Fitness Made Simple

John Basedow’s Fitness Made Simple is a self-invented workout plan that incorporates simple exercises in order to achieve amazing results. Claiming to avoid the trendy dance moves used in workouts like Taebo and MTV Grind, Fitness Made Simple (or FMS) takes a basic approach to workouts. John himself is an example of the kind of results that can be achieved, but there are some concerns about this program.

Our biggest concern with FMS is that John Basedow is not in any way a trained fitness expert—his is simply a celebrity that has invented his own fitness system. With this in mind, it becomes hard to believe that the program could create the results he claims, and it is even more doubtful that the program will be a healthy option for long-term improvement (trained experts would know better what may eventually damage the body). Still, Basedow’s lack of credentials have not slowed his sales pitches.

The Fitness Made Simple system includes the original “Fitness Made Simple” workout as well as five other videos: “AM/PM Workouts” for morning and evening exercises, “45Min Fat Burning Workout” to increase fat loss, “Six Pack Abs” to help chisel the abs, “Awesome Hour Workout” for general strength training and “Fitness Made Simple Basics,” a workout based on yoga and stretching exercises. There is no more specific information available on the official website, leaving us to guess at what might be included within the videos.

Fitness Made Simple also retails several different supplements with varying ingredients, ranging from fat burning supplements to multivitamins to anti-aging serums. Consumers should use the official site to research these options more thoroughly. While a few of the ingredients may have some weight loss effects, many of them are more or less “trendy” ingredients like Green Tea and Yerba Mate. With a line of about 12 different products, consumers may have trouble finding the one that is best for them.

The official Fitness Made Simple site is very well designed, easy to navigate, and helpful. The shopping system appears to be secure and easy to use, and the graphics on the site are simple yet attractive. The site’s main page, though, is cluttered beyond the navigation, making it difficult to find any pertinent information within the first page—a major marketing downfall. Websites often see visitors for no more than 15 seconds, and lacking important information will only shorten that average. FMS would be wise to streamline their main page and make it more significant in terms of information.

The Fitness Made Simple workouts may be purchased on DVD or VHS, and prices for individual workouts are either $31.95 or $29.95, depending on the format. While individual videos are fairly expensive, the sets of videos sell at a great discount. For example, each seasonal package (2 videos per set) cost only $31.95—half the retail price. There is also a four-video package available, the Lifestyles Series, that includes four of the popular videos along with five special bonuses (Fitness Made Simple Basics video, John’s Top 10 Tips for Living Lean & Healthy, Nutritional Keys to Losing Fat & Building Muscle audiotape, and John’s informational Supplement CD on effective supplements). This package retails for $69.95, a very impressive discount (described as a $230 retail value on the official site). However, this package is currently out of stock. Shipping seems to be a flat $9.95 per item, regardless of how many items are purchased per order. There is also a note on the bottom of the site that all sales are final—meaning no refunds, guarantees, or returns are available. This is a major disappointment to us. If the products really provided the results that are claimed, they would be more than willing to offer a money-back guarantee. Supplements in the FMS line are priced between $34 and $70, making them fall on the high side of the price range for supplements. The only product under $40 is the multivitamin, at a steep price of $35. Overall, these products are overpriced and less than effective, and we suggest going elsewhere to find effective products.

Workouts are simple and avoid complex dance moves.

Workout videos can be purchased at a discount.

Website navigation is clear and easy to use.

John Basedow is not a trained fitness professional—he is simply a celebrity figure.

Workout is not based on scientific research or expert knowledge in the field.

Individual videos are expensive, and supplements are also priced rather high.

Supplements do not appear to have truly effective and proven ingredients.

John Basedow has surely made a fortune from his videos, but it seems that there is little reason for consumers to trust these workouts. With absolutely no professional credentials beyond his ability to make up his own workout routine, Basedow simply does not have the support necessary to guarantee these videos—and the “all purchases are final” philosophy makes that blatantly obvious. The supplements he provides are not only priced high, but they also lack any significantly effective ingredients. We are simply disappointed in a system that takes so much of the marketing initiative without putting any real effort into the content of the program itself. Don’t trust a “fitness celebrity” simply because they look good on television—find a reputable, proven and professional source of workout information before wasting money on Fitness Made Simple. After all, the best way to lose weight is through a proven exercise routine, a healthy diet and drinking adequate amounts of water. But without proof of its success, a fitness routine simply isn’t worth the money that you will spend.