Does The World Need Another Fitness Book?

Jackie Warner’s new fitness book contains solid, well written fitness, nutrition and workout advice.  But it’s nothing revolutionary.

You can check it out here.

The More Interesting Questions

What is the appeal of Jackie Warner?  Is it her lifestyle and the personality we saw chronicled in the episodes of the now defunct Workout reality show?

Or is it her fitness knowledge and ability to help people enhance their lives?

Is this book the beginning of a climb back into the limelight?

Can she attain the fame and fortune her former partner Jillian Michaels has?

Good thing she’s in shape, because it’s bound to be one heck of a workout.

Jackie Warner’s SKYLAB project is designed to help people overcome their struggle with obesity.  On Bravo’s Workout reality show we catch glimpses of the SKYLAB workouts and process.

But does / will SKYLAB really work?  What follows is a quick pro/con assessment from what’s been revealed so far on the show:

SKYLAB PROS

• Includes mental, physical and emotional elements – frank, emotional discussions take place to uncover self-esteem and insecurity issues that cause clients to over eat for comfort.  Clients are challenged mentally and educated to make smarter decisions.  Physically they are pushed to get more from their bodies.

• Includes both personal and group support – SKYLAB clients meet in groups and with trainers.

• Consideration is given to selecting a trainer that can best work with the client – Getting the right trainer with the right client is both art and science but can make or break the outcome.  In the show Jackie places photos of clients and trainers on the floor.  I can’t think of a better way to facilitate the process of aligning client and trainer.

• Food is provided – This is a powerful way to simultaneously help clients make immediate progress, leapfrog their weak decision making abilities and provide experiential learning.  With each meal these clients learn and experience what a proper food choice looks like, tastes like and feels like.  Plus, they are eating the same food and supplements Jackie Warner does.

SKYLAB CONS

• Workout intensity – Jackie Warner’s approach to fitness is all about intensity.  Exercise intensity certainly gets results, however it also increases risk of minor and serious injury to the client.

Is Proper Progression at SKYLAB?
Fitness professionals manage risk of injury to clients by applying the proper “progression” of frequency, time, type and intensity of workouts. Proper progression allows the client to gradually increase their fitness and tolerate greater exercise stress with reduced risk of injury.  It appears the workouts being delivered to the SKYLAB clients may be too intense…

A Viewer Opinion
A comment from one of the readers of this blog illustrates a number of concerns about the intensity of the SKYLAB workouts:

Horrible show! As a personal trainer i cringe when i see the horrible training that goes on in this tv show. It’s bad, really bad. It’s the reason personal trainers have no credibility in the professional world.

No trainer in their right mind would have unfit, overweight clients do jumping jacks on a hard surface.  Or inch worm push ups when they can’t keep the form not even remotely right. Or have unfit clients run suicides.

For anyone trying to pick up tips from this show, please don’t. And anyone thinking about paying $400.00 a session with her, you’ve got to be out of your mind.

So Does / Will SKYLAB Be Successful?
Factoring the pros / cons above – the answer seems to be it’s got great potential if the client exercise injury does not become an issue.  What do you think?

Want To Try SKYLAB?
On the SkySport & Spa Website, there is a public “retreat” version of SKYLAB project.  It’s promoted as follows:

SkyLab is the ultimate, life-changing opportunity. During this all-inclusive, intense retreat in Northern California, you’ll live, eat with, and workout with Jackie Warner, celebrity trainer and star of the hit Bravo TV show Workout. She will teach you, train you, tone you, inspire you, and give you the discipline and motivation to lose weight for good.

In addition to breaking your sugar addiction, you’ll sweat and work like never before, all under the ever-present and constant watch of Jackie and her team of trainers. Not only will you learn to live healthy and hot in the real world, but you’ll lose substantial weight, reshift your energy, and change the way you relate to the world around you.

This is an experience that will be like no other. Jackie’s effect on people’s lives is unparalleled…and she’s ready to change yours today.

Also from the website a sample schedule of what to expect from SKYLAB:

A Typical Day at SkyLab (*schedule subject to change)

• 6:30 am – Jackie’s personal energy shake, delivered right to your door
• 7:00 am to 9:00 am – two-hour intensity workout
• 9:15 am to 10:15 am – snack and free time
• 10:30 am to 12:00 pm – life goals and healthy eating seminars
• 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm – lunch
• 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm – free time
• 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm – two-hour intensity workout
• 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm – yoga/stretching
• 5:15 pm to 6:45 pm – snack and free time
• 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm – dinner
• 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm – group therapy (conquer your emotional relationship with food!)

