On "Fit To Fat To Fit," A&E Network's newest social experiment reality TV series, 10 professional personal trainers set out on the ultimate challenge: to gain the amount of weight their obese clients hope to lose in order to embark on a weight loss journey with them. In a sneak peek for tonight's season premiere, viewers get a glimpse into how difficult the emotional journey will be for both trainer and client.
Based on the 2012 experiment by fitness trainer Drew Manning, trainers first meet with their clients to understand their fitness goals and needs, according to an announcement released by A&E.
"The trainers that I've had don't understand what a fat person goes through," one client says in the clip.
"Can I put myself in my client's shoes?" one trainer asks.
A trainer tells his client that his goal is to gain 60 pounds so that he could lose that same amount of weight with him, and his client chokes back tears.
"It breaks my heart that you're doing that to yourself," the client says, "cause I know what it's like, and it sucks."
The trainers meet again with their clients four months later after gaining weight under medical supervision by eating unhealthy foods and refraining from workouts. Together, they will help each other on their journey to lose the weight together.
"Now there's somebody with her who can feel her pain," a trainer says after the weight gain, as another trainer breaks down in tears.
Trainers also document the effects of their weight gain, which affects their mental health, their energy levels and their personal relationships. At the end of each episode, trainers and clients check in to see if they're on track to meet their fitness goals.
"Before this journey, I was judgmental," a trainer says, "but now Ray is my inspiration."
Watch the full sneak peek below and be sure to catch tonight's season premiere of "Fit To Fat To Fit," airing tonight at 10 p.m. EST on A&E.
TONIGHT, personal trainers take a jog in their clients' sneakers. The new series #FitToFatToFit premieres at 10/9c. https://t.co/x1xiTdjRgt
— A&E Network (@AETV) January 19, 2016
