Fitness Training and the Home Gym

   The home gym business is booming! There are many reasons for this:

• People today are busy and pressed for time!  Kid's soccer, gymnastics, hockey, or music lessons can eat away at the free moments in each day. Throw in work commutes, differing spousal schedules, social commitments, household duties, and other family obligations and the first thing to get dropped could be a fitness club membership. A home gym could appear to be be the answer.
• Fitness club memberships can be costly!  Home gyms can vary in price but once paid off there are no more monthly fees as with a club membership. 
• There are no parking expenses or other travel issues with a home gym.
• There are no periods of peak usage and wait times to get on certain apparatus or equipment.
• Some people feel uncomfortable working out in a public gym. They feel that they are being compared to fitter people and being judged negatively. This may be only a figment of their imagination but it can still be a powerful perception. 
• The home gym owner can work out when the mood strikes them. In theory there should be fewer excuses to prevent this from happening,

  Can we safely say that for a time challenged person the home gym is the answer? 
  This is not necessarily so. 

• Many home gyms collect dust and cobwebs, become indoor clothes lines, or get stashed in a neglected corner of the garage or basement, never to be used.  I have always believed that someone who will not take the time to actually go to a gym or fitness center to work out is more likely to give up on a program with a home gym. 
• Some home gyms will be junk that breaks easily and does not provide a full range of motion for the exercise.
• There can be distractions at home! Kids, computers, televisions, phone calls, pets, other family members, ringing doorbells and friendly neighbors bearing six-packs of craft beer can conspire against a successful home work-out.

How can someone who is serious about exercising at home insure that they are buying a suitable product? The best way is to stick to brand names such as LifeFitness, Nautilus, Bullworker or Livestrong. (There is the former Lance Armstrong cancer foundation Livestrong but there is also the business part of Livestrong that posts fitness information and makes fitness equipment.) For free weights the best choices are Weider or York. Television infomercial gadgets or home gyms from 
Walley Mart likely won't fit the bill!
   Since many people with home gyms give up the ghost rather quickly there will be bargains on E-bay, Kijiji, Craigslist or the want ads. 

The entrepreneurial Fitness Trainer will think outside of the box! Tap into the home gym demographic. Cultivate house call Fitness Training sessions with the home gym owners.
Some of the home gym buyers just may realize that they could use some expert help to reap the full benefit of their investment.
It may require some tips from Fitness Equipment dealers to track down recent buyers. The Fitness Trainer will have to network and establish such relationships.  It could prove fruitful.
Working out of a Fitness Center is not the only career option!

Until Next Time, ......Keep Fit

Little Bobby Strong
                               

No travel time!  No crowded weight room!
No sneers from boorish muscleheads!
Maybe even a potential client!

PS: Kudos to Germany at the soccer World Cup!
I tried to stay neutral but my Mom does have German blood.
Her maiden name was Schwabe.
Little Bobby Strong could have almost become
Little Bobby Schwabe! 








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Fitness Training and Late Night Infomercials

   Sometimes I get those nights. I can't sleep. It doesn't happen if I've spent that the day being active outside. However, on those other days it can occur. I can try thumbing through a muscle magazine from my old stack in the closet. I can try reading a chapter from my college exercise physiology textbook. If I can't read I can always turn on the tube and be entertained - or be bored.
   If I click to the right channel I can find it - that special channel showing the fitness equipment infomercial. Then I have an epiphany. This is it! This is the ultimate answer to finding the perfect exercise.
   Get super fit with the Titanic Toner! You don't have to leave the couch. You just sit there and put the Titantic Toner on your lap. Then you proceed to pull on the handles and perform crunching movements for 10 minutes. Repeat every day as you watch your favorite sit-com.  Observe as the pounds melt away. Gaze in amazement as your muscles become toned cables of sinewy steel in just a few short workouts. Observe as your abs transform from rolls of quivering jelly belly to looking like a farmer's plow ran over your midsection. There is no longer any need to hoist weights or cycle around a park or run like a rat on a treadmill. Stop wasting vast amounts of your valuable time by working out.
All you need is the Titanic Toner!
   The person on T.V. demonstrating the Titanic Toner is a super ripped model or even a former Olympic champion. Wow, do you think that that's how they got their world beating physique .It couldn't have been from hours in the weight room and countless intervals of hill runs, 400 meter repeats or numerous lengths in the swimming pool. No way! It was from performing the same movement on this innovative device for 10 minutes while never leaving the couch!
   Fitness Trainers will invariably get asked about the validity of such gimmicks by their clients. People like shortcuts. If these products actually worked, our profession could become obsolete like VHS tapes and Polaroid cameras. Don't worry. Fitness Training is safe, for now. Such infomercials make claims that can be quite misleading. There are some common issues that make the promise of these super gadgets very unlikely:

