Sit and Be Fit

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! : )

She can do this with a bad knee.

Let me first state that I am in a wheelchair. If you are handicapped, cannot use your legs or have knee problems, you will be disappointed with this set of DVDs. Disc #2 is full of STANDING exercises, a lot of leg lifting, kicking and foot work. Disc #1 has only 3 segments with standing activities but a lot of lifting and kicking of the legs.I am also surprised by the introduction of props. First, there was hand weights (substitution of household items was suggested by somewhat impractical). Then came the long towel, obviously one of her own promotional products. I substituted a kitchen towel. On disc #2, you will suddenly be asked to..."Take out your large ball and small ball.""What large ball and small ball?!!!", was my first thought. Now, you are introduced to Mary Ann's 6 inch ball and 2 inch ball for about 1/4 of the disc. If you are going to require props, they should come with the disc...or a disclosure statement should be clearly stated with the DVDs...maybe on the cover of the DVD box.Fortunately, I did have hand weights and a towel of about the right size; so, I can use disc #1...at least 80% of it. As for disc #2, it is almost worthless for me, because I have limited use of my legs; and that disc is mostly standing and lower body activities...none of which I could do without extreme pain and great risk to myself.I didn't rate this set any lower than 3 stars, because most folks are not handicapped like myself. Mary Ann has a comfortable style of speaking and her instructions are easy to follow. The exercises are effective, IF you can do them. Unfortunately, I will be limited to using disc #1 from now on.

She thinks these are great workouts, a lot of inventive moves. More variety than you would think possible while sitting down.

I guess I qualify as a "senior" by some standards, though on the low end of senior at 62. However years back I injured my knee, and it makes almost any kind of standing exercises painful and just about impossible. So this DVD is perfect for me! I only do the bonus workout at the end which uses hand weights. It's fully seated, no standing exercises which are my bane - though you do have to do a few exercises with your feet and legs from a seated position. Currently I'm using small 2-lb hand weights, but hope to move to up increase the difficulty as I get more into it, but right now I'm recovering from muscle damage due to an auto accident so don't want to stress the muscles too hard yet, just keep them limber. The bonus workout lasts about 15 minutes which is just right for my attention span. :-) Okay, it's not Cross Fit, but at least I'm doing something rather than nothing which is what I did before. Between that and walking the dog I'm getting out and trying something.8/16/16: update in that i still enjoy this DVD, 6 weeks ago i broke my left wrist. i can't get out and about much, have had to stop my lap swimming at the Y temporarily. here in florida it's too hot to want to walk. but i need to do something! so i pulled this out again. i only do the seated exercises, don't want to risk another fall as the bones heal. i only do the exercises with weights. it makes me feel refreshed to give it a try, sorry about punctuation but one-handed typing is tough. lol

When I played the video it skipped a lot through out the video. Not sure why I paid $15.00 for it and only got $11.00 back for a dvd that skipped through the video.

After a long illness, I needed to get my body moving again. My goal is to get back to my daily walks. This program is such a great help in getting moving again and doing it in a safe way. So thankful.

It was very thin, not like the chocolate one

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.

This exercise DVD is perfect for seniors and those who need a gentle exercise program. You can do all the exercises while seated in a chair. The instructor keeps it at a slow pace and explains each move. If you need slow and easy exercise, this is the DVD for you!

Although this is an older dvd, it contains some excellent exercises and ideas for instructors, which is why I bought it. I would think seniors would love following along as well and there are different levels to aspire to.