That's Fit

At That's Fit, we've written about Wii Fit several times. But there's another alternative to video gaming exercise that will work with almost any console system. Gamercize is plug and play equipment that will get you fit while you enjoy your favorite video games.

Your Gamercize equipment includes a small device that plugs in to your existing gaming console. You'll be able to set the intensity of your workout here. Then, you can choose from either a power stepper or an endurance cycle. Then plug in your favorite game and start exercising. With the Gamercize modification, your video game controller will stop working when you're not exercising. So in order to play, you've got to work.

I haven't tried the system and, frankly, I question whether I'm coordinated enough to do it. Besides, I'm just not much of a video game fan. But it does seem like playing a fitness game over and over could get a bit boring. With Gamercize, your video game choices are limitless.

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 one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hey Fitz. I blew it! I am going on vacation with a bunch of my college buddies and some hot girls in four weeks. I've totally slacked off on my workouts since school ended and now I'd like to get ripped again before we head to Mexico. What can I do at my gym to shred a bit of fat and get buff quick before the trip? I know I'm a dork for slacking, but I also know you can help me improve. I'm willing to do the work! Jason

A. Familiar story Jason! You're not the only one who's taken some time off from their fitness training only to have it blow up in your face. You're also not the first person to try and undo the damage quickly. Four weeks is a pretty decent amount of time, so if you are really clean with your eating habits and start training intensely ... I think it would be safe to take off at least 10 pounds before you see Mexico, and all of those hot girls see you!

I was running on a new treadmill at my local gym yesterday, and I had really exerted myself and my breathing started getting a little out of control (I'm asthmatic, so I'm careful not to overdo). I slowed to a walk, and as I did so, I put my hands on the heart rate monitors, and ... according to the display, my heart rate was at only 112, but I know from monitoring it at other times, at a similar intensity, it has shown 180+. Huh?

I've noticed before that my heart rate fluctuates considerably depending on the day, but never looked into it. Yesterday, though, it made me realize that I really have no idea what heart rate I reach at my peak, and what I maintain.

Today is the first day of spring, yet it's still a little too cold out in some parts of the country to fully embrace an outdoor workout. Fortunately, you can always go on fitness journey right in your gym!!

As far as suggestions go, my only one is to try to get to the gym during some of its least busy times. That's because the workout -- er, I mean, fitness journey -- you're about to embark on requires the use of several different machines. So, going on the assumption that you took my advice, let's start the workout.

Run the Roads. Start by walking two or three minutes on a treadmill to warm up. Then, once your body feels like the blood is pumping, ramp up the intensity. At the same time, increase the incline. Blast out five minutes of running, doing your best to pretend you're pounding the actual pavement (just don't wave at any invisible friends that may drive by in their make believe cars).

Bike Up the Hill. Without taking a break, go right from the treadmill to a stationary bike. Set the resistance to a higher level than what you are accustomed to. Picture yourself steadily biking your way up a steep hillside as you pedal for five minutes.

Climb the Mountain. Jump on the stepper and get those legs moving. It may not be as scenic as hiking up the side of a good sized rock, but it will feel about the same on your legs and lungs. Go for a hard five minutes.

Ski the Summit. Now that you've hiked up the mountain, you can cross-country ski your way across the top of it. While it doesn't exactly mimic the motion of cross-country skiing, an elliptical machine is a reasonable facsimile. Finish your workout with five hard minutes.

This intense twenty-minute workout is enough to get your heart pumping good and hard. Even if you can't get into the whole imagination part of it, the constant jumping from work station to work station will certainly keep you from getting bored.

One excuse I hear consistently from busy adults is that the time needed to exercise and follow a fitness routine on a daily basis can be impractical. Well, that may be somewhat true -- but a decision to commit time to exercise can slice right through that.

Once you've made a commitment, what next? Another excuse I hear quite often is that exercise equipment can be costly and large, which -- again -- makes exercising impractical. For those in smaller homes and apartments, this is a biggie. It can be overcome by finding creative ways to exercise without large costs or huge rooms.

