Superhero Workout Hoax Part I

Who wouldn’t want to be Wonder Woman? (Source: blog.archonia.com)

I wanted to be positive about this because I’m a great fan of superheroes especially lady superheroes, but while I would like to believe that the intention is good, the execution behind creating Superhero Workout Plans is simply wrong. In this article I will ignore the nagging feeling that this is a simple marketing plan to gain more followers (and donors) for Darebee because despite some horrifying meal plans the site itself is really comprehensive and obviously well thought out. Instead, I will concentrate on giving a general overview of my concerns regarding Superhero Workout Plans created for women.

Before we start, I feel like I have to clarify something that might shed light on my main problem with the entire idea, and it’s the term: beginner. Darebee uses this term often and freely, but after checking out some of their workout plans suitable for beginners despite claiming to be a Level 3 regarding difficulty, I feel like their and my definition of the term is different.

beginner

Pronunciation: /bɪˈɡɪnə/

NOUN

A person just starting to learn a skill or take part in an activity

If a person is just starting to learn a new skill or is new to an activity, especially when it comes to physical exercise throwing them into the deep water will rarely end on a positive note. And yet, Darebee is willing to generalize (like most fitness sites) and promote programs that are obviously not for completely new starters as suitable for beginners. Obviously, it doesn’t mean that I believe beginners wouldn’t be able to carry out these programs. They probably would. However, because of their inexperience and the general idea that you just have to do it and don’t need research, the risk of injury is much higher. Especially when 100% of these programs are presented on posters.

(I’m not criticizing this method because Darebee offers an extensive video library that shows how to execute the exercises — except most people who want to shed some weight will just lap up the seemingly easiest way and won’t go into the execution process further than what they see on the posters. Especially if they find them in Google Images or on one of the many popular fitness blogs that pick the posters up for promotion instead of the original source.)

In my opinion, beginner trainees, especially those who have a significant amount of excess weight, should never start with exercises that are not strictly created for beginners. Especially not out of nowhere and without being properly informed about the possible risks and how the sudden changes could effect their health.

Which is a very important reason why I see the Superhero Workout Plans as more damaging than useful. In theory, wishing to tempt a group of people generally seen as ‘lazy’ and ‘inactive’ to work out by using material enticing to them is a good idea. In theory. In practice, creating exercise sheets with fancy names such as “Batman”, “Black Widow”, Captain America” or “Wonder Woman” workout plan is misleading and will draw previously barely active people into either overexerting/injuring themselves or getting disappointed from the lack of desired results.

But let’s take a look at these workout plans that come in a simple but clever form.

As I mentioned before, Darebee operates by creating workout plan posters that have a different number of exercise illustrations on them based on the program they are promoting. The drawings are quite plain in black and white, unlike the titles that are eye-catching and much larger than the actually useful text dwarfed by said titles. Which is a good marketing move especially in cases like the Superhero Workout Plans, but a dubious one from a trainer’s point of view. Interestingly enough, however, the titles are really just the tip of the iceberg. Because the main problems with these programs are with the content itself.

These problems include:

1. The posters use one/two step picture setups to explain the exercises the prospective ‘Superheroes’ should do.
2. The exercises are definitely not beginner friendly.
3. The exercises supposedly make a full body workout which done 5 times a week (especially 10 sets) overtaxes the body.
4. There are no options for alternative exercises that put less strain on joints.
5. No links for videos/instructions on the proper execution of the exercises.
6. The sets are irrational, and for beginners they will only bring disappointment. Or injury if they push themselves too hard.

Admittedly, my preference for separate body part work out might make me sound somewhat biased towards full body workouts. However, in general, I have nothing against full body workouts when done right, especially if someone uses it to maintain their fitness level when they don’t have time for a full on workout session for days at time. But doing 10 sets even without added weight is definitely extensive and not advisable to even try for beginners.

As a closing note, all I can say is that no matter how good or promising something seems, especially when it comes to training your body and changing your lifestyle, taking the longer and slower route is always better on the long run.

In the next part, I will pick some of these posters apart and offer alternative exercise options to make the workout plans beginner friendly.