I hope I don’t sound like a butt for what I’m about to talk about.
Looking around my gym I notice about half the personal trainers are quite heavy and appear out of shape. One guy in particular has a lot of weight around his midsection… which is proven to increase his chances of getting certain diseases.
Now they could have just had a baby… or have recently lost 100 pounds.. I will never know.
I’m working to be a personal trainer and I am by no means in perfect shape. But I am healthy and fit because I’m practicing what I (will soon) preach. I do the exercises and follow training plans… and they’re working for me. I believe that by DOING I will be a better trainer. And, naturally, the doing will SHOW on the outside.
If I was going to hire a personal trainer, I’d expect them to be in great shape (not necessarily thin…) simply as a product of what they do. If I hired someone to teach me art I’d hope they create beautiful masterpieces of their own. If I bought food from a farmer I’d expect them to eat that food and be strong for it!
Now weight is very personal, but for a professional who helps many people achieve healthy body composition, I feel it appropriate to at least discuss: do you think a personal trainer should be in good shape?
Morning started with Kashi Heart to Heart, soy milk, a naner and PB!
Mid-morning I stole pizza from my box of leftovers. I’m known to steal from my lunch when left unattended 
Later I had to run David to his office and drop him off (his car is in the garage). Dixie came with us but refused to get out of the car when we got home! I think she didn’t want to come in without David. I tried going inside and shutting the door.. nothing would get her out! I eventually had to drag her out.
Lunch was a spinach salad, leftover Carrabba’s pizza (I swear there were 3 pieces there at some point!) and some leftover quinoa with Carrabba’s herbs 
YUM!
Dessert will be a peach
Dinner will be out… David insists on “eating good” before he leaves the US! Where he’s going isn’t big on good food.
I’m posting now since I’ll want to spend all my time with David tonight. He leaves on an airplane tomorrow! Please keep his safety in your prayers!
How fun is this swimsuit? I’m so excited because I love the look of one-pieces suits but I only have bikinis. This $7 Target steal is adorable- backless!
Happy Thursday!
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This post reminds me of something I always struggled with during my ED days–every single nutritionist I ever saw was overweight. I had the hardest time accepting their advice/nutritional guidance because I couldn't help but think that they didn;t know what they were talking about based on their appearance. I could only imagine that overweight personal trainers would have the same effect.
7 dollars?!?! adorable!!! i looked for 1-pieces at target and didn't find any!!! boo-hiss
hehe. about the topic– YES they should def be fit. it's a mental thing. and also physically they should be able to do what they are asking you to do! if at the very least to demo.
I definitely think personal trainer should be in shape, otherwise I doubt I'll hire him/her. It might sound crude, but it is true, who will trust someone to help me to be in shape if that person isn't in shape? it's not very inspirational and not a good model, right? I don't mean he/she must be extremely thin or fit, but at least not overweight and looks healthy and fit!
great topic!
I definitely think personal trainer should be in shape, otherwise I doubt I'll hire him/her. It might sound crude, but it is true, who will trust someone to help me to be in shape if that person isn't in shape? it's not very inspirational and not a good model, right? I don't mean he/she must be extremely thin or fit, but at least not overweight and looks healthy and fit!
great topic!
i totally think the trainer should practice what they preach. i would never want to work out with someone that wasn't motivating me to look better myself. its a big investment in time and money to get a trainer, and you want to make sure you are getting the most out of it from someone that really cares and believes what they are teaching you.
great topic!
I totally want your swimsuit!!
I expect a personal trainer to be fit and in shape, but weight doesn't matter so much. If they can run around and lift weights without their weight getting in the way, and if they know what they're talking about, then it's a nonissue. Its if their weight is hindering them and they don't have much muscle that I raise my eyebrows.
- Sagan
Cute swimsuit! Only $7?!?!? I need to get my ass to Target!
My dog stands the same way in our car…we call it surfing
Aw, Dixie, daddy will be back soon!
No, you don't sound like a butt re: a trainer's health! LOL, love your choice of words. I think a trainer should be fit, but fitness appears differently on each person I guess. I'm rather annoyed by fat and lazy trainers–doesn't make any sense to me. Call me an ass if you will…
I've noticed the trainers at my 24Hr are about half fit and half not-so-fit. I've also noticed the not-so-fit ones don't pay as much attention to their clients during sessions. Call it a weird coincidence if you will, but I don't think they're fully vested in their career if they're not following their own advice and not paying attention to their clients.
I think being a personal trainer is a lifestyle, not just a career, and the trainer's fitness should reflect that. If you have a passion about your own fitness and appearance you're 1000x more likely to have a positive impact on your clients. Clients seek guidance from their trainers and rely on them to be a good example of fitness. Everyone has their own fitness needs and goals, but trainers should maintain a healthful lifestyle and body if they expect to be taken seriously and truly make an impact on their clients.
Out of all the personal trainers in my gym the best trainer there is carrying several extra pounds. She plays tennis every morning before seeing clients and has run marathons all around the world. She's quite muscular but not lean, she told me her weight goes up and down. I don't think it affects her training as I've seen some of the people she has gotten into shape and its very impressive..
I think this is such an interesting topic! For me personally, I think a "perfect"ly fit trainer is somewhat intimidating, while an overweight one is not as inspiring. I think there has to be a balance; for me I would want a trainer who is real (size wise) – but yeah, definitely above average in their fitness level. I would want them to be able to do what they are showing me, and look at least decent doing it
Then I would have some inspiration and motivation that I could look good too. Also, there are unrealistic standards for mental health therapists, I think. People think that we must not have our own personal problems, seeing as how we are helping others with theirs. Sorta similar haha.
We have one in particular at my gym who appears very out of shape. It doesn't help that she's very unprofessional and makes crude small talk with her clients. If I ever do hire a trainer, I know I'd go after one who appears to be very fit and trim because that's what I want to be!
Would you go to a doctor that smokes?
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