There are some people who are either fat or look like a stick yet they know practically everything about fitness. But for the most part, if somebody spent tons of time researching and learning about fitness and nutrition, 95 percent of the time they aren't going to look like a stick or look fat.
There are too many "BOOK knowledgable" people in many professions. While a few really can tell you whats going on, most are just that, "BOOK KNOWLEDGABLE"
While a trainer doesn't have to be "HUGE", I'd rather have somebody train me who was in shape then somebody who looked like they never saw a weight before.
I remember one time on a local news show, the "HEALTH" Report came on and it was this news women who looked like she goes home after work and eats donuts all night. I was just thinking, how the hell is she gonna tell me about health.
But back to the health and fitness industry. It is by and large a "Physical" industry. Why would most people hire a trainer who is out of shape either by having no muscle and being a twig or by being out of shape and fat. I know i sure wouldn't .. They might have all the book smarts in the world, but it's obvious they dont know how to use those smarts.
To me, I just find it hard to belive that somebody who dedicates their lives to helping others achieve fitness and a healthy outlook would be so unfit.
I remember the best sports team i ever played on. It was way way way back in high school. When our coach told us to run laps, he ran laps with us. While he didn't do everything with us, he did many of the things we high school aged kids did. And it was one of the best years I've ever played on a team. Statistics wise and results wise.
To me, I'd respect somebody more if they actually did it.
There are far too many people in the world who "TALK BIG."
Hey for every person who can talk a big game and have all this knowledge, there are about 1000 who talk a big game and dont know a lick.
Just like there are peole who are either extemely ripped and huge or extremely ripped and cut who realy cant tell you a thing about how to train, there are plenty of people who can talk a big game yet show nothing for what they say.
To me, you dont have to be huge, but you better be in shape to be a personal trainer. Otherwise, go find another industry.