Expectations of a PT's physique - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[latrainer]

The bottom line is most clients don't want to look like a bodybuilder. You should go after a specific niche.

Impress people with your knowledge, and show them how much you care. These two tips will take you a long way.

Being a lean trainer is a lot better than being a trainer 5' 7" - 252 pounds!

Don't let your physique hold you back from a personal training career!

[wesuhlee]

since i started working in gyms, i noticed employers were quick to pull the big guys off the floor and offer then jobs...of course they are going to get clients, you can't miss them when they walk by...but even the biggest guys are the most intelligent...brains over brawn rules the health and fitness field...but if you're looking to do bodybuilding, you're not going to pick the little guy to give you advice :wink:

[megfit]

I think this was mentioned in various ways, but the question is this: Do you want to be respected and grow your business because of your expertise or because of the size of your muscles?

Getting a handle on being ok with YOUR unique physical characteristics is part of a role model that you exhibit to your future clients.

Margie

[Chris Johnson]

Zoggy, what program is that you're doing?

Also, this is a personal training business. A nice physique can help close the deal on a new prospect. However, you can have a great physique, but no people or sales skills. There is a combination of skills that a trainer can use to gain and keep clients' confidence. My advice to any trainer is to consistently sharpen all of your tools (balance).

[FitGuyPT]

I'm new to this site, so this is my first posting. I have been training at a higher end gym for just over two years now. I am of a small bone structure but am 6'ft. in height with a weight of around 170lbs. By all means I am the smallest trainer out of our 26-strong training staff at our location but I am consistently one of the higher ranked trainers each pay-period (not less than 4/26 in over 14months and not less than 220/1350 for the company in the same timeframe). I have experienced the stereotypical aspect that certain clients have when it comes to smaller statured trainers (especially male trainers). If the small trainer stereotype were true I would be out of a job, not consistently close to the top of my company rankings. While not wanting to sound too cliche'; Knowledge is power in this field. If you have it and apply it, you will be successful not matter what stature you have. Your clients will recognize this and in-turn pass the word along to others. Word of mouth is the best form of marketing there is; it's highly effective and completely free, but it requires you to be highly effective in applying the knowledge of this industry.

Many of my clients come to me for the health aspect of fitness and that is actually the type of client I prefer to train as they are more sincere about the training. Those looking to correct what's inside rather than the outside will always get better results. Unfortunately, we do face those that are there for the topical aesthetic approach and unfortunately these are the people who usually have mis-guided prenotions of what makes up a "good trainer." In all the cases in which I have dealt with direct comments about not being big enough to effectively train someone for mass gains, etc... I simply ask them why they have that opinion? Many times they can not justify an answer. The better you understand your potential client, the more effective you can be in formulating your responses.

I for one would much rather be lean and strong. There is a large difference between strength building and mass building and the later doesn't always mean you will have good strength.

Most importantly, a well-rounded education will allow you to effectively and confidentally train clients no matter what a persons' goals are or what your stature is. Being well-rounded will help you to reach all populations and maybe even change some of those stereotypes that, sadly, do exist in our industry. Communication is a large part of this. If you can effectively communicate with your clients, they will not become just trained individuals, they will hopefully become educated and the value gained from that will make a lasting impression on them and for your business.

[runslikeagirl]

I just obtained my certification. I have been a runner for years and only starting combining strength training a few months ago. I am a 94 pound female and had the same question when I decided to get certified. I just passed my test, so I am not yet working, but I get the same respect at my gym as the everyone else. I think that being knowledgable is what is truly important. Of course as trainers we have to be in great shape, but not everyone has the capacity to gain huge muscle mass.

[kaiserS]

More often than not you'll find the top trainers to look like very good examples of excellent fitness - there are of course a few exceptions, but that's what I'm seeing out there -

At the lower levels, you will see a lot of juiceheads out there - but these guys are usually empty in terms of knowledge and skill in my experience, and also generally lack the work ethic and smarts to be successful trainers.

So although it's not set in stone, you do need to practice what you preach, but there's a lot more to success in this game, whether it's training knowledge, marketing, or interpersonal skills, that are needed for real success.

[Dave, ElevationFit.com]

The first personal trainer I ever had and the one who got me started in the biz was not a bodybuilder/fitness pro type. His personality however, was bigger than life and he had the knowledge to back it up.
As a trainer myself, I came into the business as a bodybuilder and actually had to be very careful to assure my clients that I knew what I was talking about and would not train them all just to look like me. It turned out to be more of a liability than a help when training general public.

[sampson497]

I also have an ectomorphic body type and this is the one worry I have about getting employed in the future. I am yet to do a PT course, but my main concern was "surely a gym would employ a muscle man over a 'long distance runners' physique when wanting to employ someone."

Since reading this thread it has helped my calm my fears about not getting employed, as experience and interpersonal skills also play a big role.

[Tim1]

I totally agree with everyones thoughts on this thread.

I myself am a competing middle distance runner. As you can imagine, I do not carry much muscle mass. I am also a Strength & Conditioning Coach. There are not too many Strength & Conditioning Coaches who come from an endurance background. However, I don't let my physique stand in my way. Knowledge and results are what really matter!