“Timesaver” fitness video series

December 09, 1998

Fitness expert Kathy Smith gives advice on staying fit and healthy, chats about her new “Timesaver” fitness video series and shares some quick and easy exercises that everyone should take the time to do.

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BrendaCCC: Kathy Smith is a longtime leader in health and nutrition, she has created 5 best selling fitness videos, and is the national spokesperson for Reebok's Body Walk, the National Recreation and Parks Association, and "Just Say Go," a fitness program for elementary schools. She is also a veteran fitness correspondent for NBC's “Today Show." Tonight we are chatting with Kathy about her new "Timesaver" video series. Brought to you by Borders.com and Talk City! Welcome to Talk City, Kathy! And thank you for being here tonight! I'm sure as a working mom you realize that it is sometimes hard to find the time to work out, is that who you had in mind when you made these videos. The "Mom on the Run"?

Kathy Smith: Great to be here! However, I have 25 videos! (grin) I am in Dallas now, promoting two new videos from the "Timesaver" collection. I created this series so you can squeeze in 20-minute workouts every day. There are two on each tape. As for the "Mom" video, yes, I have a 7 yr. old and 10 yr. old, and I am trying to juggle getting the kids where they are supposed to be, and be a good wife, too, at the same time, and with all my other responsibilities, it's hard. I was inspired by my daughter's teachers, as well as the principal, who just insisted that on any given day, there's not one single extra moment of time beyond the basics. That's why I designed them for the working mom AND the working woman.

Magooster: Kathy, are these exercises good for men too?

Kathy Smith: Of course! Especially my workout called "Life Weights to Lose Weight." I use a concept called a dual-track, which means behind me on the video, there are half men, half women, and you have the option to do higher repetitions with lesser weights, or lower reps with higher weight. You can rotate your workout (we encourage it) so it doesn't get boring. This is a perfect video for any man who wants to develop some muscle, to strengthen his body, to define. The other workout is called "Cardio FatBurner" and men CAN do it, but typically, the aerobic-type exercises are less interesting to men because it takes a little coordination, and I hate to say it, but most men feel a bit uncoordinated doing those kinds of workouts.

OrCCCa: Is there a "low impact" component to your exercise program - suitable for people who may have an injury?

Kathy Smith: Yes, again, in the Timesaver series, the first 20-minute workout is all low-impact. Also, the second 20-min is higher paced, but has modifiers, so you keep it lower, or bring it higher -- your choice. The workouts are gentle on the joints, though.

BrendaCCC: For the person who is lifting weights to lose a lot of weight which is better, more reps or more weight?

KathySmith: Start with lower weights, and do more repetitions. But as your body adapts to that, you want to add some weight and do fewer reps because This will allow you to develop the muscle which will then burn more calories not only while working out, but throughout the day. Although, I also want to point out that new studies say that lifting weights may help prevent osteoporosis and if you're in the over-40 crowd, it maintains bone density and can even increase it, if you have lost any. Also, if you're trying to lose weight, don't forget your cardiovascular exercise -- lift weights twice to three times a week, and do some kind of cardio exercise three to four times a week.

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