Would you take advice from a slim trainer?

[redicuscloverus]

First up; hello to the board, I been watching you guys for a long time and finally decided to step up and post.

I'm from Australia, currently in my second year of a human movements degree at university Queensland. HM basically encompasses biomechanics, anatomy, excercise physiology, sports psychology etc.
So by the time i'm finished I will be a ridiculously overqualified trainer with not enough experience or a ridiculously underqualified rehabilitation specialist or something along those lines.


I'm 20y/o now, about 185cm and weigh in at only 75Kg at my heaviest.
I've been best friends with my situp bench since I was about 14, and have always done plenty of pushups and regular excercise etc etc.
I feel and look pretty fit, reasonbly nice 6-pack, defined muscles etc however I do not look 'big' by any standard. I am a slim guy and always have been.
Whats more, I don't really have too much desire to get large.

My metabolism is freakishly fast, I can eat like an absolute pig, fast food binge + take 2 weeks or more off training and still not put on a single KG and only minimal fat gain. (That doesn't mean I'm a fan of these practices!! certainly doesn't make me feel good)
Drugs and alcohol are in and out of my system at an unheard of rate which hurts my wallet, keeping me fairly sober at all times
I've had lax attempts at bulking in the past and found that after the two month mark my progress slows to a point where an absolute iron will and resolve would be required to continue...

My question to you guys: As experience gym junkies, would you take advice on technique, diet, regime etc from a guy probably 1/4 of your size?
By the end of next year, assuming I pass everything (a task in itself) I will be a certified personal trainer and gym instructor. This should make it fairly easy for me to make some money working at a gym while I finish the rest of my degree....but who is going to listen to me?

If I were to apply for a PT position, would any gym actually take me seriously considering my body size? Or would I be better trying to pick up rich housewives as clients and possibly offer them high priced 'extras'

I'm just not sure if in good conscious I can accept money for training somebody to do something that I probably could not do myself or more importantly, if they will accept that I know what i'm doing.

I wouldn't mind putting on a little bulk upstairs, but I certainly don't want to get huge.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[PreMier]

Welcome to IM

To answer the question.. No. Why would I hire someone that doesnt compare to me in musculature? I mean if this guy actually was as smart/did know as much as he says then why doesnt he look like it? This is the way that I think. Is it reasonable..? No. But it is how I am. Obviously I am not going to hire some dumb ass geneticaly gifted meat head either. IMO it should be a decent balance.

There are plenty of people out there that will though. And you will probably make more money because you know more. Just follow what you love, and you will succede.

 

[Akateros]

Most people would. Not, I admit, necessarily the serious bulkheads, but most people will take a slim person's "secrets" even without PT qualification. On the other hand, a highly-qualified person is mostly out of luck if he or she happens not to look the part, for whatever reason (for example, a trainer at my old gym, who complained that her business dropped drastically when she put on weight due to medical issues).

As for me -- I confess I would not hire you, because

I am a slim guy and always have been.....
My metabolism is freakishly fast, I can eat like an absolute pig, fast food binge + take 2 weeks or more off training and still not put on a single KG and only minimal fat gain.

You may look inspirational, but you are standing in the pleasantly-warm end of the gene pool. You have no knowledge of the actual process of getting to that point from other points less than ideal -- or of the sometimes-hellish effort it takes to stay there.

 

[jadakris31]

eh i dont know... i know alot more then some of my friends who are huge... they, i think, could easily be in bobdybuilding comps and they dont train or eat right just blessed with sick genetics... so although im 1/2 their size if they took my advice ever they would def get stronger and bigger

 

[redicuscloverus]

Originally posted by Akateros
You may look inspirational, but you are standing in the pleasantly-warm end of the gene pool. You have no knowledge of the actual process of getting to that point from other points less than ideal -- or of the sometimes-hellish effort it takes to stay there.

