Biggest Loser Resort in southern Utah turns flab into fab

IVINS, Washington County — At The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge, you might recognize a few faces from the same-named NBC reality series. For instance, Erik Chopin, the $250,000 grand prize winner of the "The Biggest Loser" Season 3. He's spending five weeks at the resort to get in shape for a weigh-in at this season's finale May 25.

Or Wayne Vandenlangenberg, a "Biggest Loser" viewer who lost a whopping 418 pounds on his own. After weighing in during a recent episode of the show, the 256-pound cab driver was rewarded with a two-week stay at the resort for his remarkable efforts.

But most of the 70 weekly guests staying at the southern Utah fitness spa are just regular people who want to get in shape. They do it by daily hikes through red rock canyons, a variety of exercise classes and low-calorie, nutrient-dense meals.

"It gives people an experience similar to the show without the cameras and drama and, of course, without the $250,000 prize," said Michelle Kelsch, one of the Fitness Ridge owners. "The resort is a way to reach more people than just the 10 or 20 contestants per season who get to participate in the show."

The history

Since the "The Biggest Loser" show began in 2004, viewers have watched the obese contestants compete against each other through workouts, challenges and weigh-ins. The drastic drops of 10, 20 or even 30 pounds in one week have spurred viewers to get up off the couch themselves. Thousands of would-be contestants show up at auditions around the country, hoping for a chance to shed their flab, even if it means baring body and soul on national TV.

"We needed to give people who couldn't go on the show a way to get a similar experience," said David Norton, who oversees the show's licensing agreements for items such as protein powder, calorie-counting "Bodybuggs," a Wii fitness game and an online weight loss club.

"Some people need a jump-start to get into that lifestyle for a long-term weight loss," said Norton. "I was searching for a company that was doing more or less what we do at the ranch. It took awhile to find a place that was a good fit."

He found it at Fitness Ridge, which has the reputation as a "compassionate boot camp."