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

[jtd1982]

hi guys, i'm new to this site. Just looking to get some info really. I am 26 and considering a career as a p.t. The thing that concerns me is that i at 6' and 170 pds, though i'm in good shape i am pretty lean. I dont have the bodybuilder look etc. Just thinking i may not be taken seriously, which wouldnt be ideal after all the work and ££ spent on certifications. So really i am asking, what do ppl generally expect from a p.t. In terms of physique?

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

In a PERFECT WORLD, the PTs physique should be of NO CONSEQUENCE, it is your knowledge that should impress the client.

But we live in world where people like to buy things that they find visually appealing. "I want my body to look like that trainers body, etc."

This is obiviously a horrible way to pick a trainer. But at 6', 170lbs with a LEAN LOOK, I think more people would gravitate to you and want to hire you more so if you were 6', 230lbs, and had a huge gut.

I wouldn't strive to gain a "bodybuilders" body as most bodybuilders take steroids and most people find bodybuilders physiques over the top and unattractive.

Just concentrate on keeping fit and gaining knowledge, the clients will come.

Dave

[kettlebell king]

I definately agree dave- beauty is always in the eye of the beholder! Although alot of my clients want to gain muscle none of them want the over developed standard bodybuilder look- and those that do tend to gravitate towards the trainers in our gym who are competing body builders themselves.

[crazy_trainer22]

look at guys like Mike Boyle lol he looks like an IT guy so tha hell wit looks learn as much as you can learn about every aspect of this field

[Christina]

I agree with these comments epecially:

look at guys like Mike Boyle lol he looks like an IT guy

LOL!!! Very true!

In my experience it seems the more educated the trainer the less they are caught up in aesthetics. I definitely don't think a trainer should be fat or extremely thin (especially female trainers). PTs should be role models for health.

Christina

[jlling]

A bodybuilder's physique is too commonly associated with drug use, and the only people that I know that appreciate that physique are other bodybuilders. A stab in the dark is going to say that your clientele won't have many of those.

Your physique is more a consequence of your health. If you take your advice to heart, or practice what you preach, the look will come with it. I wouldn't fret over superficial details.

[jtd1982]

thanks for the input guys. I definately dont want the bodybuilder look, as it generally looks ridiculous. I just want to be realistic about choosing this as a career path!

[zoggy]

Well hi,

I have been a trainer for a little while but am on the very lean side, I do train and eat well, but as an ectomorph, I do struggle with this same issue. I do not want a body builder look, but at 63 kgs, I would feel far more confident at 73 kgs (still not big). I have had clients comment to me, that I am too skinny, to which I reply, no I just dont have much body fat (but id be lying if i didnt say it does bother me)..... I also do think there may be a lack of respect from some people, others are impressed by my slight physique..

So my answer is be the best you, yuo can be.... and I am currently working on bulking up, the natural way, I am testing on myself, if my trainnig regime works and so far it is going great - I have a new program for skinny guys wanting to add muscle

So yes, you should look fit and healthy, but knowledge is more imortant, but no matter where you are, you should always try and improve yourself
in knowledge and physique

cheers
Nick

In a PERFECT WORLD, the PTs physique should be of NO CONSEQUENCE, it is your knowledge that should impress the client.

But we live in world where people like to buy things that they find visually appealing. "I want my body to look like that trainers body, etc."

This is obiviously a horrible way to pick a trainer. But at 6', 170lbs with a LEAN LOOK, I think more people would gravitate to you and want to hire you more so if you were 6', 230lbs, and had a huge gut.

I wouldn't strive to gain a "bodybuilders" body as most bodybuilders take steroids and most people find bodybuilders physiques over the top and unattractive.

Just concentrate on keeping fit and gaining knowledge, the clients will come.

Dave

[kaiserS]

In a PERFECT WORLD, the PTs physique should be of NO CONSEQUENCE, it is your knowledge that should impress the client.

But we live in world where people like to buy things that they find visually appealing. "I want my body to look like that trainers body, etc."

This is obiviously a horrible way to pick a trainer. But at 6', 170lbs with a LEAN LOOK, I think more people would gravitate to you and want to hire you more so if you were 6', 230lbs, and had a huge gut.

I wouldn't strive to gain a "bodybuilders" body as most bodybuilders take steroids and most people find bodybuilders physiques over the top and unattractive.

Just concentrate on keeping fit and gaining knowledge, the clients will come.

Dave

I think that you should let something like looks interfere with your confidence as a trainer - I think something overlooked that you can actually change today is how you DRESS - Wearing matching gear, staying clean shaven, and always being presentable goes a long way in the eyes of the client -

[simmo961]

In my (albeit fairly limited) experience, the only people who really want to hire a big muscled personal trainer are the ones who want to be a big bodybuilder themselves. I have found that if this is not their goal then they tend to gravitate to the slimmer, fitter looking PT rather than the Arnie type.

A lot of clients choose a personal trainer who has the physique they would want themselves. I have to say I only know one massive bodybuilder PT, the rest would not even warrant a second glance in the street but instead let their professionalism do the talking.