Exercise Anywhere

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!