[Nightwanderer]

Why is it that few of the trainers I come across seem to have a large build? It's common for me to see ones that have a good cut
or at least what would be considered a passable 'beach body', but
I honestly can't recall the last time i met a trainer that looked as if he was working hard towards mass or power. Does it have something to do with the job?

[OCCFan023]

At my gym a couple trainers as seriously massive (talking like 400-500 lbs benches) and ones a 240 lbs shredded body builder. Then theres others who look like any other ordinary joe. Not all trainers are in what we would consider ideal shape or the like, but there are defiantly big trainers out there. Also a lot of it has to do with clientel. There not going to be training other massive guys or strength athletes (unless there a CSCS or along those lines) and don't really need to.

Also the biggest misconception with trainers and individuals in general is there body is indicative of their knowledge. Physique does not equate to knowledge (I know you were not generally implying that its just thats a lot of peoples mentality).

[Usf97j4x4]

Originally Posted by OCCFan023

At my gym a couple trainers as seriously massive (talking like 400-500 lbs benches) and ones a 240 lbs shredded body builder. Then theres others who look like any other ordinary joe. Not all trainers are in what we would consider ideal shape or the like, but there are defiantly big trainers out there. Also a lot of it has to do with clientel. There not going to be training other massive guys or strength athletes (unless there a CSCS or along those lines) and don't really need to.

Also the biggest misconception with trainers and individuals in general is there body is indicative of their knowledge. Physique does not equate to knowledge (I know you were not generally implying that its just thats a lot of peoples mentality).

While i agree with you i also would not pick a trainer that is out of shape or not in shape. I would prefer someone who "practices what they preach."

[Nightwanderer]

Originally Posted by Usf97j4x4

While i agree with you i also would not pick a trainer that is out of shape or not in shape. I would prefer someone who "practices what they preach."

I would too. I realize diet and genetics are two areas that can totally nerf your gym results, but I think if I knew what a well certified and educated trainer knew, I don't think I'd be able to stand myself if I didn't make it look obvious that I knew my stuff and trained hard. Even then like I said, I do see well cut trainers far more often than I see guys who are obviously trying to pack on the lean mass. It just seems to me that either physique is valid but one is more dominant.

[TripDog]

Originally Posted by Nightwanderer

Why is it that few of the trainers I come across seem to have a large build? It's common for me to see ones that have a good cut
or at least what would be considered a passable 'beach body', but
I honestly can't recall the last time i met a trainer that looked as if he was working hard towards mass or power. Does it have something to do with the job?

Its mostly because the market is middle aged overweight women, and they get intimidated by huge guys. In 2006-07 of the 100 people I trained like 80 were in this description. As of yesterday I took a job as a trainer and they told me the same thing...mostly out of shape middle aged people. You think you'd get to train young bodybuilders, BUT they are not the ones with the money.

[ReaperX]

Originally Posted by OCCFan023

At my gym a couple trainers as seriously massive (talking like 400-500 lbs benches) and ones a 240 lbs shredded body builder. Then theres others who look like any other ordinary joe. Not all trainers are in what we would consider ideal shape or the like, but there are defiantly big trainers out there. Also a lot of it has to do with clientel. There not going to be training other massive guys or strength athletes (unless there a CSCS or along those lines) and don't really need to.

Also the biggest misconception with trainers and individuals in general is there body is indicative of their knowledge. Physique does not equate to knowledge (I know you were not generally implying that its just thats a lot of peoples mentality).

I agree, however at first impression it seems that way and it is easier to sell to a client.


Back when I first started working out, I didn't know what to do or how to do it properly, so I just started asking the biggest guy in the gym for help.

[Manimalia]

Originally Posted by TripDog

Its mostly because the market is middle aged overweight women, and they get intimidated by huge guys. In 2006-07 of the 100 people I trained like 80 were in this description. As of yesterday I took a job as a trainer and they told me the same thing...mostly out of shape middle aged people. You think you'd get to train young bodybuilders, BUT they are not the ones with the money.

solid postin'. you get a hot dog!

[futurepilot]

Originally Posted by OCCFan023

there body is indicative of their knowledge.

I totally agree, i would never pick an out of shape personal trainer that would be like picking...well, an out of shape personal trainer.

[OCCFan023]

Originally Posted by futurepilot

I totally agree, i would never pick an out of shape personal trainer that would be like picking...well, an out of shape personal trainer.

You misquoted me. I said physique is not indicative of knowledge. Granted everyone will desire the in shape, practices what they preach type of trainer. However that still doesn't mean they are the most apt at training someone.

[Jayhawkk]

You could have a built ass trainer that doesn't know ****. they just lucked up with a lot of training and possibly good genetics. Get to know your trainer and find out what they know before using them... regardless of what they may look like.


As for the original question? The reason you don't find so many huge trainers is because that size is not condusive to an overall quality build. As a trainer you have all types of people wanting to be trained and if you're 290 shredded you're not going to be able to do a lot of the things at the other end of the extreme. However, if you're built inbetween, you can still show proper form on squat bench etc. Also, that physique is not eaxtly lifestyle friendly. Winded climbing stairs, eat like a horse, sleeping sucks, etc.

[futurepilot]

Originally Posted by OCCFan023

However that still doesn't mean they are the most apt at training someone.

I know i misquoted, i was just being a smart a$$ with you.

I have a hard time believing that a good trainer is someone who doesnt know enough to train themselves, or is to lazy which ever the case may be.

If you mean picking a smimmer/martial artist type physique over a dorian yates thats fine, im talking about picking one of those trainers whose about 32% BF, wear's sunglasses indoors, watched other chicks a$$es as much as his clients.

You don't need a professional bodybuilder, you just need someone who doesnt think that McDonalds burgers are a good choice for lean beef.

[Jayhawkk]

My chriopractor works wonders but if you look at him you'd think, "This dude needs to follow his own advice". I think if you find people who will practice what they preach, as your trainers, you're safe. However, I still don't think a person's physique should be the barometer of their intelligence on the subject... Look at PA(current).

[subpop200]

Funny post cause one of the most successful trainers at my gym was a seemingly obese black male. But he had a hustler mentality. He was always ranting and raving about being good with words and hustling people into buying sessions. It bugged me quite a bit.

[Rodja]

I'm not a person with a large physique, but I am a hell of a trainer. Too many focus on muscular hypertrophy without enough emphasis on cardiovascular fitness.