I love The FIRM workouts. They're not easy, but they're effective. But now I'm jonesing for the newer workout called The Wave.

Fitz told us how being off-balance can add to your workout. Tools like the BOSU are meant to make you wobble so your muscles get an extra workout just by responding to the imbalance. The Wave system uses that same idea. The Wave can sit on the anchored side, and it's essentially like a traditional step, but flip it over to the rocking side and you have a whole new type of workout.

I think some of my Christmas gift money is going toward The Wave. How about you? Any fitness purchases you want to make for the New Year?

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Remember when step aerobics were the big trend? Well, this is step aerobics taken to new heights. Fitness Trainer Steven Cabral shows us how to use a regular kitchen chair to get both the outer and inner thighs toned. The trick is doing a lateral step, rather than the standard forward step.

I have to admit, while watching the video, I was completely afraid that Sarah from Diet.com was going to fall on her fit behind. So, for safety's sake, make sure you have a spotter to assist when you're doing this exercise.



[via InDenialHealth.com]

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hey Fitz. I'm heading out for a week's vacation on a cruise ship next month, and worried that once again I'll gain almost ten pounds while gone. That's what I've done the last few times I've gone on a cruise. How can I get around it? There is awesome food everywhere! Susan.

A. Susan, Susan, Susan. I'm shaking my head. The deal with vacations, cruises especially, is that they're a time for you to relax, get away from the daily grind and have some fun. Pigging out and gorging are simply not what you should be focusing on...wherever you are! Yes, there is a lot of tasty food on cruise ships. There is also a lot of yummy things available at your local grocery store every single day! That doesn't' mean you should run through the aisles like a lunatic shoving everything you can get your hands on into your mouth. Just because food is THERE, just because food is FREE, doesn't mean you have to eat it.

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Want to know what professional trainers like me wish for, for Christmas? Sing along!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, one water-based heavy bag.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two boxing gloves.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three ropes for jumping.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four Body Buggs.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five Versa Steps.

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Good news. I walked 2.5 miles today -- before I even began my workout for the day. I know this because of my new handy-dandy pedometer.

Yes, I splurged today. Spent a few bucks on a step and distance pedometer at Target. Clipped it to my shorts at 11:00 AM and by 7:00 PM, I'd traveled those couple of miles. Then I ventured into the outdoors to run and arrived back home with a final reading of 6.2 miles and more than 12,000 steps. So cool.

I'm not sure why I'm charting my every step. My brother-in-law is doing it, so it made sense I try it too. What will I do with this information? Not much, except appreciate how much I move in the course of a day. I once heard everyone should take about 10,000 steps per day for the sake of health. Knowing I mastered this task makes me feel accomplished.

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If you own a BOSU or have been eying one up at the gym wondering what the heck to do with it, start simple. Pretend it's a step. You know, like the step, we've been using in group exercise classes for decades. Everything you can do on the step, you can do on the BOSU. The BOSU just adds the extra little element of instability, which in the long run will make you more stable.

Go slow at first, because standing on the dome of a BOSU is significantly different. Take a little time just standing on top to get comfortable, and then slowly add on motions you remember from that step class. Besides reaping the benefits of a great lower body workout the step was famous for, you'll engage your hips, abs, and back. Core training. Right?

Seven ideas for step training on the BOSU.

• March on and off.
• Step up lift one knee, step down.
• Jog up, jog down.
• Jump on and off the front and sides of it.
• Lunge on to it.
• Lunge backwards off it.
• Squat on and off.

  For more ideas on BOSU training or to grab one click here.

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Remember those fitness videos from the 80s? The ones that featured headbands, legwarmers, permed hair pulled into a high ponytail and colorful tight tights? Ahhh, aerobics. They've become a cliché for bad 80s trends, but maybe they shouldn't be. Properly defined, aerobics means any sustained exercise that stimulates and strengthens the heart and lungs, thereby improving the body's utilization of oxygen. That is, anything that gets your heart pumping.

Aerobics have come a long way from the cheesy music and cheesier movements. Check out the fitness schedule at your local gym and you'll see a variety of Aerobic classes that are influenced by current global fitness trends. The catch is that they might not be called 'Aerobics', but that's exactly what they are.

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The BOSU is that curious looking half-ball/ blue dome thingy sitting in the corner of most gyms. It's a fantastic piece of equipment, but most people sadly seem to have absolutely no idea what the heck to do with it. One of my newer personal training clients actually described it as looking 'scary'. Hmmmm. If you feel that way too read on, I'll tell all you need to know to get started.

First of all, BOSU stands for Both Sides Utilized. That means you can stand/balance on both the dome and the flat side. It's an incredibly versatile piece of equipment that allows the user to work on balance, stabilization, strength, stamina, and flexibility. It's usable for beginners, athletes, and those in rehab. In fact, my two year old son has been 'playing' on it since he could crawl. Here's the basics on what you can do with a BOSU that you can try without a trainer. Just give it a go.

Getting started: Flat side down, stand on the dome. Scary? Not really. You'll only be about six-eight inches off hate ground and if you feel wobbly you can simply step off. Get on and stand there for a while. Now do it with your eyes closed. You'll feel the need to adjust and that's good. That's what the BOSU is for. The BOSU will make all the exercises you normally do, just a bit different. It requires you to engage new muscles even as you stand straight up. How fancy! If you choose to use the BOSU dome side down, try it out with something to hold on to at first. My secret to getting up without help is to step on one side with all of my weight and then step up onto the high side.

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