Carlahteez Fitness

No time to exercise? One question. Have you been in your CAR lately?!

Many people don't realize that every car comes standardly equipped with a permanent piece of exercise equipment. It's called your steering wheel.

Once I realized I had a piece of exercise equipment in my car, I developed the Carlahteez Fitness System. It's quite simple really. I just took some of the principles of Pilates (isometrics, holding an engaged muscle position for toning) and figured out a way to do them in my car, using the resistance of my hands placed in different positions on the steering wheel.

The two basic Carlahteez moves are The PULL, and The PUSH. Both of these can ONLY be practiced on straight stretches of road. DO NOT attempt Carlahteez moves while driving on curvy streets. You may, however, do Carlahteez in traffic. Being stuck in traffic is, in fact, the perfect opportunity to practice Carlahteez.

My favorite move is the Nines & Threes. The Nines & Threes is a great move for toning the upper arms. (Ladies, are you with me?)

To execute the Nines & Threes, place your hands on the steering wheel at the 9:00 and 3:00 position, like the woman in the photo, EXCEPT be SURE to grasp the steering wheel firmly (you are driving, after all!). Now, pull your hands away from each other (while maintaining a firm grasp on the steering wheel) and HOLD for ten seconds, while inhaling deeply.

Next, PUSH you hands towards each other (while still maintaining a firm grasp on the steering wheel) and HOLD for ten seconds, exhaling slowly. Repeat five times to begin, and work up to more reps as you advance.


Another fun move is the Twelves & Sixes. The Twelves & Sixes alternately works your biceps and triceps muscles...from the comfort of your car!
To do this move, place your left hand on the steering wheel at the 12:00 position (or slightly left of 12) and your right hand at the 6:00 position (or slightly right of 6), fingers wrapped around the steering wheel, palms facing in.

PUSH your hands towards each other while maintaining a firm grasp on the steering wheel and HOLD the position for ten seconds, while inhaling deeply.

Next, PULL your hands AWAY from each other, continuing to maintain a firm grasp on the wheel, and HOLD the position for ten seconds while exhaling. Repeat five times, then switch the position of your hands, with the Right hand at the 12:00 position (or slightly to the right of 12) and the left hand at the 6:00 position (or slightly to the left of 6), and repeat the series. Do five sets to begin, and work up to more as you advance.

I know we all spend TOO MUCH TIME SITTING in our modern lifestyle. I'm sitting here at the computer, writing this blog after all. And where I live, driving is pretty much a requirement of life. Driving to the store, driving to school and driving to visit friends is par for the course. It was a wonderful moment when I realized that driving doesn't have to be a bust for my body. I hope you like this idea and share it with your friends! Happy toning!

NOTE: While practicing Carlahteez, ALWAYS pay attention to the road! Only practice when the coast is clear...

Cabin Fever Bounce

If winter’s got you feeling snowed in, cooped up or [insert your favorite cabin fever metaphor here], join the club. Uninviting winter weather provides a great reason to stay inside and do nothing (besides eat and surf the net). In fact, unless you are a winter sports enthusiast or a dog, winter provides one of the best excuses ever NOT to exercise. Unfortunately, all that not-exercising and lazing around for months on end can mean looking and feeling pretty much like SLUDGE (as one of my clients put it recently) come Spring.

I love to exercise, especially when it involves being outside with Stella, the Amazing Australian Shepherd (pictured above in Autumn). Sadly for her, my love of outdoor exercise is decidedly less when even just taking a walk means donning multiple layers of itchy outer- and underwear and freezing my face off under a blank, steel gray sky. (Sorry, Stella.) Not to mention the fact that the sole two perambulatory methods available each winter in the Town of Montague resemble unlikely dance crazes from the ‘60’s. First there’s the potentially bone breaking Sidewalk Hobble (a slow, flat-footed slide motion repeated gingerly while picking your way along near-glacial ice formations). Then, there's the perpetually thrilling Street Chicken (a short-gaited trudge performed exclusively along narrow, heavily sanded shoulders as pedestrian-blind drivers speed by in salt-encrusted vehicles, narrowly missing your person). Either way: YUCK!

Thank goodness I have a REBOUNDER! Yes friends, this handy little device (also known as a mini trampoline) is how I manage to stave off the sludge factor during these long New England winters. It’s also a sure way to put a smile on my face, as few serious adult activities appear sillier than bouncing up and down to music for twenty minutes in the privacy of your own home.

A few of my favorite things about rebounding include: fun, convenience, cardiovascular boosting and lymphatic stimulation. (In case you’ve forgotten, healthy lymph function is essential for organ and cellular detoxification, clear glowing skin and a strong immune system. Large muscle movement and anti-gravity postures, both addressed by jumping, are the primary methods of enhancing lymphatic flow. Lymphatic drainage massage and dry skin brushing are others.)

If you’ve never tried rebounding, consider starting with a kit like the Urban Rebounder, available at Dick’s Sporting Goods for $99 inclusive. (No kickback here, I just like the thing and use it myself.) The Urban Rebounder comes with everything you need to begin: a sturdy folding rebounder, an optional removable stability bar and a DVD featuring two complete (very silly looking) workouts – beginner and intermediate – plus a helpful introduction to the moves and safety tips.

Once you master the moves, you can do them in any order while listening to your favorite tunes instead of watching the instructional DVD again. (It's great for the first hundred times, though.) I’ve been bouncing to CCR lately, customizing a personal soundtrack by fast forwarding through the slow songs and using hand-held 1-pound weights to include arm work. A quick twenty or so minutes is all it takes to put a spring in my step that lasts all day, despite the treachery outside. Now, if only I could teach Stella the Snow-Roller to bounce, we'd both be happy...