A 6-minute shape-up

lgmd43@aol.com — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:31:26 GMT

A 6-minute shape-up

Flex Crush, Tacoma WA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:37:10 GMT

6 minutes!? Don't think so, but it does seem like a good workout. Worth a try...

A 6-minute shape-up

Sarah, Nantucket, MA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:24:09 GMT

Quick and easy... I like it!

A 6-minute shape-up

Sumguy, Hbg, PA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:40:31 GMT

6 minutes?!?

Maybe on the moon.

A 6-minute shape-up

t, san francisco, ca — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:44:52 GMT

A 6-minute shape-up

Jane Gephart, Duluth, MN — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:03:37 GMT

ok I'm going to try it starting today except I take the stairs all the time at work and won't do that step stuff.
Maybe this will actually work to help trim me up! :-)

A 6-minute shape-up

Peter F, Pasadena CA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:19:31 GMT

I know that any movement is better than none at all, but please don't expect this to put anyone in swimsuit condition. Six minutes is barely enough time to raise your heart rate in a good aerobics class and aerobic exercise is the only thing that will burn off the weight (combined with exercise). The only thing these "quick and easy" routines do is discourage someone from continuing exercising when they don't see results or changes in their body. These routines are only meant to make the average couch potato feel good about his or herself for at least doing "something."

A 6-minute shape-up

Peter F, Pasadena CA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:22:46 GMT

I also realize that this regimen is meant for “those days when you can’t get a full workout in” but LOTS of people are going to try and make this their daily routine and will expect results. You might as well just “take the stairs at work” since doing that an average of four times a day won’t burn any more off than this routine.

A 6-minute shape-up

Eau Claire, WI — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:25:27 GMT

Since form and function are key to the effectiveness of a workout I never could understand why pictures of movements aren't included in many of the best workout articles. These are great movements but if you're going to target people who need to get physically active it would be helpful to them to see what they're supposed to be doing.

A 6-minute shape-up

Sumgal, Harrisburg PA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:26:34 GMT

If you read the opening paragraph, it is for days you don't have time for the full aerobic workout. It is just meant to be a quick fix for short on time.

A 6-minute shape-up

FAYE CREPPY,MENIFEE,CA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:30:08 GMT

A 6-minute shape-up

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:33:53 GMT

Well, *some* exercise is better than none at all. These exercises focus on an array of muscle and joints. For you couch potatoes out there, or for those of us who must sit at a computer all day every day, this is a good routine to keep your blood flowing, your muscles working, and your joints loose.

A 6-minute shape-up

Chazz, Northern NJ — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:42:20 GMT

This is why our society is so out of shape. Here is an article recommending a 6 minute or so workout & people are being negative. Stop being negative & just do it! Just do the exercises & enjoy the results :)

A 6-minute shape-up

Brenda, Florida — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:44:06 GMT

I think that it's a great start for a couch potato. Thinking that it's ONLY six minutes, it could turn in to 10 or 15 in a couple of weeks and grow in to a real complete workout.
And aside from that, for those of us who hop on a treadmill for 30-40 minutes a day this could be a quick way to get in a few core moves.

A 6-minute shape-up

YouCanDoIt — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:09:16 GMT

Each of these exercises sound quick enough to do during commercial breaks on TV. And the world wonders why Americans are fat...

A 6-minute shape-up

Donald, NY — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:18:35 GMT

We're negative because we probably can't figure out where to put our junk food and TV remote for those six minutes.

A 6-minute shape-up

jmk — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:22:12 GMT

Disappointing that people are all so negative about these suggestions. We're not all ironmen. I think the exercises are great, and a great addition to my 30 minutes of cardio every day. Who knows, after a week or so, I may double it. That's the point, to motivate people to do something, anything to get moving.

A 6-minute shape-up

matt, corte madera, Ca — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:56:41 GMT

Great way to start working out. Get people up and motivated. I like it.

A 6-minute shape-up

Oregon City, OR — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:05:13 GMT

IF I were able to do all six excercises in a one minute period with no rest in between, I think my heart beat would elevate for about 15 minutes total.

Once I could do all six within six minutes, I would likely want to do the sequence twice a day.

Once I could do the sequence twice a day, my fitness would be significantly improved and I MAY want to do even more.

But for now, I think I'll do the sequence every morning when I wake up, before I allow myself coffee or breakfast and see how it goes.

By the way, I'm 45 years old, 6'2" and weight about 270. I ran a marathon at age 30 at 212, so I'm pretty heavy even when I'm in great shape. With my body shape and (former) muscle tone, my wife thinks I look hot at 230.

I'm going for it!

