Do you judge your trainers/instructors by their appearance?

R

Red_Panda

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So we had a discussion in one of my classes about different kinds of discrimination in the workplace. Most people jumped headlong into the racial angle, but it got me thinking about something interesting, and I thought I'd pose it to you all because now I'm curious to see what everyone here thinks.

When you go to a personal trainer, or a yoga class, or an aerobics class, or watch a workout video/tv special, or even just read a book or hear someone speaking/lecturing on the subject of fitness, do you pre-judge the activity leader based on their physique? Are you more likely to take a trainer/instructor/teacher seriously if they are in what you perceive to be good to excellent shape? Or do you believe that they can still know what they're talking about and get you in shape effectively even if they themselves are out of shape?

For example: I have had classes where my teacher was, shall we say, on the heavy side. So walking in I was bordering skeptical, because she's been teaching this class for years. Which means she has been doing this exact routine at least as many times a week as those in her class will be right? And for much longer. So why is she not in great shape as she promises we will be "by bikini season"? But the class starts... And not only do I feel the burn and the break a sweat, but she is in fact very strong under those layers! How she can do what we're doing with ease while talking steadily is beyond me. So maybe some people are good at exercise but just poor eaters? So we can take them seriously on the one subject, but not the other? Or perhaps her metabolism is slow? Or I suppose there's probably a plethora of other reasons why, with all the exercise, she could be so strong but still so heavy. But do you take them less seriously? Are you less likely to take that class to start with even? If you were the owner of a gym, would you be less likely to hire a "heavy" trainer even if they could perform on pair with a fit one? Input! Debate!
 
To an extent I discriminate, people don’t need to be in great shape to know what they’re talking about but if I were to hire a trainer to take my squat from 400 to 500 I would want a trainer who could lift 500 himself. If they can’t then how can they know what’s involved in making that kind of step up in performance?
I’ve even had PT’s look at me funny for taking my trainers off to deadlift before; if they don’t know why I do that then why the hell would I want them trying to train me?

I have had a PT come over to me and suggest modifications to my deadlift to counter my APT before; the fact that he correctly diagnosed that just from looking at me and then made good suggestions really impressed me and if anyone told me they needed a PT I would recommend him immediately
 
I would almost immediately think that I would discriminate because Im picky with who I would want training me. As would, I think many others. However, I also think that the way someone carries themselves or presents themselves really plays the part. If they are confident and extremely knowledgeable and you can see yourself gaining a lot from this trainer, then go for it. You never know the trainers story behind his/her physique.
 
For me, it's hard to find anybody who is willing to even give me a few tips on any advice, so I take what I can get. Besides, I feel like an ass when I judge anybody about their professions (since I don't know anything about what they do).

I never judge anybody by the way they look or the way they live. There's plenty of people I know who are in great shape, but don't look it. One thing that made me not judge people by the way they look were elders. Usually when I thought of old people, I thought about how weak their bodies must be, but then I found out they were still pretty frikkin strong, it astounded me. I mean, guys in their 60's that can still kick the asses of younger dudes is awesome. Makes me wonder if that's the reason why everyone says respect your elders. :D
 
I used to, but no longer, judge a book by it's cover.

There have been many trainers that look like they are on the 6 meal a day McDonalds Diet that have suprised me with how much they knew about this lifestyle. Some people don't always practice what they preach however at the end of the day, knowledge is knowledge which has no appearance.
 
~LV~ said:
I used to, but no longer, judge a book by it's cover.

There have been many trainers that look like they are on the 6 meal a day McDonalds Diet that have suprised me with how much they knew about this lifestyle. Some people don't always practice what they preach however at the end of the day, knowledge is knowledge which has no appearance.
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But then why would you hire someone who isn’t as committed as you? 99% of people I meet don’t understand my desire to train and push myself to the level that I want to and if a trainer doesn’t understand that desire then how would they be able to train me?

