| Weve all seen those TV commercials featuring | | | | case I get an important business call while I |
| all sorts of exercise gadgets that will get | | | | jog. And I keep my high fidelity earphones in |
| you that buff body or that rib-like belly | | | | there too, in case I want to pursue one of my |
| with minimum effort. There are even | | | | favorite hobbies listening to books on tape. |
| wrap-around belts that zap your midsection | | | | |
| with electronic pulses, allowing you to slim | | | | Ive essentially turned my treadmill into a |
| down without even making an effort to move | | | | work, entertainment, and learning center. Its |
| your own muscles. Wow! If only they worked! | | | | become one of the most productive areas of my |
| | | | house. |
| But, of course, any of us who have bought one | | | | |
| of these effort-free exercise gadgets knows | | | | I am not the only busy person I know who has |
| that their ultimate use is as a trash can | | | | embraced the necessity of exercising to |
| stuffer. They work about as well as miracle | | | | maintain good health but who cant quite |
| weight loss diets. They are expensive and | | | | justify the effort to just exercise. Ron |
| worthless gadgets, not solutions to getting | | | | Graham, BHMs operations manager, also has his |
| yourself in shape. The only way to get in | | | | exercise machine a Gazelle Freestyle Glider |
| shape is the old fashioned way sweaty | | | | in front of his TV, and he typically |
| exercise on a scheduled basis. | | | | exercises on it to the tunes of his favorite |
| | | | group, the Bee Gees. |
| Its not a bad way to go, either. I have done | | | | |
| it for years, and this issue leads with an | | | | To me it just makes sense to make exercise |
| exercise article by Richard Blunt that I | | | | fun and mentally productive. Otherwise, why |
| adhere to, with a few modifications. For | | | | would anyone continue doing it? Its not human |
| example, I like to chop wood so I often | | | | nature to continue doing things that make us |
| substitute chopping wood for resistance | | | | miserable. |
| training. | | | | |
| | | | I have other exercise gadgets too, like a set |
| But I have found a good use for gadgets to | | | | of dumbbells, a bench, and a heavy bag, but |
| help me stay in shape. In fact, as I write | | | | all are strategically located so that I can |
| this Im on my eighteenth minute on my | | | | do more than just work out. |
| treadmill, which is a super-handy gadget. And | | | | |
| Im writing this commentary by dictating it | | | | These little electronic gadgets not the |
| into another gadget a pocket-sized cassette | | | | electronic zappers and miracle diets are the |
| player/recorder. It is even more useful than | | | | real miracle exercising tools of our day. |
| my treadmill because it turns the treadmill | | | | They help the actual workout fade into the |
| into a work station, making it something that | | | | background, and for me they often even extend |
| doesnt just exercise my body but allows me to | | | | the workout. For example, I intended to use |
| continue working at what I like best writing | | | | the treadmill this time for 20 minutes, but I |
| this magazine. | | | | have been so mentally involved with |
| | | | formulating these words that as I look down |
| This is a critical issue for me being able to | | | | at the treadmill timer, it is on its 26th |
| work while I exercise. I am one of those | | | | minute. |
| people who cant just exercise. I have to get | | | | |
| stuff done, whether that stuff is working at | | | | Heres the bottom line: The greatest |
| my business or just catching the news or a | | | | impediment to people exercising to maintain |
| basketball game on TV. | | | | their health is that it takes too much time |
| | | | and trouble. So fool yourself by making it |
| So Ive positioned my treadmill in front of | | | | either fun or productive. My wife loves her |
| the TV, and in a little plastic basket Ive | | | | jazzercise. Its good exercise and a social |
| taped to the side of the treadmill I keep the | | | | event at the same time. My daughter loves her |
| TV remote so I can switch between channels or | | | | dance classes. Theres lots of stuff to do out |
| raise the volume when I put the treadmill | | | | there besides just exercising. For the sake |
| into a jog. Also in the basket is my | | | | of your health, find your own fun and keep |
| hands-free telephone with headset, just in | | | | fit. |