Why are we Anti Diets But Swear But Fad Workouts????
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Gyms are as much of a "fad" as any program out there. Treadmills and weights. Weights and treadmills. Along with the fact that they are over priced, usually understaffed, so no help if you are new and need it, and I can go on. I use Insanity, and it has worked for me. I have friends who are on their 5th cycle through Insanity this year.0
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You can't compare fad diets with what you call "fad exercise"
You can't live without food. You can live without exercise.0 -
What about fad meats like chicken and turkey! See what I did there? Just cause you can add "fad" infront of something doesn't make it so.0
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What about fad meats like chicken and turkey! See what I did there? Just cause you can add "fad" infront of something doesn't make it so.
:laugh:0 -
Just because something's popular doesn't mean it's a fad. Granted, it may not be the best choice for everyone who tries it, but that's true of anything. Sometimes even custom programs fail.0
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First of all, let me say that I'm VERY critical of Beachbody, the corporate monolith in the exercise world, and all they stand for. I think they are MUCH more interested in clever marketing and grubbing for money from their customers than they are in anyone's health and fitness. I do just fine with free videos and programs from the Internet. In fact, I've gotten into much better shape and lost more weight in the past year that way than I did during the year I went to the gym at least 3 times a week. So I am not by any stretch of the imagination an apologist or shill for these video exercise program packages.
Having said that, my wife has gotten FANTASTIC results from a combination of several of Chalene Johnson’s workouts, Insanity/Asylum, and P90X. Much better than she got from a year of “busting her behind in the gym 3, 4, or more days a week,” most of that time with the help of a personal trainer. Your entire post is based on false premises. These workouts are in no way the equivalent of fad diets, they can be sustained over a long period of time, and while using them you also “don’t have to work about running out of levels on the videos.”
They are not the same because fad diets tend to be very unhealthy and usually based on focusing on one thing to the exclusion of everything else: Eat nothing but bananas and water for 7 days. Have Special K cereal for 2 meals every day. Replace 2 meals with some kind of shake. Eat no carbs. And so on. But these programs are actually quite well rounded. Most people go into the gym and do the same thing every day—often because they don’t know what else to do. These video programs tell you what to do and how to do it. One day you’re working cardio and speed. Another you’re building strength. Another you’re stretching and/or doing yoga to improve your flexibility. Then some workouts focus on endurance. These programs are not unhealthy; they are actually far healthier than what average people would come up with on their own.
As I said, my wife has been following these programs for over a year. And many of these programs are based on the types of workouts done by professional athletes, who do these exercises for their entire careers (and often beyond). So I don’t know why you think they can’t be sustained; what, exactly are you basing that on? And how are they different from a program you come up with at a gym? If my program says to do push-ups, dead lifts, and rows in my living room, why is that not sustainable, but doing the same thing in the gym (according to your statement) easily sustainable? This doesn’t even make sense.
As for “running out of levels,” again, I don’t see the difference between these programs and what you do or could do in a gym. If you reach the point where what you are doing is maxed out, you increase the weight or resistance or push a little harder to get in a few more reps. It doesn’t matter if you are following P90X or a program you got from a book or a plan from your personal trainer or something you came up with on your own at the gym. In fact, one could argue that you are less likely to “run out of levels” with the programs than you are on your own. Have you maxed out what you can do with Insanity? Then get Asylum or Asylum II. Have you maxed out what you can on the training circuit at your local gym? Well, if that’s all you know, you’re kind of screwed.
As I said, I would never say that everyone should run out and buy these programs. They’re not for everyone and I think there are plenty of other options available if you fall into this category. But if the programs are working for someone, I say more power to them and keep up the good work.
PS Sorry for the long post, but I really felt that this topic justified it.0 -
I'm getting really bored of the people on this site who think their way is the only way. :grumble:
Most people on any fitness/diet site:
Anything you are eating that I am not eating? It's wrong.
Anything you are doing that I am not doing? It's wrong.
Sorry I keep posting it but it's true. I am very happy when a person finds what works for them. But much like religion, don't be pushy about it.0 -
I shudder at the idea of a "diet." I would much rather people make changes in their eating habits that they can stick with long-term - that is ultimately easier and safer than going with any sort of fad diet.
I don't swear off fad workouts as much, especially those of higher intensity - I can definitely say that I got my kick from P90X (yeah, I ultimately haven't stayed on it non-stop, but would be a far from impossible task). While I did jump on the fad of P90X, I learned how to really push myself from it, and that plus my commitment to eat better has really made over my whole body.
