ESPN Reporter Erin Andrews Shouldn't Pretend She's a Fitness Guru

on September 22, 2011 at 4:47 PM

erin andrews I love SELF magazine, because they always seem to be encouraging women to be the best versions of themselves, not someone else, and healthier -- not "skinnier" or "sexier." You get the idea. But I'm not sure what they were going for in their October issue, having ESPN sideline reporter and former Dancing With the Stars contestant Erin Andrews demonstrate CrossFit Total-Body Workouts, which are supposedly all the rage. I know women's mags often have celebrities model the latest workout fad for us, even if they're not a fitness expert themselves, but ... Andrews? Really?

Yeah, she's gorgeous, fit, was a cheerleader in college, and now works in the sports world, but I'm not so sure we should buy into this new image she seems to be gunning for as a celeb fitness role model. (What's next, a workout DVD a la Denise Austin?)

I'll admit, I'm picky when it comes to the celebs I look up to as fitness role models. I don't want to take tips or read books written by or work out using DVDs fronted by people who aren't truly certified to offer the type of expertise I'm seeking. Even when it comes to a fitness instructor in a DVD, we should want them to be someone, um, well, qualified!

For instance, there are particular reasons I love Jillian Michaels' interval training-style DVDs, like her famous 30 Day Shred. She has lived/breathed/worked the kickboxing/martial arts moves she teaches in some DVDs, and she KNOWS how to get you working up a sweat in your own home without weights, because she did that for contestants all the time on The Biggest Loser. But I refuse to do her yoga DVD, because she's not exactly a pro in that realm. (I'm a little annoyed she just seemed to do that to jump on the yoga bandwagon.) I love Bob Harper for similar reasons, and I'll do his yoga DVD because he has taught it for years and knows what's up. Jackie Warner ... same deal -- she's a professional.

Erin Andrews on the other hand? Sure, she's a professional ... sports reporter/reality star/unintentional peep show star! Not trainer or fitness expert. Except what she does in her own free time, which I guess might be this CrossFit workout she's promoting, and that's great, but who really cares? Women's mags should stick to featuring pros in their fitness sections, because using someone whose only credential is their hot body is not all that fit-spirational.

Do you prefer to take workout advice from fitness pros over celebs?

Image via ErinAndrews.com

About the author Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

Filed Under: exercise, celebrities

Comments (13)

Nonmember comment from Betty88

on Sep 22, 2011 at 4:57 PM

I don't know. It's not not as if I'm heading to a training session at the gym with her, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't have helpful hints and guidance to share. She's clearly very fit and has obviously worked hard to maintain her body. I'd rather get my fitness advice from a former/current athlete like Erin than see the likes of Leanne Rimes, etc.

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jcb1628

on Sep 22, 2011 at 9:20 PM

This is a magazine that only features the type of athletic professional you mentioned 1 month out of 12. Most of the time it's all actresses and models. Why aren't you up in arms about them taking about their fitness regime?
I personally do Crossfit and it really is a workout that anyone can do. So why can't a sports reporter who actually works out this way demonstrate it? Would you prefer a fitness model who has never done a Crossfit WOD before?

Nonmember comment from Jay

on Sep 24, 2011 at 9:23 AM

Is it really appropriate to refer to a victim of criminal voyeurism as "an unintentional peep show star"?

momkaribg

on Sep 24, 2011 at 12:40 PM

Love self magazine and I never really pay attention to who's on the cover.

Nonmember comment from Sandi Brough

on Sep 25, 2011 at 9:11 AM

That is really sick for you to make fun of Ms. Andrews for being an "unintentional peep show star." Maybe if you get raped some day we'll see how you like being called an "unintentional whore."

Nonmember comment from Brenda

on Sep 25, 2011 at 9:22 AM

Maressa, WHAT are you reporting/writing about and why do you sound sooo judgemental. Are you writing about a women who obviously knows something about keeping in shape and CAN give advice to anyone that would like it. Erin is a women who knows the necessary steps to stay in shape, has the background to perhaps "lapel" her as someone who can give advice on staying in shape. Whole heartily agreed with Betty88 and jcb1628. And to bring up the unintentionally peep show star thing, LOW BLOW!! Perhaps you should go to a very quiet room and meditate on why you chose Erin to write about>>>Ummm jealous perhaps>>just saying.

Facebook comment from Ramona Rusilko

on Sep 25, 2011 at 9:40 AM

she has great genes!!! and is very young! i hope women realize that we have to work with what we've got-we cant change DNA or genetices-but we can look better, feel better and be healthy-whats right for her might not be right for someone else-but worth a try for sure! she has long lean legs, i have short mini legs-she is just naturally beautiful-i have to work very hard to look decent-glad she wants to share her advice-but be wary-safety is most important for all healthy lifestyles, in eating, exercising, etc. its not one size fits all!

Nonmember comment from Phil Jenkins

on Sep 25, 2011 at 10:07 AM

It was immediately clear that a woman wrote this article - a jealous woman. Erin Andrews is the hottest thing since sliced bread. Get over it - she's beautiful.

Nonmember comment from Amie Twyford

on Sep 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM

Self magazine is a magazine about staying fit. By featuring Erin Andrews, the busy power woman with little time on her hands, it's showing that the working woman can stay fit and how to do so. Do not agree one bit.

Nonmember comment from Erin M

on Sep 28, 2011 at 2:51 PM

I was personally offended that Erin Andrews was chosen as a spokeswoman by Self Magazine for Crossfit workouts, not because she is beautiful, successful, or in shape, which she is. But because I have been a female crossfitter for over a year and I idolize the real women of crossfit, the women whose bodies are beautiful with curvy muscles, not thin yoga/pilate type bodies,these bodies are beautiful as well, but they are not the typical body of a female crossfitter that you would look up to. If you watch the video demonstrations, the woman doing those movements is someone I would prefer to see on the cover advertising the "new craze" of crossfit. In my opinion, the spokesperson for that genre of fitness should also be a clear representation of that type of workout. Annie Thorsdottir of Iceland won the Individual Female title at the 2011 Crossfit Games held in L.A. back in July. SHE should have been on this cover, clearly 2 months is enough time to interview and picture a champion role model.