Need To Increase Physical Exercise? Then Avoid 'The Biggest Loser'

What people will do for $250 K and more is different from what real people will do.

The Biggest Loser might be a TV ratings winner, but its extreme depiction of exercise is more likely to turn people off than get them off the couch, according to new research from the University of Alberta.

Researchers in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation found that watching a short video clip of the Biggest Loser fuelled negative attitudes toward exercise, raising further questions about how physical activity is shown in the popular media.

"The depictions of exercise on shows like The Biggest Loser are really negative," said lead author Tanya Berry, Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity Promotion. "People are screaming and crying and throwing up, and if you're not a regular exerciser you might think this is what exercise is - that it's this horrible experience where you have to push yourself to the extremes and the limits, which is completely wrong."

Don't fall for the TV show's crap.