Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Hackettstown Personal Trainer's Opinion: 5 Things NBC's The Biggest Loser can teach you.

NBC's 14th Season of The Biggest Loser has just started and many people are buzzing about it.  Some hate the show and think it's garbage and then there are the raving fans.

I have always been a fan of the show because it kicks ass to see the contestants getting active and changing their lives.  Week in week out you see the results they are getting through hard work and determination. It is awesome to see the people who need exercise and never had the grit to get the work done go from barely being able to keep up to crushing their workouts.

The haters will always hate but below I list 5 things you can learn from watching The Biggest Loser.

1. You need Strength Training.

Hell yes the contestants on the show do a ton of cardio exercises on treadmills and bikes but they are also lifting weights and doing many bodyweight exercises.  Strength training is vital to Fat Loss Success because it helps to increase the metabolism and in turn helps the body burn a ton of calories post workout. Contestants on The Biggest Loser can be seen lifting barbells, dumbbells, doing walking lunges, bodyweight squats, and so much more.  Part of their huge success is definitely Strength Training.  Some women fear getting bulky and manly from lifting... check out the women on the show.

2. Following a Spot On Diet is important.

Weighing, measuring, tracking, and planning all of your meals like the contestants on the show will help you lose fat at a more rapid pace than just winging it. The people on the show have meal plans with precise amounts of foods and a precise amount of calories they are told to eat. Doing this increases the likelihood of fat loss on a consistent basis. Follow a diet plan exactly as it is written and be sure to lose fat.

3. It takes time.

I believe the show lasts 26 weeks? I am not sure how long the contestants are at the ranch and how long they are following the plans by the trainers, but I know it's longer than 3 months and closer to a year. If you ever watched the show you most likely saw a 300 pound overweight man or woman win by losing over 100lbs. Most of the winners still have a lot of work to do.  This teaches the viewers that results take time but more importantly- consistent effort over a long period of time.  Don't give up after 3 months, call it a summer, splurge for the Holidays, and come back around the circle. Commit.

4. Daily Activity is Needed.

Whether the contestants are running on a treadmill or lifting weights they are moving everyday.  Even if it's a challenge or a walk, run, hike, or jog- the contestants are physically active everyday. The more you move the better for your health and pace of your results.

5. Having a Coach/Trainer/Instructor helps.

Bob and Jillian get in the contestants faces and bring out the truth.  They don't lie or sugarcoat the fact these people are fat, sick, and nearly dead. (Great Documentary by the way!) Having a coach or personal trainer will help you get results because they will hold you accountable for showing up and doing the work.  They will teach you proper form and proper diet planning, as well as proper exercise routine guidelines. Cutting out the overrated or dangerous, useless, exercises- a coach or trainer will have you stick to the basics on a plan designed for long term success. They will even provide you with motivation and support to keep your heart in the game!

Check out the show whenever it's on. Tuesday? Maybe Monday? I don't know.  But if you want to see first hand the effort, planning and commitment needed to succeed in your fat loss, strength building, or muscle gaining goals- watch the show.  Sometimes you might get a decent tip thrown out there by the trainers or become extra motivated seeing someone like you, or in a position similar to yours, reach the goal that they sweat, bled, and cried for.

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