Someone at the gym asked me how I felt about instructors or personal trainers who were not in shape. I’ve covered this topic in the past, but it bares repeating. It is my firm belief that fitness instructors and personal trainers must be in shape. I feel the same way about soldiers, cops, firemen, EMT, or any other line of work that requires some form of physical activity.
I’m not even talking about looking ripped or lean at this point, I’m talking about some basic level of fitness. You don’t have to be the fittest person in the room, but you certainly can’t be the most out of shape. Sometimes people get offended by this, and I don’t understand how that is. I’ll repeat, I’m not saying that you have to be shredded and ripped, but you can’t be a fitness instructor and be the least fit person present. I mean come on, how is that even a point of contention?
Our job as fitness coaches is to motivate, inspire, and lead. How can you lead anyone if you yourself are not living by what you preach? You are supposed to be an example for your people. If you are severely overweight, eat terribly, and can’t do a push-up or jumping jack, how could you possibly stand around and presume to educate someone else on how to eat and live for fitness? Furthermore, how could you have the audacity to ask them to pay you top dollar for this knowledge?
You have to lead by example. You don’t have to have a perfect physique or diet, but for God’s sake, at least make an effort to have a basic level of fitness in your lifestyle. If this post offends you, take a step back, ask yourself why? Maybe you’ll realize that it’s not about what I’m saying but what you are doing. We can all improve, and it doesn’t hurt (only helps) anyone to self correct bad behavior.
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens. Please take note of a post’s date. The views I express here are subject to change and evolving as I grow and learn.
Leave a Reply