How many of you are sick and tired of fitness infomercials pitching lame products and empty promises of “how easy it is” to get that ripped six pack or “only 10 minutes a day” to get the “body of your dreams?”

I sure am. It’s a shame these people are even able to put these claims out there on the market. Let me first say I have been guilty of helping them do it, I was hired as a professional testimonial for more than my share of fitness infomercials early in my career. I thought it was cool and hey, it paid well. I must also say that most (if not all) the models you see on those infomercials that are using the product in question- more than likely have never touched it or even seen it before- and that goes for supplements too. Further, they have followed their own fitness routines for years including strict diets and countless hard hours in the gym, lifting and cardio religiously.

They were called in from their talent agencies to fit a roll just like in a movie or conventional commercial- just as I have for every single job I have booked. Most of the higher profile infomercials are willing to pay top dollar for talent that sports a fitness cover model body- athletic, ripped to the bone and a six-eight pack mid section to show off- all with the hopeful ability to somewhat sell the perceived notion they actually got their body from using the product, or at the very minimum say it could achieve similar results for you.  Just make sure you read the small print- “results not typical” or “follow a healthy eating plan and a regular exercise routine” But they just make these so hard to see.

Well, take it from a fitness cover model, it just isn’t possible. This type of B.S. marketing falls under the “too good to be true” category.Never before has fitness been so popular. And never before has every snake oil salesman in direct response marketing tried to cash in on false promises. From pills to plans to ridiculous contraptions, everyone wants to be in better shape and with the looming obesity epidemic in our country the misinformed consumers don’t need empty promises and crappy gizmos.

They need sound training and nutritional advice- of which the basics can be self-taught or from a good personal trainer. Both of which would be a better investment for your time and money than most infomercial products trying to tap into your wallet selling the IDEA that it’s just so “easy”. They tell you what you want to hear. Face it, the truth hurts in most cases and the truth is people don’t like to work out.

In our society, the path of least resistance is the most traveled path- and it’s a shame. Things are becoming just too convenient. Getting the body you want is work and while not the hardest thing to achieve it can be drudgery to some. It takes dedication, patience and grit to stick with the program. It is not easy, but you will find that it can be done and with your first couple of pounds lost, you only want more gone. It becomes addicting and in time you will have no problem putting in the work and quite possibly even come to enjoy it.

I know what it takes to get in top shape and for these products to come out of the woodwork and claim they can do the same for you in “minutes a day” is pure comedy. The take home message? Get a trainer. EAT CLEAN. Get info on how to train properly with weights and cardiovascular training and PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. Those combined on a consistent basis will give you the results you are looking for with no problem- just accept the fact you will have to work for it. After all, our bodies are machines, made to move and burn fuel we put into it. It’s simple: stay active.

Even simpler: put down your wallet, walk, lift weights and watch what you eat- regularly. Give it two weeks and it’s a habit. Sound easy enough? It is, and it works. No “money back guarantee” necessary.

The whys I’m talking about are intensitY and consistencY. The combination of these two concepts are paramount when it comes to great results if youre going to put the time in- and time is something you don’t get ever get back.

Definitions of intensity include “high level or degree; the property of being intense” or the like. Lets just say we use intensity to bust our humps in the gym and not waste time during the process. How do you get intense you ask? Easy. Use enough weight to actually make yourself work to move it; and at a good pace. A key here is not too much weight. Super-slow? By all means if you want super slow results, go right ahead- efficient use of our time is a biggie here. 

DON’T quit your set too soon. Usually this falls in the 8-12 rep range. It hurts, absolutely. This is your body’s healthy reaction to stress and it is starting the process to make more muscle to protect itself. The reward is a faster metabolism and newly formed muscle that loves to eat fat around the clock. All too often I see trainees wasting time by A) not using enough weight, going too slow and/or quitting the set too early B) Using horrible form. Symptoms of an episode of intensity include: elevated heart rate, a healthy burn in the targeted muscle group, being oblivious to whatever is going on around you and sweat on your brow.

By the way, intensity doesn’t just apply to weight training. If you ride a bike, walk, whatever.. do so with some good pace and intensity. Your benefits will multiply and you’ll see results faster. Now for consistency: Do what we just talked about EVERY time you exercise. Sure you have off days. Just make an effort. The take home message? Any exercise is better than none at all. But if you apply just some intensity on a consistent basis you’ll start to notice a body hidden under your current one that is trying to get out.

Help it emerge faster with the double-whammy of consistency and intensity.

Give your body no choice but to improve.