I realize that most of my students spend at least a 1/2 hour in front of the TV each day. I describe to them that in a 1/2 hour TV show it is broken up usually into 5 parts (Program/Commercials/Program/Commercials/Program).

The TV workout begins when the 1st commercial comes on. The student selects an exercise (such as Jumping Jacks, crunchs, walks in the house with a pedometer, push ups, etc.) and performs that exercise for the duration of the first commercial. When the 2nd commercial comes on they switch to another exercise. This format is followed until the show returns and then they can rest.

I told the class that they could be as creative as they wanted with their workout. The main thing was to be active during the commercial time.

This was given as a homework assignment and was met with great participation. Many of the students were enthusiastic about their workout and reported that if they watched TV for longer than a 1/2 hour they continued the workout for the duration of their TV watching time.

We spoke in class about sets and repetitions. I am encouraging them to perform exercise in this manner also.

NOTE: I can't take full credit for this idea. It was one given to me by my swim coach Jimmy Petrozello when I was 12 years old.

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