Fitness Pros Weigh in on The Biggest Loser
Whether you enjoy watching The Biggest Loser or you find it offensive, you have to admit that this primetime TV program has been effective in showcasing health and fitness to millions of people around the world. Last month, IDEA published “Weighing in on The Biggest Loser,” an in-depth feature story on the topic. The article brings into extreme focus the passionate—and widely divergent—viewpoints of the show’s producers, its contestants and one of its personal trainers (Bob Harper), as well as those of fitness professionals looking in from the outside.
Here are some of the topics covered in the feature story:
- The Progression of Workout Scenes as Shown on the Show. Are the basic principles of exercise progression and weight loss missing, or is the seeming lack of progression and program design due to postproduction editing?
- The Safety of the Exercises. Contestants are overweight and sedentary when they begin training. Are they enduring too much work too soon? Is it really advisable for them to do plyometric jumps or piggyback a trainer as they hustle across the room? Would “everyday” trainers ever ask their clients to do such things?
- The Safety and Sustainability of Contestants’ Dramatic and Rapid Weight Loss. Is this a dangerous, unrealistic message to give to the viewing public?
- The Training Certifications of the Show’s Celebrity Trainers, Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. Are these trainers currently certified? By whom? How much continuing education have they pursued?
- All the Yelling the Trainers Do. Is this really necessary, or is all this drama just for ratings? How does this behavior compare with what occurs in a standard training session?
- The Fitness Industry’s Responsibility. Where does this lie? Whether or not fitness industry professionals agree with the approach of The Biggest Loser, how can they use positive momentum from it as an opportunity to reach out to prospects and clients who need sound fitness/weight loss advice and guidance?
“We are extremely proud of this article and of the work that author Amanda Vogel, MA, did to create a fair, balanced view between what the The Biggest Loser representatives feel makes good television and what everyday personal trainers feel is realistic for their own clients,” said Kathie Davis, IDEA executive director. “We hope this piece helps educate fitness professionals—but especially the consumer public—about the ‘reality’ of reality television.”
To read the entire article, please see “Weighing in on The Biggest Loser” in September 2009 IDEA Fitness Journal or read the article online in the IDEA Library.
October 2009
© 2009 by IDEA Health & Fitness Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.
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Article Comments
On Oct 08, 2009
I am afraid that I must disagree with Ms. Davis. I read Ms. Vogal's article and found it to be biased against the positive attributes that the Biggest Loser program pipes into Americas living rooms every week. Ms. Vogals agenda seemed to be focused around discrediting the show. Yes ultimately the Biggest Loser is a game show where people lose weight for money. Yes NBC does a great job of sensationalizing the "Last Chance Workout." However I am biased in the other direction and see it as a tool to motivate clients to action. It helps to get clients thinking outside their comfort zone. Some of my clients watch every movement made and obsess over each little thing, but most clients don't remember the people's names on the show much less what exercises are done. Bob and Jillian have perfected their craft. Jillian’s books are industry leading, professional and on the money.
It is funny how some lesser trainers will stand back and point out flaws in a more successful trainers program, instead of taking that time to learn, experiment and grow their own business. Glass houses and rocks. With regard to Bob and Jillian I will paraphrase Billy Joel from his "Glass House"
"You may be right (Jillian and Bob) may be crazy, but it just may be a lunatic (millions of people have used to become motivated to action) are looking for."
Ms Vogal doesn't like the Biggest Loser. Fine. Ms. Davis' job is to stand by the articles published here. Fine. Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
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