A 6-minute shape-up

joann, Davie, Fl — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:09:22 GMT

I tried these exercises but I kept spilling my milk shake???

A 6-minute shape-up

Roger Singleton — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:20:51 GMT

6 minutes.... when are we going to actually tell people how to really get in shape and lose weight? It takes true effort. Not 6 minutes of pretending.

A 6-minute shape-up

Tina , Acworth, GA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:26:20 GMT

JUST DO IT!

A 6-minute shape-up

JS, Denver, CO — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:00:02 GMT

I think that Roger is just mad that he bought a BowFlex, and just found out that you can get a workout without spending tons of money. By varying the excercises the body has more difficulty adjusting to the workout - this workout will likely be MORE effective than a half hour on a treadmill or any other single activity. Also the trick to losing weight is restricting calories - not spending hours in the gym. Also the heartrate stays elevated well after the workout is over, so many small workouts will have a greater effect than a single large one.

A 6-minute shape-up

Oregon City, OR — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:02:21 GMT

OK. It took me 14 minutes to complete the sequence the first time. I could not complete all 24 repetitions of the pushups and and both crunches without stopping briefly to rest.

The lunges and pushups maxed my heart rate. I began sweating after 4 minutes, about midway through pushups. The mountain climbers kept pressure on my arms and back, but my heart rate declined slightly, so it felt like a little rest.

The bicycle crunches took me back to max heart rate. The step ups slowed it down a little. Then the V crunches took me back to the max.

At the 20 minute mark my heart rate was back to normal, but I'm still sweating at the 30 minute mark.

This is a good workout for me. I'll get out of bed 15 minutes earlier tomorrow to work it into my morning routine.

A 6-minute shape-up

Ben, Greenvale, NY — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:57:15 GMT

I think the tips are great -- if you substituted (or added) a squat, I believe it would utilize more muscles than the lunge (I assume you included the lunge because it is easier to do correctly). Also a "floor row" would get some of the back muscles which are missing from your exercises. [floor row: lay face up on the floor with hips and knees bent; "push" your body off the floor using your elbows
until you shoulder blades come off the floor]

A 6-minute shape-up

connie — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:44:49 GMT

A 6-minute shape-up

connie — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:45:46 GMT

Are these exercises suitable for all people? Would these perhaps aggravate back issues for over 50 crowd?

A 6-minute shape-up

Mariel---Florida — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 02:10:14 GMT

I love working out, and i think this will help me on the days i don't have enough time to get to the gym

thanks =]

A 6-minute shape-up

Chris L. Havertown, PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:35:22 GMT

Di you ever see a body ubilder try to get thru an aerobics class? That is what this work out is like. I've been lifting pretty heavy and consistant for 3 or 4 years now. But I'll tell you, These types of work outs, especially when you are pressed for time???? will Kick Your Butt! And repeat 2, 3, 4 times in a row?? Wow. NIce way to get the work out in. Thanks

A 6-minute shape-up

Ramzey, Boone, NC — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:48:20 GMT

6 minutes is such false advertisement. It took me 6 minutes to think about this.

A 6-minute shape-up

Amanda, Baltimore, MD — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:48:38 GMT

6 minutes eh? 6 times about 5... but nonetheless they seem like a good set of workout moves.

A 6-minute shape-up

Vanessa, Murrieta, Ca — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:35:50 GMT

It might not take just 6 minutes if you keep the form correct. You don't want to rush any move and loose the form. Do this at your ability when you just can't make the gym and it is great. Anything is better then nothing and that is not as easy and it sounds even for the best fit person.

A 6-minute shape-up

Sherill, Fairfax, VA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:30:22 GMT

Guess it's worth to try.....it's only 6 min. a day :)

A 6-minute shape-up

TERRI THATCHER LONDON — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:14:38 GMT

IN REPLY TO JS OF DENVER, IT'S YOUR METABOLISM THAT REMAINS ELEVATED, NOT YOUR HEARTRATE. THAT SHOULD RETURN TO NORMAL WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE FITTER YOU ARE THE QUICKER IT SHOULD RETURN TO NORMAL, AFTER A WARM DOWN OF UP TO 5 MINS (WALK AROUND THE ROOM TO PREVENT BLOOD POOLING IN THE LEGS) AND OF COURSE DON'T FORGET YOUR STRETCHES TO RETURN MUSCLES TO PRE EXERCISE STATE AND PREVENT SORENESS! OF COURSE YOU COULD GET YOUR HEARTRATE UP SEVERAL TIMES A DAY TO KEEP YOUR METABOLISM BURNING AT A HIGHER RATE, IT'S INCREASING YOUR BASIC METABOLIC RATE THAT BURNS FUEL AND THEIR ARE MANY WAYS TO DO THIS, BUT SHORT BURST OF ENERGY SEVERAL TIMES A DAY IS CERTAINLY A START! HAPPY TRAINING!

