Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon –online registration closes 9/27

Online registration closes Sunday, Sept 27 - you can wait til the Expo, but why not commit yourself now and save $20

Jack LaLanne turns 95 - if you are into fitness today, say thank you to this pioneer

Saturday, September 26th, 2009 Fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne turns 95 on September 26. To people who grew up in the 60's and 70's, LaLanne is one of - if not the - most instantly recognizable fitness names: someone who has been relevant, vocal and visible as a fitness advocate for decades. I did an article with a clip from one of his old shows and an overview of his accomplishments on San Jose Fitness Examiner - please check it out: Keep Reading »

But on a more personal note, his birthday got me thinking about the amazing consistency LaLanne has represented in an industry that has often been known for lack of ethics, trendiness and inconsistency.

While we take the fitness industry for granted today, and that's pretty much a new development. In the 40's, 50's and 60's, there were many "fitness" experts who made wild and crazy promises, who urged the silliest possible exercises to women in order to help them "stay desirable" and who opened high-pressure, high-cost "spas" which basically catered to people with more money than sense.

Fitness centers had equipment that was either geared toward body builders, or machines with rollers and belts that would "vibrate off the fat."

Athleticism among women was considered unfeminine. Healthy eating was defined as red-meat-and-potatoes, with plenty of canned vegetables topped by butter. Cross-training by athletes was virtually unknown.

LaLanne was a kook in many ways. But a healthy, consistent, upbeat kook, who gave millions of housewives a better perspective on fitness. He paved the way for what actually developed into fitness as we know it today - creating a climate for Jazzercize, Jane Fonda, Denise Austin (another California fitness professional who was LaLanne's co-host for a time) - which helped build an industry that today affects every American and is a part of our daily conversation.

A neighbor in her 30's heard me say it was Jack LaLanne's birthday and asked why I'd care about that man who does infomercials for juicers on late night tv. Then again, she also gave me a puzzled look when I mentioned Jane Fonda's impact on fitness.

I'm immensely impressed with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver, who made certain that LaLanne was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2008 so that his contributions would be recognized.

Thanks again, Jack LaLanne. And Happy Birthday.

Could you be a star in Fame? If you've got the moves, enter the online contest

Friday, September 25th, 2009 Fame - the remake of the popular 1980's hit - premiered in Los Angeles (see a video from the premier below). At the premiere, cast members Naturi...Keep Reading »

Dr. Oz works with NFL moms in a fitness challenge - get fit by Super Bowl

Friday, September 25th, 2009 Announced today: Friday, September 25, 'The Dr. Oz Show' and the National Football League join forces as 20 moms of NFL Players go head-to-head to...Keep Reading »

Kevin Federline, Bobby Brown and Nicole Eggert all line up for VH1's Celebrity Fit Club

Thursday, September 24th, 2009 Access Hollywood confirmed it all just yesterday: Kevin Federline, Bobby Brown, Nicole Eggert, "High School Musical" star Caycee Stroh... Keep Reading »

Get moving with YMCA & America On the Move Week - September 20-27

Sunday, September 20th, 2009 Bring your entire family to one of the YMCA of Silicon Valley locations through Sept. 27 to participate in America On the Move Week, a free,... Keep Reading »

Fitness news: Postmenopausal women benefit greatly from endurance training

Sunday, September 20th, 2009 A UC Berkeley press release posted this week summarized the findings of a study showing that postmenopausal women benefit from endurance training as... Keep Reading »

Bay area "Let's Play Outside" month kicks off; familiarizes kids with nature

Saturday, September 19th, 2009 Isn't this what childhood should be about? Building forts and playing in mud, enjoying the outdoors and running and playing?  The Bay Area Children in Nature Collaborative thinks so. 'Let's Play Outside' is a month-long campaign of play days and parent presentations starting September 15th to promote unstructured... Keep Reading »

Heidi Klum says "probably not" for this year's Victoria's Secret fashion show

Friday, September 18th, 2009 The incredibly beautiful and in-shape Heidi Klum was at Los Angeles Confidential's pre-Emmy party Thursday night - wearing 7-inch leopard-print heels... Keep Reading »

Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman complete - and COMPLETE - a triathlon

Friday, September 18th, 2009 Fitness for a cause is a great way to have fun, stay fit and give back to the community. Just ask Desperate Housewives stars Teri Hatcher and... Keep Reading »

At the Emmy Awards - it's "Thanx to SPANX"

Friday, September 18th, 2009 The 61st primetime Emmy awards air this Sunday, September 20, and everyone knows that award shows are as much about what the stars are wearing as who is winning what.  Keep Reading »

MTV Video Music Awards - will the tribute to Michael Jackson inspire you or make you sad?

