Putting the Fat Personal Trainer Debate to Bed

"We hired a trainer who was in shape, now you have plenty of clients, some money and a life, and you seem to be getting a bit fat, so you're fired." Apparently this is not just a debate, it is one of the fitness industry's favourite debates, with hundreds of thousands of posts arguing it. That amazes me, because it measures the wrong thing.

The usual argument

The case for trainers having to be lean runs along these lines: you are a walking billboard, your body is proof of your product, and an out-of-shape trainer looks insincere or hypocritical. People make instant judgements on first impressions, the argument goes, so being fit adds credibility.

There is a better answer out there, and it is worth repeating: many roads lead to the same destination, and the best guide is someone who knows how to navigate as many of them as possible. An experienced trainer recognises that a client's path is unique and gives them the plan and motivation to succeed. Notice that has nothing to do with the trainer's waistline.

The "look the part" argument is usually made by people who are not trainers, or by people who are insecure about themselves. And here is a fact worth sitting with: personal training still only reaches around 2 to 10 per cent of a health club's membership. That should tell us our marketing assumptions might be wrong. Maybe more real-looking, relatable trainers are part of the answer, not the problem.

What actually makes a trainer successful

In my experience it comes down to three things, and appearance is not one of them.

1. How the trainer makes the client feel

If a client feels motivated, happy, cared for and well served, the trainer is doing the job. To do that well, a trainer needs to:

• Deliver an experience, not just a workout.
• Select the right exercises for now, and build gradually over time.
• Know when to push a client harder and when to ease off.
• Navigate around pain and injury, and work with other professionals when needed.
• Read research so everything they deliver adds up to the result or feeds the experience.

2. How the trainer makes the rest of the gym feel

A successful trainer becomes a focal point in their club. Great trainers improve member retention, which benefits the whole business, and they help guide newer trainers through the hard early days and celebrate with them when it clicks.

3. How content the trainer feels

Ultimately a trainer can be measured by how content they are: how much they love the job, how fulfilled they feel, how they are progressing towards their own goals. This is the only point at which weight really enters the picture, and only because being unhappy in your own body can dent confidence and self-efficacy. That is a personal matter, not a competence one.

A word on the "your body is your product" line

A trainer's body is a reflection of their lifestyle, and this job makes for a demanding lifestyle. A trainer who spends time with friends and family, reads up on the science for their clients, and takes courses to serve more members may be far more valuable, and more relatable, than one who prioritises a perfect diet and their own training ahead of developing their craft and helping others.

To finish, some news from other industries: "Lewis Hamilton fired by Mercedes and replaced by Usain Bolt, because he is faster." "Dog taken to the shelter because it is terrible at stroking and throwing sticks." "Knife rejected by IKEA for being in one piece." Judge a personal trainer on the job they do, not the shape they are in.