For example, a mini-stepper that really will get your cardio system working hard (hence, exercise) will fit almost anywhere you can stand -- and storing it under a bed or even at the side of a bed makes the "not enough room" argument pretty invalid. Cost: under $40.

Want a good start to that new year's exercise without dedicating half your bedroom to some large piece of equipment? Try out something like the mini-stepper to help you get in the mood for exercise and that attitude may change to something like "I can do this."

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. Hi Fitz, I am really happy to have found your website and I am really looking forward to you help. Now to try and keep my story short...I have two kids and a third arriving soon. I have been working out for a long time now and I really enjoy it. Usually I can go on my treadmill in the basement while the kids come down a play. But now with a new baby arriving that will make things more of a challenge. I need to be able to workout upstairs where the baby will be, so I can't really have something big like a treadmill or elliptical taking up the whole room. The two items I was debating between are a mini stepper or a set of three DVDs called Hip Hop Abs which is basically fast passed dancing. I am looking for some advice and help as to which option would be more beneficial to me. The stepper or dancing? I really do appreciate you taking the time to listen and help me with my problem. Many thanks, Aimee

A. Congratulations on your third child. Aimee. Wow! As if raising three kids wasn't a workout enough. Right? I only have two, and it requires tons of energy. Having said that, I don't think I'd survive Mommy-hood if I weren't exercising regularly. Not only to keep up my strength and stamina, but for the mental stress relief it provides.

I think you've got two great options with both the stepper and the videos, and they each offer unique benefits. The stepper offers a super challenging cardiovascular workout combined with a decent amount of leg work. The stepper would be great if you're the type of person who likes to watch your favorite show or zone out to some funky music while you train. I would recommend you incorporate some total body strength training if you choose the stepper though. The Hip Hop Abs video will provide you with a more well-rounded workout. Dancing requires lots of different body parts to engage, and the title leads me to believe that the series offers some sort of ab training along with the dancing. Not a bad idea for a postpartum woman. Not having seen these videos though, I don't know how intense this workout really is.

So, my question is......do you like to zone out while training? Or do you like to be totally involved? Want to burn a bazillion calories quickly? Go for the stepper. Want a well rounded moderately paced workout? Go with the dance videos. Sorry not to make the specific decision for you, but I believe that fitness training should be customized to the person doing it. Maybe you could pursue both? I wish you a painless labor, a healthy child, and fit future for you and your entire family! Fitz

Dear Fitz, I am a 24 year old female. I was recently in a car accident on February 28th of 2007 in which I broke my ankle. It will never be the same. I can only stand for short periods of time without having to sit back down. My current weight is 164lbs and I am 5' 8". I am 18 pounds heavier than I should be. I can't really do much working out because of my ankle. What do you suggest I do? I drink water all through out the day and don't consume much food high in calories or carbs. My weight doesn't go up, but it doesn't come down either. Please give me some advice. Thanks, Ashley

I'm married to an amazing man who's gorgeous, charming, bright, funny, and in incredible shape. Even though I'm the fitness trainer girl, he was uber-fit way before I ever laid eyes on him. He has a simple workout routine which hasn't changed in years. He goes for several five to seven mile jogs per week, does the stepper a few times, and lifts weights on his lunch break at work.

I admire is commitment, endurance, strength, and amazing physique. For some reason though, I've found it important to tease him about the nerdy way he addresses his ab work. After each cardio session he religously announces "I'm going to do my crunches". I've always found it silly that he refers to them as "his" crunches.....as if he invented them or owns some sort of license on them. Lame as it sounds, I've probably had about 2,000 laughs at the expense of poor Rob and "his crunches".

Today I had an epiphany. As my stinky sweaty man trotted across the house on the way into our home gym to do his crunches, I finally figured it out. The very thing that allows me to poke fun at the poor dear is the same thing that will keep him strong and capable into our golden years. He does own those crunches, and because of that he is committed to doing them. Shouldn't we all take such pride and owenership over our fitness routines? We should. So from now on, I'm stealing Rob's patent on crunches because I need to do mine too. I encourage you to violate his patent and maybe create your own as well.