Overweight PTs: What Do I Really Think?
- Amy Neilson
- Oct 21
- 4 min read
Overweight PTs: What Do I Really Think?
It’s such a multi-layered question, isn’t it?
What do you think of overweight personal trainers?
Are Overweight Personal Trainers Still Healthy?
Do Personal Trainers Have to Look the Part?
Well...answer this. Do you still take health advice from your overweight doctor? I bet you do.
It’s one I hadn’t given much thought to until recently — but after sitting with it for a week, quite a lot has come up.
The Image vs. The Reality
Without thinking, many of us equate trainer with fitness. We also equate fitness with aesthetics. Probably because when most of us go to a PT, we want that — we want to get fitter and look better.
But the truth is, over 65% of New Zealanders are overweight or obese.
That means this body type is now the statistical norm.
So, is it natural that we’re seeing more PTs who don’t look like the textbook version of “fit”? I’d say absolutely.
Fitness Isn’t a Dress Size
Some of these so-called “overweight” PTs are likely far fitter than me — faster on the rower, stronger on a deadlift, more knowledgeable about injury recovery or movement mechanics.
Would I take nutrition advice from a PT who was overweight? No.
But you do also need to understand that aesthetics may not be their primary goal. I want to be a certain size, a certain level of strength and healthy for my family because it makes me feel bloody good. And everyone has a different agenda.
Do I think there’s room — and real value — in trainers who reflect the population they’re helping? Absolutely.
More than 60% of you reading this might fall into the “overweight” category yourselves.
So ask yourself: Are you more likely to feel comfortable working with someone whose body looks more like yours — or someone who seems to have it all together, the size-8 body and 18% body fat?
It’s rhetorical, really.
Love AI for bringing this question to life for us....
Trainers Are Human Too
PTs aren’t superheroes. They’re mums, dads, students, employees, and business owners — people with their own health and fitness journeys.
In fact, I’d say most PTs start training because they once weren’t in great shape.
They got the bug, felt the mental and physical benefits, and wanted to share that with others.
That’s how I ended up studying integrative nutrition — a holistic approach to health that explores how food, environment, movement, and mindset interact to shape our wellbeing.
At 21, I was clinically overweight, with high cholesterol, raised liver enzymes, and the muffin tops to match. When I finally learned to live differently — to eat real food, move regularly, and change my mindset — my body changed too.
People started asking how I did it. Could I help them? Can I make them a plan?
That curiosity turned into a career.
The Bigger Picture
So what do I think of overweight PTs?
I think we need to consider where they might be in their own health journey — and the empathy, relatability, and realism that may bring to yours.
After all, not everyone needs a PT with abs and a protein shaker. Many people just need someone who gets it — who knows what it feels like to start from scratch, to feel uncomfortable in your own skin, to try again after “falling off.”
So maybe it’s not about whether they look the part.
Maybe it’s about whether they play the part — by showing up, guiding you, and helping you build a stronger, healthier life that lasts.
Food for thought.
What do you think?
Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a PT or Health Professional
Before you invest your time, energy, and money, it’s worth asking yourself a few honest questions — not just about them, but about what you want from the process.
1. Do they embody the habits I want to build into my life?
Not just in their physique, but in their mindset, routine, and approach to balance. Do they walk the walk — even in the small, everyday ways — or do they rely on motivation alone?
2. Do I feel safe being honest with them?
You should never feel judged, rushed, or dismissed. The best coaches create space for honesty — about food, movement, stress, sleep, or even self-doubt.
3. Do they listen — really listen — before offering advice?
A great PT or coach starts with you. Your health history, your habits, your goals, your barriers. If their first move is a generic plan, keep looking.
4. Are they teaching me skills or selling me sessions?
The right professional wants you to become independent — to understand your body, your habits, your nutrition. You should feel more capable every week, not more dependent.
5. Do their values align with mine?
Do they talk about health as more than weight loss?Do they value strength, energy, longevity, and mental wellbeing — or are they chasing aesthetics above all else?
6. How do they make me feel after I talk to them?
Motivated? Hopeful? Grounded?Or pressured, guilty, and overwhelmed?Your emotional response is often your best clue.
7. Are they curious about the “why”?
Behind every habit lies a reason — stress, fatigue, belief, environment. Do they help you unpack that, or skip straight to calories and reps?
8. Do they take a whole-person approach?
A good PT understands that food, hormones, sleep, stress, and mindset all interact. They see you as a system, not a spreadsheet.
9. Are they still learning?
Health science evolves fast. Are they reading, questioning, and updating their knowledge — or just repeating what worked for them 10 years ago?
10. Would I want to live a day in their lifestyle?
Not copy their body — but their habits. How they eat, move, recover, and handle life.If the answer is yes, you’ve probably found the right fit.
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