A 6-minute shape-up

JB, San Antonio TX — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:53:50 GMT

I used to be able to make it thru my college 2hour volleyball workouts over 10 years ago, and now I am lucky to find small windows of time like 6-10 minutes to complete these moves with precision. These are beneficial exercies to couple with a 20 minute walk each day while we tend to spouses, family, go to work, chase your kids around, keep up with life's demands, pay bills, etc....the truth is, doing something is better than doing nothing. Everything BIG (big habits=working up to a full workout) starts small...everyone has 6 minutes to start or in my case "restart" with....

A 6-minute shape-up

Rude Fukc — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:52:51 GMT

WOW THIS IS GREAT I STARTING TODAY

A 6-minute shape-up

Eugenia, Garden Grove, CA — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:55:53 GMT

I think the message is simply to get people who feel they have no time to workout to do something. Once they see it makes them feel better, they may even decide exercise is worth working into their schedule and do more.

It's a starting point towards a more fitness minded society. You can't expect everyone to just lunge full on into fitness. Some people just need to try it out for awhile, so this routine may be just the catalyst some people need.

A 6-minute shape-up

stacey north carolina — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:37:51 GMT

well i have tried walking every day maybe if i throw this in too it might make some kind od difference.

A 6-minute shape-up

Sri,Los Angeles,CA — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:34:07 GMT

Sounds pretty good! Will start working out from tomorrow.

A 6-minute shape-up

Yikesdangit, Stapleton Al — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:31:06 GMT

Now for all of you who don't know to ask your Dr. before you start ANY kind of exercise program even a 6 minute one please don't try to sue MSNBC or Gina Lombardi just please go sit back down on the couch with your kids and ya'll share the trans fat laden junk food Big Mac's and watch the rest of us (After we have talked to our Doctors if we have any kind of a medical condition that we might need to ask the Dr. about) as we start out with this six minute workout when we are pressed for time or for those of us who may just be starting to exercise.

A 6-minute shape-up

Chris L. Havertown, PA — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:02:12 GMT

Responding to EAU Claire, WI: A lot of times the magazines or Web disign people need to limit the space used for each article. Best to get the information to you on what and how. Then you can search the web on your own for pictures of the excersises. I have yet to search an excersise on google and NOT found a picture of it. Print the pics and keep them with you when you work out as a reminder. It really helps!! and let's you concentrate on "doing it correctly". Hope this helps you

A 6-minute shape-up

Megan Mueller, Cape Girardeau, MO — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:05:23 GMT

6 minutes a day will not give you results. If you want "results" ACSM guidelines are at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise most days of the week. The only way to truly lose poundage is cardio. Weight resistance merely tones and tightens. This routine should not be the only exercise performed during the day. Rather, it is a good alternative to taking a walk on your lunch break if you have no where to go. This would only give you a spurt of energy and increased blood flow, rather than results. The exerices suggested are great though, but more is needed to improve health.

A 6-minute shape-up

Lynda, CA — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:27:16 GMT

People! Pay attention! They're saying to do this when you don't have time for a full work-out. Quit being so negative. There are some people who don't even do 6 minutes! I'm sure they're not inferring that you're going to look like a body builder or super model after this work out. Every little bit helps!

A 6-minute shape-up

Cassie — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:26:29 GMT

By the way you can't get toned up unless you have about 10% body fat.

A 6-minute shape-up

TERRI THATCHER LONDON — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:17:25 GMT

