This rerun is brought to you by the Number 3 and by the Letters “Writer’s” and “Block”. In April 2009, I did a virtual book tour. This is the post I wrote for
Cranky Fitness. Although, since I never posted it
here I suppose technically it’s not a rerun. And since you might have missed it anyway, it just might be brand new. So never mind.
Way back at the end of January 2009, I was contacted by NURU asking if I’d do a product review and/or giveaway. Can you imagine? A company trying to promote its products via the blogosphere! I mean, next thing you know people will start selling banner ads on the internet.
So I said, “Sure,” most likely placing me forever in their debt due to the fine print I missed on the verbal agreement. The product? “Exercise Anywhere” cards. According to the official blurb:
NURU’s Exercise Anywhere is for anyone who wants to improve their physique–regardless of whether they have access to a gym. Sized to fit in the palm of your hand, these 30 ultra-thin, waterproof cards provide innovative, “do-anywhere” cardio and muscle-strengthening exercises designed to get your blood pumping.
Hmmm… interesting idea, actually. Keep them in your pocket and you may just be inspired to exercise anywhere. I can’t fault them for that. It’s much better than the Eat Anywhere plan I’ve been on the previous twenty years.
To give you an idea of what the system is like, I thought I’d risk a bit of copyright violation to show you excerpts from the cards side by side with old Charlie here trying out the exercises.
First, the ever-popular situp. I was in the middle of working on the potato soup recipe when I decided adding more potatoes to my midsection was the last thing I needed.
The next day it was back to work. As I was running late for my first meeting of the day, I decided I really needed to do some lower back extensions. I dropped my bag and hit the floor. Ahhhh… that felt good.
About halfway through the meeting, I realized I was feeling a bit flabby and took a few minutes for some squats.
After the meeting I was hungry. Time to hit Vend-O-Land. As I scanned the veritable cornucopia of snackfoods before me, that nagging voice cried out once again, “You don’t need any more Cheez-Its!” Grumbling, I told my boss to shut up, and I took to the floor.
I made it through another heavy work week just in time to relax with a leisurely Saturday morning of mowing. I tell you, nothing breaks up the monotony of trimming the green with some exercising.
Hot and sweaty, I decided to cool down and clean up in the tub. At which point I realized I hadn’t done my bicycle crunches for the day!
Once up and dressed, it was time for a quick trip to the store to pick up a few things for dinner. Whilst perusing the rice and beans aisle, I decided upon the rice and a “Pike’s Pushup.”
Unfortunately, I got halfway home before realizing I forgot the one thing I went to the store for: the chicken. Rather than turn around and go back, I realized was just across the street from a McDonald’s. Stopped there, grabbing a quick bite followed by a quick set of table chin-ups.
I have to tell you, I didn’t believe them at first when they said I could exercise anywhere. How wrong I was. If you’re the type of person who never works out because you don’t have the equipment or the expensive gym membership, you now have no more excuses. Pick up a pack of these cards and just do it!
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Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve always considered myself slightly smarter than the average bear. I primarily watch history and science shows on television. I know off the top of my head that the gamma factor in relativity theory is equal to one over the square root of one minus v-squared over c-squared. And I can put my pants on all by myself.