Long story short.. my opinion, fad diets suck, fad workouts are all right. Long term sustainable dietary and activity changes are ultimately the best.0 -
i would hardly consider p90x or insanity as a fad. it's not like the shake weight or the thigh master type stuff that promote the silly idea of spot reduction0
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I'm opposed to both. Pick something sustainable and moderate, people.0
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There are no "fad " workouts......as long as your working out and doing what you like..then yay!! You will succeed. People have a wide variety of things they like to do for workouts hence, all the different types of workouts, ways to workout, places to workout, activities to do and so on and so on. Most, if not all, of these so called " fad " workouts were built more less out of the reasoning that everyone wants variety in their programs and thats mainly what these "fad " programs give. Some are more intense, some use weights, some use nothing more than body weight, some throw big kettle balls in the air and some jump around and wiggle there booties to stupid music. Diets however, are fads........anybody even know that the Atkins diet came out originally in the '70's??? yep and then made its rounds once again 10 years or so ago. I have Dr. Atikins original book that he republish 10 years ago and its the exact same book!! Fact is, a well balanced diet with all sources of food macro -nutrients is still the best long term solution and that, is NOT a "fad".0
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Hahaha, this makes so little sense it's hilarious.0
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Exercise can be maintained over the long term if you work at it. Can you do the same workout video for the rest of your life? No, that would be boring and you would stall your own progress. But you can use videos as a stepping stone to up your fitness level. I've done 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30 multiple times, and my fitness level is MUCH better because of it. Plus with workout videos, when you finish or get bored with one, you can always buy another. I like working out in the gym to, but for resistance training, I like to have someone telling me what to do and when, and I can't afford a personal trainer, so workout DVDs fit the bill. I don't think it's fair to call them a fad when they help so many people and your fitness is so greatly improved by them.0
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OP if you're going to make a point about an exercise program being a fad pick one that make sense. Insanity and P90X are not fads. The shaker weight and thighmaster are. I would say that even the 10 minute workouts aren't fads because someone will buy it and get moving. I'm going to make an assumption here and say that your premise for saying the exercise programs are fads is because the infomercials make people think that if they buy the program they will have a super sexy body. Which is true IF you actually do the workout and you stick with it until you reach your goal. That being said, I have done insanity and it does work. I have not found that recently I can actually stick to doing a whole workout. I lost my stamina. So I have switched to a workout that I can do. I will do insanity again. I LOVE IT!
I get what you are saying, but at the same time what these videos do for you is good. You have to actually do them, that's the catch.
What fad diets do for you is restrict and I wouldn't even say that all of them are fads either. If someone does well restricting carbs (Atkins), it works. Weightloss itself is the restriction of calories. Whatever works, works. As the "fads" come and go people hang onto what works.
(You may want to proof read your posts "But Fad Workouts" Huh?)0 -
This topic is nonsensical. Fad diets aren't even comparable to what the OP is calling "fad workouts."
A fad diet is usually an extreme dietary restriction with strict rules that is unsustainable in the long term but promises overnight results.
A fad workout as the OP describes it (P90X and the like) is nothing more than just a new way of delivering the exercise instructions that you'd be following anyway. Whether you grab some weights and do P90X at home or head to the gym and lift the weights there, you're still doing exactly the same thing.
There are fad exercise products (Thighmaster, AbCircle, etc.) that are more in line with fad diets in that they promise instantaneous results for minimal effort and don't deliver, but that's not what the OP mentioned.0 -
What a ridiculous thread.
I go to the gym regularly to exercise classes but will be doing Insanity in two weeks' time.
As far as I remember there are no 'levels' in the way you are referring to in ANY of my gym classes, so your point of comparison is irrelevant. You can't compare them and I've no idea why you have such a chip on your shoulder about home workouts. It's different strokes and all that. You do what you enjoy and let others get on with what they enjoy. End of.0 -
I've been using exercise videos for years and don't see them as a fad. It's what fits in my schedule. When I go to the gym, I tend to do the same circuit over and over. I like the variety and feel that I'm getting "pushed" more when following a video. I do like classes at the gyms, but again, it doesn't fit my schedule. The best exercise is the one you get up and do.0
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Well said!0
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How are Insanity & P90x fads? Lol.. clearly they work.0
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my point is just like with diets there is a point where you have to come off of those programs and either find the next new fad program or start them over again...0
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They're what YOU make them out to be. If you only do, say, the 30 day shred once and never work out again after that, then you've made a fad program out of the 30DS. But if you use that as a starting point of a healthy, active lifestyle, that is all kinds of awesome.my point is just like with diets there is a point where you have to come off of those programs and either find the next new fad program or start them over again...
Here's the thing. A fad diet is unhealthy -- not just because the results don't last, but because it is unhealthy BY NATURE. HCG for instance. Consuming only 500 calories a day? You can't tell me that's not healthy. But P90x and Insanity? Is there anything inherently unhealthy about them? No (as long as you avoid injurying yourself). Therefore they are not fads.
