Get Fit Bit by Bit

We’re not big on resolutions if they add more to our to-do list, but it’s only natural this week to give some thought to our post-holiday fitness level—especially if you’re addicted to shortbread like some of us.

And most importantly, we moms need to stay strong so we can keep up with our kids. So, we paid special attention when a couple of new pieces of exercise equipment were sent our way this winter, and we’re already feeling the better for it.

We have a new daily 30-minute date with our Ugi ball that’s making us stronger and fitter and is just plain fun. UgiFit is a 30 minute workout comprised of 30 different movements which you do for 1 minute each. You can do the workout anywhere (the basement, the park, on vacation), guided by either the DVD (not your usual perky instructor type—there is no talking, just the exercises being demonstrated with a cue to switch to the next one every minute) or the lower-tech, easy-to-follow manual which has an incorporated stand so you can easily refer to it while exercising. There are five different workouts, each featuring a warm up, cardio, strength conditioning, balance techniques and cool down, and with various ways to mix up the workouts, there is an endless number of combinations.

The ball is weighted and squishy, making it the best of a medicine ball and an exercise ball, and is safer to have around the house than heavy dumbbells (if curious kids want to check out mom’s new ‘toy’). The emphasis is on strengthening the core combined with heart-boosting cardio movements, and the exercises are simple yet challenging, so the system makes for a very efficient exercise routine. No more hours (that we just don’t have) on the treadmill required. ($189, available at ugifit.com)

If you’re frustrated with the amount of time that you find yourself sitting around instead of exercising, the SitFit is a great addition to your chair. This simple device—basically an inflated cushion or a flat exercise ball—transforms sitting from a passive activity to an active one. Sitting on the SitFit’s unstable surface causes core muscles to fire continually in order to maintain balance, which works the core and improves your posture. The cushion comes with a series of exercises you can do to further enhance the results, but just sitting on it really does the trick to increase strength in the abs and lower back. Sit, fit…that’s it! ($44.99, available at www.buildyourcore.com)

If you make the investment and still find that these pieces of exercise equipment aren’t getting you off the couch as much as you thought, we speak from personal experience that they both make excellent toys for kids of all ages. Which makes them a perfect fit.