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Parents' Guide to

Bridal Bootcamp

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Extreme exercise show sends iffy messages about weight loss.

TV VH1 Reality TV 2010
Bridal Bootcamp Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

In BRIDAL BOOTCAMP, brides-to-be participate in an extreme weight-loss boot camp in hopes of fitting into their wedding dress. Two teams of five brides participate in military-style workouts designed by fitness expert/author Cynthia Conde and led by trainers Francesca Petrucci and Steve Pfiester. They compete against each other in "marital missions" -- the victors win wedding-related prizes, and the losers are put up for elimination. In each episode, the two brides on the losing team who have lost the least weight must face Conde, who determines which one will be sent home. The bride-to-be remaining at the end of camp wins the wedding of her dreams.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Like many weight-loss reality shows, Bridal Bootcamp focuses on losing large amounts of weight quickly by participating in workouts -- and fails to educate viewers on some of the consequences of this kind of exercise regime, including gaining a few pounds due to increased muscle mass. As a result, participants are often frustrated by the small amount of weight they lose, and many who are working hard and giving it their all are eliminated.

Some folks, especially brides-to-be, may be motivated by what they see here to become more active and/or lose weight. But ultimately, the series is a promotional vehicle for the pre-wedding fitness regimes that Conde has developed, as well as her book on the subject. It also fails to address women's long-term needs when it comes to losing weight and staying fit after the honeymoon is over.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about health and fitness. Is losing large amounts of weight quickly really healthy? Are there better ways to get fit for a specific event and/or occasion?

  • What are some of the misconceptions about exercise and weight loss? How does the media address these misperceptions? Do you think shows like this one send constructive messages about losing weight?

  • How is weight tied to body image issues? How does the media portray that connection?

TV Details

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