The moronic fitness "trainers" on Biggest Loser...

Agreed. Simply walking at that rate would be a good way to start. I wonder what their heart rates are when they are running at 400 pounds.

Anna Kournikova is one of the "trainers". That should tell your everything.

I mean she wasn't even a real tennis player.

I have never seen the show but I agree completely, my cardio consists of walking which is low impact but even that gave me a lot of knee pain when I was up at the 330 llb weight and even now at 238 llbs i get knee pain from some walking.

I am at the point where I want to start moving into jogging and running but I am holding back because of my weight still.

Some very valid points though I suspect that the decades of being that heavy isn't particularly great on the joints either. Truthfully losing that much weight that fast isn't particularly "healthy" either though. Would be far less entertaining to watch people swim their way to weight loss though.

I've never watched the show, but when I see the previews that have very obese running, I just wince. Really, can they win enough money to have knee, hip, and/ or ankle replacement surgeries? Crazy I agree - but it looks good on TV and that's what really matters.

Okay, I figured the topic line would bring a few of you in here...

I don't really think that they're morons. I know they're probably fitness experts in many regards, but I do not feel that they are obesity experts. Why do I say this? Did anyone notice that now that they are several weeks into this season that at least 1/2 of the contestants are wearing some kind of knee brace?

Please allow a layman to give them a clue: a 400lb man should not be RUNNING. Not now, not yet, not at all while at that weight. Not until he gets his weight down to a level that won't cause severe and PERMANENT joint damage. They are NOT doing a service to these people by doing joint damage to them with high-impact exercise at weights 2-4x that of normal.

Those of you here who are athletes of average weight, let me ask you this: If you had to carry a man/woman of your size ON YOUR BACK, would you then jump up and down on a platform, run a hard mile, scale up and down hills at fill tilt while holding yet more weights or objects? INSANITY.

Look, an average 150lb man exerts 450-600lbs on his feet during every step while running. A 400lb man exerts 1,200-1,600 on his foot with each step while running. That goes all the way up through the knees and hips.

I cannot believe that these people are paid to do this. They need obesity experts there, not 24hr fitness trainers, hired primarily for personality and good looks.

-Z

You are so right on the mark. I really get discouraged with this show because it gives out real unhealthy messages on fat loss with built in drama for ratings. They don't even go over composition which is crutial in a plan to know what the heck you are losing, muscle or fat. The truth be known that if they did show the composition stats, they would set themselves up (the trainers) to look like they don't have a clue what they are doing. PLUS, with weight loss (whatever it is they are really losing) in an extreme and quick way as on the show - they are going to deal with incredible loose skin which they are already up against, so this approach is really setting them up.

I would NEVER NEVER put an obese client on an impact cardio program. LIke how is that running on the treadmill? Of course your going to blow out knees and have hip and back problems. The integrity around the joints are already compromised from all the weight and then they are going to pound the joints with all that pressure. Jilian (the past trainer) was the worst. Sorry....

Don't get me started LOL

One P.S. - by the way - how are they addressing the fact that every single one of them has an eating and metabolic disorder. Do they go over that? Ummmm....they all still think it is about control....tell that same trip to an alcoholic which is not far from a food addict. Trust me, I am both and in recovery from both for over 19 years.

Coach Nyla
ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer
NPC Figure Competitor
Free Online Fitness Trainer
From 170 lbs. to Fit
If I Can Do It, So Can You!

the exercise has always puzzled me...but the huge weight losses in the short amount of time is what baffles me. if most doctors tell you a weight loss of 1-2# weekly is the healthy way to go...why isn't it for them too? i just don't get it

But if they didn't run on the treadmill they wouldn't have the great camera shots of people flying off the end because they really can't do it. I think that's the greatest part of the show.

In all seriousness though, I started running when I weight 336 lbs. I didn't suffer a single injury. The key is how you do it and where you do it. Most of the running I did was on a treadmill because it's cushioned (you really do kinda bounce). I can tell you that my knees and ankles are a mess from carrying a bunch of weight not because I started running.

Oh how I could go on about this subject. One of the biggest things about "reality" television is, it's not real. You have to remember all the things you don't see on camera. The biggest loser isn't about losing weight safely or losing it in a way that is healthy or sustainable, it's about rating and advertising dollars. It's a game show.

I personally think that shows like the biggest loser are dangerous. I felt the same way of Oprah. People see this crap on tv and just assume it's valid information. After all, Oprah wouldn't lie to us.

Also, look at the surrounding these people are in. They have a full time, on sight medical staff, personal trainers, dietitians and who knows who else behind the cameras. To be on the show you have to sign your life away (literally) and tell them your family won't sue if you drop dead. If they did it the right way it would take much longer for these people to drop the pounds and that just doesn't make good television.

Television shows are for entertainment purposes only.

I can do some impact exercises at 270. I can do jumping jacks (though the girls don't like it), but running gives me shin splints. I got fitted for good shoes, so I don't think it's the shoes. I think I'm just not built for running, at least at this weight. So I guess I am in somewhat agreement with OP that it is definitely hard on the knees and shins when you are carrying that much weight

But if they didn't run on the treadmill they wouldn't have the great camera shots of people flying off the end because they really can't do it. I think that's the greatest part of the show.

Glad I'm not the only one! LMAO!

But seriously, ITA with what many of you said about the folks losing too fast, doing exercises that aren't necessarily appropriate for them, etc. Don't even get me started on their product placement based junk food "nutrition"!!! However, the show inspires a LOT of people, myself included. When I'm in the gym doing a really hard workout and want to quit becasue I'm tired or sore, I often think of what I have seen those much bigger and/or older folks do on that show and push myself a bit harder - because if they can do it, I sure as hell can! I think there's a lot of value in the message that it IS possible for ANYONE to lose weight and get fit and change their life.

I can do some impact exercises at 270. I can do jumping jacks (though the girls don't like it), but running gives me shin splints. I got fitted for good shoes, so I don't think it's the shoes. I think I'm just not built for running, at least at this weight. So I guess I am in somewhat agreement with OP that it is definitely hard on the knees and shins when you are carrying that much weight

It is possible that you may not be ready for higher impact activities like running until you drop a little more but before giving up on it I would attend a running clinic or run with someone who knows enough about running to tell if you had good form or not. I don't care how good your shoes are, if you aren't running right you are asking for pain/injuries. Learning better form has decreased my joint pain significantly. I just wish I had someone to teach me better running form years ago and I wouldn't have gone through cycles of starting to run and then quitting due to knee pain or shin splints.

Biggest Loser has really lost its appeal to me. The producers mix in too much emotional baggage and the trainers, well some of them in my opinion, are a joke.

I don't know the show that well. I am not keen on any kind of reality tv if I'm honest. However, I LOVE the bootcamp and 30 day jump start workouts and I'm 250lbs and have not had any injury or done any running!

I was just going to be a smart @$$ ... but instead I'll just say- reality TV aside- 13 seasons later- and most people have lost the weight and kept it off, minimal injuries- and the ones they've had- were not permanent- clearly they are doing something right (with the exclusion of Anna- she's awful)