• The exercise movements are overly simple and repetitive
• There is usually no method of adjustment for increasing overload to make the exercise more difficult
• The equipment is often poorly constructed and easily broken
• The exercise movements are rarely specific to any functional range of motion required for sports or normal activity  

   These infomercials are targeting a specific type of person. This is not a hard and fast rule but it is a strong belief that I have. People that will not leave home to work out are probably not going to adhere to a workout commitment. Of course, there are always exceptions. However, the ones that will stick with it at home will buy a weight set or a treadmill or they will do yoga. They do not rely on the infomercial super exerciser.
   If you haven't pounded back too many brews in front of the tube, you may have noticed the disclaimer that reads  "The results shown may also depend on diet, extra exercise and other variables."  That is the equipment maker's legal out in the likely event that the buyer does not get ripped and fit by sitting on the sofa.
   Some exercise is better than no exercise!  However in most cases ,taking a walk, or going up a few flights of stairs, or house cleaning, or gardening will produce better results than a T.V. wonder gadget.
   There is a famous story about a legendary, medicated  insomniac taking his gun and blowing out the television screen one sleepless night. Maybe Elvis Presley was watching the Titanic Toner commercial when he pulled that trigger.

Until next time,...........keep fit!

Little Bobby Strong

Just squeeze the handles of the Titanic Toner together to attain 'total fitness' with just 10 minutes a day.
Hmmm. Maybe I'm not doing it right!  

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Fitness Training and the Three Body Types

There is a theory that classifies the human body into 3 physical types.

1. Skinny
2. Muscular
3. Fat             

William Herbert Sheldon was a psychologist, eugenicist and medical professor who developed a theory that there are 3 predominant body types or somatypes:

1. Ectomorph: This body type is slight and lean. Ectomorphs are low in visible muscle and fat but may be high in endurance capacity. The ectomorph could excel in sports such as distance running, cross country skiing or endurance cycling. Think of Jim Ryun, Greg Lemond, or Bjorn Dahlie. Since we're talking Sheldon's Theory - yes Sheldon from 'Big Bang Theory' is a perfect example of an ectomorphic  physical build.
2. Mesomorph: This body type is muscular and built for speed and power events.The star quarterback , the track and field sprint star, or the champion bodybuilder usually fit this mold. Real life examples might be football's Tim Tebow, sprinter Usain Bolt, and bodybuilder and later California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. 
3. Endomorph: This body type stores fat easily and may tend towards obesity if the lifestyle is unchecked. However endomorphs can combine strength and mass to excel in sports requiring these traits. Football offensive linemen, weight throwers in track and field, heavyweight powerlifters, and 'Worlds Strongest Man' competitors are usually endomorphs, Think of Olympic weight lifter Vasily Alexeev, strength champion Magnus ver Magnesson or Canadian shot putter Dylan Armstrong. Throw in a ZZ Top beard and some hard core tattoos and you get your typical Biker bar bouncer. Mess with these guys at your peril!

   I first came across Sheldon's theory when I was in High School. I stumbled upon a copy of Popular Mechanic magazine from the late 1960's. According to the article, each person has some characteristics of each somatype on a scale of 1 to 7. The dominant body type has the highest. The article profiled hockey players. Bobby Hull - nicknamed the Golden Jet- was a perfect mesomorph scoring a 1-7-1. He rated 1 in endomorphic qualities, 7 in mesomorphic - and 1 in ectomorphic. Bobby Hull was hockey's fastest skater and terrorized goalies with the world's fastest slapshot.

Bobby Hull was a fast twitch muscle, mesomorphic beast!

