So The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels has all certified kettlebell instructors up in arms ever since she decided that kettlebells would be her new favorite toy to show off to America. She has a new DVD out called Shred-It with Weights (which is getting great reviews on Amazon so far) and she was featured using a kettlebell on a 2009 episode of The Biggest Loser’s “Trainer Tips.” (video below)

The reason the people begin laughing at the end of the video is that Jillian makes it clear to the kettlebell community that she has NO idea what she’s doing.

Over at Philly Burbs, Jen Wielgus introduces her readers to a Los Angeles Times article bashing Jillian’s improper kettlebell form and her audacity to show the world how to do something that she really doesn’t know how to do.  James Fell, the author of the LA Times article and a certified fitness instructor in Canada, goes so far to say this:

Michaels is not actually a real fitness trainer — she’s an actress playing the role of fitness trainer on TV and in a line of popular DVDs.

Harsh.

But the statement leads to a good point. When people look for a personal trainer, they look for someone who is certified with active credentials.

Michaels obtained some introductory fitness certifications (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Assn. and Aerobics and Fitness Assn. of America) 17 years ago and does not seem to ever have recertified. The biography on her website goes on and on about her multimedia endeavors, but there is not a single mention of any health-and-fitness education or credentials.

If this were Zoe Schmuck who had qualifications like that, she’d never be given a second thought by a gym. But TV viewers don’t care about little things like that.

UPDATE: After I wrote this post, Jillian posted the following on her Facebook:

Never thought LA times would resort to liable & defamation to sell papers. Guess I’m canceling my subscription. I hold 2 current certifications. NESTA & AFFA. I’ve also developed a continuing education program for trainers with AFFA. I’ve been a trainer for 19 years. I OWNED a sports medicine facility & worked as a tra…iner & PT aid for the physiatrists, PT’s, & chiro’s I employed. AND i’m a black belt.

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