I think an understanding of your clients goals and mindset is vital to having a productive relationship in training; like Apollo Creed and Rocky ;)
If my trainer doesn’t have the commitment to squat until they puke just to get one more rep than last week then they’ll never understand me and won’t be able to push me further than I could push myself

That doesn’t mean that they have to have the same goals as me though, I’d be more than happy to have someone like FF as a trainer as even though his goals are different I know he has the mindset that’s compatible with mine and has shown commitment above my own
 
I agree with LV. Its no different than a Coach on the sideline coaching players in a sport. In some cases they are out of shape, or past their prime, and unable to play the sport, but are still able to instruct/teach, plan/organize, lead, and motivate, to get the best out of their players (at least some of the good ones).

All I care about is the bottom-line. Is this person "able", "capable" to move me to my desired fitness goal? And, when I shell out the bucks, this is what really matters. I'd be interested in their (true and legitimate) track history of training clients, as well as other criteria.


Best regards,

Chillen
 
Typhon said:
But then why would you hire someone who isn’t as committed as you? 99% of people I meet don’t understand my desire to train and push myself to the level that I want to and if a trainer doesn’t understand that desire then how would they be able to train me?

I think an understanding of your clients goals and mindset is vital to having a productive relationship in training; like Apollo Creed and Rocky ;)
If my trainer doesn’t have the commitment to squat until they puke just to get one more rep than last week then they’ll never understand me and won’t be able to push me further than I could push myself

That doesn’t mean that they have to have the same goals as me though, I’d be more than happy to have someone like FF as a trainer as even though his goals are different I know he has the mindset that’s compatible with mine and has shown commitment above my own
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Just because a trainer doesn't have the desire to change their own body doesn't always mean that they don't have a passionate desire to help/see other people reach their goals.
 
~LV~ said:
Just because a trainer doesn't have the desire to change their own body doesn't always mean that they don't have a passionate desire to help/see other people reach their goals.
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True, and some trainers have a great history of getting results out of others without having achieved a great deal themselves.

However, we're talking about hiring a PT here and if I had to put my hard earned money on the line I'd rather give it to the guy who is already at the place I want to be
 
Ok, you've mentioned coaches and such working from the sidelines and trainers that aren't necessarily working themselves... but what about my example of aerobics teachers, pilates teachers - those that lead group classes by example? They are doing the exercises right along with you so clearly they are doing everything you are doing.

Would you assume they just aren't eating right? They aren't doing any other activities outside of this class? Maybe because they've been teaching the same activity so long their body is too efficient at these workouts and its lost its effect? But do you still think the class can be an effective one? I've found that I get a great workout from some of these group classes led by women that look out of shape but are surprisingly strong, and yet some women walk out of the class before it even starts because they say "she's been doing this for years and looks like that, how will the 6-week course get me fit in time for summer?" and such. Do any of you see things like that go on in your local gyms? Or is Eastern CT just a cruel place filled with harshly judgmental housewives? :p
 
Red_Panda said:
Ok, you've mentioned coaches and such working from the sidelines and trainers that aren't necessarily working themselves... but what about my example of aerobics teachers, pilates teachers - those that lead group classes by example? They are doing the exercises right along with you so clearly they are doing everything you are doing.
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Exercise doesn't mean **** if their eating like crap too. It's possible that they're in decent shape but eat too much so they're healthy and strong with good lung capacity but a big layer of fat over everything

Trainers like that are a good example of why exercise alone is not enough for fat loss
 
Typhon said:
However, we're talking about hiring a PT here and if I had to put my hard earned money on the line I'd rather give it to the guy who is already at the place I want to be
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True enough, but how would you know that he can get YOU where YOU want to be? He's only done what has worked for him. How do you know he has the willingness and ambition to help others achieve their goals?

I know a local trainer who was basically hired by his appearance, and he specifically told me that he didn't necesarily like training ("fat cows," as he put it), but does it for the free gym membership that goes along with his employment.
 
FunctionalTrain said:
True enough, but how would you know that he can get YOU where YOU want to be? He's only done what has worked for him. How do you know he has the willingness and ambition to help others achieve their goals?

I know a local trainer who was basically hired by his appearance, and he specifically told me that he didn't necesarily like training ("fat cows," as he put it), but does it for the free gym membership that goes along with his employment.
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Haha, yeah, you can never know for sure but if I were to have to choose a PT I’d be lying if I said the physical condition they were in wouldn’t sway my opinion.