   There appears to be a logical correlation between two body somatypes and muscle fiber characteristics.

• Ectomorphs tend to be lower in explosive fast twitch muscle fibers but higher in slow twitch muscles that are efficient in cardiovascular endurance.
• Mesomorphs are lower in slow twitch fibers and dominant in fast twitch fibers.
• Endomorphs can be dominant in either muscle fiber type. It is less common to see endomorphs excel in endurance events but not unrealistic. I personally know people with round shaped body types who compete successfully in full length Ironman Triathlons. An endomorph with dominant fast twitch muscle fiber can become a human wrecking machine on a power/strength program.

      People can have characteristics of all body types with varying degrees of dominance. Bruce Jenner was a mesomorphic track and field decathlete almost 40 years before his back-up role on 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians'. The decathlete is almost often a mesomorphic monster. Jenner also ran a smoking 1500 meters race indicating strong ectomorphic tendencies as well.
   This does not mean that people can't change their physical shape. Ectomorphs can slowly add muscle with proper resistance training. Conversely, they can morph into round, overweight body shapes with a sedentary lifestyle. Inactive mesomorphs can pile on fat quickly or shed visible muscle with extensive endurance training, Endomorphs can shed weight and add muscle.

   Numerous scientist have tried to critique Sheldon's theories. In terms of the physiological aspects, the theory seems to have survived much official scrutiny.
   What does this mean for Fitness Trainers? It might help to have an idea of your client's dominant body type. A visual assessment should give you an idea. Obviously you want to work on the client's weaknesses. An overweight endomorph should  work on weight reduction and cardiovascular issues. However, remember the golden rule of Fitness Training.   Set your client up for success.
 The same client may respond enthusiastically to strength training exercises.
An ectomorph will likely perform better at endurance work than strength work. A mesomorph will respond physically to a strength and power regime. Gauge the body type!
Develop according to strength as well as weakness. Coordinate the goals of the client with their physical attributes. Use the body type to their advantage. 

The 3 body types from left to right
Endomorph.............Mesomorph...........Ectomorph
Publisher's note: No, the one on the right is not the 'Golden Jet'!

Until Next Time,..
Keep Fit!

Little Bobby Strong      

   

Links
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AudienceBuilder.ca
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Fitness Trainer Hall of Shame : Jillian M.

I really do try to avoid judging other Fitness Trainers.
 However there are instances in which those in the public eye give a negative impression. I can no longer hold back from  a written rant. As usual, the names of the perpetrators have been abbreviated to buffer the criticism.

    There is a popular reality television show called "The Biggest Loser". The premise of the show is that extremely overweight contestants compete to lose weight for a cash prize.  The contestants get all hyped by these drill sergeant type Fitness Trainers who cajole them to push themselves physically and expose themselves emotionally.
Contestants have been known to lose half their body weight in six months. 

    The so called Fitness Trainers on this show use questionable tactics to get the contestants to lose such massive amounts of weight. The number one offender is Jillian M.

• Jillian M. is heralded as a celebrity 'Fitness Trainer to the Stars'.
• Jillian M. has best selling fitness books on the market.
• Jillian M. has been on two reality T.V.shows, 'The Biggest Loser' and 'Losing It With Jillian'.  

    A Google search of Jillian M. turns up all of the celebrity praise. However it also turns up a few controversial issues. Well, maybe more that a few. Lets see what the search turns up:

• Jillian M. endorses questionable supplements. I'm usually willing to cut some slack on this one. She is far from the only Fitness Trainer pushing supplements. My current opinion is that unless someone is deficient in a certain vital ingredient, the addition of a mega dose of that ingredient is pointless. Internet rumor has her being sued for promoting unsafe supplements. In fact, this is the 4th time that she has been sued for this sort of promotion.  
• Her credentials as a Fitness Trainer have been often questioned. She has actually threatened a defamation suit against the sources of this doubt. Her credentials and certificates supposedly are current and up to date. When you are a public figure you CAN be a target of haters! But why so many haters and why all these lawsuits? 
• Countless Fitness Trainers on the Internet deride Jillian M. for having reality show contestants perform unsafe exercises for people of such massive weight. Having reluctantly watched the show, I concur. The show's producers may be somewhat to blame as well. They want action and conflict. That's what sells!
• Internet sources also accuse our beleaguered Jillian of teaching improper technique. I will assume that she is not in total control of what exercises are prescribed.The Hollywood powers that be likely dictate the terms.
•  Jillian M. acts like a profane, foul mouthed bully according to on line fitness pundits. I don't think I can defend her on this one.
• Jillian M. is a disgrace to the fitness profession because she crashed and burned at a triathlon competition. Ease up you haters. She's human - not Wonder Woman! I've bonked on a few marathons and almost succumbed to the soul sucking succubus of glycogen depletion on a run-bike-run race. I give her a mulligan on this one.

