodysteele]

The best trainer in my gym is probably sitting at 18% BF or something...iunno, maybe he likes to eat normally, is active, married and fine with looking like a normal big guy? He is a strong flexible dude....I wouldnt call him out of shape but he isnt that lean and it seems like somehow LEAN has come to mean IN SHAPE on this site????

I mean id have to know what "fat" means to the OP on this site ive seen fball players called fat for being clearly below 17% bodyfat, which is just a joke.

The idea that LEANER=Better is quite simpy a fallacious one once you get some room under 20%....personally I never want to be below ~12-14%.

Some of the leanest trainers at my gym are some of the ones in the worst muscular shape,.....flat glutes, no core strength, no hammies, usually doing arm work and are like 5"10 165lbs....why the hell would anyone want to be/look like that.?

Iunno...different strokes, for different folks I suppose.

[gischer]

[QUOTE=Bodysteele;167923961] He is a strong flexible dude....I wouldnt call him out of shape but he isnt that lean and it seems like somehow LEAN has come to mean IN SHAPE on this site????

I mean id have to know what "fat" means to the OP on this site ive seen fball players called fat for being clearly below 17% bodyfat, which is just a joke.

The idea that LEANER=Better is quite simpy a fallacious one once you get some room under 20%....personally I never want to be below ~12-14%.



Clients tend to choose a trainer who looks/trains how he/she wants to look/train. i.e. a male looking to train for a BB competition probably wouldn't go with a PL'r trainer with 20% BF... Most male clients, particularly those under 40 years old ultimately want to be in the low double digits (having a 6-pack). This is far from an absolute, but it is deffinetly a general trend I have noticed...

[dasixthsun]

i see a lot of this in the gym also. but what really gets me is when they're at the desk eating chick-Fil-A sandwiches and donuts. Also the gym had chick-fil-a come in and give out free givaways. I mean this makes no sense at all. Teh gm is also a fat slob

[Vipersg123]

The best trainer in my gym is probably sitting at 18% BF or something...iunno, maybe he likes to eat normally, is active, married and fine with looking like a normal big guy? He is a strong flexible dude....I wouldnt call him out of shape but he isnt that lean and it seems like somehow LEAN has come to mean IN SHAPE on this site????

I mean id have to know what "fat" means to the OP on this site ive seen fball players called fat for being clearly below 17% bodyfat, which is just a joke.

The idea that LEANER=Better is quite simpy a fallacious one once you get some room under 20%....personally I never want to be below ~12-14%.

Some of the leanest trainers at my gym are some of the ones in the worst muscular shape,.....flat glutes, no core strength, no hammies, usually doing arm work and are like 5"10 165lbs....why the hell would anyone want to be/look like that.?

Iunno...different strokes, for different folks I suppose.

I get what you mean. And speaking from a medical standpoint of what is "in shape" you can be a complete fat ass and be healthier than a lean person provided you are active.

But as personal trainers you should probably take advantage of your own knowledge and apply it to yourself. I know that if someone had the choice between a fat muscular PT and a lean muscular PT most of the general population will associate the lean PT as the healthy more fit one, mainly because they want to look like him/her.

[omnisjdi]

I get what you mean. And speaking from a medical standpoint of what is "in shape" you can be a complete fat ass and be healthier than a lean person provided you are active.

But as personal trainers you should probably take advantage of your own knowledge and apply it to yourself. I know that if someone had the choice between a fat muscular PT and a lean muscular PT most of the general population will associate the lean PT as the healthy more fit one, mainly because they want to look like him/her.

Thats what I look for in trainers [see earlier response].
There is a difference between "power lifter fat" and fat. You can see the power in the power lifter types. This also goes for Football players, Basketball players,
and those whom compete in the "Worlds Strongest Man" competition.

Jeff

[bthom65]

flat glutes

hmmmmmmmmmmm

[bustingloose78]

I think PT's should be lean and fit

[MaxxBot]

I wouldn't worry as much about how the trainer looks, but more about their training experience.

I would much prefer to be trained by some guy who was a competitive olympic lifter for years but now is old and retired than some fitness model type trainer who looks great but doesn't know a thing about how to train properly.

[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)

[db2012]

Sorry I didn't mean to change focus to negativity. I guess the point is if you want to talk the talk you should at least TRY to walk the walk, or expect to get busted?

[bstafki08]

Sorry I didn't mean to change focus to negativity. I guess the point is if you want to talk the talk you should at least TRY to walk the walk, or expect to get busted?

well put, i agree 100% as does most of my clients. its how i get most of my business. a majority of the clients i have said they prefer someone who practices what they preach.

[SageFit]

The only issue I see with the OP is that there is no designation of what "in shape" is. Let's keep in mind that not all "ripped" people are healthy and the skinny fat person who can run the marathon may be in fact be in better shape. There's many aspects of fitness, not just bodyfat or bench #. Obviously if the guy is obese, has diabetes and ****s bacon then it's not necessarily the best advertisement but thats a rare case. The trainers who look like "normal" people may very well be a hell of a lot more "fit" than you.

[KyleAaron]

Enough of this bullsht. How many of these threads do we need?

You have teh sixpack. Most PTs don't. That makes you terribly, terribly special. We get it. You can go now.

[tovlakas]

this is an old re-bumped thread.

[KyleAaron]

It is. Bumped by Askthetrainer, which I've previously thanked him for.

Notice that the OP posted to it again as well. He's still around, and still has the same ideas.

[djz]

Not many people have the discipline to achieve 6 pack abs. Those that can't do it, will make up many excuses to be lazy themselves, lack the self discipline to achieve a 6 pack.

To each his own

[Simmo0508]

http://memegenerator.net/1/ImageMacro/1542789/1-oh-great-this-thread-again.jpg

[Chesticles2]

We wouldn't get a free gym membership if they didn't want us to stay in great shape.
-OUR BODY IS OUR BUISNESS CARD!!
-Lots of knowledge comes from your own training experiences.
-We are representing fitness and that staying in shape can be done.
-If we cannot perform a movement physically, like a complicated core exercise we are useless to some clients.
-We also need to interact with clients (run, throw medicine balls back, etc) maybe not all the time but we need to excel in the fitness industry.
-Practise what you preach right?

[justinslayer]

We wouldn't get a free gym membership if they didn't want us to stay in great shape.
-OUR BODY IS OUR BUISNESS CARD!!
-Lots of knowledge comes from your own training experiences.
-We are representing fitness and that staying in shape can be done.
-If we cannot perform a movement physically, like a complicated core exercise we are useless to some clients.
-We also need to interact with clients (run, throw medicine balls back, etc) maybe not all the time but we need to excel in the fitness industry.
-Practise what you preach right?

Bingo

[SB100%Natural]

We have one fat PT at our gym and he that's because he's a powerlifter.

You don't have to be overly fat to be a good powerlifter, granted a little extra padding will help a bit but that's not an excuse to look like a cannon ball. Take Layne Norton for example, he was in great shape when he competed at his meets and he had pretty low body fat. My point is there I feel there is sometimes an attitude in powerlifting that goes: "ahhh **** it, I'm a powerlifter. Screw aesthetics I'll just get as fat as a house to help me lift more.

[djz]

You don't have to be fit, in great shape to be a personal trainer. There is not law that states you have to be. Any overweight, desk worker, hobbyist, or anyone else can be a personal trainer. You don't even have to ever workout yourself to be a personal trainer. All you have to do is pass a test, and you'll get your certification in the mail.