Fitness Infomercials – How They Create The Fast-Fitness Fantasy For Quick Profits

While gym memberships have slid since 2006, home gym equipment sales continue to grow. Fitness infomercials are among the most popular TV commercials used to sell home exercise equipment. Of the six most profitable infomercial products, three are related to fitness. (1, 2)

Most of us dream about enjoying amazing workout results by investing only minimal time and effort. Fitness infomercials are designed to create this fantasy, which lulls us into purchasing products that may not live up to their claims.

The Successful Infomercial Program Profile and Fitness Products

Successful infomercial programs promote products that:

*are reasonably-priced,
*are revolutionary and innovative,
*cannot be found anywhere else,
*can make life easier and better, and
*produce immediate, transformational results. (3)

In order to fit this profile, marketers of fitness products often promote the fantasy of fast fitness. While the notion of undergoing a rapid body transformation appeals to the viewer, product claims may exceed the ability of the human body to achieve such accelerated results.

Many fitness gadgets have been taken to task by consumer groups for making unsubstantiated claims. While some products have been tested and shown to be reasonable supplements to a total exercise program, others are ineffective. (4, 5)

Despite consumer complaints and negative reviews, however, sales from fitness infomercials are booming. Why? Infomercial marketing tactics intrigue and motivate us to purchase a product regardless of its quality or effectiveness.

7 Common Marketing Tactics that Sell the Fast-Fitness Fantasy

These 7 common marketing tactics used in fitness infomercials target our emotions, establish product credibility, and offer bargains we can’t seem to refuse.

1. Emotions: Ads aim at the very core of our being–our sense of self and, perhaps, our vanity. They strike the chords of our emotions and play on our universal dreams, desires, and needs.

Our imaginations begin to mold our fantasies. Next, they establish credibility and trust, while easing skepticism about the ability of the product to fulfill our dreams of scupting a gorgeous body.

2. Testimonials: We listen to the stories of peers who profess amazing results from using the product and toy with the notion that, just maybe, it will work for us, too.

3. Endorsements: We tend to trust the word of celebrities, trainers, and elite athletes. If Oprah endorses a product, that pretty much seals the deal for many of us.

4. Scientific research: If a fitness device is based on a new scientific discovery or is university tested, isn’t that real proof that it is effective? Not necessarily!

Each of these confidence-building strategies has its shortcomings. Results claimed by compensated models may well be due to their total weight control and exercise program, rather than due to the product itself.

Scientific studies conducted or sponsored by manufacturers are often disclosed only upon request. Even results from university research may not be accurately represented in fitness infomercials, particularly if all of the findings do not support the fast-fitness profile. (5)

Nonetheless, according to one survey, viewers are more likely to trust infomercials than Congress, used car salesmen, and corporate executives! (3)

Once they have gained some reasonable level of our confidence in the product, they attempt to close the sale by:

5. Overcoming objections and upping the ante: Marketers emphasize the uniqueness of the product and urge us to accept no substitutes. They create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers and great bargains for the shopper in us.

6. Guaranteeing no risk: If you don’t get results, you will get a full refund! So, what have you got to lose?

7. Being persistent: Fitness infomercials repeat the same message frequently. Repetition, particularly late at night when our subconscious minds are more vulnerable, may well tap into the power of suggestion that prompts the buy.

Sold! Viewers will generally watch for 13 to 15 minutes before calling.

Add-On Sales For More Quick Profits

The purchase decision may be just the beginning of profits from fitness infomercials. Shipping, handling, and taxes are expected. But as a new, enthusiastic buyer, beware that you are likely to encounter a barrage of add-ons before you have completed the transaction. Pay close attention, or your credit card may automatically be charged monthly for additional products. And later, if you exercise your money- back guarantee, you may get the runaround from an automated system.

All told, you may pay the original advertised price many times over and, unfortunately, never see results. At some point you may come to realize that your fast-fitness fantasy was, from the start, the manufacturer’s quick-profit, dream-come-true at the expense of consumers.

Consumer Knowledge is Power

Do not let your emotions override patience and logic. Take a step back and research the fitness infomercial product and its claims. If you can move past the impulse buy:

*Check out user reviews on the specific product of interest.
*Visit consumer-related sites before buying exercise equipment.
*Ask the opinion of a fitness professional, preferably one who has formal training and an advanced degree in exercise science.
*If you decide that the product is worth a try, be sure to read the fine print on the website.