 Make no mistake. Jillian M. is attractive!  Jillian M. is super fit and super ripped! Women want to look like her! Men want her as their Personal Trainer! That's why Hollywood wooed her for 'The Biggest Loser". Jillian M. has that rare quality known as charisma. They don't want some boring exercise fanatic who rhymes off muscle attachments and muscle mechanic movements during every exercise challenge. Hollywood wants star quality!

    I went on line and watched the first episode of 'Losing It With Jillian'. Jillian M.  is invited to work with a fitness challenged and likely emotionally dysfunctional family. True to form, Jillian M. cajoles, encourages and even bullies this family to eat properly and get up and move before the deadline of a daughter's wedding.  Jillian got the family to shape up after a few emotional breakdowns. That is my major issue with this episode. This family obviously had some major emotional issues and psychological dysfunction.Maybe the show used professional resources to help Jillian M. deal with this. However the show made it seem as though our super Fitness Trainer solved everything herself. Such obvious dysfunction requires a referral to nutritional and medical professionals. 

   The beauty of television is that we have options.

1. We can turn the channel and choose not to watch a particular program
2. We can seek out only educational or enlightening shows - if you can find them
3. We can turn the television set off and do anything else

Since I am a fitness aficionado I did watch a few episodes of  "The Biggest Loser".  I saw many actions unbecoming to what I believe is the essence of Fitness Training. I got annoyed and switched to more inspiring fare such as "Breaking Bad". However I kept hearing about such negative blow back towards the Trainers that I went on line and watched some more recent episodes. This is what I observed.

• The Fitness Trainers were all guilty of putting severely overweight and unconditioned contestants through an exercise program that seems beyond their initial physical capabilities. The prescribed programs could be injury inducing and potentially dangerous. Explosive, ballistic movements or road running on hard concrete for such clients is a recipe for physical undoing. Jillian M.was only one of the violating Trainers. Remember also that the mandate of the show may dictate the plot line. The Fitness Trainers may just be complying with the producers.
• Weight loss is emphasized over health, fitness, and safety. Once again, Jillian M. was not the only violator.
• Jillian M. shouts, intimidates and verbally bullies the contestants under her charge. In group exercise boot camp classes the drill sergeant instructor  seems to be a trend. In a real life one on one scenario, severely overweight clients may have been bullied for much of their life. They may take offence to once again being treated in such a manner. The 'tough love' approach can be a tactic that can backfire. 
• Jillian M. seasons her drill sergeant approach with a great propensity for throwing F-bombs at the contestants in her care. The T.V. show obviously feels that this is a ratings boost. For a real life Fitness Trainer to do this could spell lost clients or lost jobs. Best to leave that language back at the oil rig.
• Jillian M. set up a contestant to fail! This particular episode really rankled me. A woman 'Biggest Loser' contestant was making considerable progress. Then  Jillian went to work on her. Jillian M. commanded the contestant to jump up onto a box that was about 2 plus feet off of the ground. The contestant was psyched out by the height and would not attempt the jump. This induced a crying spell. I suppose she wanted to 'get to the emotional root' of the woman's weight issues.  Why does this bother me? 

1. Trying to make such a jump and missing could lead to injury
2. A single box jump will have no effect on weight loss - or fitness
3. A golden rule of Fitness Training is to "Set your client up for success." Jillian M.  could have used a lower box that the contestant could land on. She wanted a reason to break the contestant. Once again, this makes for good T.V. drama but sets a terrible example for real life Fitness Trainers. 

