Personal trainer, 22, describes what it’s like to work in the fitness industry when you’re round – and why everyone has their place in the gym
- Cherry Rosaline says fitness is more than body shape
- The 22-year-old Perth trainer promotes exercise at every size
- She believes stereotypes about fitness can discourage people
A 22-year-old personal trainer wants to diversify the fitness industry and prove to Australians that there’s more to being ‘healthy’ than body size and shape.
Cherry Rosaline, from Perth, has shared what it’s like to work as a curvy personal trainer in an industry dominated by a ‘stereotype’ of what fitness should look like.
The coach began her training journey two years ago to manage academic stress and quickly fell “in love” with strength and conditioning training.
22-year-old personal trainer Cherry Rosaline (pictured) wants to diversify the fitness industry and prove to people that it’s about more than just size and body shape
The Western Australian coach has shared what it’s like to work as a curvy personal trainer in an area dominated by a ‘stereotype’ of what fitness should look like. The coach began her training journey two years ago to manage academic stress and soon fell ‘in love’ with strength and conditioning training
Cherry has since graduated with a double degree in sports science and psychology and plans to complete a master’s degree in exercise physiology.
The qualified trainer works in Perth’s popular hybrid gym and studio S30where she is loved for her ‘high energy’ and expertise.
Speak against News.com.auCherry said that before she started working as a personal trainer, she was worried that her skills would be questioned because her body shape falls outside the “stereotype” of what a fit body looks like.
However, she admits that her experience was the complete opposite, something she attributes to her friendly communication and the fact that people get to see her skills and knowledge first hand.
“I think it doesn’t really matter what you look like, because this kind of work takes you a lot further in the way you interact with people and how you train them,” she said.
Cherry graduated with a double degree in sports science and psychology and plans to complete a master’s degree in exercise physiology
Cherry blames social media for the pressure to conform to a certain body type, but believes people are realizing that perfect bodies and workout regimens seen online may not match reality.
She emphasized that workouts for the “perfect body” that pop up on Instagram often have no scientific basis and don’t yield real results.
Research suggests that plus-size people and people with disabilities often have feelings of “self-consciousness” in a gym due to the perception that their bodies are not in the right shape.
Cherry believes that diversifying the industry and increasing the visibility of professionals and gym-goers with different body shapes can make people feel more comfortable entering that space.
She encourages everyone to try exercises they’re interested in, regardless of body shape, age, or experience.
The coach believes that diversifying the industry and increasing the visibility of professionals and gym-goers with different body shapes can make people feel more comfortable entering that space
Cherry explains that fitness is more than what your body looks like and can be any weight or size.
“Fitness and exercise is for everyone,” she said, explaining that everyone, regardless of body shape, can and should do some form of physical activity.
One of the main reasons Cherry chose to work as a personal trainer was to specifically help people living with challenges such as illness find an effective way to exercise.
The coach recognized that some people, especially those struggling with a chronic illness, are often unable to perform normal workouts and this can lead to fitness issues.
One of the main reasons Cherry chose to work as a personal trainer was to specifically help those living with these challenges find an effective way to exercise.
She focuses on science and research-backed training methods that are also fun and enjoyable.
She explained that not everyone has to go to gym classes or workouts, but rather participate in activities they enjoy, such as swimming or cycling.
Cherry struggles with her own physical injuries, being in a car accident and suffering from a hip injury since childhood, but she has big plans for her fitness in 2023.
The coach said that she plans to improve her performance, health and how she feels first and foremost, and then comes aesthetics.