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Personal Trainers Issues What are the important issues of our industry? This is a discussion on everything from program design to professional ethics.

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Old 04-09-2008, 11:41 AM   10 links from elsewhere to this Post. Click to view. #1 (permalink)
GqArtguy
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So Jimmy the Smythe has a pimpin new product called 29 days to faster fat loss (well it might be called that and his name might be Jimmy) but according to the site:

Quote:
Q: Who is Jimmy Smith ?
Answer:
Jimmy Smith, CSCS, ., is a highly sought after fitness expert and consultant for Men's Fitness magazine - one of the most popular fitness publications in the world, Maximum Fitness magazine, Best Body magazine and Natural Bodybuilding And Fitness magazine.

Jimmy's fat loss and workout tips are featured every month in Men's Fitness and his articles, advice and workouts can be found on a number of websites and in many other magazines such as Maximum Fitness, Best Body and and Natural Bodybuilding And Fitness magazine.

Jimmy’s specializes in helping busy men and women lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean and achieve their best body in minimal time. Craig also has an extensive background and keeps up to date on the latest scientific findings that will help improve your health, mind, and body. Jimmy's advice is often called on by various sports teams including the United States Men's National Squash team.
Then theres this gem:

Quote:
How to Make Money as a 29 Days To Faster Fat Loss Affiliate

Thanks to the Internet, there are many, many ways to promote 29 Days To Faster Fat Loss and earn money as a 29 Days affiliate. Here are some of the best ways to promote 29 Days as an affiliate…

But don’t forget, one of the easiest ways to start promoting Turbulence Training as an affiliate is to simply replace regular links (i.e. anywhere you have listed Fat Loss Secrets - Fat Burning Workouts-Burn Fat-29 Days To Faster Fat Loss on your site) with your special affiliate link that contains your nickname. (If you don’t have an affiliate link, read the instructions in the How to Start column to get going). Make sure that every time you have 29daystofasterfatloss.com listed on your site that the link is actually your affiliate link – including your links page.
Here are the testimonials from Craigs site:

Quote:
“I lost 14 pounds this month and the weight is just falling off me. My wife says I now look like when we first met and I still have more to go. I can fit into my old jeans again which is a big deal for me. I just cut back on starches and bread and do your routine 2-3 times a week. I never thought in a million years that just 10-20 minutes of weight training followed by some cardio would get me such steady results. I even cheat a bit on the weekends." Billy Williams Quote:
"I wanted to let you know that I dropped 5lbs based on your articles and programs and kept it off for 3 weeks now (I'm 5'7 and now a strong 130lbs)... I am a health-knowledge "junkie" and have bought hundreds of e-books and print books and bought at least a dozen workout programs but this is the best structured and planned program I have come across to date. The simplicity and organization of the programs make the workouts manageble and fun and because you get results fast and you are motivated to continue on - changing and progressing day after day. It is an addiction to workout now and feel healthy... On behalf of so many afraid or too lazy to speak up I would like to say thank you!!” Nadia Dedic
Here are two from Jimmy/Craig:

Quote:
“I lost 17 pounds this month and I’ve never had weight loss like this. My wife says I’m hotter than I ever was. I can fit into my old clothes and don’t have to worry about only buying clothes that hide my stomach. I just slightly cut back on the sugar and starches and did your routine for 29 days. I never thought in a million years that just 20-30 minutes of weight training and only a few cardio sessions a week could be this powerful". McKay Whelan Santa Cruz, California Quote:
“I wanted to let you know that I dropped 7lbs based on your articles and programs and kept it off for 2 weeks now. I’ve bought over a dozen fat loss manuals and this is without a doubt the best one. It’s simple and organized which allows all of us regular people to the most from our fat loss workouts. THANK YOU" Diana Stevenson
This is also interesting. On the testimonials page, his site has this testimonial:

Quote:
Best of all, since I implemented all the strategies in the manual,
I've dropped my body fat to 12%! Thank you so much Jimmy!!!"
-- Tammy Skrob
The Female Fitness Queen
But then in main page:

Quote:
Since I implemented all the strategies in the manual,
I've dropped my body fat to 9%! Thank you so much Jimmy!!!"

