The Hypocrisy of Fitness Professionals Who Smoke

As fitness professionals, I believe you would agree that part of our mission is to use exercise to guide people toward good health, longevity, and vitality. Unfortunately, the reality isn't always that simple. Let me share some shocking truths from my personal experience.

 

There was a time when I worked as a fitness trainer for military recruits, conducting fitness tests like the IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test). Most of my colleagues were young chaps who had either just completed their National Service or graduated from fitness schools like ITE.
 

Here’s the shocking part: 90% of my colleagues were smokers. During lunch breaks or after shifts, a group of them would gather at the rubbish bin near the bus stop to light up. It was difficult for me to fit in with them, and I always made sure to keep my distance.
 

But here’s the most alarming part: one day, our supervisor (another young guy) called for a “quick meeting” to discuss some work matters. And where did he take us? Right to that same rubbish bin area. He pulled out his cigarettes, lit one up, and started discussing work while everyone else joined in.
 

I can’t tell you how much this annoyed me. In fact, a big reason I eventually resigned was the toxic culture I was forced to be a part of.
 

As a fitness professional, I firmly believe we should be role models for health and wellness. Smoking is the exact opposite of what we should be promoting. We should steer clear of such toxic behaviors and environments that contradict the message we’re trying to send to our clients.
 

I had another experience recently as a part-time fitness trainer at a polytechnic. One day, I met a new colleague finishing his morning shift as I arrived for my afternoon one. As I approached the reception area, the first thing I noticed was a pack of cigarettes openly placed on the counter in front of him.
 

This is a polytechnic environment, a place where students and young adults are looking up to us as role models. It’s not professional, and frankly, it’s inappropriate to display a pack of cigarettes so openly. It sent the wrong message, and I couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
 

In another case, I overheard another trainer casually saying that smoking was no big deal.
 

Honestly, unless I’m completely desperate (and jobless, which might be a reality soon), I can’t imagine returning to an environment like that. The hypocrisy is just too much to bear.
 

As fitness professionals, we need to walk the talk. We should be committed to living a healthy lifestyle—not just preaching about it but embodying it in everything we do. It’s time to hold ourselves to a higher standard.

Now that I’m currently jobless, I find myself questioning whether I should return to an environment like that, despite how desperate I am for work. It’s a tough decision, but I’m starting to realize that compromising my values and well-being for a paycheck might not be the right choice.