Comments on: An Open Letter to The Biggest Loser

By: Lisa Johnson

Lisa Johnson — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:31:22 +0000

Thanks for the comment, :-) Lisa

By: Blinds and Shades

Blinds and Shades — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:46:23 +0000

From the moment this show aired I was appalled and embarrassed and felt this show would devalue the industry I take such pride in. The producers care about one thing RATINGS and the public should never forget that.

By: FLG

FLG — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:09:12 +0000

Definitely agree with the second part of your letter, about Bob and Jillian climbing on contestants and equipment. I agree the part about setting unrealistic examples, too. However the case you noted, it seems the blame is squarely on the trainer. They should be the ones to judge whether or not their client is up to that level, should they not? Is that not what the client pays for? The trainers knowledge of not just what is effective but what is safe, too?

By: MB

MB — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:09:29 +0000

Excellent post. TBL does many things that just don’t work in real life. I wish there was a similar show that would depict real people in real life losing weight in real time. I have a love/hate relationship with TBL, my biggest issue is how dangerous it can be to try to mimick the moves and the workout they are doing without proper training and conditioning. The first few shows are the scariest when the contestants are just getting off the couch for the first time.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:20:17 +0000

I have only watched one episode in it’s entirety. Bits and pieces before that because I could never stomach watching what they are doing to those people. Unlike you, I do not have the greatest respect for either one of them as trainers. If they were decent at one point in their careers, would they really do the things that they are doing to these people now? These people have enough weight on them as it is, Jillian Michaels standing on top of them is ridiculous. And the terrible positions they put them in for stretching? They are obese. Obese clientele are trained and treated differently. They have a tremendous amount of extra weight on their joints. Plyometrics is not a safe choice. Neither is running. And, if you were 250+ pounds, would a little bicycle seat feel good on your behind for 27.2 miles? #1 thing to think about with the obese client….they are already ashamed, don’t humiliate them. Be careful of exercise choice. Get them moving, the weight will come off.

If anyone is interested in training obese clientele, learn from Michael Boyle. His topic at Perform Better summit last summer was on training the Obese client. He is short, sweet and to the point. And he knows his stuff and doesn’t sugar coat things.

By: Michelle Moore

Michelle Moore — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:46:42 +0000

I am so glad to see someone in the personal training industry speak out. People say they find this show inspiring. I find it simply appalling. This show is all about drama and manipulating the viewing public as well as manipulating the contestants. The producers feel no sense of responsibility to the viewers. They don’t care about the misleading impressions they are creating about weight loss and exercise. Eventually it will backfire on them. In the meantime, I refuse to watch. I applaud you for speaking out.

By: Matt (NoMeatAthlete)

Matt (NoMeatAthlete) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:41:48 +0000

Wow, I completely agree! The show has been one of the few I’ve watched in the past few years, and though it’s recently gone downhill, I think it does a lot of good. But my wife and I are always astounded at the dangerous example they set, with only a quick disclaimer at the end of the show. Not just in terms of jumping on people’s backs and machines, but it not explaining that you can’t just start running up and down a mountain all day if you aren’t in any kind of shape. I think there are many bigger risks than sprained ankles from this kind of stuff.
Nice post!

By: Laura G

Laura G — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:55:29 +0000

Lisa -
You are being kind here…this is the worst show on TV and I would love to see it off the air before someone dies. I have been in the fitness industry for 28ys wearing many hats…trained a variety of individuals all shapes sizes and fitness levels. From the moment this show aired I was appalled and embarrassed and felt this show would devalue the industry I take such pride in. The producers care about one thing RATINGS and the public should never forget that. I say PEOPLE STOP WATCHING THIS SHOW!!!! That will finally get it off for good…

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:45:17 +0000

I love the show too, but cringe often…especially when the women are hauling men around on their backs…if in the best of situations, this can cause strain and injury.

I’ve often wondered if real world personal trainers are offended by these stunts.

Though in defense of the show…thousands of people have been motivated to at least take a look at their weight and their lives. I find the inspiring, but so far haven’t attempted to haul my husband around the living room! :)

By: Lyn

Lyn — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:58:49 +0000

Perhaps a “do not try this at home” discosure would suffice…

Ultimately, if some “trainer” in a gym somewhere out there copies moves from a Reality TV show, he is the one who is liable, just as much as a “magician” who sees a TV show where a person is cut in two would be liable if they actually cut a person in two, trying to mimic the show without understanding it.