A recent interaction I had with the owner of a gym surprised me. Her goal is to get more middle-aged women to sign up for beginner-level fitness classes at the gym. She was also organizing a strategy meeting for her team and important clientele. She replied that I was specifically not invited when I inquired if I may come. I inquired why that was the case, a little irritated because I am a medical professional in rehabilitation who has dedicated my work to helping people move.

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“You are too sophisticated.” Says she. “It is not really about the manner you work out; we are actually more about making the environment less daunting for ladies.”

“You know, the commercials for Planet Fitness? the ones where sportsmen are not invited? Confused, I asked.

“The concept remains the same, even though I do not like those advertising. Working out with someone who are much more fit deflates beginners. Even their instructor does not need to appear overly fit.

“You are not serious.” Would it really be more preferable for women to work out with a plump trainer?

Indeed. Some women have even come to the gym and asked not to be partnered with any of our personal trainers because they appear to be too fit. They worry that they will be expected to work too hard or outside of their comfort zone.

“So, what is their first motivation for attending the gym?” I enquired. If they are unwilling to put in a lot of effort at the gym or shape their bodies to resemble athletic trainers, what is driving them?

All they want is to continue being who they have always been. Perhaps they simply wish to get back to their 30s weight after they started gaining weight in their 40s and 50s. They have no interest in lifting the biggest weights in the gym or running marathons. They want trainers who appear healthy but not extreme, and they do not want to be pushed too much.

From a medical perspective, being healthy does not require a lot of work. Numerous studies have demonstrated that walking on a daily basis is sufficient to prevent certain diseases, and weight loss success stories (documented at the National Weight Control Registry, for instance) are typically the consequence of following a diet low in calories and doing moderate exercise.

These ladies who “do not want to work that hard” are, in a way, correct; being healthy does not need them to undertake strenuous activities. The predilection for “average looking” trainers and the seeming prejudice against athleticism, however, continue to fascinate me. However, given that large gym chains like Planet Fitness have recognized this bias and made it the cornerstone of their marketing approach, it must be a very widespread one. “No judgments”—well, maybe if you are really strong.

I search for a trainer who symbolizes the best qualities that exercise has to offer while making my decision. An athlete who has dedicated years of sweat and effort to honing their craft—that is my North Star. Even though I might never reach the North Star, I still like to try. And I am motivated by that.

However, some people might find it counterintuitive to have a professional athlete as their trainer. If your goal is to be healthy rather than athletic, then it makes sense to look up to people who share your mindset and way of life. What matters most is that each of us meets the recommended daily allowance of exercise for optimal health. The CDC states that this implies: