Biggest Loser at home - dangerous or not?

by Bev Sklar (Subscribe to Bev Sklar's posts)
Nov 11th 2008 3:00PM

Is The Biggest Loser reality show dangerously grueling or a healthy grueling? Depends on which expert you ask. Considering the show's immense primetime popularity and the fact many might be trying their own demanding form of Biggest Loser at home, it's a question worth asking. Here are a few positions:

Dangerously Grueling

The show's extreme fitness demands could potentially mock serious health conditions related to morbid obesity, says one expert. Bootcamp-like Biggest Loser workouts put those with undiagnosed high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes at risk for a heart attack, stroke or low blood sugar.
High-intensity from the get-go stresses the joints to the max -- we've seen several contestants limping around.
Unless you're a trust-fund kid, most people have jobs that get in the way of burning calories Biggest Loser-style -- 4,000 a day for women, 6,000 for men. This stirs up unrealistic expectations at home.

It's a Healthy Grueling

Biggest Loser's Dr. Rob Huizenga emphatically believes in the power of intense, sustained exercise to counter morbid obesity. He says contestants are tremendously good at keeping the weight off compared to clinical studies of participants losing far less. As long as you have a doctor's approval and supervision (if necessary), go for it.
The show delivers inspiration to the masses -- even if you don't daily hit the gym Navy SEAL-style, viewers at home are learning diet and fitness tips, while simultaneously beginning to actually believe losing 100 pounds is possible.

So what's your opinion? Let us know in the poll below.

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Comments (1)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Charlotte 11-11-2008 @ 5:35PM

I've kept 70 pounds off for 2 yrs. now. (I now weigh 120 lbs.). Alot of power walking and working out at home. Consistency is key. It's tough, but it works. I'm not perfect, I don't eat everying healthy, but a significant life style change when it comes to eatting has been extremely beneficial.

Anyway - though I'm not an avid viewer of Biggest Loser, I do try to catch it when I can. I give those folks alot of credit (participants and trainers). I find inspiration and ideas from the show, and I just plain love Bob and Jillian. Like alot of people, I'd give darn near anything to have them work with me for a week - no matter how grueling. I love the tips that Jillian and Bob provide during the show. It's a great show - which I believe truly is helping change people's lives. Plus, I got to believe that the participants are under doctor's supervision during the show and had to meet criteria to get in. Sure it's tough when they leave the campus - but they just had the opportunity of a lifetime, and I would hope they would do everything to keep the weight off and/or keep losing after they're home. It's worth it. Thanks for a great show. Keep up the good work - everybody.