Feel the burn with best 'Work Out' on TV
By Stephanie Mislevy, Staff Writer
April 10, 2007 | 11:02 a.m.
Bravo’s reality series “Work Out,” appropriately termed a “docudrama,” brings several everyday issues (friendship, relationships, business, fun, homosexuality and more) together into a not-so-common situation.
Trainer Jackie Warner is living her dream as the owner of Sky Sport & Spa, an astounding fitness center featuring state-of-the art equipment and a panoramic view of Los Angeles. In addition to fitness equipment and training, the facility also offers yoga, nutritional counseling, power boxing, massage therapy and skin therapy.
Warner has hired a team of Los Angeles’ best trainers, ranging in age from 25 to 43, and she hand-picks her clientele, assigning each of them to the trainer that she feels will be the most helpful. With her “work hard, play hard” philosophies, her main goal is to change the attitudes and lives of everyone who seeks her help.
Jesse, Brian, Rebecca, Zen, Gregg, Doug, Andre and Erika make up Warner’s team of elite trainers. While most reality show participants have the opportunity to cover themselves with make-up before the camera sees them, the cast members of “Work Out” do not have such a privilege, nor do they need it. Wearing workout clothes and covered in sweat, these hard-bodied trainers still manage to be some of television’s most beautiful people.
Each trainer pushes his or her client as far as he or she is willing to go, but the bodies and workouts aren’t the only things that are tough. The show follows the group of trainers as they work together, party together and fight together.
A fairly significant portion of the drama stems from Warner’s “my place, my rules, no nonsense” attitude. Each trainer knows that they must do things Warner’s way. Certain trainers (Brian, for example) create several problems because of this. Viewers are able to watch each trainer juggle his or her personal life and the demanding atmosphere of Sky Sport.
It is the same tough attitude that creates problems in Warner’s personal life. The openly gay trainer experiences hardships with her mother, who doesn’t approve of her lifestyle, and endures a long and vicious break-up with her partner of five years.
Bravo’s reputation for being a gay-friendly network (airing shows such as “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) is certainly upheld once again with “Work Out.” In addition to Warner, trainers Jesse and Doug are also openly gay. However, the two are not exactly the best of friends. In the first drama-filled episode of season two, an argument breaks out over an offensive interview in which Doug called Jesse “over the top” and a negative role model for the gay community.
These instances are only a few examples of the dynamic relationships between the Sky Sport trainers. Differing from some other reality shows, the trainers of “Work Out” are not competing with one another (aside from a bit of teasing that Jesse endures for having a higher percentage of body fat than the other trainers). They are all working toward a common goal, and this creates a high level of tension at times and elevates the magnitude of every emotion in general.
Before the season aired Bravo.com announced the untimely death of Sky Sport trainer Doug Blasdell. No details have been released about his death, but the unfortunate event will only add to the high-running emotions and conflicts that the show already boasts. Dedications have been aired at the beginning of each episode.
“Work Out” is currently in its second season and the first season was Bravo’s most successful freshman series. Warner and her unique facility are expected to make great strides this season. With business booming and the loss of a fellow employee and dear friend, viewers will not be disappointed with the show’s quality.
Fans of other reality shows such as “Survivor” and “The Real World” are sure to quickly become addicted to this show. The 8-episode series airs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. on Bravo.
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Work Out
Rating: A
Airs Tuesday, 10:00 p.m. on Bravo
Genre: Reality