Can a Fitness Professional’s reputation be tainted by their personal image?
I recently had an employee take over a class that I was unable to teach anymore. He was an amazing instructor but, he was over weight. The class went from averaging 16 participants to 3 participants. I had a few members comment on his weight and make it known that is why they would not attend that class anymore. Is it okay for clientel to be biased about their instructors/trainers?
You all have wonderful answers! I appriciate your insite that you have shared with me. This situation had me perplexed because they all knew him and loved him before he sat on that spinner. I really don’t think that this experience has any correllation with his professionalism, work experience or his ability to teach.
As LaRue mentioned, “image is everything” in health and fitness! Clients should have the right to choose who they do, and do not want to work with. But – they should know that an instructor/trainer’s credibility extends beyond their own image. I am sure that we all know that there are trainers out there that look the part, but they should not be training.