Is it safe to train every day like in the biggest loser
Sonia, I would agree with Harris on this question. The individuals on the Biggest Loser should not be training at this level. It can take years of training to be at that level. I would be interested in seeing statistics on over training injuries for this show and others like it. As noted above, they have doctors, nutritionists and other experts to help them with these issues. Your training is specific to your goals. Many athletes at the higher levels have to train many hours every day in order to be at the top of their game. There are others, as Harris noted, that require long hours of training. I think your question was more in regards to the average person as portrayed in the show. In that case no, as it takes time to adapt the body to that level of fitness, plus learn how to train, sleep and eat properly to maintain it. I should note that you can train hard one day and then do some form of active recovery the next day. This could be anything from stretching to a walk in the park.
I do not know the long term effects of this daily training and I often wonder myself, to what extent can genetics play a part? Are there people out there who can exercise every day of their life or are they going to burn out eventually and have to rest. The only answer I have come up with is that we have to work with the current knowledge we have. What we can do is vary the type of exercise throughout the day or week. If you do a lot of lifting at work, maybe do some yoga or tai chi to bring the muscles back into balance, or if you are on your feet all day sit down on the weight bench or rowing machine. Give your body what it craves.
The question here is it depends. If you are referring to people similar to the those in the show, the answer is no (for all the reasons the others have mentioned). But, if you are referring to individuals who’s lives might depend on their training , for example those in the military (and especially those in Special Operations), then the answer is yes (with a few exceptions). Also, it all depends on your goals, the races/event’s which you are training for and your fitness level and conditioning. I know people who train close to that many hours a day (one way or another) and they are fine, but it takes a lot of time to get to that level and even longer to maintain it…but this is not the norm.
Recovery and nutrition are essential components of fitness and wellness.
What happens in extreme weight loss competitions isn’t realistic for most people. They’re not just getting 7 hours in the gym every day. They’re being monitored by doctors, trainers, and nutritionists, and they’re separated from their families and other responsibilities. While these strategies may produce significant weight loss, many of the biggest loser contestants gain back a portion of their weight because their regimen can’t be sustained in the “real world.”
Hi Sonia,
this is also my understanding that the body needs to rest and repair.
I do not believe that “The Biggest Loser” is supposed to be the blueprint for an exercise program. It is a TV show to entertain with a highly selected group of participants and a medical staff standing by.
But to expand on your observation: there are many people who do something physical 7 hours a day. In their cases, it is called ‘work’ and is physical labor. They have usually built up to the ability to sustain such workload over time.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com