Is the Fitness Industry the Biggest Loser?

I was recently reading an article about the popular television show, "The Biggest Loser", in which a wide variety of fitness professionals were interviewed as to their opinions on the show, specifically in the area of its training methods used to achieve the dramatic results seen week after week. I was surprised to read that the bulk of the opinions were negative, which left me to wonder if there was something there or just sour grapes because those interviewed weren't featured in Subway ads and plastered all over Wii games themselves. I have watched the show, and I have the tendency to side with one of the few positive comment in the article (featured in IDEA's Fitness Journal 09/09). Jay Dawes, MS, director of education for the National Strength and Conditioning Association is quoted as saying "There is an art and science to training, and we all practice our art in different manners. Before one can fully evaluate the safety and effectiveness of any training program, you have to see the entire picture and not just a snapshot. The trainers on this show have far greater insight into the current health status, abilities and skills of the contestants than the public. Thus, they use some techniques that would otherwise be considered aggressive in certain populations." I agree completely.

But what does this mean to the average individual who is not a fitness professional? Workouts are not cookie-cutter. Just because you see someone do something on TV or in the gym does not mean it is appropriate for you. And that even goes for exercises we might recommend in this blog. You must find the style and intensity of exercise that suits your own personal goals, as well as personal limitations. Just because your buddy that's 10 years younger or 20 pounds lighter says it's great for them doesn't mean it's great for you. Always consult your own trusted doctor as well as a trusted fitness professional before you embark on your fitness journey. Otherwise, it might be a short one...

Jeremy Park

Also, become a fan of pillarPERFORMANCE on Facebook to join in on a discussion about this topic. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Encinitas-CA/pillarPERFORMANCE/151809264916)

Cardio workout of the week:
Use the RPE scale (Rate of Perceived Exertion: 1 being minimal effort, 10 being maximal effort)

Choose your cardio style of choice, and then do the following:
3 minute warm-up RPE 4-5
10 circuits of the following:
2 minutes at RPE 7-8
2 minutes at RPE 5-6
3 minutes cool-down RPE 3-4
Total time: 46 minutes

Post your comments to the question "Do you think "The Biggest Loser" is good for the fitness industry, or bad? Also, post any comments to the above cardio workout.

Enjoy!

Welcome to YOUR Exercise and Fitness Blog

Welcome friends to YOUR Exercise and Fitness Blog! We call it this because our desire is to give you something that YOU can use. Something that can make YOUR life better and healthier. While we love what we do and we are proud of the personal training and Pilates facility we have created, this is blog is not to get extra attention for ourselves, but to offer another service to you that will hopefully increase your health and exercise knowledge, and make you healthier and stronger in the process. For this reason, we welcome your feedback and comments so that we can continue to cater this to your needs. We'll try to keep our posts short and sweet. So more to come soon. But I would like to leave you with this little exercise circuit for you to work into your routine. Try it out and tell us what you think. HAVE FUN!

Push-up with Dumbbell Row x up to 25 reps or fatigue
Dumbbell Squat x double push-up/row combo repetitions

(Assume push-up position with hands holding appropriate weighted dumbbells resting on the floor. Kneel if you can't do push-ups on your feet. Complete one push-up, then row one dumbbell followed by the other, pulling dumbbell towards chest by bending at the elbow. Don't let the back sag! Keep the abs engaged! Complete as many combinations with proper form to fatigue, maxing out at 25 reps. Stand up with dumbbells still in hand and perform squats with hands at your sides to the number that doubles your push-up/row combo total. Perform 2-4 sets total of this circuit. Always make sure proper form is maintained and the movement is "pain-free", just not "fatigue-free")

Post how it felt in the comments section! Give us your feedback!