   It is now time to see if this person deserves to be sentenced to the Fitness Trainer Hall of Shame.
I will deal with Jillian M. as two distinct entities.
There is Jillian M. the celebrity trainer, author, digital media sensation and training video star. This Jillian M. has attracted more than her share of controversy and has many detractors. This may be just the price to pay for being in the public eye. She has garnered financial success and book sales.
She also has legions of admirers. She seems to have weathered the controversies and kept on going.
She has also earned more than most Fitness Trainers can even dream about. There doesn't appear to be enough to sentence her to the Hall of Shame without seeming like sour grapes. This Jillian M.  gets a pass.

Then there is Jillian M. the Trainer of the 'reality' television shows. As role model for proper procedure and protocol for a practicing 'real life' Fitness Trainer' this Jillian M. is a bad example! In her defense, are we seeing the real Jillian M. or are we seeing a caricature created for the viewing audience by the Hollywood factory? In my opinion reality shows are more fabrication and manipulation than actual reality. Jillian M. is not claiming to be a role model for Fitness Trainers and should not be held up as such! This Jillian M. is an entertainer. I also believe that she really does care about the people that she works with.
This entertainer is a ratings money maker - a television icon.  She gets a pass!
The Fitness Trainer caricature goes into the Hall of Shame! There are just too many cringing situations to be used as examples of what a Fitness Trainer should not do!

Bullying your clients until they vomit!  Bad Idea!
Leave that for the reality TV. Trainers!

So there you have it.
I should be nominated to the Supreme Court for that 'split' decision.
Keep raking it in Jillian.
I'll probably turn the channel to watch
'Just Call Saul'!

Until next time,.....Keep Fit

   
Little Bobby Strong   





   


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AudienceBuilder.ca
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Fitness Training : Top Ten Signs That You May Be Getting Older!

1. You no longer care about getting stronger. You're too worried about getting gradually weaker!
2. You stop chasing the leaders in the local running road race. You are too busy staying ahead of the stragglers.
3. There is no such thing as a 'mild' head cold.
4. You wake up in the morning and think "Gadzooks! I feel awful. I'll never do that again.!" Then you realize that you didn't do anything.
5. People insist on offering you their seat on the bus.
6. When you bench press, the bar is pushing down harder than you're pushing up.
7. Backaches used to come and go. Now they come but they don't go.
8. If the lat pull down machine at the fitness center is broken it's a minor inconvenience. If the hot tub is broken it's a major emergency.
9. The abs are still there. They're just shy. 
10. You hold a door open at the fitness center for for a woman member and she says "Thank you sir."  SAY WHAT!  I'm not a sir!  Sir was what I called my Dad when he was out of smokes and I brought home a less than stellar report card!

      As a Fitness Trainer you should be able to read your body as age affects your capabilities. 

That doesn't mean that you should give up the ghost as wear and tear and physical limitations

become more noticeable. It does mean that you adjust and adapt! 

    I no longer run due to hip joint issues. I bicycle, walk and swim to compensate. I have had to shut down squats, dead lifts, and leg presses for various reasons. I have replaced them with stair workouts and hard intervals on the stationary bike. My shoulders won't hold up for full range of motion bench presses. Instead I perform half lifts on a chest press machine.

Life goes on and hopefully the exercise and movement continues! 

   A Fitness Trainer working with seniors or a demographic of the Baby Boom generation should be aware that a decline in mobility or physical function can be gradual or sudden and may often be irreversible. The Fitness Trainer must adjust and tailor the exercise program to the specific needs and capabilities of the client. Also remember that any serious dysfunction may require a referral to the appropriate medical practitioner! You may be required  to work as a team with a physician

 or a physical therapist.

   Remember, getting old is not the end!  Instead it is the beginning of a smarter more functional exercise program.

Until Next Time,....Keep Fit

Little Bobby Strong

There are those who accept aging as a natural physiological process.
Then there are the less accepting types!

Links

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Why Your Client May Not Be Like You

   Your typical client may not be quite like you! How so?