I know I got it good in that I don't pack on excess fat too easily. It would be a bitch to try and modify my whole physique though, to actually put on real MASS would demand that kind of hellish effort from me, I think i'd be fighting my own genetics all the way.

I also got an early jump on training even if it was only very minimal; I can only imagine the absolute gutache that somebody who had never bothered in their early teen years would have to go through.
My father for example; he is probably at a higher level of cardiovascular fitness than most guys less than half his age, training and races bring him to do hundreds of K's on his bike every week at speed. But no matter how many situps he does or KM he peddles, I reckon he'll be carrying that gut for the rest of his life.

Anyway, I digress. I'm bloody exhausted.

When I think about the usual patrons of the gyms around here...most people are certainly not bodybuilders! and most are nowhere near fit. But how likely is your average jeep driving, mid life crisis, weight lifting man or woman to hire a personal trainer?

I guess this is the wrong sort of place to be asking that particular question.

Thanks for the posts ppl!

I already figured the really serious guys (wanting to get huge) would not have too much time for me.

 

[Akateros]

Originally posted by redicuscloverus
I know I got it good in that I don't pack on excess fat too easily. It would be a bitch to try and modify my whole physique though, to actually put on real MASS would demand that kind of hellish effort from me, I think i'd be fighting my own genetics all the way.

Well, y'know, maybe it would be worth it for you to try, really try. Do one of the serious hardgainer programs, and fight your genetics for all you're worth. Just to get an idea of the pain involved for most people to transform their bodies, granted the other way round for most of 'em.

But how likely is your average jeep driving, mid life crisis, weight lifting man or woman to hire a personal trainer?

Are you kidding? Personal training is huge right now! Nearly everyone at my office -- average, midlife crisis, and horrified to find that they've suddenly got old and squashy -- has a personal trainer. Every gym offers a personal trainer package these days, and believe me, people are taking advantage of it.

It's no longer a thing for the elite, the famous, or the neurotically narcissistic. Now that "fitness" is being pushed as something as necessary as toothbrushing, everyone feels they need an expert to help them do it.

The real secret, I think, is figuring out how to motivate people, and convince them that no matter what YOU look like or how much you cost, you can't do the actual work for them.

 

[redicuscloverus]

As I said; I don't really want to be HUGE, but heading to the industry that I probably will be, it's likely that I will change my mind (to an extent) and make a go of it. Spending that much time in a gym, I don't think I could help myself.

I hate to talk about him again coz I see his name popping up far too much in forums of this nature for my liking! But if you have seen snatch: Brad Pitt's physique in that movie is close to my current ideal body. If I get myself to by slightly bigger than him in that movie but still retain agile, athletic body I will have achieved my goals.


Your post makes me feel pretty optimistic! That trend isn't really gripping Australia just yet, not where I am anyway. But you can bet your arse that it will in the next couple of years, we always just follow America and Canada.

All you'd have to do is come up with something to give people results, fast results coz most people don't have the dedication to go on for more than a month or two if they don't see something.

I'd love to know how these fat bastard personal trainers get themselves so well reputed among the rich and the famous!
I see these guys on t.v, fair crack they are way past their prime years, but there is little excuse for being a fat bastard when you are a trainer!!! And they still have all the stars and rich people going to see them.

Anyways, i'm off to bed.
Thanks for the replies, got me thinking a bit.

 

[ZECH]

Just because they aren't huge, doesn't mean they don't know what they are doing. People have different agenda's. His may be just to stay lean and healthy. But he could still train huge people!

 

[Akateros]

DG, I know you're right, you know you're right. But that's not the point. People, in general, hire people who look the part, with little consideration for actual, y'know, expertise.

 

[Paynne]

The trainers that work a lot at my gym are resonably in shape, but not bodybuilders by any stretch of the imagination. They have 60 appointments per week each, which sounds quite successful to me. All of the clients that I see them with them are overweight and are complete beginners. That's in America though.

 

[Jodi]

Size does not equate knowledge.

