Sit and Be Match

P R I V A T E…..F I T N E S S……L E S S O N S….! !
I, like so many others, saw this show on Public TV. The excercises seemed great — but went by SO fast! Who couldremember to do even a few of them, to do after the show?I didn’t have a DVD player when I saw the show on TV –but I do now. So, I bought one of the many “Sit And BeFit” DVDs. I didn’t know it had been on so long….atleast eight seasons…(and counting?) I don’t know ifthis DVD is the best of the series or not — but, even onthe first viewing, (and only of the “circulation” section– the largest on the DVD, comprising 6 minutes and 50seconds out of the total 37 minutes of excercises on theDVD), I know this will be valuable to me.These are NOT just “senior” exercises! They are for sen-iors, for those of any age who are physically incapacitat-ed in any way….and for the physically fit, of any age,who are just tired after a hard day’s work!OK. So I’m not as agile as Mary Ann Wilson — creator ofthis series, internationally certified by the AmericanCouncil on Fitness, (ACE), registered nurse, and present-er on this DVD. Nor am I even as agile as the threesenior citizens who perform the exercise with her — yet,anyway. Doing these exercises the first time, I knowI’m very awkward. But — doing them in the privacy of myown home — with NO-ONE else around to make me embarrass-ed by seeing my awkwardness…who cares? Even doing, asI have this first time, a MODIFIED version of theexercises, (which do go rather quickly — it’s good theyare on a DVD so one can go back and try to perfect them),I feel my circulation increasing! I’m sure that, withpractice, I’ll get better and better at them…Ms. Wilson does NOT talk down to her audience — nor, isshe the “marine-drill” type personal trainer. Like akind and empathic teacher in a one-room schoolhouse, shesimply describes her exercises as she performs them. Themusic, (in the “circulation” segment, the “tarentalla”),is upbeat and exhiliarating.Ms. Wllson does not, however, mention something VERY im-portant, which I learnt whilst taking ballet lessonswhen I was little. And that is — no matter HOW modifiedyou have to make your excercises, you must, at all times,KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT! This seems an important thingto remember, and it was not mentioned in the segment Ipracticed on. (That would be the “Circulation” section,ion” segment — which comes up first on the DVD menu, butwhich unaccountably shows up second, after “Warm Up”, onthe back of the DVD wrapper). I can’t fault Ms. Wilsontoo much for this, however — she does all the excercisesso gracefully, and her attitude, and everything else onthe show is SO perfect, it’s only human that she’s leftsomething out. OK. Well — now it’s NOT left out, be-cause I’ve put it into my review!So, do as MUCH of the exercises as you can. Awkward-ness is OK — and needn’t be embarrassed about, if youhave this DVD on your own, and can do these thingsPRIVATELY! Even if you use this DVD as part of a class,if your instructor has the same, “we’re all in this to-gether”, non-condescending, non-martinet attitude thatMs. Wilson displays, then you needn’t be embarrassed,either.Marie Taglioni — a famous ballerina of the 19th century.– was Anna Pavlova’s idol. Anna Pavlova kept a piecekept a piece of Marie Taglioni’s ballet slipper ribbonswith her always. But the truth is, when she beganballet study, (with her uncle as her teacher), Marie Tag-lioni absolutely HATED ballet and dancing! But withconstant practice, she obviously became better — and, aswell, truly began to LOVE to dance. So — it can be thesame with this tape, and people who use it. You may nothate these exercises to begin with — but you might, asI am, be a bit awkward to begin with. It doesn’t matter.Just keep practicing. And be sure to remember — even ifyou have to keep your arms or legs going slower or goinglower — to keep your back as straight as possible! : )

Excercise and Attitude
My 98 year old mother has been following the “Sit and Be Fit” exercises for a decade or so. The old VHS tape finally broke after many years of daily useage, so the new DVD was ordered, along with a player from Amazon. Both arrived promptly. This version has five exercise chapters that comprise a total sitting workout and end with a relaxing meditative segment. I credit the program with my mother’s ability to still be mobile and remain reasonably active for her advanced age. Her doctor has commented that her muscle tone is very good. While the Sit and be Fit program doesn’t address aerobics, it does offer, IMO, a series of low or zero impact workouts that have benefit. Too, it may be a factor in promoting a positive attitude, stemming from the satisfaction of doing something good for the body. The music probably fits the target audience and the production quality is amateurish, absent any contrived backgrounds or excessive hyping of the program. Its simply a very valuable and very basic program that has helped at our home.

Staying Active when you have limited mobility!
This routine (and all of the sit and be fit series) is great if you have a temporary (or permanent) disability that prevents you from doing “regular” exercises. They are easy to follow, and you can do them at any time without having to get to a gym or buy fancy gear. You can do these for a long time as a way to maintain a level or fitness – or use them as a bridge to make sure you are ready (balance and strength) to move on to more difficult exercises as you improve.

Exercise
Was what I expected

I bought it for my mother who has severe osteoporosis.

My Mum loves this – she is 87.

I am not a senior. But I have been in a wheel chair for 5 years. I am a person dxed with severe fibromyalgia. And severe osteoarthritis. I have gained a lot of weight and am determined to do something about it. I tried other exercise methods but could not do them. This video is the first exercise program that got me moving without being too tiring or painful. The first few days of using this video, my back let out a few good cracks, in a good way. When I started it, I could not lift my legs. After only 1 week, I am able to lift my leg a few inches from the floor. It stretches out the spine really well. It has absolutely given me back some mobility. It is very easy and I have no doubt that just about every senior or wheel chair person could do it. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it for those wanting to begin a fitness program. The reason I gave only 4 stars is that it can get a bit boring. I would like it to have music that was more interesting and fun.