Why Fitness Pros Criticize 'The Biggest Loser'

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I love watching the Biggest Loser and even I enjoy seeing the results that the individuals make however I definitely think that because this is a reality show the extreme workouts and weight loss are both mandatory for the shows success. Just as mentioned above not TV reality but actual reality must set in if you are interested in losing weight. Ten pounds in one week is not reasonable and if expected, disappointment is in your near future. Lifestyle changes must be made for those of us who are not on a reality show and slow and steady progress has to be accepted before a permanent change can be made!!

Amy of KS 2:24AM October 29, 2010

I think the show is very inspirational! While I am smart enough to know that I am not going to drop 10 pounds in one week, whenever I don't feel like exercising, I think of the show and I ask myself, "What would Bob say?" or "How would Jillian handle this?" I hear the contestant's thoughts and fears and dreams and know how they feel. I have lost 63 pounds so far and am 1/3 of the way to my goal weight. I listen when Daris says just put one foot in front of the other when I get tired from walking and want to quit. I think of Ashely, Michael, Danny, Susi, Matt and all the others that have spoken words of wisdom and have had struggles. Like Michael, I know how it feels to loose a lot of weight and still have to shop in the specialty stores. It may not be inspirational to others, but to me it keeps me motivated and wanting to do better and loose more. It makes me want to be healthier. Thank you to all the contestants in all of the seasons! Your stories help at least this one person want to be a better person inside and out. Don't stop and never give up!

Nancy Lee of NC 8:53PM May 06, 2010

Nur wenn man dran glaubt..

Tee Hamburg of AL 11:34AM February 08, 2010

OK, I am a tubby gal and I watch this show. My tubby friends watch this show. We are good people. The thing is if you are desparate, and you don't have the money for a personal trainer, nutritionist,money for a gym membership, or fancy computer doodad, you follow what you see on this show. Because they are on TV and they must have some degree or something. And, when we don't lose the 15 lbs in one week, some get discouraged. The tips offered on this show are very sparce, and most involve buying something from a sponser. Then, through the whole "prize-gameplay" stuff, and while we still watch it, it feels ugly and cheap. Then, you just stop working out.

fatty fatty 2x4 of MI 5:23PM October 10, 2009

Not really inspirational as far as pushing me toward my own weight management. I think we already need to have an inner desire to take care of ourselves. If I had someone yelling at me like that ... well, they might try it once and after that, they'd be standing alone. The contestants themselves are inspirational as far as their drive to take care of themselves. They all have deeply touching stories. But I can hear those stories and watch them push themselves without the antics of the trainers. Jillian is very irritating to me. All too smug and quite immature. Anyway, I don't think it's a good example of how someone should approach weight loss and exercise; but good for the contestants for trying to get their health back. I've only seen the show once, and probably won't watch again.

Michelle of TX 5:10PM September 30, 2009

I'm the author of the IDEA article featured in this post. Glad to see it's stirring up discussion from fitness experts and viewers with various perspectives.
The full article is now open to the public.
It explains much more about what some fitness pros say about The Biggest Loser (and why), and how some of the show's insiders respond.
http://tinyurl.com/manqlp

Amanda Vogel 12:04PM September 23, 2009

I am always inspired by the biggest loser each time I watch it. I am not an overweight person but sometimes I get too wrapped up in work and neglect my exercise routine. When I watch the biggest loser I always concentrate more on my health and find ways to incorporate exercise into my everyday routine .
I also think this is a positive reality show that will hopefully help to turn around our county's obesity epidemic and help us all become healthier people

ELC of PA 9:10AM September 22, 2009

I am a fitness pro who isn't known for being all that sympathetic. Having said that the things the trainers make the go through is outrageous. And maybe I am giving people the short end of the stick when I say that they won't known any better but in my experience the regular population often doesn't get it. Read around the internet and you can get a general idea of how intelligent people are.
As for the programs. Catered to individuals abilities? What difference does it make what someone is capable of if it isn't appropriate to their goals? What on earth is a 300lb person doing plyometrics supposed to accomplish? Ruin their tendons? Plyometrics are a shock measure that gets abused by coaches. It is meant to improve explosiveness.
Also couple this with the fact that these contestants are in a group setting where they will feel compelled to go forth at the detriment of their own health. How about marathon session in a sauna or restricting fluid intake and dehydration to the point of pissing blood? How about the fact that the amount of calories they are permitted to ingest is a lower percentage of their body weight then is even allowed to war criminals that are captured and being held in the US? How about the fact that they incorrectly demonstrate exercises to a public that perceives them as experts?
Know your role

Eric Moss of NJ 11:04PM September 21, 2009

I believe, as with all reality TV, is a drama, made for entertainment which is important to remember. I also think that it is a good motivator to really think about your lifestyle as far as diet and exercise go. These people are being humiliated on national television, but there is a reason they are there. They do need an overhaul, but again, it is a television show with trained professionals there for them. If they can endure such training considering their health as they do I believe it is an inspiration to the average American to do something now, and be proactive about their health.
Looking at the events of the first episode of Season 8, was almost terrifying. I've definitely checked my diet and exercise after watching it, and I'm leading a fairly balanced lifestyle.

jamie of AR 9:12PM September 21, 2009

The criticisms of the so-called fitness pros that are cited in this article clearly reflect an attitude that most people are stupid and that if we don't see people doing basic into exercises we cannot infer on our own that they are doing basic into exercises. I am not so stupid to think that I can lose 12 lbs in one week when I only have 30 lbs to lose. People lose a realistic percentage of their total body weight. For someone starting at 400 lbs, their 1-2 percent is going to look more impressive than my 1-2 percent. Duh. I can figure this out, but the critics seem to think I'm too stupid to figure that out. I can find the example of the people on the show inspiring without literally expecting identical results. Most of us have a job and cannot spend our entire days working out and changing our diets, so we do not expect the same results as people on the ranch who are doing this full time. I don't think I can bike like Lance Armstrong, either, but I enjoy watching him and can be inspired by it. Biggest Loser contestants are no different.

frustrated of WV 6:25PM September 21, 2009