However, I would NEVER take any aerobics class from a fat aerobics instructor. Then again, I would never take an aerobics class.

 

[Novo]

Originally posted by redicuscloverus
Your post makes me feel pretty optimistic! That trend isn't really gripping Australia just yet, not where I am anyway. But you can bet your arse that it will in the next couple of years, we always just follow America and Canada.

Are you KIDDING? Maybe it's not hit Queensland yet, but personal training is certainly huge within Sydney. I've seen a significant increase in even the last 3 years - it's commonplace nowadays for a significant proportion of gym-goers. In fact it's broader than that - outside sessions are as popular, you can't go to the beach or park without tripping over PT's and their clients (and btw, that route would save you the 'rent' you will need to pay at a gym - which may be useful for you if you want to work whilst finishing your studies). I'm thinking of a career change myself in fact.

IMO, you're right to be realistic that some WILL always discriminate against you and think "if he can't do it for himself, why should I pay him to train me?" The answer, I think, lies in word of mouth. You only need a small client-base to begin with. Work hard with them, ensure results (and keep it enjoyable for them) and word spreads - women especially will always talk about what they are doing with their PT. I see a huge split between the trainers that have more work than they want (literally, waiting lists), and those that just aren't getting anywhere.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do (BULK man, bulk )

 

[Dale Mabry]

Provided they have a 4 year degree from an accredited institution, I would give them a chance. It would also help if they had trained someone that could vouch for them.

 

[Saturday Fever]

As a personal trainer, 90% of your clients won't be who you prefer to train. You're going to have lots of fat people, skinny people, etc. People who want to slim down to your build. People who want to add 20lbs and get to your build. The guy who stands 6'2 and weighs 245 isn't going to be seeking out a personal trainer. So don't worry about your build and size, worry about knowing your shit.

 

[aggies1ut]

Originally posted by Jodi
Size does not equate knowledge.

However, I would NEVER take any aerobics class from a fat aerobics instructor. Then again, I would never take an aerobics class.

 

[CowPimp]

I think that you will definitely have a little more trouble starting out, because people do judge based on looks. However, if you really are knowledgeable, then you will probably eventually be able to work up a decent clientel through word of mouth.

Furthermore, don't be afraid to try and bulk. I understand your ectomorph woes. I have a friend who was 5'11" 130 pounds. He could eat whatever and still not get bigger. He really started getting serious about diet and is now 180 or so less than 2 years later. You have to learn what kind of nutrients you need. It's good that you can't pack on fat; eat the proper caloric intake and you will pack on the muscle with minimal fat. Be prepared to eat like you never have before. I eat something like 4000 calories per day. It's harder to keep up with than lifting, but it's worth it.

 

[Saturday Fever]

What always amuses me is how people say "I eat all the time and don't gain weight."

I'm willing to bet if they honestly wrote down everything they eat, as they eat it, they'll find out they're hardly eating anything.

 

[NickB]

Would I take advice from a slim trainer? In a word... .no.
I want a guy who can tell me what to do, then show me, and knows it works because he's proof.

"Never trust a skinny chef" kinda goes along with this.

 

[LAM]

Originally posted by NickB
"Never trust a skinny chef" kinda goes along with this.

most of the best chefs in the world, do not eat their own foods...

 

[Saturday Fever]

So you'd rather be shown a poor routine by a big guy than shown a great routine by an average guy?

Yeah I guess that makes sense. I mean, especially if the big guy is on steroids and gives you a routine that's way too much volume for a natural. You will get nowhere with the routine, but a big guy showed you so it must be better.

 

[PreMier]

Originally posted by PreMier
Obviously I am not going to hire some dumb ass geneticaly gifted meat head either. IMO it should be a decent balance.

I just dont think I could take advice from someone who isnt as well built as me, or isnt even in shape. Having to go through the experiance of bulking, and cutting gets a lot of points in my book.