Inefficient and/or unhealthy = fad
Efficient and healthy = not a fad, just a legit variation of a healthy lifestyle.0 -
I tried the gym and I have done videos and I opted for the videos and bying an elliptical. I found the process of getting to the gym, figuring out what to do and getting back too time consuming. I don't have to look cute I can wear my pjs in my living room and sweat my *kitten* off. Plus The videos were relatively cheap and I still do the ones I bought ten years ago. I get bored fast so a two month program is perfect for me. I think a fad ecercise are the machines you see where the host says you will lose a tone of weight in three minutes a day. Little do they forget to mention that you have change your eating habits and fit in cardio into your daily routine for it to actually work. There is no ab machine that will give you a six pach in three minutes a day unless you were already very thin. You have to lose the fat in order to get there and this takes hard work and healthy eating. Insanity and P90x never say it is easy in fact they tell you the oposite. They say it's going to be some of the hardest workouts you will do and they even give you a balanced eating plan to go with it. You will see the results if you stick to it and work very hard. Yes people quit these programs every day but how many people buy a membership to the gym only to go a couple of times. At least when the year is up you can still opt to try the videos again without charge. I have several videos from beachbody, Jillian micheals ect... I love coming home or waking up and picking the video I'm in the mood for. I make sure I get cardio in every day and do a toning workout 3 times a week. It is simple, easy and I never had to leave the house.0
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my point is just like with diets there is a point where you have to come off of those programs and either find the next new fad program or start them over again...
You have failed to create a valid argument.0 -
I only use things like 30ds because I don't have money for much, especially a gym costing 600euros! I tried exercising at home but I didn't have a clue where to start or what to do, so I turned to the internet for advice.
I don't think they are a fad, because I see it as yeah it may only last a month, but the few days I've done of it has broken me back into exercising and I plan on it being very regular now. There is a huge difference between a fad diet and fad exercise, you can do harm with a fad diet, never harm with a fad exercise plan. It can only help. Whether you have the power to keep doing exercise or not is down to willpower. The way I see it, doing 30days of something and then moving on or repeating it is still a LOT better than what I used to do. (Nothing.)0 -
I own all of Jillian Michaels' DVDs and rotate them out on a nightly basis. I do one hour per night, 5 days a week.
I've been doing this for two years, and have the six pack to prove it works.
I will never own a gym membership again. Not only do I not have to leave my house, but it also saves me on monthly fees.
I can go straight from sweating to the tub when I'm finished.0 -
my point is just like with diets there is a point where you have to come off of those programs and either find the next new fad program or start them over again...
You still haven't said anything to justify the idea the "you have to come off of those programs;" you seem to be basing your argument on something you pulled out of the air. And if someone has to start over again but does it with increased weight or reps, how is that any different from any exercise plan?
You seem totally caught up on the idea that doing exercises in the gym is great, but doing the exact same exercises in your living room with the guidance of a DVD is somehow a "fad." Doesn't work that way.0 -
What you're missing is that these programs aren't necessarily a one-time deal. P90X, for example, has about a dozen workouts. You do the exact same workouts from start to finish, but the program determines the order you do them in. When you get to the end of the 90 days, you may have worked through the schedule, but it does not make the activities any less useful or effective.my point is just like with diets there is a point where you have to come off of those programs and either find the next new fad program or start them over again...
It's no different than doing it from memory at the gym. In the beginning it's harder because you aren't used to it; it doesn't mean you stop doing it over time when you get better at it. An effective exercise is an effective exercise. It doesn't matter what format it comes to you in, be it a video or book or personal trainer.0 -
I've never tried P90X nor 30 DS but they are cardio workouts, right? I'd agree that what makes people move is not a fad, and I work out at home regularly - which is brilliant. I have been through a pure cardio regime before though, and I do know that it's not sustainable to keep on doing harder and harder workouts to burn more kcals without building some muscle in the process. Didn't work for me, anyways. I just got stressed and worn out, and as soon as I took a break from the workouts I looked about the same as before I started.
I would agree if "fad" workouts would be like the tiny dumbbells which Jillian Michaels is promoting (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Jillian-Michaels-6-Ultimate-Power-Dumbbells-and-Storage-Tray-Set/15188971) are "fad" if you expect to really change your body long-term using them. Women need heavier weights than 3-8 lbs for a real change, and those pink tiny sweet ones don't even look good in pictures - just a waste of money. I also agree if i.e. "fad" workouts incorporate a lot of crunches to flatten the stomach or spot reducing while using a set of "special moves" or equipment.0 -
just keep the crossfit/IF/paleo cult away from me...0
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Exactly!!!! The worst advice you can give someone is unsolicited advice! Do your thing. If its working for you, then awesome! Don't tell everyone that your way works and they should do it.I'm getting really bored of the people on this site who think their way is the only way. :grumble:
Most people on any fitness/diet site:
Anything you are eating that I am not eating? It's wrong.
Anything you are doing that I am not doing? It's wrong.
Sorry I keep posting it but it's true. I am very happy when a person finds what works for them. But much like religion, don't be pushy about it.0
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