• Your favorite school subject was phys-ed - Your client hated it and avoided it
• You participated in sports in High School - They ran with a different crowd
• You never smoked cigarettes - Your client lit up like a campfire
• You can't stand being inside on a sunny day - It's too hot outside for them
• You become restless after too long a period of inactivity - They don't
• You see the weight room as a studio in which to sculpt your physique - Your client sees it as a torture chamber
• To you a vigorous run is a fun, invigorating experience - To them it is a death march
• You look in the mirror and feel good about yourself - Your client looks in the mirror and is ashamed and embarrassed
• You look forward to your workouts with anticipation - Your client looks towards the workouts with trepidation
• You can't wait for a weekend off to perform some sort of competition or fitness challenge or that killer bike ride - They can't wait for a weekend off so they can do nothing physical
• You are able to push yourself to a near physical limit before having to back off - You client may back off long before a physical limit is reached

    Of course this is a sensationalized generalization. Your clients and potential clients can come from a variety of backgrounds. Some may have had an active past but fallen into a sedentary lifestyle. If you work with athletes, they likely had similar backgrounds as you. Your clients and potential clients may well be very talented and extremely successful in other fields. Some of them may have attained high financial status. Those are good clients to cultivate.

   However, there is a good possibility that with non-athlete clients you will get a hit on at least a few of the above points. Go by the premise that your client is not quite like you!

   What is important is that they have decided to make a change! They have come to YOU to make a positive change in their life! Remember that. YOU are their lifeline!

   These potential differences are important when designing a training program for a client. Do not assume that your client likes the same modes of exercise that you prefer. Use your knowledge and innovation to create variety. Set up a program that your client will enjoy. Tailor the prescriptive program towards activities that the client is more likely to enjoy. This is more likely to ensure adherence.
    Greg Harvey of Fit' N' Well in Edmonton Gives his clients options besides weight training and stationary cardio machines. Greg offers indoor volleyball in racquetball courts as well as racquetball and squash options. That is an advantage of working out of fitness centers with such facilities. Greg also offers group walking sessions in the river valley on weekends. That is why he is a successful Fitness Trainer The variety allows more activities that may appeal to different people.

On a sunny day you are frothing like a rabid dog to get outside.
Your client or potential client may think differently.
"It's too hot out there. I'm not leaving the couch today!"

 Set your client up for success! 

 Remember, it's not about you.
 It's about them!

Until next time,...... Keep Fit   

Little Bobby Strong!










Links
schwabe27.uwmfatloss.hop.clickbank.net
AudienceBuilder.ca
www.fitnwell.com

Why I Hate the Biggest Loser !

   I hate 'the Biggest Loser" ! I'm talking, of course, about the reality television show.
 The show's premise is that severely overweight people compete against each other for a lucrative cash prize by trying to lose the most weight over a set period of time. The competitors are divided into two teams and individually weighed at the end of each episode. The team that loses the lowest percentage of total poundage must vote to drop one of their lesser achieving members from the contest. The last person standing wins.
   The creators of this program know the T.V. market.

• They create conflict. This makes for  drama and therefore people watch to see what happens.
• The participants are very motivated. Large cash winnings, in this case a  cool million, will do that.
• The show's creators use a variety of challenges to test the participants. Variety keeps things interesting and keeps the participants motivated.

    The show's creators also seemingly try to keep the contest safe.

• Fitness Trainers guide the clients through the weight loss programs. (I do have some serious issues with the credentials and methods of these Fitness Trainers)  
• Nutrition is emphasized as well as exercise. Nutritionists consult with each person individually.
• Medical experts are present to provide support and in case of emergency.

   In order to survive the prime time war, a television show must attract viewers. The more the competing personalities clash, the more drama occurs. The more infighting the better! If one or more of the contestants have an onscreen meltdown, great. Watch the ratings soar!

