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Introduction ................................................................

S

ome things in life never change, like the traffic in Los Angeles or the

weather in Tahiti. But fitness doesn’t fall into that category. In the exer-

cise world, there’s something new in equipment, research, classes, gadgets,

videos, and Web sites just about every day. In fact, so much has changed

since the first two editions of Fitness For Dummieswere published that we felt

compelled to overhaul the book, adding several chapters and substantially

revamping the others.

So what exactly is new in fitness? Health clubs are offering innovative new

classes, like circuit training, cardio kickboxing, and firefighter boot camp, and

nifty new machines, like the elliptical trainer. Yoga, Pilates, and other “mind-

body” workouts have become so popular that we’ve devoted additional

space to them. Technology has transformed fitness in many ways, too. And

many clubs have invested in fancy entertainment systems so you can watch

your own personal TV — or even surf the Internet — while running on the

treadmill.

Of course, this being the fitness industry, the last few years have also seen

the invention and marketing of new schlock — like pills that claim to elimi-

nate cellulite or burn extra carbohydrates and machines that purport to tone

your thighs “without any effort on your part.” And there’s no shortage of

hokey books, Web sites full of misleading fitness information, and magazine

ads posing as articles. We help you sort through all of that.

About This Book ..............................................................................................

Fitness For Dummies,3rd Edition, updates you on all the latest — the good,

the bad, and the totally weird. But our main mission remains the same as it

was the first two times around: to tackle your fears, whether you worry that

operating a stair-climber requires a degree in mechanical engineering or fret

that no matter what exercise routine you start, sooner or later you’ll end up

back in the recliner.

We don’t want you to become a fitness statistic. The fact is, among people who

start an exercise program, half quit within eight weeks. This book gives you

the knowledge and motivation to stick with fitness for the rest of your life.