Comment on Times article dated Aug 30 2009

Source: Extreme celebrity workouts can damage you

People are always interested in what celebrities do to look so good on the red carpet or on TV and want try to emulate them. But following a celebrity workout can, in most instances, do more harm than good. More than likely these celebrities will have a trainer or team of trainers with them when they exercise to make sure they are doing everything correctly. Most people don't have this luxury and following an intense regime without professional help can lead to incorrect technique, over-training and injury.

The other problem with some celebrity workout routines is that they do not account for different abilities and levels of experience. Someone who has not exercised in 20 years cannot expect to be able to do the same workout as Madonna, something which she has spent the last 20/30 years training towards. It simply isn't going to work, and as well as risking injury will lead people to get de-motivated when they can't do it.

I would advise people to follow guidelines of trained professionals not celebrities when exercising. This will not only minimise the chance of injury but give you the best results.

Expert: Rob Bowman