Get-fit movies

Want to hear some not-so-surprising news? The average American exercises 20 minutes a day. More not-so-surprising news: The average American spends about four or more hours watching TV.

You've heard the fitness tips before. Exercising can be easy and fun. It can fit into any lifestyle and any routine. You can exercise while watching TV, or even just during the commercial breaks. Like many of you, my initial reaction is usually, "But watching TV is for relaxing, for sitting on the couch," and "Commercials are the perfect amount of time to grab a bag of popcorn."

So how do we move from the couch to the exercise mat? My trick is to stick in a DVD. No, not an exercise DVD, but movies that inspires me to get active.

Read on for my personal favorites for all occasions:

Movies to Run to

Movies like Prefontaine -- the biopic of Olympic runner Steve Prefontaine, make getting up from the couch, stretching and running in place, or on the treadmill easy. And in Bridget Jones's Diary , the main character, poor Bridget, is like many of us, always trying to lose that last few or 20 pounds. Jones's story of yo-yo dieting, and treadmill misadventures is hilarious and motivating. When she gets on the treadmill, you'll want to hop on too.

Movies to Tone Up to

Million Dollar Baby and will make you want to lift weights so your arms can be as toned as Hilary Swank's, and even do some crunches and ab work, so you can get her middle too.

And that all-inspiring theme song from Rocky is enough to push to you to do one more set or rep.

Movies that Make You Want to Be Your Personal Best

Legendary tennis star, Billie Jean King, is renown for her athleticism and ground-breaking moves on and off the court. Now with her biography DVD she can be an inspiration to couch potatoes everywhere.

For anyone who has thought "I can't do this" or "I don't have the energy," comes Mulan, with her grit, endurance and will-power, and Eddie Murphy as the dragon sidekick makes a comical personal coach.

Movies to Get You Back in the Sporty Feeling

Call up your sports buddies and set up a pickup game of basketball, a doubles match, or yes, even a friendly game of dodgeball.

For lovers of great American sports, underdogs, and triumph, watch any of these for a feel-good, feel-energetic 1.5 hours of exercise.

A League of Their Own
Remember the Titans
Dodgeball

For more sports inspiration: Top 25 Sports Movies

For easy exercises you can do (without watching your movie-watching pleasure) try jump roping, or any of these 15 minute wokrouts. Do you have any movie-friendly fitness routine recommendations or movie picks?