   However this is NOT the working model that I would use when dealing with my own clients. In fact, if I saw a Fitness Trainer actually acting like a T.V. trainer I would suggest that they have their certification revoked. That person would be a menace in the fitness world! 
   Here are some of the issues that I have with this particular reality show:

1. It can be a case of too much too soon. These contestants are extremely obese as in 300 or 400 pounds. Instead of a gradual build-up of exercise, they are thrown into a competition in which the quickest weight loss is the goal. There is great potential  for overuse injuries and joint problems. 
2. There is an increased the danger of cardiovascular emergencies such as heart attacks when jumping into intense activity after years of a sedentary lifestyle. Thin and active people can drop dead from hidden medical issues during exercise. Obese people are at greater risk! The T.V. show screens the contestants medically and also has access to on-site medical support. If you are working your clients in a similar fashion and speed, your client is at risk and emergency medical help may not be so close.
3. The show focuses on weight loss only. The other parameters of health and fitness are ignored. If the contestants don't lose enough weight, they are failures. We know that muscle is denser than fat. In many cases the person may actually gain a few pounds initially if their body responds by adding lean mass. Girth and Body Mass Index  measurements are a more reliable indicator of progress. For example, The person may weigh the same or slightly more but the waist circumference is decreasing indicating positive progress. In this reality show, the health of the client is basically disregarded. The fastest weight loser wins, not the healthiest contestant. 
4. Sudden drastic weight loss can be a shock to the human body. In real life, gradual progression is preferable to fast weight reduction.
5. What happens when the show is over and the contestants go home? When there is no follow-up guidance, motivation and exercise adherence often wanes. There may be a severe rebound effect with all of the lost weight returning.
6. The reality show Fitness Trainers tend to be extremely aggressive 'in your face' types. Their usual mode of communication is to shout instructions like a marine drill sergeant. This adds to the dynamics of the show. Most non T.V. clients would likely get intimidated or irritated by such a trainer. A few of these trainers are outright guilty of verbal abuse! Is it not possible that some of these contestants may have been victimized by negative taunts and bullying in the past? Do they really need more of this treatment?  Were these Fitness Trainers to try such tactics with some of my former clients, such as Stephen, Mordecai or Charlie, they would get a return blast that would shatter their eardrums!
7. I question the credentials of these Fitness Trainers. Morbidly obese people should qualify as a special population in regards to potential health issues. The Trainers of this show were recruited because they were famous for working with celebrities.  In Canada, Fitness Trainers should have a minimum of a Bachelor Degree in an Exercise Science related field as well as a Certified Exercise Physiologist Certificate in order to work with special populations. The USA has similar standards with groups such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American Council on Exercise. A background search of the Fitness Trainers in "the Biggest Loser' does not reveal any such expertise in working with at-risk individuals. If they do have such credentials, they should list it in their portfolios. This enhanced certification is mostly to appease the insurance companies. The show would be insured and protected legally to the maximum no matter who the trainers are. Reality T.V. is not really that much like real life! 
8. The Fitness Trainers try to induce an emotional breakdown in the contestant. The purpose of this is to get the contestant to admit to some deep rooted psychological issue, a past trauma, or an eating disorder that is at the root of the obesity. In real life such a client should be referred by the Fitness Trainer to a health professional. The actual show does has a staff of such professionals in the background. However the suggestion that the Fitness Trainer deals with this on their own is both misleading and dangerous!
9. Some of the exercises or challenges in the show are outright dangerous for obese people to attempt.  A 400 pound contestant is at risk for joint injuries if subjected to ballistic, explosive movements as is the norm for this show. Likewise would be to have them run long distances. Joint injuries are common and a cardiovascular emergency could be looking for a place to happen.     

   I have already conceded that such a show has the right ingredients to draw a prime time audience. 

That does not make it a model for how Fitness Trainers should operate with their clientele!

Lose a few pounds! Get cursed at by bullying Fitness Trainers!
Do some dangerous exercises! Give up a few of my favorite foods.
I could win this thing!
The million dollar prize sure would come in handy! 

To me, it is too much like watching a
 hockey movie where the actors can't
skate or a running movie where
 someone runs a four minute mile
 with every muscle in their body all
 tensed up. If I can't buy into the realism I won't watch it.   

   If you like watching train wrecks
 this show this show is for you.
 Otherwise turn off the tube and read
 up on the latest Fitness Training

Notice the difference already!
And I haven't even got to the diet changes yet!
A Million bucks - in the jeans!

 research. Do something constructive!

Until next time,......keep fit! 

Little Bobby Strong

  




















Links

schwabe27.uwmfatloss.hop.clickbank.net
AudienceBuilder.ca
www.fitnwell.com