Lexington, KY - The fitness industry, like many other industries, follows trends and then tries to capitalize on those trends via the consumer. Often, larger companies actually create a trend by telling the public, "This is what you should be wanting." They have enough advertising muscle to inundate you with a message or product until you believe it, or must have it.
The trouble with trends is they erupt in the marketplace quickly, which leads to a grab bag of shoddy quality as everybody tries to capitalize -
how can you discern what's "the best" when they all make the claim? Usually, the aftermath of a trend is a basement or closet full of little to never used items, i.e. Tae Bo videos, Health Riders, pre-packaged diet food and magical vitamin pills.
Currently in the fitness-weight loss world, I see one trend starting to rear its ugly head -
"extreme workouts." These are the programs advertised as being very difficult and show how tough, or even crazy, you have to be doing them. They have names like Insanity, Extreme and P90X.
The TV show "The Biggest Loser" has played a major part in the popularity of this type of workout program. This program shows trainers screaming at the contestants while making them do incredibly difficult exercises. Although, in reality, this is a very short portion of their total workouts, the impression is that the contestants are doing all of their workouts at this incredible intensity level.
Now you have the perfect setting for the trend-seeker companies. Here's the formula: Since the TV program shows dramatic weight loss at the end of each show, the consumer thinks that high intensity workouts begets weight loss. Then they see the commercial for one of the high intensity programs, naturally. Then they buy it.
The problem with buying any fitness program based on a TV commercial is that the workout is designed for a very broad audience and has no way of considering personal goals, abilities or even injuries. Most consumers that buy these programs do so because they are not currently in an exercise routine and do not know much about exercise. This can be a dangerous combination -
an inexperienced exerciser with a new program designed for all levels and abilities with very little instruction.
As far as high intensity workouts go, I think they serve a very important niche in the fitness community, but they are by no means designed for everyone -
as they are currently being marketed. High intensity workouts are a must for any competitive athlete. No one can get ready to compete at a high level, in any sport, without pushing themselves via high intensity workouts. However, many studies have shown that working out at a high intensity is not necessary to improve your health or lose weight. In fact, people who work out at a moderate or even low intensity often have greater success and a much lower rate of attrition (dropping out) of their workout program. Why is this? Because it's not so miserable.
The overwhelming majority of people who undertake these high intensity workout programs quit after a short time. Feeling weak and unable to perform what the program is asking you to do is very defeating for most people and sends them right back to the couch and the bag of chips. Starting out with a very modest program of walking and then easing into some weight training and functional training is a much better way to go. Then, after a solid foundation of exercise you may want to pepper in some workouts of higher intensity, just for the challenge of it.
It is not about what program you do, but the fact that you do something. Remember, any movement is better than no movement. Don't think that you have to kill yourself to get any results. Don't think that just because you are simply strolling around the block you aren't doing yourself any good. Be careful of the trends that pop up in our world; remember they are there to make money for companies that are capitalizing on the instant gratification needs of the consumer. Be active, but be smart.