Fat unfit gym instructors

jonsnow

In my local gym a number of the instructors are now obviously fat or out of shape. I have been going to the same gym for 5 years and have seen the standard of fitness of these instructors noticeably deteriorate. I realise that it is a tough low paying job with long hours but is it simply unacceptable that a gym instructor who is an expert in fitness and nutrition etc. is in a worse shape than most of the regular patrons?

wazky

Well we have consecutive Health Ministers pontificating to us about health and well-being whilst they themselves have been less then peak condition, same kinda scenario no?

Kylo Ren

Do they even lift?

guttenberg

As long as they can help the patrons improve their own fitness then it shouldn't really matter what shape they are in.

Turtwig

Maybe they have health issues like a disability or illness that's affecting their exercise regimes. A coach doesn't have to be the perfect performer they only need to be perfect at instructing others in how to perform. So if their instructions are good does it really make any difference if they're slim or overweight?

Sirsok

guttenberg wrote: »

As long as they can help the patrons improve their own fitness then it shouldn't really matter what shape they are in.

You wouldn't learn French from someone that can't speak French

Drakares

The health minister for the Country is obese. Bigger picture, eh

timthumbni

I know a doctor who is clinically obese and smokes 40 a day.

I wouldn't value his opinion on health matters myself.

In saying that I read a while back about a vicar in the Church of England who admitted that he didn't actually believe in god. Lol. That is slightly taking the pish. Ha.

Scruffy...The Janitor

Sirsok wrote: »

You wouldn't learn French from someone that can't speak French

But you'd learn French from someone who has studied French and knows all the verbs, nouns, theory etc. You wouldn't think they have to actually BE French to teach it.

guttenberg

Sirsok wrote: »

You wouldn't learn French from someone that can't speak French

Eh?! someone doesn't have to embody the stereotype of their profession to be good at their job. Do you assume that a bald person would make a rubbish hairdresser/barber? a skinny chef doesn't know anything about food? as long as they can give good advice to the gym members about how to achieve their goals, then they are fulfilling the role of fitness instructing.

RDM_83 again

Look at all the great sports coaches that are really unhealthy overweight or old, as long as they can do the job.
That guy in Rocky was ancient sure!

Mr. CooL ICE

Mark Rippetoe is one of the most renowned strength and conditioning coaches in the world and he just looks like a typical middle aged fat guy. Extremely knowledgeable though.

fran17

give ben dunne a shout maybe???

ongarboy

Reminds me of Graham Norton show last night. A heavy PE teacher from audience sat on the flip chair at the end to tell his funny story and when he told Norton his occupation, Norton sneered "seems unlikely" to the panel. It was cruel but very funny!

entropi

You'll have that though. Not all gym instructors are going to look or act like you expect, nor will all of them be experts in fitness or nutrition. The fact some of them might be/seem overweight or not look the part has nothing to do with it really, you can't see strength or knowledge from the outside.

Also...how would the health minister have anything to do with how they look?

B.A._Baracus

Let's be honest people,
if a fitness instructor is over-weight it's stupid. It's goes against the purpose of having that person employed. It's like an English teacher who can barely speak english

Fitness instructors don't all have to be ripped. Just be fit. Who would you rather ask to lose some weight (for example) An instructor who is over-weight? or the other slim/fit instructor?

I just think it's mental employing an over-weight instructor :pac: The whole point of a gym is to make money providing a facility for people. Health and fitness. But your front-line staff do not repersent this? ... mental

Tombi!

Fitness instructors just need to be able to instruct and that's that. My doctor is very overweight and has been for years.
I still take her advice a lot when I go to her that is.

whirlpool

I've had some fitness instructors who were in excellent shape, but they were dopes! Hadn't a clue what they were up to. A fat person who is an expert on fitness may not have much motivation or willpower for themselves but if they have the knowledge and the education, then all that's needed is for YOU to have the motivation, not them.

PizzamanIRL

Maybe these instructors have all the knowledge etc. but choose not to use it on themselves. They might not have the mental strength to better themselves but would happily advise other people.

humbert

Someone who is fit.

Someone who knows about fitness.

Must these two things be one and the same?

JohnnyChimpo

LordChessington wrote: »

Mark Rippetoe is one of the most renowned strength and conditioning coaches in the world and he just looks like a typical middle aged fat guy. Extremely knowledgeable though.

Rippetoe is also probably the most abrasive dickhole in all of lifting training, a field which has no shortage of bro assholes.

whirlpool

humbert wrote: »

Someone who is fit.

Someone who knows about fitness.

Must these two things be one and the same?

They often aren't.

There are plenty of fit people who haven't a notion about fitness. I've met some of them.

Don't trust a fit person's knowledge on fitness just because they're fit themselves - just because your hobby is playing football / going for a run four times a week doesn't make you a fitness expert.