Educate yourself by learning fundamental exercise and weight control principles so that unsubstantiated product claims will be more transparent to you. Fitness knowledge gives you the power to prevent falling for the fast-fitness fantasy before you make the purchase.

References:

1. Consumer Reports. (2009, January 6). Tip of the day: Choose a home exercise machine to fit your budget. Retrieved January 19, 2009, from http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/01/home-workout.html?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1

2. The Marqui Automation Company. (2005, May 7). The all-powerful infomercial. Retrieved January 18, 2009, from http://www.marqui.com/blog/the_allpowerful.aspx

3. Infomercial Marketing. (2006, April 7). The right kind of product for an infomercial is… Retrieved January 19, 2009, from http://infomercialmarketing.wordpress.com/2006/04/

4. Federal Trade Commission. (2003, November). Avoiding the muscle hustle: Tips for buying exercise equipment. Retrieved January 18, 2009, from http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt113.shtm

5. Consumer Reports. (2009, January). Assessing exercise infomercials’ claims. Retrieved January 19, 2009, from http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/fitness/staying-fit/infomercial-exercise-2-08/how-they-tested/infomercial-exercise-equipment-how-they-test.htm

 

 

 

 

Dr. Denise K. Wood is an educator and sport and fitness training consultant from Knoxville, TN and creator of www.womens-weight-training-programs.com She has trained a wide range of clients from beginners to Olympians. Dr. Wood is a former national track and field champion with years of international experience. She has been recognized as an outstanding professor in exercise science and research/statistics.


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Best Lower Ab Workout- Exercises That Works Your Lower Abs

Trying to work on your lower ab can be difficult and frustrating.  Especially when you’re not sure which exercises to do.  So, what I’m going to do is share with you the best lower ab workout.  That way, you’ll be able to have a great set of abs.

The best lower ab workout is:

1.  Leg raises.  This exercise can be done with you lying on the ground.  You’ll start off by letting your legs lay flat on the ground and then lift them straight up.  This will work your lower ab, which will really help you get a great stomach.

You should do 4 sets of 15 reps.

2.  Full crunches.  These can be done with a machine at your local gym or with you lying on the ground.  Full crunches consist of doing reverse crunches and regular crunches simultaneously at the same time.  It’s not as hard as it sounds.  You’ll do a regular crunch while at the same time, lifting your butt off the ground.

You should feel your abs tightened from this movement.  You should do 3 sets of 20 reps with this exercise.

3.  Hanging knee raises.  This is another exercise that’s part of the best lower ab workout.  Hanging knee raises can be done by hanging on a pull up bar at the gym.  While you’re hanging, you should lift your knees straight up.  You can do 2 sets of 20 reps.

4.  reverse crunches.  Another exercise in the best lower ab workout is reverse crunches.  As stated above, all you have to do is lie on the ground in the same position as you would do a regular crunch, and lift your butt off the ground.  Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

This is a lower ab workout that will help you hit the lower part of your abdomen muscles.  If you are serious about getting your stomach in shape and looking good, be sure to use the tips above.  It’ll help you get the best looking mid section.

To learn effective techniques that are guaranteed to help you get great abs, click on the link below:

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Lower Ab Workout Made Easy!

When you are at the beach, swimming pool or whenever you are working your tan, do you feel like everyone seems to be looking at your unsightly, flabby abdomen? Where a trim and fit tummy used to be, now rests a very chunky and a very blobby midsection.

Maybe it’s time to start getting in shape and start having that trimmed six pack abs that you had before. So you try all the workouts you can find online – lower ab workout, upper abs, side abs crunching. Although a lower ab workout might do your lower abs some strengthening they need, these area specific exercises are not really the answer to get that flat and tight stomach you want. So chuck that lower ab workout routine and say hello to a program that will change your midsection’s appearance dramatically.

Certified food nutritionist and certified personal trainer Mike Geary created a program that will target specifically that unwanted and stubborn stomach fat that you want to get rid of. The secret of the program lies on the years of experience that Mike has placed into this program to perfect it in making you have a shapelier body. This will definitely trump any lower ab workout routine that you an find online.

His program is called The Truth About Six Pack Abs. It is uniquely designed to give you that six pack abs that you want in the most efficient way as possible. It will gear you towards the right path in having a toned abdomen while it strips away some of the wrong notions that you might have in losing weight and abs sculpting.

