I hung out with about 30 losers on a recent Tuesday night in the East Berlin Area Community Center. Collectively, they had lost about 800 pounds during 12 weeks as part of a local Biggest Loser competition.

During the hour-long workout, participants were weighed, completed boot camp-style exercises and competed in team challenges. After sprints, crunches, lunges and jumping jacks, the contestants were sweaty, but smiling. I was tired just watching.

At the same time, "The Biggest Loser" was airing on NBC. For the first time on the show, which ended Tuesday, 10 teams of two competed against each other for a grand prize of $250,000.

Chad Eckert, a trainer at Eckert Fitness Group in East Berlin, organized the local competition.

"There is a big interest from the TV show," Eckert said. Sixty people signed up when Eckert was expecting about 20.

Fellow trainer Lindsey Bloom is a big fan of the show and has watched all five seasons.

"Our program has the same focus as the show," Bloom said. "The focus is teaching people to adopt a healthy lifestyle."

Thanks to the show's popularity, similar groups have popped up in the area. At Club 2000 Health and Fitness Center in Hanover, 128 losers compete.

In East Berlin, Eckert

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made four teams comprised of 14 people and still had a waiting list. Large group Saturday morning workouts are held weekly. Two teams -- Phat Ones and Team Whoop-Ass -- meet Tuesday nights and the others -- All or Nothing and Git-R-Done -- meet Wednesday nights.

Earl Linebaugh, 62, an All or Nothing team member, stopped by the gym to check out the Tuesday competitors. Linebaugh was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 14 years ago. He recently had deep brain stimulation surgery, which can lessen disabling neurological symptoms. He was back at Biggest Loser in three weeks.

Despite being "uncoordinated," Linebaugh said he has worked hard to lose almost 20 pounds.

"Lindsey calls me speedy because I can pass everyone else," Linebaugh said with a chuckle.

Eckert and Bloom created individualized fitness and nutrition plans for contestants.

"Trust is really important," Bloom said. "It's important to get to know (contestants) on a personal level."

Tyrone Stambaugh, a member of Phat Ones, went from 279 to 246 pounds in 12 weeks. He plans to keep healthy habits.

His team member, Kim Jacoby, a mother of four from Littlestown, was in the lead, having lost 42 pounds.

"I did everything wrong before," Jacoby said. Her main goal was to get exercise. She exceeded her initial goal to lose 40 pounds and adopted a new goal of 50. Jacoby watched NBC's "The Biggest Loser" and said she thinks it's fun to be on a team.

It's inspiring a national show -- a reality show for that matter -- is bringing local communities together to get healthy.

Inside the East Berlin gym, fitness became fun. Encouraging cheers and friendly trash-talk filled the air.

Looking on, I realized that those losers were some of the coolest people I had ever met.

POPeye is a bi-weekly column focusing on the ever-changing landscape of popular culture. To reach writer Erin McCracken, call 771-2051 or send an e-mail to emccracken@ydr.com.