Comments on: An Open Letter to The Biggest Loser

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.

By: Mallory

Mallory — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:16:12 +0000

As someone who has watched every season of TBL, I agree with your comments. However, I understand that the show is a “fake” environment, but having played a lot of sports and been on my own fitness journey I guess not everyone has the same knowledge as I do when they sit down to watch the show. I think there is a lot of fitness information available on the web these days via blogs and youtube and stuff but that doesn’t mean people will apply the information properly or as the author intended. My point I guess is that if you are advocating them to show more realistic/safe exercises on TV, that might be enough. I guess the disclaimer should be more of the “don’t try this on your own” variety, but then not everyone can afford a trainer, and as you point out, not all trainers are qualified anyway. There is no easy solution, but the best advice I’ve ever gotten in a fitness setting is that, “if it hurts SPEAK UP, and/or STOP doing that motion IMMEDIATELY, because either you are doing it wrong, or there is some individual body/injury thing we need to figure out.” Often people think things are supposed to hurt, and granted they do a little bit, but not to the point of injury.

By: Mrs Evil Genius

Mrs Evil Genius — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:35:49 +0000

I also found this on Twitter (and will RT – I’m @thriftymom), and had to say: “Well put!”

I have never seen this show (I haven’t watched television in 8 years due, in part, to stupid trash like ‘reality’ TV) but what you are describing sound typical.

I agree with everyone that the producers care not one whit for people, only for money, only for ratings. It’s obscene and oh-so-common nowadays.

The sad bit is that the public fall for this crap, just like they fall for the latest low-fat diet lie. People are too credulous.

By: Trish

Trish — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:21:39 +0000

I totally agree and hope the producers take notice!

By: April, the ispecialist

April, the ispecialist — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:46:25 +0000

I agree with you, Lisa. I watch the show on occasion and inevitably end up thinking, “I could never manage that”. I’m just an average person trying to get in shape (not a fitness expert). I just see myself attempting to jump over a bench, hooking my toes under as I jump, and face-planting full force with my backside in the air.Yeah…I don’t try most of the stuff I see on Biggest Loser. It would be nice if I could do more of the exercises.