Why does nobody talk about how gyms treat skinny guys vs overweight guys?

I've been going to the same gym in Columbus for about 8 months now. I'm naturally thin, 5'11" and 150 lbs, and I lift 4 days a week trying to add muscle. Last month I was struggling with a bench press, just 135 lbs, and a trainer came over and told me to 'keep pushing, you're doing great, form looks solid.' Meanwhile I watched him walk past a bigger guy who was also struggling and just said 'hey man, keep it moving.' Two weeks ago I saw that same trainer actually stop a heavier woman mid-set and tell her she should use lighter weights because she 'looked like she was straining too hard.' Three different people, three different reactions. The skinny guy gets encouragement. The heavier guy gets ignored. The heavy woman gets told to back off. I know gym culture has its own thing, but this felt so obvious once I noticed it. Has anyone else seen this play out at their gym? Do trainers get trained to handle people differently based on how they look, or is this just people being people?

2 comments

2 Comments

kimw579d ago

Wait, are you sure the trainer wasn't just trying to keep you from crying 'cause you're like me and look like a strong gust of wind could knock you over? Honestly, I've seen the same thing. The skinny guy gets a cheerleader and the bigger folks get a drill sergeant, it's wild.

morganmartinez9d ago

My gym buddy who's 6'4" and built like a fridge gets almost no attention from trainers, they just assume he's got it handled. Meanwhile I've watched the same trainer hover over a 120 pound guy doing warm-up stretches like he's defusing a bomb. It's less about size and more about what they think you'll do after they leave you alone.