Instructor evaluation.

[Pullmyfinger]

Just a thought,

There are many different things to consider when looking for an instructor. How many give consideration to fitness?

An instructor also serves as a role model for how to do it, not just teaching the course material. They might also become a mentor later on.

I was just curious, does anyone out there use the fitness level of an instructor as one of the factors on their list when deciding on an instructor?
If all other things were equal between two instructors, would this then become a tie breaker?

I was just curious about peoples thoughts on this?

While I'm at it, since it's obviously related to fitness would smoker vs. non-smoker matter to you?

Thanks,

Mitch

 

[davetowz]

I don't want a Fataz instructor, appearance has many points.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Woah!

I didn't mean for this to generate responses quite like that. Although, I do agree with you...appearance does count, in terms of professionalism. But personality and attitude count for more.
As people (instructors) get older, fitness becomes more of a factor. I was really interested in how big of a part maintaining fitness played in most instructors lives.
Are full time instructors more likely to maintain fitness rather than a part time instructor?

And what are peoples thoughts on this aspect when choosing?

For me, it factors in a little bit. at least in terms of general first impression. But experience trumps all as far as I'm concerned. But fitness does indicate if they are walking the walk so to speak. But it's not THE deciding factor for me.

As for smoking....I just won't take you seriously as a diving instructor if you are a smoker.
That's just me personally.

-Mitch

 

[TSandM]

I wouldn't have a smoker as an instructor, but I don't like being around smokers in general, in any setting.

I confess to having had some dubious thoughts about technical instructors who are significantly overweight -- it sort of implies a lack of taking things seriously to me, although I can't say that that attitude is really well grounded in data.

And fitness is a hard thing to define. The personal trainer I worked with a couple of years ago was absolutely blown away by how strong and fit I was for my age, but I still had trouble getting high marks on the DM swims -- I am NOT a fast swimmer, although I can swim for a long time at the speed that I swim.

And as I write this, I think about one of the most talented and well-regarded instructors I know, who battles with his weight. Anyone refusing to take one of his classes because he's heavy would be truly, truly misguided.

 

[Ste Wart]

I think you'd struggle to find an Instructor who isn't either over weight or doesn't smoke!

I'm a non-smoker, but I find that puts me in the minority of most of the instructors I meet.

Few I know follow any sort of fitness regime, again on this one I feel like an aberration.

You need to be fit to dive. Diving does not make you fit, in fact it's a great stress on the body. Basically every time we get in the water our body is fighting to stave of hypothermia. But this fact seems to be largely ignored. I've seen whale-sized instructors that I would not give any credence, regardless of their skill.

Would you trust a fat personal trainer?

 

[ajduplessis]

I fully agree with "the wart"

The instructor should be a "mirror" image of what they preach/teach. If they teach fitness, buoyancy, propulsion techniques, skills, safety, deco, gas, dive planning strategy, attitude etc and don’t live by these, then I would not consider them.

 

[ajduplessis]

And as I write this, I think about one of the most talented and well-regarded instructors I know, who battles with his weight. Anyone refusing to take one of his classes because he's heavy would be truly, truly misguided.

I do agree with you, but when you select an instructor you have to do it on face-value or hear-say. Did you feel 100% comfortable with him before you had any idea of skills and ability, especially in a tech environment??

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Most of the instructors I know do not smoke. That may be a regional thing though. I am not a fast swimmer myself. But I ride a stationary bike in the winter, bicycle and walk when weather permits. And do some wieght training on a too sporadic basis. At 51 I'm not is as good a shape as I was at 20. But some of that is due to the fact that I work 45-50 hours a week and don't seem to heal up as fast at this age as I did at 25 or even 35.

Could I run a mile non stop now? yes, but not in 9 minutes like I used to. I got on a treadmill after being unable to run for a few months due to my work schedule. Took me 17 minutes to do that mile the first time and thought it would kill me. Three weeks later after going to the gym 3 times a week I got it down to 12 for a mile and quarter and barely broke a good sweat. The issue is getting in the time on a regular basis between work, teaching, writing, selling equipment, and life in general.

I'd say though based on how quick I can get things back my overall fitness is pretty good. I'm not overweight, don't smoke, drink, or use drugs. My GF has me eating better and healthier. If I could just get my bosses at my real job to see how unimportant their priorities are compared to mine and still get the same pay, I'd be fine!

 

[ajtoady]

Personal appearance does have it's curses. I do expect an instructor to project at least a semi- professional image. Well groomed, decent clothes, and able to move about without laboring. Weight is not a condemning factor if the person is not overly obese, we all fight weight issues as we age. The quality of the instruction is my determining factor. As far as smoking goes, I was a smoker once and was always considerate of others when and where I would have a smoke. But then again if I was a diving instructor that would not be an image I would want to project to potential divers.

 

[tstocum]

I would most assuredly not take a course from an instructor that smoked. Ones weight on the other hand does not necessarily equate to ones fitness level. You can be over weight and still be fit. So for me weight is less of an issue. What I want most in an instructor is professionalism and experience. I also want to like them or I won't learn anything from them.