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of sets and jumps per set while decreasing the time you spend marching.

Eventually, you’ll be able to jump 10 minutes or more continuously (probably

less with a heavy rope). Humming the theme song from Rockyhelps. Building

up to long periods of jumping rope is tough, because it’s a very intense activ-

ity. Jumping rope is best used as a cross-training workout or between body-

part exercises while circuit training (see Chapter 15).

Chapter 20: Designing a Home Gym 315

The Ten Commandments of

buying TV fitness gadgets

In 1984, when the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) abolished limits on the amount of com-
mercial time a television station could air, the
commission unleashed a monster: the infomer-
cial. When it comes to fitness products, there’s
not a whole lot of info in these half-hour com-
mercials that often masquerade as talk shows.
Typically, they’re filled with exaggerated claims,
shameless testimonials, outlandish stunts, and
lots of scientific malarkey — all intended to sep-
arate you from your dollar.

Try to avoid buying fitness products from TV or
a Web site. You have no way to judge the qual-
ity of a machine, pill, or gadget. If you do end up
purchasing a product that you believe was
falsely advertised, file a complaint with the FTC
by contacting the organization’s Consumer
Response Center (877-FTC-HELP or http://www.
ftc.org).

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you
watch or read fitness product advertising:

Don’t be suckered by the infomercial audi-

ence or “real people” offering testimonials.

Those wholesome folks who whip them-

selves into a near-evangelical frenzy at the

mere mention of the product at hand are

usually paid. Often, they’ve never even tried

the product they’re gushing over. One

acquaintance of Liz gave an emotional tes-

timonial for an exercise video, even though

she had never even watched it. “I just

wanted to be on TV,” she said.

Beware of the phrase “guaranteed or your

money back.” Read the fine print: The man-

ufacturers may promise that you’ll lose 4

inches in one month — if you stick to a low-

fat diet and a far more extensive exercise

program.

Don’t whip out your credit card just

because a product isn’t sold in stores.

Truth is, most of these gizmos are sold in

stores — or they will be on the shelves in a

month or two. Sometimes the product is

actually cheaper at the store; plus, you can

test the product before you buy.

Don’t be impressed by references to

Europe, ancient China, or 3,000-year-old

secrets. Bogus fitness products use

European research much the same way

that “reality” TV shows use Peruvian reli-

gious miracles as examples of amazing

phenomena: They’re too far away for the

average person to check out carefully.

Beware of phrases like “three easy pay-

ments” and watch shipping costs. One

gadget claims to cost “Not $60! Not $50!”

but “just two easy payments of $19.95.” Add

in exorbitant (and nonrefundable) shipping

and handling costs, and it costs $66.85.

(continued)