Do you really need to be extremely fit to be a Physical Therapist?

[StarStunning]

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There is this common conception that PTs have to be muscular and extremely fit. Also, that they need to have a strong interest in sports. How true is this?

The reason why I'm asking this is because I really do notnfit the description of being muscular. I'm actually a little chubby.

Also, I do not have a die hard interest in sports. Just watch basketball or baseball when it's on. Otherwise, I do not make fantasy teams or keep track of stats and etc.

Is this a problem?

 

[CJonesrun]

It depends on what are of the field you want to work in! If you want to work with a sports team, then yes, maybe it would help your credibility and patient relationships. Want to work in geriatrics or peds? They won't care as long as you're a competent practioner. I would suggest having a strong back, I volunteered at a school for kids and teens with cerebral palsy, and that means moving 17-yr-old 190lb boys just as often as 60lb little girls. There are so many options in the field, sports is not the only one!
Any employer who is more worried about your interest in sports over your ability to diagnose and treat patients is a sign of something seriously wrong.

 

[goyo1010]

Haha, nahhh. Like the last poster said, unless you're a Sports Physical Therapist, then being healthy and fit may benefit you somewhat, most especially with your credibility. You'll be working with athletes, so athletes want to make sure that their PT or whomever they work with looks like they know what they're about. Even though how a PT looks doesn't determine his or her capacity to practice, it's simply the perception.

And no, you don't have to be all into sports... Sport and PT are interrelated and havesome crossing over (in terms of biomechanics, injury, rehabilitation, etc.), but that doesn't mean one has to know a lot about sports and be into them.

But if you're going to be a PT, then you need to have a strong back and core. You'll be doing some heavy lifting, moving, transfers, etc and you need to ensure that your body won't just give up on you.

Honestly, I don't have the time to make myself all ripped and cut or whatever lol.

 

[StarStunning]

Wow, so I'm relieved. 😀

And I guess I should start focusing on doing workouts to strengthen my back. That's when I actually decide to get a gym membership.

 

[oschrndz]

Not at all, but you would like to model a healthy lifestyle as we do promote health and well-being to our patients. Besides you would want to be healthy yourself so you can continue practicing for many years. But I do agree with the previous comments that if you have an interest in sports PT then it would be good to look healthy, but I have even come across sport physical therapist that are the most fit individuals.

There is this common conception that PTs have to be muscular and extremely fit. Also, that they need to have a strong interest in sports. How true is this?

The reason why I'm asking this is because I really do notnfit the description of being muscular. I'm actually a little chubby.

Also, I do not have a die hard interest in sports. Just watch basketball or baseball when it's on. Otherwise, I do not make fantasy teams or keep track of stats and etc.

Is this a problem?

 

[Aaliah thomas]

There is this common conception that PTs have to be muscular and extremely fit. Also, that they need to have a strong interest in sports. How true is this?

The reason why I'm asking this is because I really do notnfit the description of being muscular. I'm actually a little chubby.

Also, I do not have a die hard interest in sports. Just watch basketball or baseball when it's on. Otherwise, I do not make fantasy teams or keep track of stats and etc.

Is this a problem?

No not really!🙂
You need not have a very good physique for becoming a physiotherapist. But yes you should have the strength to show patients how to perform various treatment plan exercises as well as lift disabled patients when necessary. Besides their regular course of exercises you should be very sensitive to the patients and should be able to motivate them. For that I would suggest you can go for some work outs so as to look fit and healthy.

 

[goyo1010]

nothing is more motivating than seeing an... unfit PT trying to motivate you to be fitter. Just like seeingan overweight coach in high school telling you to run ten times around the track because it's good for you! lol

 

[StarStunning]

nothing is more motivating than seeing an... unfit PT trying to motivate you to be fitter. Just like seeingan overweight coach in high school telling you to run ten times around the track because it's good for you! lol

I'm not THAT unfit. I'm just chubby and breathe pretty heavily when I work out. Otherwise, I could do the basic exercises that PT's do with their patients, based on what I've observed at the PT clinic I volunteer in.

 

[goyo1010]

Haha, I know you're probably not. I breathe pretty heavily when I exercise, too. Just be healthy so your patients don't get discouraged

 

[jesspt]

95% of your patients are going to come to you with the primary complaint of pain. Make their pain better and they won't care if you weight 400 lbs.