Personal trainer, 22, describes what working in the fitness industry is like when you’re curvy – and why everyone has their place at the gym
- Cherry Rosaline says fitness is about more than body shape
- The 22-year-old Perth trainer promotes exercise at any size
- She believes stereotypes of fitness can discourage people
A 22-year-old personal trainer is aiming to diversify the fitness industry and prove to Australians that being ‘healthy’ is about more than body size and shape.
Cherry Rosaline, from Perth, has opened up about 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 exercise journey two years ago to help manage academic stress and quickly ‘fell in love’ with strength training and conditioning.
22-year-old personal trainer Cherry Rosaline (pictured) is aiming to diversify the fitness industry and prove to people that it is about more than size and body shape
The West Australian coach has opened up about 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 exercise journey two years ago to help manage academic stress and quickly ‘fell in love’ with strength training and conditioning
Cherry has since graduated with a double degree in sports science and psychology and is planning to complete a masters in exercise physiology.
The qualified trainer works at Perth’s popular hybrid gym and studio S30, where she is well-loved for her ‘high-energy’ and expertise.
Speaking to News.com.au, Cherry said that before beginning work as a personal trainer she was afraid her skills would be doubted because her body shape falls outside the ‘stereotype’ of what a fit body looks like.
However she admits her experience has been the polar opposite, something she puts down to her friendly communication and the fact people can see her skill and knowledge first-hand.
‘I think it doesn’t really matter what you look like because this kind of job, you’re gonna get a lot further with the way that you interact with people and how you actually train them,’ she said.
Cherry graduated with a double degree in sports science and psychology and is planning to complete a masters in exercise physiology
Cherry blames social media for the pressure to conform to a certain body type, but believes people are realising that perfect bodies and exercise regimes seen online may not match reality.
She stressed that workouts for the ‘perfect body’ which crop up on Instagram, often have no scientific basis and don’t achieve real results.
Research suggests that plus-size people and those with disabilities often have feelings of ‘self-consciousness’ in a gym setting due to the perception their bodies aren’t 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 are interested in, irrespective 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 about more than how your body looks, and can come with any weight or size.
‘Fitness and exercise is for everybody,’ she said, explaining that regardless of body shape everyone 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 those living with challenges such as illness find an effective way to work out
The coach acknowledged that some people, particularly those struggling with chronic illness, often can’t perform typical workouts and this can lead to issues with fitness.
One of the main reasons Cherry chose to work as a personal trainer was to specifically help those living with these challenges to find an effective way to work out.
She focuses on science and research-backed methods of training that are also fun and enjoyable.
She explained that not everyone has to go to gym classes or workouts, but rather take part in activity they enjoy like swimming or cycling.
Cherry has struggled with her own physical injuries, having been in a car accident and lived with a hip injury since childhood, but she has big plans for her fitness in 2023.
The coach said that first and foremost she plans on improving her performance, health and how she feels, and aesthetics come after that.
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