Too Much?
Wow – 4 hours of intensity exercise.  For people with an already high level of fitness this could work, but for obese, deconditioned or those new to exercise this sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

Fortunately – the SKYLAB program requires a signed permission form from your physician for acceptance.  It pulls no punches either – again from the SKYLAB info on the website:

Permission form must clear participant to engage in strenuous activity and a reduced calorie diet. Form must also indicate any physical limitations the participant may have, including but not limited to knee, back, or shoulder injuries.

What Do You Think?
So for those of you interested – the cost is $7,000.00 and you can get $1000.00 off the May 31st session here.

Meantime – for those of you who have read this far…  Would you try SKYLAB?

Jackie Warner, owner of Sky Sport Spa and star of Bravo’s reality show Workout was recently interviewed by Fox news.  

Here’s the scoop on her own diet and nutrition tips:

It’s so tough to start a diet and fitness routine. How do you suggest people begin?

The first thing you need to do is sit down, have a conversation with yourself, figure out what all of your can’t-resist foods are and throw them all away. That’s what I do. We’re a gluttonous society. If cookies are our weakness, we’re not going to eat two cookies and stop. We’re going to eat until the bag is gone.

So get rid of your can’t-resist foods because it’s much harder in the middle of the night to get dressed, get in your car and go out and buy a bag of cookies than it is to go in your cupboard and get a bag. If you have to leave your house to cheat, you’re not going to do it. It requires too much effort.

What are the best foods to eat?

I’m big on label reading. I do grocery shopping tours to help people learn exactly what to eat. My thing is, I don’t look at fat. I don’t look at carbs. I look at calories: nothing over 400 calories and nine grams of sugar for meals. For snacks, I say no more than 150 calories. That works out to 1,500 calories a day, which is about what the average woman should have.

See the full Jackie Warner Interview here.

Here’s the word straight from Jackie herself via Mr. Nightlife’s Hollywood on season 3 of Bravo’s Workout:

According to Jackie Warner:

We are right in the middle of filming third season and as usual I have 10 new businesses-haha! I so like jumping on and reading your mail. U keep a smile on my face when things get stressful-so thanks for all of your support-I love it.

Ok-So to answer questions…..3rd Season Workout airs this March, my clothing line will be on my website in one week and it is HOT (I will post my site next week) I am releasing DVD, I have a low sugar protein bar and shake….and sign-ups for SkyLab the lifechange camp will be ready shortly I really believe in what I do and am passionate about wanting to get this country to a better place…mind and body.

Find a few qualities that you love about yourself and work everyday to maximize them…Find a few qualities you dislike and work everyday to minimize them….I swear its that simple and its what I still practice for myself.

Oh-and stop being so self critical-there is soooo much more to beauty than what you see at first glance.

• Good move on the protein bars and shakes, hopefully Jackie Warner’s protein shake recipe transfers well into nutrition bar form.

• As for the DVD’s hopefully she’ll be able to offer something different than her partner Jillian Michaels…

• And with the clothing line – so far its had mixed reviews, but maybe she’s got something new up her sleeve.

Stay tuned…

Jackie Warner, Peeler, Rebecca, Jesse, Zen and the rest of the Sky Sport Spa trainers will be back in action in Workout Season Three. According to After Ellen:

Bravo has announced that Work Out has been renewed for a third season. That’s right: More Jackie Warner, more showmances and more hapless ordinary people who just want to get in shape but find themselves getting into a whole mess o’ drama instead.

So what can we expect from Bravo’s Workout season three? Will Jackie Warner’s Skylab Apparel Line (formerly known as the LIFT line) succeed? Will Jackie find love with Rebecca or in a bizarre twist go back to Mimi? Will Jackie’s Skylab project change the lives of millions? Will Jackie Warner create a new Protein Shake Recipe? Only time will tell…
Meantime, anyone have opinions on what to expect in season three?

Many people are eager for detailed exercise advice from Jackie Warner, star of Bravo’s reality show Workout.

Unfortunately she’s not very accessible unless you go to L.A. and drop $400.00 a session (5 session minimum).

