Going to a gym can be a difficult leap for many. On top of feeling out of place, lost in the equipment, and the expense hanging over your head… feeling judged is the cherry on top.
In the light of the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement, many gyms are becoming more inclusive and adapting to ensure all of their gym-goers feel comfortable and at home within their space. Regardless of how inclusive and understanding the gym brand is, it can still be hard to feel this acceptance from other gym goers and staff. We can’t change the opinions and views of everyone, but everyone has the right to feel comfortable in their own skin while working out.
It is especially critical if you are working with a personal trainer that you do not feel judged, pushed to lose weight, or bombarded about your diet.
Unless the personal trainer is a registered dietitian, they have no right to discuss nutrition with you. Their role is exercise and fitness. They are not healers, but rather, their skills are to promote strength, endurance, and confidence in the gym setting. Personal trainers are great for individuals who feel uncomfortable with gym equipment and want more guidance, or enjoy having the accountability.
So where do you even begin finding a personal trainer who does not push weight loss, encourage changing your body, or cause harm to your relationship with food? There are some websites to help find a personal trainer who aligns with HAES, or is weight-neutral, however, these are more common in large cities where this type of mentality is common knowledge. For the rest of us, we have to do a bit more digging.
Even for those using a website to track down these awesome trainers, they should still be weary of their trainers beliefs. Unfortunately some trainers use these websites as a way to promote their services despite their original beliefs and values. Therefore, if you use a website or not to find a weight-neutral trainer, you should still be prepared to interview the trainer before you begin working with them.
5 Questions To Ask A Personal Trainer
What is your experience with weight neutrality or health at every size?
What is your style of coaching? (laid-back, talkative and encouraging, loud, fast-paced, gentle, etc.)
Do you tend to talk about nutrition with your clients?
If they answer yes, a follow up question would be to ask if they are able to avoid this subject through the duration of your time together.
What is your training method? (Strength-Training, HIIT, Cross-fit, Meditation, etc.)
What characteristics does your ideal client possess?
This can give you a sense if you feel you can be a good fit.
Although “interviewing” your personal trainer can feel uncomfortable, it is essential in making sure you feel confident in your choice of a trainer and know what to expect.