Should a fitness professional be 'in-shape'?

So, does your coach need to 'walk the walk'?

To give some context this is a HUGE debate within the fitness industry and something we discuss when I teach people to become Personal Trainers.

I am going to give my thoughts and then encourage you to share yours with me.

First of all I think we need to decide what 'walking the walk' actually is.

For years this would have been considered to be being in photoshoot shape with bulging veins, six pack abs and glutes carved from the Greek gods.

Is this a prerequisite for being a good coach?

I hope not as that doesn't describe me haha!

I do however have the opinion that your coach SHOULD be inspirational and be in half decent shape, after all how can they expect you to do it and buy into them if they aren't doing it themselves?

All our coaches have a solid base of fitness, look along the lines of how our clients would aspire to look and regularly complete tough fitness endeavours.

So my opinion is that they need to be moderately in-shape and inspirational but not necessarily look like they are ready to be on a magazine cover.

BUT (and this is a big but) I think there is another angle to this.

Most people consider how a trainer looks as 'walking the walk' but what about the way they behave and their habits?

They're preaching to you about being positive but they moan every session about how tired they are?

They turn up late or cancel on you all the time?

They go out on the lash every weekend.

They say you need to be disciplined when it comes to food and making time for training but they aren't disciplined with the admin side of their business or tracking finances?

They preach you being consistent but their social media and client delivery is inconsistent as hell?

They lack energy when training you?

They don't continually learn and evolve their service?

None of these traits are things I would accept in a coach that works at Elevate98...

Remember to most coaches we LOVE training so it isn't super hard for us to commit too (of course there are times it's hard but as a general guideline) so while that is one yardstick to judge a coach on we need to look deeper.

Do they have traits and an outlook to life that inspires you?

I guess what I'm saying is be wary of the coach or the gym who is all over socials and amazing for 6 weeks then disappear for 6 weeks...

We preach consistency so we try and be consistent with all aspects of our business.

What do you think about a coach 'walking the walk'?