Why are we Anti Diets But Swear But Fad Workouts????

You can't compare fad diets with what you call "fad exercise"

You can't live without food. You can live without exercise.

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:

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.

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.

I'm opposed to both. Pick something sustainable and moderate, people.

Hahaha, this makes so little sense it's hilarious.

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?)

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.

Well said!

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.