What it’s really like dating a personal trainer
Though I’ve always had a thing for athletes, I never thought I’d end up dating a personal trainer. When we think personal trainer, we tend to think super macho, cocky, and a little intimidating. I definitely wasn’t expecting the super sweet, curly-haired girl I met to be all about the fitness world. But dating her has definitely overhauled a lot of stereotypes.
We eat a lot of veggies… and pizza
The first thing people ask me when they find out my girlfriend is a personal trainer is whether or not we have a super strict diet. They assume that if she eats healthy, I must, too. This is something I stressed about at first. Like, crap. Do I have to have a six pack just because she does? But, luckily, our cabinets remain stocked with a good balance of protein bars, tofu, and Girl Scout Cookies. And she’s the one always begging to order pizza.
Her muscles are intimidating, but are also constant motivation
Even my semi-homophobic grandmother fangirled over my girlfriend’s arms. It’s a part of our reality. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with my body, and it intensified during the early stages of our relationship. I think it’s especially dangerous ground because we’re both girls, so thinking she’s beautiful and wanting to look like her are both constant rivals. Luckily, though, she’s the most upbeat and motivational person I know, and she’s really body positive. I’m sure there are trainers out there who are cruel when it comes to insulting other people’s bodies, but who would want to date them, anyway?
She does love flexing, but she isn’t a macho jerk
Probably the most prevalent stereotype about personal trainers is that they spend half their time training other people, and the other half flexing in the mirror. I’ve definitely seen those people at the gym, usually groups of guys grunting and snapping pics for Instagram. And it’s terrifying! Who wants to be in the back of one of those photos, dripping with sweat and flailing through a final set of sit-ups? My girlfriend is proud of her body, but she’s not full of herself.
We work out together, and it isn’t horrifying
When we first started dating, I refused to work out with her. I was like, there’s no way in hell I’m going to throw on my leggings and giant t-shirt and work out beside your finely sculpted self. I imagined myself curling the 3-pound weights (no shame in your game if you’re about the 3-pounders!) as she lifted her body weight without breaking a sweat – yikes. But before long it just became easier for us to turn gym time into hang out time, and if anything I’ve gained a lot of confidence.
