Gentle Fitness Mary Ann Wilson’s Exercise Program, ‘Sit And Be Fit,’ Helps You Get Fit From Your Chair
“Ride that horse,” says Mary Ann Wilson, holding imaginary reins in front of her, rocking slightly to the music as she sits in her chair.
“Now reach up, as if you were picking an apple. Way up. Stretch. That’s right. Then twist around and put it in the basket.”
Members of her studio audience - in this case, one grandpa, three small children and me - do our best to comply, though it’s hard to keep up with the music.
We move on to other simple routines - mimicking brushing our teeth, rowing a boat, buttoning clothes. There’s foot tapping, elbow bending, leaning, twisting and turning, all accompanied by cheery music like the theme from “Oklahoma!”
As an exercise show, this is pretty low-key, but that’s the point. Its name - “Sit and be Fit” - sums up the philosophy: to maintain and improve your physical condition as you exercise in a chair.
“My real goal is to help keep older people functionally fit,” says Wilson. “It’s a basic fitness program that anybody can do.”
Her program is produced by KSPS, Spokane’s public television station, and is seen nationwide on more than 70 PBS stations, including such major markets as New York, Houston, Milwaukee and Miami (its videos even show up on cruise ship schedules).
“You are a special friend that comes into my home five days a week,” wrote a Pittsburgh viewer named Florence. “My osteoporosis, arthritis and ruptured disc are all improving day by day, thanks to your exercises. I’m grateful to you for giving me a second chance at living in less pain.”
This month, Wilson is taping 30 shows for the program’s fifth season, using friends, relatives and volunteers for her studio audience, who exercise along with her.
She receives 150 to 200 letters or calls a week from around the nation. “People with ailments write and say, ‘I’m not going to give up. I’m going to stay with your program,”’ she says. “Other people write and say ‘You’ve got great legs for a 57-year-old.”’
Besides elderly viewers, “Sit and Be Fit” is targeted at anybody who needs to improve their range of motion, including people with illnesses, accident victims, those in wheelchairs, and even children.
“Forty percent of kids between 5 and 8 have a risk factor for heart disease,” says Wilson, a registered nurse who develops her routines with advice from physicians and physical therapists. “Kids between the ages of 3 and 5 average more than 20 hours a week watching television. This show can help them, too.”
The exercises are mild but fast-paced, accompanied by snappy music. Doing the routine is a fast-moving whirl of tapping, touching, leaning, stretching, bouncing and twisting. The show begins with a warm-up to boost circulation, some specialized routines while seated, then some more exercises while standing, using a chair for support.
There’s always a finger exercise, especially useful for people with arthritis. The 26-minute program ends with mild stretching and a relaxation routine.
Although cue cards help remind Wilson of the sequence of exercises, her words are unscripted. Both on and off the set, she is warm and composed, even when there’s a production error that requires doing something over.
(Actually, one reason for the studio audience is to hide errors. If, for example, an exercise has to be retaped in midroutine, a brief cutaway shot of the audience will be included to make a visual break between the different tapes.)
KSPS produces “Sit and Be Fit” for several reasons.
First, the program is a useful public service.
“It’s an educational tool and a service to our viewers, who are predominantly in the older age group,” says KSPS program manager Sean Herrin. “I am unaware of any program like it that is being produced, either commercially or by other public stations.”
And, second, it can help the station to attract members and raise money.
“This is the perfect vehicle to make contact with (older viewers),” says Herrin. “If they join and support KSPS, so much the better.”
Producing “Sit and be Fit” costs KSPS about $7,000 per year, not including overhead or staff time (both the station and Wilson are trying to find a national sponsor).
This year, it is being produced in a new studio in the station’s new wing, which allows more sophisticated production techniques.
“It’s pretty incredible, KSPS’ level of commitment,” says Gretchen Paukert, the series’ assistant producer, who also happens to be Wilson’s daughter.
To keep fit herself, Wilson also uses a home treadmill, walks regularly, has an exercise routine and teaches exercise classes at two Spokane retirement homes. (One of the classes, at the Waterford, is open to the public.)
“What I learn from my students about their needs, I take to the physical therapists and they teach me more,” Wilson says.
“This program is basically designed to balance the body. We stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak muscles, so you don’t have all those stresses on the muscles and the joints.
“People are surprised that they’ve done so little activity and felt so good. They say, ‘I can’t believe I feel so much better.’ You do get hooked.”
Dr. Neil Shulman, a nationally known author who is visiting Spokane this week to help Wilson produce a humorous exercise video for caregivers, says her programs are “very nicely tailored to help a segment of the community that a lot of people ignore. She’s developed a real national reputation. She’s the Jane Fonda of exercise for seniors.”
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MEMO: People who are interested in appearing on the show during taping next summer or who want information about videos or Mary Ann Wilson’s exercise classes should call Sit and Be Fit at 448-9438.