CASSIE AND MEGAN, YOU ARE BOTH WRONG! CARDIO IS NOT THE BE ALL AND END ALL TO WEIGHT LOSS, WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT IS YOUR BODY FAT PERCENTAGE, EVEN SKINNY PEOPLE CAN HAVE TOO MUCH BODY FAT! IT'S BODY FAT THAT AFFECTS HEALTH, TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE CAN LEAD TO ILL HEALTH. BUILDING MUSCLE INCREASES THE BODY'S BASIC METABOLIC RATE,THE MORE MUSCLE YOU HAVE, THE MORE FUEL YOU BURN. IF YOU LET YOUR MUSCLE MASS DETERIORATE YOUR BMR REDUCES, AFTER THE AGE OF ABOUT 30 IF YOU DON'T USE IT YOU LOSE IT, SO RESISTANCE TRAINING OF SOME SORT BECOMES EVEN MORE IMPORTANT. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT AFTER 30 ALTHOUGH YOU ARE EATING THE SAME, YOU HAVE PUT ON BODY FAT OR WEIGHT, YOU NEED TO DO A COMBINATION OF CARDIO, RT, AND FLEXIBILITY. MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT, SO THE SCALES AREN'T ALWAYS A RELIABLE WAY TO RECORD YOUR PROGRESS, BETTER STILL TO USE SCALES AND A TAPE MEASURE OR NOTICE HOW YOUR CLOTHES FIT, YOU CAN WEIGH HEAVY BUT DROP A DRESS/ CLOTHES SIZE. ALSO DON'T BE MISLED BY BODY MASS INDEX, THIS IS JUST ROUGH GUIDE, IF YOU USED THIS METHOD TO MONITOR AN ATHLETE SUCH AS ONE OF YOUR FOOTBALL PLAYERS, THEY WOULD PROBABLY REGISTER AS OBESE! MUSCLES GIVE SHAPE TO THE BODY, SO ANY ONE WHO IS WITHIN THEIR HEALTHY BODYFAT % WILL APPEAR MORE TONED USING RESISTANCE TRAINING OF SOME SORT, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO INVOLVE HEAVY WEIGHTS YOUR BODY WEIGHT CAN BE ENOUGH, SO LEGS, TUMS AND BUMS CLASSES STRICTLY SPEAKING, CAN BE CLASSED AS RT, AS CAN SOME CIRCUITS, YOGA, AQUA ETC,ETC. AIM FOR AN HOLSTIC APPROACH TO FITNESS AND INCORPORATE ALL THE PRINCIPLES.
F ITNESS
I NTENSITY
T IME
T YPE
A DHERENCE

INCLUDE

CARDIO VASCULAR TRAINING
RESISTANCE TRAINING
FLEXIBILITY TRAINING
AND R,R&R REST, RELAXATION & RECUPERATION!

WISHING YOU HEALTH, WEALTH & HAPPINESS,
TERRI, LONDON.

A 6-minute shape-up

TERRI THATCHER LONDON — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:17:33 GMT

A 6-minute shape-up

TERRI THATCHER LONDON — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:17:34 GMT

A 6-minute shape-up

TERRI THATCHER LONDON — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:18:58 GMT

SORRY ONLY MEANT TO SUBMIT ONCE, GREMLINS THIS END!

A 6-minute shape-up

Jolynn, Phoenix, AZ — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:42:50 GMT

Terri Thatcher London is exactly correct. Not only does a higher muscle content speed up your metabolism and begin to burn fat for you, but research shows that weight resistance training also helps to restore and/or prevent calcium loss in bones. You can run on the treadmill as much as you want and you will never reach your goal unless you are doing weight resistance. The key is balance!!

A 6-minute shape-up

TERRI.THATCHER@BLUEYONDER.CO.UK — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:04:19 GMT

Thanks Jolynn, made a little mistake with my fitness principles:
F REQUENCY
I NTENSITY
T IME
T YPE
A DHERENCE
Also muscle will help with your posture and keep you skeleton strong, helping to prevent osteoporosis, and the correct balance of work ie muscle balance will prevent you curling up as you get older!! V important to remember your flexibility too! Also, don't you guys check out the other exercise advice on this site? I do and this subject is explained elsewhere on the site! Health, wealth and happiness to you!

A 6-minute shape-up

ys — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:19:25 GMT

doing 6 minutes of calisthenics (vigorously) will burn about 56 calories (for 155lb person)..

mcdonald burger(3.5oz) has 250calories..

take 6 minutes to make yourself a healthy meal..

A 6-minute shape-up

Marty, Charleston, SC — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:41:12 GMT

44 father of 7, been doing this since my 36th birthday. Started out walking allot and this is what it's spiraled into.. I now sign up for all the local races(8,10,12k)as short term goals and have started 1/2 marathon's as the biggie.. Better than seeing a shrink I've found. Most of the time I feel really good and the running is very relaxing for me.

120 situps m-f morning
120 side crunch m-f mornings
5.5 miles m&th evenings
14.2 miles sat or sun morning 1hr 55min
upper body workout 2 to 3 days per week 20 min nothing to demanding, tone up is the goal..

A 6-minute shape-up

Mary Eve — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 03:26:40 GMT

I'm a teen headed for heavy honors classes. Sometimes the pressure gets to me and I don't feel like there's enough hours in the day to do ANYTHING, let alone bike to the gym for an hour workout consistently.

I intend to start getting myself back in the more active lifestyle by using this as a starting point. Sometime that's all anyone really needs.