Remember I am just saying. I dont think that I will ever hire a PT

 

[Saturday Fever]

True dat, but most people who get into training think they're going to have these greatly built clients and shit. Instead they get a bunch of really fat people or older people where your physique doesn't matter. Most people who hire a trainer don't want to work hard, they just want to feel like they have direction and are getting somewhere with structure.

 

[redicuscloverus]

Novo....I haven't seen anything like that!
I know Sydneysiders are more inclined to yuppie sillyness but I thought it would take a little while longer for something like that to ingrain itself!

Whilst there are personal trainers available at the couple of gym's i've been a member, they weren't so popular. Most people just get themselves a program filled out by one of the instructors and try and go at it.

 

[PreMier]

Originally posted by Saturday Fever
True dat, but most people who get into training think they're going to have these greatly built clients and shit. Instead they get a bunch of really fat people or older people where your physique doesn't matter. Most people who hire a trainer don't want to work hard, they just want to feel like they have direction and are getting somewhere with structure.

Yea. Its amazing how many people I see at the gym just going through the motions. Thats the biggest downside I could see being a PT, is people not wanting to do their best, and totally transform themselves.

 

[redicuscloverus]

Originally posted by Saturday Fever
What always amuses me is how people say "I eat all the time and don't gain weight."

I'm willing to bet if they honestly wrote down everything they eat, as they eat it, they'll find out they're hardly eating anything.

I know that you're right; if I started chowing down eggs and tuna five times a day and upped my workload I would definately gain, but at the same time, if my friends ate as much as I do, they'd be fat as hell.

I see where your coming from; lots of people will whinge about being a hard gainer when they just aren't putting in the effort....whereas I see myself as not even having tried to put in the serious effort yet, I just know what would lay ahead.


Right now though; I don't have enough burning desire or an extreme enough goal to start forcing down 5 or more proteinous meals every day, put myself out of whack with everybody else who I eat my meals with etc.
For now I am happy just to cut out carbos and consume more protein than most people.
Eg: when my family sits down to a delicious pasta and meat+sauce meal I just get myself a nice big plate of the meat+sauce and then dump a whole can of tuna on top of that
I've been avoiding bread, pasta and potatoes for a few months now and feel good from it. Unless I know i'm going to have a really really busy couple of days, I know I don't need all that energy.

 

[PreMier]

If your as skinny as you say you are, why are you avoiding pasta?

 

[redicuscloverus]

I don't need that kind of energy at the moment.

edit:
And besides which, I hate pasta I'd rather eat tuna than pasta any day.

Bread on the other hand...
I still eat it, just not as much as I used to.

 

[LAM]

Originally posted by PreMier


I just dont think I could take advice from someone who isnt as well built as me, or isnt even in shape. Having to go through the experiance of bulking, and cutting gets a lot of points in my book.

Remember I am just saying. I dont think that I will ever hire a PT

at the Golds' that I train at, maybe 2 of the 12 PT's have bf% of less than 16%, mind you most of them are mid 20's or younger...several of them can be seen hauling in bags of Burger King for lunch, with everything supersized...

 

[redicuscloverus]

I'd fire them.

 

[vas85]

Akateros, Yes you say about person FITTING their PART, i woudl have to agree with you there, becuase thats how my mentality would also choose a personal trainer if i ever wanted to,
BUTTTTTTT

you have to realise, ALL THOSE EXPERIMENTS conducted on SUBJECTS that weight train, bodybuild are completed by SCIENTISTS, now you tell me a scientist with a body like Arnold? They dont exist, yet they know all about the mechanics of the human body, so to an extent SIZE doesnt prove KNOWLEDGE. Although like you i would choose the Bigger PT over the slim, but yeh as i mentioned scientists that prove all the SLOW REP training provides greater growth etc etc arent no Bodybuilders themselves, they just study the muscle mechanics and response to certain conditions. Hope that gives you some idea to what DG was implying.