We all know how presentation and self-representation matter in today’s
competitive world. And in an industry like fitness, those who are selling the hope
of fitness, quite naturally are expected to be fit themselves for anyone to believe
them, right?
You often judge a dentist by their smile and teeth alignment. You judge a sports
coach by their record in active sports. Then, quite obvious, a personal trainers
would be judged on their fitness levels. So, let’s flip the question – Will I choose a
personal trainer who is overweight? While a naive answer may be NO. Most
would say, what is overweight? If my trainer looks absolutely unfit, I would sure
have second thoughts.
The next question to ask yourself is “Why do you want to be a personal trainer?”
If the goal is to help others get fit and healthy, wouldn’t you want to be fit yourself
to be the role model? How else will your client be inspired and motivated?
However, it is an absolutely incorrect perception that to be a personal trainer, you
need to be the epitome of fitness and good looks.
If you are really determined to be a personal trainer but are overweight or dealing
with some body issues at the moment, it is not that you cannot aspire to be a
personal trainer in the future. The goal is to work towards self-fitness and then
move on to making others fit. The two eventually go hand in hand. Ultimately, it is
your passion and compassion that will help your clients gain confidence in you.
There is another aspect to this aspiration, where you may have had a health
condition or an injury that does not allow you to work out to attain the perfect
physique, however, that doesn’t stop you from guiding others to achieve the
same. Your back story and your dedication will translate to the knowledge of fitness.
Here are a few things to keep in mind in your journey to be a personal trainer,
despite personal weight issues:
1. Not all sports coaches where successful players on field. Your job is less
physical than psychological and mental. Prove your clients you have the
knowledge and grit in you.
2. Optimal level of fitness is required. Your clients will only trust you if they
see the underline reason of your weight issues is not one that you have no
control over. If they are convinced you have worked on yourself hard
enough they will show the confidence of trusting themselves with you.
3. Self-confidence is the key. If you believe in yourself, others will believe
you. Your sense of confidence in yourself will translate in your capability to
train others to be fit.
If you are overweight, you may find it challenging to start to win clients and their
trust. But your confidence in yourself can make all the difference. Moreover, your
sense of empathy may lead you to be a more successful trainer than someone
who doesn’t understand body weight issues.