The Armchair Fitness exercise cassettes are a family of safe, seated
fitness improvement routines for people interested in increasing
aerobic ability and overall body strengthening, stretching and
relaxing. These classic best-selling cassettes are recommended by
doctors, physical therapists and diabetes educators for people who
limit vigorous activity because of preference, lifestyle, age or
disability. With high production value and inspiring music, they are
an excellent path to lowering blood pressure, increasing stamina,
muscle tone, flexibility, coordination and a sense of well being.
About Betty Switkes
Betty Switkes, a fitness expert, is featured in Armchair Fitness: Aerobics,
Armchair Fitness: Strength Improvement, and Armchair Fitness: Gentle
Exercise.
Betty was a pioneer in the early 1980s, developing chair exercises that gave
an aerobic workout without undue stress or strain. "When I was about 58, I
decided I wanted to work with older people. I was getting older and I thought
I could help them and myself at the same time."
Armchair Fitness: Aerobics, Betty's original cassette has become a classic.
Since 1985 it has been used by hundreds of thousands of people who prefer to
get an aerobic workout while seated. It has been widely adopted by diabetes
educators, nutritionists, and other health educators. Betty, meanwhile, has
continued to lead exercise classes on network television, at the National
Institutes of Health and in many other settings coast-to-coast-even on
cruises of the Queen Elizabeth II.
In the beginning Betty was surprised to discover that not only older people
were interested in armchair exercises. "There are a lot of people who don't
like to be visible in an exercise class, get up in an aerobics class. There
were an amazing number of people who just didn't like to get on the floor and
exercise, but still wanted to be healthier and work out. You can raise your
heart rate no matter what your age, sitting in a chair if you know how to do
it. People of all ages can benefit. You can raise your arms over your head 20
times and you are puffing. You can get a workout.
"Only about 25 percent of the whole population-- elderly or any age-- is
getting enough exercise to really maintain good health. And that's sad. With
all the information we've gained in the last 10 years, people ought to be
aware of how important it is."
About Pat Hulbert
Betty Switkes' colleague, college health educator and yoga instructor, Pat
Hulbert, 65, leads the companion cassette, Armchair Fitness: Yoga Health.
The workout, which requires no previous knowledge of yoga, promotes
relaxation and emotional calm as a beneficial counterpoint to aerobic
exercises.
Pat has an advanced degree in health education with a specialty in stress
management. Since 1978, she has taught health courses and yoga at a college,
community centers, retirement homes, and a chronic pain clinic. Yoga, she
says, "is not only something for your body, but it helps you with your
everyday life. It becomes a guide not only physically, but emotionally and
spiritually. I am in better shape today than I was at 25 and I have more
peace of mind and confidence." She goes on to say that "Keeping the joints
moving is important. The number one benefit is the breathing techniques.
Illness comes when we don't get enough oxygen. And yoga also helps strengthen
all the muscles which strengthens the bones."
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