There’s a better way to get the information you want from Jackie.
Just read Making The Cut by Jackie Warner’s Business Partner – Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels co-owns Skysport & Spa with Jackie Warner. And if you read their interviews and advice in the media you’ll find they have pretty much the same philosophy and approach when it comes to nutrition, exercise and weight loss. This comes as no surprise if they co-own the same gym. But here’s the good part…

Jillian Michaels Advice Is Accessible
She’s produced some great instructional fitness products. She’s got her two best selling fitness books. She’s got her best selling DVD workouts. And she’s got lots of target training and beginner workouts too.

Just in case you’re not familiar with Jillian, here’s a Bio excerpt from a 2005 Washington Post Interview transcript:

Jillian Michaels, the Beverly Hills-based personal trainer who coached her team to victory on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser”… Michaels is co-owner of Sky Sport and Spa, a penthouse fitness facility in Beverly Hills. Her clients include actors such as Amanda Peet and Mark Ruffalo. Among her credentials, she holds a Black Belt in Muay Thai. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

So I think the moral of this story is… The best way to get your Jackie Warner workout my be through Jillian!

But for clothing – that’s another matter. Here you can go straight to the source and get Jackie Warner’s Skylab clothing line.

On the Bravo Show Workout, Jackie Warner makes a breakfast protein shake for Skylab participants that uses whey protein powder as one of the ingredients. So here’s the scoop on the benefits of whey protein…

What is Whey Protein?
Whey is a high quality protein powder from cow’s milk. Milk contains two proteins: Casein (approximately 80%) and Whey Protein (approximately 20%). Whey protein is more soluble (easier to digest) than casein and also has a higher quality rating. It is often referred to as the “Gold Standard” of protein as it is the most nutritious protein available.

Whey Protein Is Quickly Used By The Body
Because whey protein is highly soluble it enters the body fast. It quickly provides the essential amino acids needed to nourish muscles and other body tissues. This is one of the reasons it’s commonly used as an ingredient in infant formula and as protein supplement for medical use.

Whey Protein is Low On The Glycemic Index
Whey protein has practically no sugar (Unless it’s flavored with sugar) Therefore it has little effect on blood glucose levels. When eaten with carbohydrate it can reduce the overall glycemic impact (the amount a food increases blood sugar levels) of the carbohydrate as well. Eating a low glycemic diet can help create a positive hormonal environment for fat loss.

Whey protein comes in two forms – Isolate and Concentrate:

1. Whey Protein Isolate – Is pure and contains 90% protein with very little or no lactose and fat. (That makes it a great protein supplement for those who are lactose intolerant). It’s an ideal supplement for those who want to reduce calories and is ideal for Jackie Warner’s protein shake.
2. Whey Protein Concentrate – Provides less protein (usually around 40 – 80%) with the balance of calories coming from lactose and fat. This can be desirable for certain nutrition programs.

How much protein do you need?
The answer to that question depends on the physical demands you place on your body and who you ask. Most registered nutritionists agree that highly active people have greater protein requirements than sedentary people.

Suggested daily amounts are about .6 grams of protein per pound of body weight for the average person. However, many coaches suggest up to 1.0 gram of protein per pound of body weight for strength athletes engaging in rigorous training. Check RDA guidelines to determine what works best for you.

Read all the ingredients in Jackie Warner’s Protein Shake Here

Q&A with Jackie Warner compliments of the Boston Herald:

Q: Is it easier to lose weight in the summer?

A: “People tend to lose weight in the summer because their body temperature is more heated, they’re more active, they change their behavior. People walk more, they’re more athletic.”

Q: But do people tend to eat more things like margaritas and hot dogs because they think they’re exercising more?

A: “That’s a caveat, but I easily shed three to five pounds once the rainy season is over in L.A. — not because I change my workout, I just naturally stop eating.”

Q: What about working out in the heat? Bad idea?

A: “I think it’s great to work outdoors; I prefer it to a gym. It warms up your body temperature and muscles. I know it’s bad for your skin, but I love working out in the sun, too. Just slather on the sunscreen and make sure you drink a lot of water.”

Q: Any advice for folks going on vacation? How do you stick to a fitness plan?

A: “If you’re going on summer vacation, workout by hiking or walking. I mean, snorkeling is an intense workout. I used to only stay at hotels with gyms, but what a waste! I never used them. Sleep, swim, snorkel, have fun and keep it interesting.”

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being on reality TV?

A: “That all of this is on my shoulders, and while the Bravo executives may like me and take me out to dinner and value what I am doing, they don’t care if I win or lose. Sky Lab and Sky Sport and my fashion line, all of it is on me, and I have to make it work. You only have yourself to rely on, that’s what I learned.”