So I'm studying to get my personal trainer certification and have had the opportunity to shadow a few personal trainers from various fitness facilities. At the risk of sounding shallow, if I'm going to hire a personal trainer, she/he had better be in better shape than me. Maybe it's just because Memphis is the fattest city in America, but I'm seeing personal trainers who are either over weight or just have an average physique.

This makes no sense to me, so I ask you....would you hire a personal trainer who did not appear to be in good shape?

Just because someone does not look in shape, doesn't mean that they aren't. I know of several people (including myself) who look out of shape, but are able to complete marathons, Ironman, etc. A toned, cut body does not necessarily mean in shape.

I realize that being able to instruct someone on how to exercise isn't in any way connected to physical appearance, but I would have hesitations hiring a personal trainer that appeared to be out of shape. I think working with someone who has a sculpted body gives me motivation to keep working. A bit of hope that the hard work will pay off.

I def. think the way a trainer looks matters. Obviously you are going to a trainer to develop an better body...why would you want to go to someone who dosen't have a good figure? They may be in good shape, but it depends on what your looking for, for your own body

I don't think I'd have a problem with somebody that had an "average" physique especially a woman. But, if they looked flabby and out of shape I wouldn't want to work with them. Sorry if its shallow but its the same thing if I go get my hair cut, if their hair is terrible I don't want them touching mine!

To me, looks totally matter.

At the Gold's by my work, there is a personal trainer that has trouble training with five pound weights. Yet, he tells his clients how to "put on muscle." I actually find it quiet humorous. I shouldn't but I do.

He knows a lot about stretching and body mechanics. But when it comes to putting on muscle, his looks obviously say he has no clue.

I think a personal trainer needs to look the part. It's like a dental hygienist telling you how to take care of your teeth and have them missing the first two and the rest rotted and yellow. Would you trust her?

I mean, looks don't tell the whole story, but it definitely adds a huge aspect. Why do high paid salesman drive nice cars. It's cause if you saw them in a lemon, you wouldn't think they know how to sell (or buy for that matter).

I just think you need to look and act the part no matter what profession you are performing in. I'd write this section better but I'm very ADD right now. Totally preoccupied with something else. Now I'm rambling and think I should just end this post.

I don't think appearance is everything. If you have a good personal trainer with a legitimate certification, then they probably know their stuff better that most. I know plenty of personal trainers who are great at what they do, who don't look like this typical personal trainer you'd expect. Then I have had some trainers who have some of the best bodies I've ever seen, who were pretty average and not even good. Looks matter to an extent, I would never hire someone who was obese or very overweight...But how does that saying go...don't judge the book by its cover?

Oh and I am studying to get my certification for strength and conditioning, what certification are you doing/with who?

I think it can kind of go two ways. I wouldn't want to train with someone who looked obese and out of shape because I am obese and out of shape and I want help getting AWAY from that.

On the other hand, I wouldn't want to train with someone who looked like an American Gladiator because I might think they had unrealistic expectations about what a workout should be or what being healthy and fit might be.

Wow... I didn't realize people here were so shallow.

When I do hire a personal trianer, I hire someone with a background in the type of fitness I'm interested in. I want to power lift again, so I have a personal trainer who is and has been a power lifter. I have no problem with them being out of shape. If the guy or gal was a former power lifter, that's fine too.

Its not being shallow. When a person gets in that career they are their own packaging. You just want somebody where the package equals the desired outcome.

I don't think it's being shallow at all. When I would look for a personal trainer, personality is big, but also I want them to look how I hope to look. I don't want someone who's not in very good shape, but I also don't want somebody who's totally ripped and has 3% body fat. I want someone who looks to know from experience how to get what I want.

I guess that works for if you want to LOOK in shape, and not necessarily BE in shape. People just have different goals.

I like this attitude:

Of course I wouldn't just line up a bunch of personal trainers and pick the one who looks the best. Their focus, philosophy and method are also important, as well as whether they work for a gym or practice on their own. But I think how you present yourself is important, especially when you're selling your services as someone who knows a lot about keeping fit. This doesn't mean looking like you don't have any body fat, and it doesn't mean just being skinny, but I do think you should look like you take care of yourself.