| The Biggest Loser Season 8 |
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| Wednesday, 16 September 2009 19:11 | |||
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Last night the 8th season of The Biggest Loser premiered, and as usual I could not help but cringe at some of the things the contestants were put through. It's way too many to cover in this post but each week I'll cover those things that I feel are most cringe worthy. But first I have to ask, are my family members the only viewers that are not obese? Jillian and Bob, at the very start of the show made the comment that “the contestants are you!” The first thing the audience must realize is that the contestants have much more than the support and guidance of 2 trainers. They have as much support as a professional sports team. Last season these important people were finally given a bit of camera time. Most importantly is the doctor, a key figure in their weight loss program. Everyone of the contestants are in the category of individuals that do need to consult a physician before starting an exercise program. Add the fact that Bob and Jillian begin by pushing the contestants way beyond their physical limits (vomiting during a workout is not impressive.... on the exerciser's part and certainly not the trainers'!), constant medical supervision is a must. But it is not just the trainers. I blame the show's producers. They are pushing the envelope further and further each season. In the past I used to only wonder who would be injured by Jillian. Now, after seeing Gerald collapse in the gym during the first episode of the last season and then Tracey needing to be med-evacuated off the beach last night, I wonder which season will be the one that someone dies. Maybe these irresponsible stunts, like making morbidly obese, unfit, untrained people do a one mile race without training, are to make the audience aware of the dangers of the extremely unfit attempting to exercise without supervision. Personally I think it is for sensationalism, i.e.ratings, hence more advertising cash. I noticed that they were also using new, “interesting” equipment, just because it was available. While it may be fun or provide variety, you don't need a Jacob's ladder for a great cardio workout. Decent shoes and an open trail will do. And if you are going to use kettlebells, at least use them for exercises designed for the offset weight. Otherwise good old fashioned dumbbells will do the trick. But don't have someone trying to do something as difficult as a renegade row on their first workout because it looks like a cool exercise. What happened to proper progression? And what about the importance of proper form? Something else that amazed me was Bob's statement that the contestants are getting bigger and bigger, and it was because America's citizens are getting larger. But shouldn't he realize that as they get fatter they are also become more unfit? So why that harder workouts right from the start? Is it only for the contestants' benefit or more for the viewers'? Again, where is the progression? Hopefully those viewers needing to drop excess fat through proper nutrition and exercise realize that working out does not have to make you sick to your stomach, if you start at an appropriate level and progress gradually. The last thing people struggling with excess body fat need is more fear of exercise.
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