“Workout” – Just What The Doctor Ordered
It doesn’t take a television marketing genius to know that ‘reality’ T.V. is big business, and it’s fun to watch also, when it’s done well. The networks have their own formats whereas cable can push the envelope just a bit more. One of the more entertaining and ‘real,’ series is Bravo’s “Workout.” Centered on SkySport & Spa Gym in Beverly Hills and owner Jackie Warner and her trainers, the show itself plays out like a show within a show. Yes, it’s entertaining and fun, but you don’t forget for a second that these are real people with real issues and problems just like the rest of us. Clients and their ‘workout’ routines and weight challenges are also included in the show. Jackie appears to be one tough cookie. She certainly is when it comes to her passion as a trainer, trying and hoping to unleash every client’s own potential.
She has also become a lesbian icon. She’s out, proud, on T.V. and incredibly attractive – to both men and women. She’s got everything going for her: a successful gym, many side projects, great people around her, but you know there’s always a curve ball. Season 1 showed in painful detail her relationship problems and pitfalls. She’s just like the rest of us. Just because you’re on T.V. doesn’t mean life is always a cakewalk. This is where the ‘reality’ side comes into play. Obviously I can’t tell you how much of the show is set up or how it’s edited together (the show is one hour) but I’m sure as with all these shows there’s gems on the cutting room floor. It’s important to keep up the drama for the audiences’ sake. The gym’s trainers are just as entertaining.
In Season One they all seemed like they were just getting their feet wet in regards to the camera being around all the time. Now that Season 2 has begun, everyone seems to be a bit more relaxed and not so completely aware of prying eyes. Though there are more trainers at the gym then are portrayed on the show the main players are: Zen, Doug, Jessie, Rebecca, Erika, Gregg, Brian, and Andre. Of course, as with all relationships between friends and colleagues there will always be issues, problems, drama, good times and bad. Whereas Season 1 focused more on Jackie and her personal relationship with her girlfriend, Season 2 seems to have reached out its parameters towards the trainers and clients themselves. We get to know the trainers now on a more personal level. And yes, we know them, we care about them, and we consider them friends even though we may have never met. After all, they’re in our homes every Tuesday night at 10:00 P.M.
Season 2 has unexpected and heartfelt turns coming our way. With the passing of Doug at the end of last year (the father figure for everyone) we can only hope and I would expect Bravo and the crew themselves to treat the situation with the utmost respect and love. From what I’ve seen so far this will be the case. If anyone truly had the embodiment of someone with a heart of gold Doug would have been the man. Of course Jackie’s personal life will still be in the spotlight as expected. After all, she owns the place. Friendships may be tested, lines and sexual barriers may just be crossed, (I’m not playing spoiler – you have to watch) there is something for everyone on this show. Television itself has on many occasions gotten a bad rap in regards to its influence on kids and the audiences in general: ex. Violence, sex, etc. “Workout,” though it has its drama exudes the best ‘reality’ T.V. has to offer. It has positive gay people that I would certainly put on any list as great ‘role models’, it offers sound fitness advice though it is in spurts as the trainers work with their clients, (it’s not meant to be an instructional infomercial) and it gives a glimmer of hope to the landscape that T.V. can not only be entertaining but informative without being overbearing and preachy. So check out ‘Workout’ on Bravo. It may just get you motivated enough to join a gym. And that’s always a good thing.