A lot of it comes down to what I was saying about an understanding between PT and client. If I have someone telling me to push harder and achieve more, I want to be know that the person pushing me has been there and done it themselves
There’s an old proverb (I think Chinese) that goes:

“If you want to know the way up a mountain, ask the man that walks it every day”

That just about sums up my view on the subject
 
i can't argue with that!

appearances can be deceiving. someone overweight might just be able to outperform you. A scrawny person my just be able to throw up more weight than you. However, you made a great point about being motivated, and I believe you have to practice what you preach. It doesn't make sense otherwise.
 
Pt

What a great subject!! Perhaps discrimination is too strong of a word? At my gym there is a yoga instructor, male 40-50 who just doesn't look the part, but his class is full. Diet and the rest of his fitness program maybe the reason, but he knows his stuff.
The pilates instructor is a 40 yr old babe and exactly the look the people taking the course are looking for. Her class is full.
The trainers are mostly 20-30 range an really developed. However, they don't seem to train a lot of members.
I totally agree with those folks about hiring a trainer that is of like mind and working or have already reached similar goals. However, knowing your profession and being able to communicate/teach are the essence of great trainers. Being able to access a clients body and training needs is important. Being able to motivate and safely push the client to reach beyond their perceived goal is where it's at.
I've been trained by younger guys, but a younger great looking lady seems to me to be a distraction. I have not met a trainer my age into my ideas yet, so maybe there is a need there for trainers specifically into what I'm striving for.
All in all I think the client should be given as much latitude in accessing the prospective trainers as the trainer has in developing a program.
In the perfect case I think a training partner can be just as effective if he knows safety etc as a trainer that may or may not fit and without the costs.
High weight numbers in the gym are not an indication of overall fitness. Everyone's goals in the gym are different. However, a long healthy life in the gym should be a primary goal for everyone.
I'm training for a tri at 60, want to have a muscular build and be able to do 100 pushups and all the Crossfit exercises. I'd have to pay a fortune for a trainer and only would accept someone with similar goals, accomplishments and the knowledge of what it takes to reach where I want to be no matter what they look like as long as I feel comfortable and reach beyond my limits.
 
Appearances can be deceiving. There is one trainer at our gym and he's not a very big guy (but what he has is solid). He can literally train ANYBODY. Right now he's helping a guy compete in powerlifting. Most of his clients are overweight people in their 30s and 40s just trying to lose weight.

This guy's specialty is diet and weight/strength training (and motivation), and although he isn't a big guy, his knowledge surpasses every other trainer at the gym that "looks the part".

He is the ONLY PT I would ever consider hiring. Even though some of the other PTs are a lot bigger and may be able to squat 500 pounds, this guy doesn't NEED to be able to squat 500 pounds in order to get his clients to attain their goals.

But he's one of very few PTs that actually knows his stuff.
 
I wouldn't "judge" the trainer in this manner (of not walking the walk) unless they couldn't talk the talk. Off course if you want to be shown say the deadlift, its no use having a PT who cannot even do I to demonstrate form and correct you. When I go to a restaurant I don't judge them by how they look, but by their culinary skills. This is why you have out of shape talk show hosts and they still talk about getting in shape on their shows or worse, recommend a fad diet.
 
RedPanda - How heavy was the lady that was teaching your class? Can you show me a picture of someone that has the same dimensions of her or guess her height/weight?
 
calcium said:
RedPanda - How heavy was the lady that was teaching your class? Can you show me a picture of someone that has the same dimensions of her or guess her height/weight?
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Guessing a women's weight... dangerous territory... hahaha. Way to put me on the spot! Um well... she was about 5'6" which I can safely guess by comparing her height to my own. I can pretty safely guess her clothing size because she was built very similarly to my sister who is about the same height as her and whose size I know, so that's a size 16ish... So if I had to translate that to weight... um... I dunno... somewhere around 180 give or take? Maybe? I'm awful at guessing weights, I'll shut up now haha.

But under it she must have been in fantastic shape because rather than walk around the room and tell us what to do, or just stand up front and instruct us, she did every single rep right along with us - and in fact better than almost all of us! She was stronger and more flexible than pretty much any woman in there. And she was talking us through the workout the whole time too - I was out of breath. So it must have been comparably easier for her.
 
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