We all know what a fitness scam is but a quick definition can’t hurt. A fitness scam is a product or programme that claims to give you results faster than traditional exercise and hard work would. Fitness scams come in a mind-boggling array of words, marketing gimmicks, fads and adverts: From “10-week six-pack abs” to “guaranteed weight loss in 10 minutes” to “lose weight while you watch TV.” The Nigerians have got nothing on these marketing pros. In my book, the marketing guys who came up with these 5 fitness scams are quite possibly the 5 greatest marketing geniuses on the planet!
I don’t know if the following 5 fitness scams are the most popular, most successful or most well-known. They are my list of the 5 fitness scams that I think will never go away. A fitness scam that goes away eventually is a fad – and every year creates 100s of those – most fall by the wayside though. The following list is 5 fitness scams for the ages – these bad boys have fooled millions through the years and will continue to fool millions in the years to come. Drum roll please…
Fitness Scam #5: Ab Isolater / Ab Rockr / Ab Slider / Ab Cruncher
You’ve seen them on TV – in fact you’ve ONLY seen them on TV – never in gyms and fitness classes – first hint. They make you stretch, slide, rock and crunch and the belly fat miraculously disappears. The idea that crunches burn belly fat is a myth preceded only by the existence of the Yeti. The belly fat is the hardest part of the body to lose fat from. Which means that millions of people are giving up their workout routine in frustration making it fertile ground for this fitness scam.
Fitness Scam #4: Fat burning belt
Okay, to be fair, the crunches machines actually make you do something. Even the most gullible person must think that something is wrong with this our #4. I mean really, if you could actually burn fat by jiggling your belly while watching TV, you really think gyms would be a viable business idea? And here’s a thought, if it did work, why are us lesser souls working out every day? Sweating it out? Running, cycling, skipping? No? You still believe that fat burning belt works? Okay then – here’s another bag of chips… in case your energy is running low.
Fitness Scam #3: Weight loss pills
Ah yes – wake up in the morning, stuff your face at breakfast, pop weight loss pill. Stuff your face at lunch. Pop a pill. Stuff your face at dinner. Pop a pill. Go to sleep not having put on an ounce and maybe having lost weight too! Even bulimic teenagers know how things work better than people who believe the myth that weight loss pills work. India also has a thriving industry built around that myth of ayurvedic weight loss pills – for those who want to get gypped but want to do it in a holistic and organic way. The only way that weight loss pills can be considered a success is if you find ones that give you an amphetamine trip.
Fitness Scam #2: Green tea for weight loss
Not just weight loss, green tea also prevents obesity, prevents heart disease and clears blocked arteries. This is your cue to start the slow clap. As with the fat burning belt, imagine this scenario: There is a drink. When you drink it, it burns fat. Why wouldn’t everyone drink it every day? Why don’t we batter coat and deep fry everything and wash it down with milkshakes. Just make sure to drink your green tea before bed. If green tea worked, why didn’t they use it on The Biggest Loser? Other than the fact that it would make a pretty boring show, it’s because it doesn’t work. Now Jillian Michaels has a lot of detractors and critics but even she knows that there is NO substitute for exercise and diet in order to lose weight.
Fitness Scam #1: Yoga for weight loss
Yoga has several benefits like improving muscle strength, flexibility and strengthening the lower back but it can not help you lose weight because the calories burned per session is barely the same as a slow walk. The reason that yoga for weight loss is my #1 scam is simply because its not just the midnight teleshopping types who buy into it. Despite not seeing any results, people continue to believe that grunting and stretching will burn fat. The only way to lose weight is to adjust your diet and start an exercise programme that includes cardiovascular and weight exercises. While it’s an excellent idea to improve balance and flexibility, it seems a little misdirected to do that while being overweight and unhealthy. So no matter what your yoga guru tells you about the magic and mysticism that causes the weight loss, always remember these facts.
Now chances are that every one of you knows at least one person who buys into at least one of these scams. Take my advice, don’t try and tell them the truth – you’ll just be wasting your breath. And don’t be waiting for them to realise it themselves and come around – won’t happen either. Instead, do one thing, if ever you meet the marketing minds behind these fitness scams, shake their hands and please give them my best – I have a lot of respect for their genius.
Are All Simple Carbohydrates Bad?
Healthy Snacks for the Office Day
How To: Recognise Healthy Cooking Techniques
You Can Eat Anything You Want – In
Are You Eating Too Much Salt?
