last update May 10, 2024 (originally published February 26, 2019)
His “standard” image one The exercise professional is constantly evolving, as is the fitness industry itself, and concerns about body image abound. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that by building a better, more effective and the higher performing body is part of the fitness activity. On the other hand, fitness is not just for it physical body—at least that one it should not is.
Unfortunately, questions like, “what should a personal trainer be like?” and “what is the ideal physique for personal trainers?” are still frequently heard in gyms and throughout the industry.
In an article titled Body Image and the Fitness Industry, Fitness expert Amanda Vogel argued that “body image issues in the fitness industry are nothing new. But the need for a more positive philosophy and more diverse perceptions of beauty is particularly important at this time. With increasing competition from fitness tech, fitness-connected social media stars, TV trainers, and an increasingly crowded market in our communities, a great body can (and should) only get you so far the industry.”
This brings us to the much debated question: “What should a personal trainer look like?” Other interesting questions are offshoots of this discussion, such as:
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What makes a personal trainer successful?
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What makes a personal trainer competent and valuable?
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It’s the way a personal trainer looks directly connected to customer success?
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Is it a realistic and fair expectation that all health and fitness professionals have a perfect physique?
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What does perfect even mean?
Judging by past definitions and images of “perfection,” no one really knows. So why should we care?
Fitness experts will agree: A perfect body is not essential to being a health and fitness professional the to be successful in the industry. This view, however, is contrary to the images depicted in industry, social advertisements media and marketing materials. Images of the stereotypical chiseled, six-pack ABS on scantily clad bodies dominate the view pictures to which we and our customers are exposed.
Consequently, it is more the rule—rather than the exception—for a customer to make claims such as, “I want to have a six-pack” or “I want to have a perfect body by next summer.” Of It’s also not uncommon for health and exercise professionals to put the same pressure on themselves to “look” the part. The interesting thing is that the majority of Health and exercise professionals don’t make appearances top priority when working with clients. Instead, their focus is to help their customers build healthier Lifestylesmall.
Well, why should it, as the professionalswe put pressure on ourselves to get and maintain a so-called perfect body when no one knows what that means?
In her article, Vogel argued that change must start with us. Chris Gagliardi, MS, ACE Scientific Education Content Manager and ACE Certified Personal Trainer, agrees: “The perfect body is the one you are confident about. We cannot equate physical appearance with knowledge, adequacy or professional effectiveness. Of time, both as an industry and as individual professionals, we recognize that looking healthy is different for everyone and everyone.”
How we can help our clients develop body confidence and body pride if we ourselves are incapable of doing the same?
Maybe it better question to ask is not what a personal trainer should look like, but what a personal trainer should be is like. Being a personal trainer doesn’t mean fitting into a cookie-cutter, airbrushed, photo-shopped image. Of for character, integrity, passion and knowledge. Furthermoresuccess as a personal trainer does not depend on the presence or absence of certain idealized physical characteristics that most people are unlikely to possess possess. We must recognize that our thoughts and words have tremendous power. We also need to start focusing on what it really matters—the individual and the contributions they do in the fitness industry. The total sum health and exercise professional contribution will not be theirs body. If this is as we see it, we unfortunately get carried away in our mission.
If you have got have you ever attended a professional fitness industry conference or workshop, you have he probably noticed that the images you see in the advertisements do not accurately depict the professionals present. Excithat professionals look different from each other and that’s okay This is authentic. This is real. We are role models. We are leaders. We are influencers. Let that be the mark we leave and be judged by – not a size or a number on the scale.
What should a personal trainer be like? Like you. Like me. Like each of us in our individual and imperfect glory. This is what we look like
If you are interested in learning more about how to become an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, check out these great resources:
