After years of struggling with consistent workouts, I finally invested in support to keep me motivated. Here are the key benefits I found in hiring a plus size personal trainer.
Are you tired of seeing fitness instructors or following fitness influencers that don’t look like you? As a plus size person, I also struggled with finding plus size fitness classes or a body positive gym. After starting and stopping free and cheap ($20 or less) programs, I decided to invest in myself and my mobility by hiring a plus size personal trainer. And I’m here to tell you why it is 100% worth it.
You’re going to learn why hiring a trainer or coach is valuable, how to find the right one for you, and what to expect when you start training.
After learning about the process, you’ll be inspired to hire your own personal trainer or coach and ready to invest in your personal movement goals.
This post is all about hiring a plus size personal trainer.
Why I Hired a Plus Size Personal Trainer
They Look Like Me
Following a fitness program from someone who doesn’t understand your body is confusing. My body looks and moves differently than the body of a thin person. Having a personal trainer whose body looks like mine makes me feel comfortable and confident.
If you’re looking for even more community, research if your area has a body positive gym! Often these spaces hold classes and offer personal training (IRL and virtual.
It Cleared Up Brain Space
As someone with ADHD, it’s really hard for me to schedule a time to do movement, look up what I want to do, get into athletic clothes, and go all the way down to the basement to do whatever program I’ve selected. That feels super overwhelming to me and stops me from moving my body, even when I really want to. Having someone else deciding what I’ll be doing is a game changer. All I have to do is show up!
[RELATED POST: 5 Inspiring Mantras for a Challenging Plus Size Workout]
Someone is Encouraging Me
There is a super negative voice in my head which I call Mean Maggie (read more about her in my book about intuitive movement here) and she can ruin a workout. My trainer is always encouraging me, telling me that I did a great job and that she can see the strength that I’ve already built in our time together. I feel comfortable enough to tell her when I am struggling or when I am sore and she is so affirming.
Every trainer or coach has a different style, so make sure you choose a coach that’s right for you. Start by researching body positive fitness and see who pops up! Or ask for recommendations from your plus size community groups.
Built-In Accountability
Another great way to ensure you’re doing consistent movement when you’re ready is to find an accountability buddy! I tried buddying-up with a friend and it didn’t work. Why? Because there was nothing at stake.
If you pay $20 for a gym membership, it’s really easy to justify skipping a day…or 30. You’re only paying $20. Some days I’d pay $20 NOT to have to go to a gym. So that is not a real motivation. But if you have hundreds of dollars on the line, you’re much more likely to honor your commitments. When I hire a trainer, I’m going to do everything I can to make the most out of that investment.
Accessible Moves
This is where an informed plus size trainer or coach can really shine. Everyone’s body has different strengths and challenges, and fat bodies need accommodations! A trainer or coach that works with the plus size community has deeper knowledge of the particular challenges for folks in bigger bodies. Often my coach will recommend alternative moves without me even asking. It is such a sigh of relief.
Supporting the Plus Size Community
I love supporting other folks in the community with my money! Whether it’s buying clothes from small fashion retailers, supporting fat artists, or paying my amazing plus size trainer to help me build up and maintain function strength. It’s a (sad) fact that fat folks get paid less than thin folks.
I feel so much pride in giving my fat dollars to folks who I know are doing good in our community. Well, are you ready? If you’re looking to find a plus size trainer, do some Instagram searching until you find someone you like! Or ask around on fat positive Facebook groups for recommendations. I found my trainer through Joyn, a free movement app for fat folks made by fat folks! I connected with my trainer through her videos and reached out once I saw she did individual coaching too.
This post was all about why I hired a plus size personal trainer.
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