-- Tammy Skrob
The Female Fitness Queen
Then hes got the snappy title for his upsell order form:

Fat Loss Secrets - Fat Burning Workouts-Burn Fat-29 Days To Faster Fat Lossupsellorderform.htm

You have to wonder if these gurus really think about what theyre putting and why they can easily be scorned by professionals in this industry, especially when they rip off shit from others and try to sell it as their own new gift to the fitness world.
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Originally Posted by cynic
Probably Gq. He's one hateful P.O.S.
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Old 04-09-2008, 11:52 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Wow, so are we saying that Craig and Jimmy are one and the same? And, further, are we saying that these "testimonials" are fake? And, here I was thinking of trying one of Craig's programs this year. I believe I will rethink that.
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Old 04-09-2008, 12:05 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by missjane View Post
Wow, so are we saying that Craig and Jimmy are one and the same? And, further, are we saying that these "testimonials" are fake? And, here I was thinking of trying one of Craig's programs this year. I believe I will rethink that.
I think its more Jimmy being too damn lazy to create and edit his own website and make his own testimonials. It does make you wonder about those that choose to have his testimonial on their site and vice versa. Thats what sucks about the circle jerk, you prop each other up and its very easy to fall together.

Not that testimonials are that hard to make on your own, though for the supremely lazy, they can generate their own testimonials:

http://www.resourceseo.com/testm.php
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Old 04-09-2008, 02:04 PM   #4 (permalink)
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That is actually just shocking.
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Old 04-09-2008, 02:18 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Nah, it's not shocking at all.

It also lends credence to what I said over at BR the other day:

Quote:
Originally Posted by My awesome observation
Sometimes I wonder if Jimmy Smith is real, or an elaborate troll-hoax designed to focus all our hate, like some kind of Guru countermeasure

It just can't be real.
Seriously though -- if this is the "wave of the future" or whatever....no thanks.
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Old 04-09-2008, 02:36 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GqArtguy View Post
Not that testimonials are that hard to make on your own, though for the supremely lazy, they can generate their own testimonials:
Perhaps someone more adept at the legalities can enlighten me, but isn't there supposed to be truth behind testimonials?
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Old 04-09-2008, 02:36 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PowerManDL View Post


Seriously though -- if this is the "wave of the future" or whatever....no thanks.
I've seen the future, and it features zero calorie walnuts.
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Old 04-09-2008, 02:47 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cynic View Post
Perhaps someone more adept at the legalities can enlighten me, but isn't there supposed to be truth behind testimonials?
That's not what Mike Moore says!

I'd be lost without PowerManDL. We're loving it. I was amazed at the quality of PowerManDL.
--Mike Moore
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Old 04-09-2008, 02:47 PM   #9 (permalink)
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man...i was reading this over at BR earlier...

really not that shocking to me
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Old 04-09-2008, 02:54 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PowerManDL View Post
That's not what Mike Moore says!

I'd be lost without PowerManDL. We're loving it. I was amazed at the quality of PowerManDL.
--Mike Moore
Then why is that over rated "documentary" director still such a disgusting fat body? You're doing something wrong.
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Old 04-09-2008, 03:26 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost Dog View Post
I've seen the future, and it features zero calorie walnuts.
Sign me up.
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Old 04-09-2008, 03:45 PM   #12 (permalink)
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What is with the advertising/marketing approach for fitness programs?? Even high quality programs have such cheesy, bad-infomercial copy that I shy away completely from it. A major re-think towards a more professional, classy, informed, educated approach would serve a lot of these folks really well.

Sorry to rant, just my two cents as a novice looking in at the industry...
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Old 04-09-2008, 07:19 PM   #13 (permalink)
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GQ:

Good pickup! I usually never even read the testimonials on these sites.

Susan, I agree.

I feel like every fitness website is filled with testimonials that are a mile long...some of them not supporting the product but the person. Personally I know what I want to buy, so I don't really pay attention to them....Not only that, but all of these sites are POORLY laid out!
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Old 04-09-2008, 08:19 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Hi Jane!

I am not the same person as Jimmy Smith.

He is much taller and has a shorter haircut. He is also American. I am from Canada.

Also, all of the testimonials on my site are legit. I save each and every testimonial email I receive.

Thanks!

craig
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Old 04-09-2008, 08:39 PM   #15 (permalink)
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So I guess we can discount Jimmy's testimonials.

It's comical how inept Jimmy is.

How come none of the gurus have told him to STFU yet?
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Old 04-09-2008, 08:50 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig View Post
Hi Jane!

I am not the same person as Jimmy Smith.

He is much taller and has a shorter haircut. He is also American. I am from Canada.

Also, all of the testimonials on my site are legit. I save each and every testimonial email I receive.

Thanks!

craig
Craig arent you kinda pissed that someone is ripping off your stuff and passing it as their own?
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Quote:
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Probably Gq. He's one hateful P.O.S.
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Old 04-09-2008, 08:50 PM   #17 (permalink)
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