The program join forces two known ways of losing stomach fat. First it will give you a set of total body workouts and specific exercises that will make your lose fat not only in your midsection but also all over your body. The exercises are all very easy to follow and the e-book will be giving you step by step instructions to perform them as well as illustrations to further guide you. No special equipment is necessary. All you need is a set of adjustable dumbbells and a stability ball and you will be on your way to a flatter tummy without having to leave the comforts of your own house.

Second, it will teach you the proper ways of having a balanced diet. This is no fad diet that will make you lose weight dramatically in a matter of days. In fact, losing too much weight too fast is not a healthy deal at all. This program will give you apt knowledge on nutrition and balanced meals so you get to eat healthy and at the same time feel satisfied. It will also give you the ugly truth about those diet supplements and slimming shakes that corporations use to get richer and richer by the second.

If you really are serious about losing that fat on your belly, then do not tie yourself down with some boring lower ab workout routines that will manly strengthen your lower abdominal muscles at best.

Want to turn your belly into sexy abs with the ultimate lower ab workout? Intense crunches, sit-ups, and ab exercises is NOT the answer! Come learn about the TRUTH to getting six pack abs. Get your FREE limited time e-course on how to get flat, firm, and sexy abs QUICK using our proven technique at http://www.Six-Pack-Abs-Truth.com


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Daiting With a Busy Schedule? 15 Great Ways to Lose Weight Fast

Want to lose weight fast? It’s easy to say goodbye to 10 pounds of unwanted fat with these easy diet tips. Just pay attention to what you eat and be sure to have good tasting, fresh and healthy food including snacks, fill up on vegetables and keep your taste buds happy with fruit.

 

No need to make sacrifices! Just follow these simple guidelines to lose your first 10 pounds, last 10 pounds or give your weight loss program a boost when it seems to have stuttered to a halt. This is a balanced and flexible plan that you can use for as long as you want.

 

1. Keep a note of everything that you eat and drink. You do not need to estimate calories. Just write down what it was that you had and the approximate quantity. You will find that being more aware of what you are eating helps you to plan healthy meals and snacks.

 

2. Halve your intake of all pure or added fats. This means using half as much butter or spread on your bread, toast, muffins and potatoes; half the usual amount of mayonnaise or sauce on your salad; and half the oil in the frypan every time.

 

3. Limit treats containing sugar to three times per week. This includes chocolate, ice cream, desserts, cake, pastries, cookies, etc.

 

4. Include a lower fat source of protein at most meals: chicken, fish, beans, cottage cheese, or low fat yogurt. Have eggs, nuts and red meat occasionally but not every day.

 

5. Plan at least one lunch and dinner every week without meat or cheese. Build those meals around whole grains, vegetables and beans to increase fiber and reduce fat.

 

6. Reduce the fat content in your milk products. If you are currently drinking whole milk, reduce to 2% fat. From 2% reduce to 1%. Choose lower fat cheese and yogurt. When you buy yogurt, also check that it does not contain sugar.

 

7. Have at least two servings of fruit every day. This can be for dessert or snacks. Choose fruit that is in season.

 

8. Drink water instead of sodas, juices, milky drinks or alcohol. Avoid diet soda – the sweet taste only encourages you to crave sugar. Hot water with a slice of lemon can be very refreshing in the morning.

 

9. Include at least two servings of vegetables at lunch and dinner. If you are getting hungry, have more.

 

10. Eat slowly. The body is slow to register when you are full and it is easy to eat too much if you are racing through your meals.

 

11. Grated carrot makes a great snack. You will find that a grated carrot is much more filling than a whole carrot. Strange but true.

 

12. Use whole grains wherever possible. The fiber will give you a fuller feeling and also help your digestion.

 

13. Choose food that you can chew. Again this will increase your fiber intake, and the act of chewing will make you feel more satisfied too. This means eating fruit instead of drinking juice. If you have soup, make sure it is chunky.

 

14. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. Plan your shopping too – make a list of what you need and stick to it. If you just grab something when you are feeling hungry, you will probably choose high calorie food.

 

15. Always switch off the TV when you eat. That includes snacks as well as meals. Studies have proved that we eat larger portions in front of the TV, probably because we are much less aware of what we are eating. When you eat, only eat if you want to lose weight fast.

 

Simon Fusco is an Publisher and Marketer and an online reviewer.
dieting with a busy schedule!


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