LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Fitness: Caveat Emptor |
by Rick Moore |
Did anybody see CNN a few weeks ago, when the U.S. military announced that 60% of men and 30% of women in the ranks were overweight? Now, these are our service personnel, not civilians. And they've all been put on weight loss programs ASAP.
I knew that something was up, because we have several Army reservists and active duty personnel who train at my gym, and they'd informed me prior to the news announcement that they all had to lose 10 pounds within the next couple of weeks. Now, these guys really look like they're in shape. In fact, they're probably the most fit guys around. It should be easy for them to lose those 10 pounds! And believe it or not, right after that CNN report, there came a commercial for the "new" way to lose weight and tone up your muscles. It was great placement for a product that promised to do away with exercise! All you need to do is strap on the advertised electric pod to the area you want to tone, turn on the current, and voila, instant results! The commercial shows appealing video of some guy's ripped six-pack abs pulsing rhythmically as the machine "stimulates" them. If you need to lose weight and tone up, it all sounds like a godsend, but don't fall for it. Gosh, this type of machine is making a comeback. Just like bell-bottom jeans and hip huggers, what goes around comes around. These electric muscle stimulators that "electrify" your problem body areas were being sold way back in the 1960s and 70s. Now, a whole new generation gets to try these gadgetsor should I say, waste their money on them. I'm going to save you all some cash and help you avoid any returns this holiday: these things don't work. Of course, in tiny little type on the screen, somewhere it says, "when used in conjunction with a diet and exercise program...the results shown are not typical." The enclosed booklet asks you to modify your diet, and it says you need to do some cardio exercise, too. Could these be the reasons you'll eventually see results? Probably. But hooking your fat up to a battery pack probably doesn't help too much on its own. Anyone can lose weight if you do moderate cardio training several times a week and watch your diet. You don't need to spend your money on a machinewhich, by the way, isn't cheap. In fact, rather than being merely useless, electric muscle stimulators can be dangerous to someone who has heart problems. The men and women in the ad sure do look good, though. They say you'll see results fast! Call now! What I don't understand is this: you'll see results from the diet and cardio alone, so why use an electric muscle stimulator in the first place? Let me repeat this: there's no proof that these machines produce the results they claim. This exaggeration brings to mind the "juice diets" that seem to be very popular right now. Ads are touting the "amazing results" you can achieve in just three days. You can lose 10, 15, even 20 pounds in a weekend, just by drinking something that looks like ordinary grapefruit juice. But this miracle drink is pretty expensive it goes for $30 or more for a 64 ounce bottle. I think this stuff acts like a laxative, so, get the picture? You'll be busy that weekend for surein the bathroom. Of course, laxatives can be dangerous if abused, and you can ruin your health if you get into the laxative habit. There's another commercial on TV that really disturbs me. It's the one where you order a three-month supply of the "A.M." diet pills and the "P.M." diet pills for FREE. Now ask yourself, free? Nothing is free. Just what is the catch? The "spokesmodels" have lost tons of weight, and they want you to call immediately to receive your free diet product. Good grief. Or should I say, good luck? Do you know what "caveat emptor" means? It means, let the buyer beware. And I highly recommend that you abide by that phrase. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Since I'm on a roll with TV commercials, I'll ask you, do we really need to see an infomercial that's 30 minutes long? On Sunday morning, nearly every cable TV channel has an infomercial running before 10 a.m., touting the claims of the latest, greatest product, item, or method to lose weight and gain loads of muscle. They really tempt you with those fabulous fitness models (male and female) who act like they got buff just by using some "butt cruncher" or other gizmo three times a week. Come on, people. These are paid professional spokespersons who are pretty to look at, but are they really telling us the whole truth? I bet not. Many people are gullible to the point of believing that if they purchase the advertised product, they'll look exactly like Christy Brinkley or Chuck Norris or whomever else is plugging the product. My favorite is that guy Tony Little, who claims he's "The World's Greatest Personal Trainer." He sure is selling everything. Maybe I'm just being cynical. With the Holidays upon us, I urge everyone to continue your exercise and diet regimen, because I know they work. And if you're tempted to purchase any exercise product you see on TV, I have two words for you: Caveat Emptor. Rick Moore is a personal trainer certified by the American Fitness Professionals & Associates. Visit his club, Rick's Fitness & Health, in Milton, Delaware or www.ricksfitness.net, or call 302-684-3669. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 15, November 21, 2001 |