Quote:
Originally Posted by johnyc
Trainers, and coaches are becoming more prominent in television shows. What shows do you all watch and what effect do you think it has had on the personal training industry and health and fitness in general?
I liked the show Workout. I think it portrays the career as fun, exciting, challenging, emotionally draining. Don't know how great of trainers they actually are for most clients, but I think there is a thing or two I learned in there about the business. It was neat to see glimpses of Jackie's attitude, and approach- she's definitely a successful entrepreneur.
Other shows I know of but haven't seen include the Biggest Loser, the last 10 pounds. What else is there?
What shows feature conditioning specialists?
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I couldn't disagree with you more about that show "Workout."
In all fairness I think I only made it about 10 minutes before I had to turn it off before throwing a kettlebell at my flatscreen TV.
It is an example of everything that has gone wrong with this industry. That show in particular made everything about the trainer instead of the client, which is very typical in this industry. It was a mockery of what we really do (or at least SHOULD do).
In my opinion, our ethics should be no different than a doctor's (albeit without all the credentials). Our purpose is to improve the health of the client. That simple. Be professional, be safe.
Playing mind games with clients or doing petty backbiting bullshit with other trainers just makes me roll my eyes. I would like for people to not think of high school popularity games as par for the course. If any trainer ever pulled that shit in my place I fired them on the spot.
I haven't seen the other shows you mentioned (biggest loser and so on) so I can't comment. I don't like the name of the show. The double entendre is clever, but it still basically calls it's participants losers. Yes, they may lose weight, but many people consider them losers already for being overweight, so why rub their faces in it?
Also, it contrasts again very sharply from my philosophy. I am focused on long term SUSTAINABLE results. Anyone can starve themselves in the short term. I don't think the people who participate have any dignity left, and the viewers seem to be entertained by that.
The trainers may be nice and/or competent... I don't know. It is probably a great opportunity for them. I just wish that we would see a healthier approach to fitness in the media (if you will pardon the pun). Quit making all trainers look like models/out-of-work actors... The best trainers I know would never make a show like that because they aren't small-boned metrosexuals or waifs with six-packs.
Okay, thanks for giving me something to vent about... I feel much better now.
