Fitness studios with out of shape instructors

[Anonymous]

I am on a weight loss journey and belong to a barre studio where there are lots of different and not ideal shapes, myself included. They recently hired an instructor who belongs to that category - not obese but no visible muscle tone and probably 15 lbs overweight. I’m trying to be understanding because I’m not in amazing shape myself, but it is so demotivating working out with an instructor who I have zero interest in looking like. It sucks because she took over several time slots that work best for my schedule. Am I just a horrible person or does anyone else feel like this?

[Anonymous]

Is she a good instructor?

[Anonymous]

..."it is so demotivating working out with an instructor who I have zero interest in looking like."

Why does this matter so much to you? I would start from there.

[Anonymous]

Exercise should be about being healthy, not obtaining a specific body type.

[Anonymous]

I tend to agree. If they can't get themselves in shape, how are they going to help you? I have had trainers in the past and they have always been insanely fit and got me in great shape by passing on their knowledge. Trainers are worth every penny if you hire correctly.

[Anonymous]

Wow OP. I'm surprised you've gotten this far on your "fitness journey" and failed to realize there's not a single "fit" body type. Someone who appears 15 points overweight could have great muscle tone, flexibility, and balance, and be very strong. On top of that, they could be a very intuitive instructor in terms of motivating you and giving instructions on how to move. But hey, if you just want your classes led by Instagram anorexic models, I'm sure there's a youtube channel out there for your.

[Anonymous]

you're not a horrible person, but I think you have a LOT to learn about your motivations and what fitness actually means.

[Anonymous]

Lots of people feel exactly the opposite. They look at an instructor that has a less than ideal body shape and feel less intimidated. "If she can do it, so can I."

You are not the only person in the class. You are not the only person whose opinion matters. If that instructor isn't appealing to you, go to a different class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:..."it is so demotivating working out with an instructor who I have zero interest in looking like."

Why does this matter so much to you? I would start from there.

NP here. It matters to me because I’m working out to improve my physical fitness. If the exercise class I’m taking will only result in a physique that’s 20 pounds overweight, well that’s not very motivating.

Most people take barre, Pilates, whatever class because they’re interested in having a toned fit body. The end goal is not to learn to do the perfect plié. People are doing the plié because it promises the end goal of a toned body. An out of shape instructor sends the message that the class doesn’t work. That no matter how well you master the class, you will not be toned and fit.

I don’t know about you, but it would be super demoralizing for me - especially since time is at a premium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am on a weight loss journey and belong to a barre studio where there are lots of different and not ideal shapes, myself included. They recently hired an instructor who belongs to that category - not obese but no visible muscle tone and probably 15 lbs overweight. I’m trying to be understanding because I’m not in amazing shape myself, but it is so demotivating working out with an instructor who I have zero interest in looking like. It sucks because she took over several time slots that work best for my schedule. Am I just a horrible person or does anyone else feel like this?

The body image issues in this country make me wary of a statement like this. Maybe you think she has no muscle tone and is overweight, but that might not actually be true. Maybe you need to rethink what overweight looks like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am on a weight loss journey and belong to a barre studio where there are lots of different and not ideal shapes, myself included. They recently hired an instructor who belongs to that category - not obese but no visible muscle tone and probably 15 lbs overweight. I’m trying to be understanding because I’m not in amazing shape myself, but it is so demotivating working out with an instructor who I have zero interest in looking like. It sucks because she took over several time slots that work best for my schedule. Am I just a horrible person or does anyone else feel like this?

The body image issues in this country make me wary of a statement like this. Maybe you think she has no muscle tone and is overweight, but that might not actually be true. Maybe you need to rethink what overweight looks like.

+1. Just the fact that OP mentioned that the many don't have "ideal" shapes is a red flag to me. How does OP know what "ideal" looks like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am on a weight loss journey and belong to a barre studio where there are lots of different and not ideal shapes, myself included. They recently hired an instructor who belongs to that category - not obese but no visible muscle tone and probably 15 lbs overweight. I’m trying to be understanding because I’m not in amazing shape myself, but it is so demotivating working out with an instructor who I have zero interest in looking like. It sucks because she took over several time slots that work best for my schedule. Am I just a horrible person or does anyone else feel like this?

The body image issues in this country make me wary of a statement like this. Maybe you think she has no muscle tone and is overweight, but that might not actually be true. Maybe you need to rethink what overweight looks like.

I totally agree. I could see if it were someone who is morbidly obese and could barely move etc. But this description is flawed in so many ways. Does Serena Williams have a “not ideal body type?” My guess is youd say yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am on a weight loss journey and belong to a barre studio where there are lots of different and not ideal shapes, myself included. They recently hired an instructor who belongs to that category - not obese but no visible muscle tone and probably 15 lbs overweight. I’m trying to be understanding because I’m not in amazing shape myself, but it is so demotivating working out with an instructor who I have zero interest in looking like. It sucks because she took over several time slots that work best for my schedule. Am I just a horrible person or does anyone else feel like this?

The body image issues in this country make me wary of a statement like this. Maybe you think she has no muscle tone and is overweight, but that might not actually be true. Maybe you need to rethink what overweight looks like.

I totally agree. I could see if it were someone who is morbidly obese and could barely move etc. But this description is flawed in so many ways. Does Serena Williams have a “not ideal body type?” My guess is youd say yes.

OP here. Don’t be patronizing - you know I’m not saying my instructor looks like Serena. Like the PP said, I work out to look fit and toned. That comes in many variations, but soft and fluffy is never it.

[Anonymous]

I'm finding this hard to believe. She's a barre instructor but has a flabby stomach and flabby arms?

[Anonymous]

Do you know anything about her? My coworker had severe pre and post partum complications and was on crazy restrictions. She was incredibly toned and fit before but gained about 10 pounds and lost most of her muscle tone in the year she was out. She's back into it now and teaches Zumba as a side job. It took her about 4 months to get back her pre complications body. Now she probably looks like your ideal. Thankfully no one discredited her