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Be inspired!

The tribute to MJ that is in the opening segment of tonight's VMAs should remind us of what we loved about the music and the movement of Michael Jackson.

Starting at 8 pm ET, the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards get underway with a live red carpet preshow (embedded below), followed by a 9 pm (Eastern) start....
Keep Reading »

Silicon Valley fitness opportunity: Free family fitness day - Sept. 26 at Almaden Valley Athletic Club

Love free and fitness? Check out the Family Fitness Day September 26 at Almaden Valley Athletic Club from 10-3, with dozens of free classes, health assessments, fitness tips. The free event is designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle for families by offering physical activities and also includes nutritional education by Whole Foods Market. There will also be prizes, coupons and other freebies. Keep Reading »

US Open: tennis increasingly physical for top stars like Roger Federer, Serena Williams

Friday, September 11th, 2009 Speed, strength, flexibility. Tennis is becoming increasingly physical. Serena and Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, and of course... Keep Reading »

Four tips from fitness expert Andrea Metcalf can improve your golf game.

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 Do dreams of playing golf like Tiger Woods dance in your head? Well be careful! The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that there... Keep Reading » Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 Do dreams of playing golf like Tiger Woods dance in your head? Well be careful! The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that there... Keep Reading »

Corporate fitness programs: do they just keep the fit healthy? Or, is there true ROI?

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 Silicon Valley Health Trust Director of Wellness, Krisna Hanks says there are practical applications to worksite health programs - even if the already-healthy employees are the first ones to take advantage of the programs. Keep Reading »

Melanie Oudin's shoes: have you caught "Believe" fever?

Image by mrlaugh via Flickr

Monday, September 7th, 2009 · Watching 17-year-old U S Open tennis phenom, Melanie Oudin we can't believe it! Or, even better, we CAN believe it. As she said after her match with Petrova, I just started to believe I could win. And yes, those shoes that are so perfect for her - even they say "believe" on them - an idea she says her boyfriend contributed. It's happened not only in that match against Petrova, but all the way through the U. S. Open. She's turned into a powerhouse player this tournament. Ranked 70th she's been beating them all...so far at least. They are calling her Cinderella, but as stated earlier (Oudin bests Sharapova/Petrova), "They call it a Cinderella run. Don't you believe it. No fairy godmother plucked Melanie Oudin out of obscurity, and handed her a magic slipper. She worked for it, she focused, and as she has said, she believed she could do it." Add your comment - or share if you have caught the "believe" fever»

Jesse Witten: surprise underdog comes on strong at US Open. See what fitness will get you?

Saturday, September 5th, 2009 Of course it's an overstatement to say that 26 year-old, 5'10" Jesse Witten is the surprise player at this year's US Open just because of... Keep Reading »

What is fitness? Teens say nutrition and exercise are keys to health

Saturday, September 5th, 2009 What is fitness? Generally it's considered the healthy condition that allows people to perform the tasks they enjoy and is a result of exercise and... Keep Reading »

Melanie Oudin - her fitness, her workout, her wow factor

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 · 4 comments Fitness folks who love Serena Williams, Venus Williams and the other tennis stars just found a new hero. 17-year-old Melanie Oudin, as the Wall.... Keep Reading »

September 2009 - Silicon Valley fitness calendar posted

Image of Mt. Hamilton via Wikipedia

The fitness events calendar for September 2009 is live on San Jose Fitness.

It's not a long list like we've seen in the spring and summer months - though there are a number of events - Labor Day Run, Bike MS, etc.

But it is a great month to try some alternative forms of fitness - for instance, as the weather mellows out in San Francisco and the bitter cold fog of summer disappears, it's a perfect time to head up that way for walks on the hills, or in the parks.

A day in Golden Gate Park, a walking tour of one of your favorite neighborhoods, or you could even take the family out to Alcatraz. It's just a perfect time of year to get out and walk.

Or forget San Francisco. Spend a day walking around Mt. Hamilton (pictured above), or go north to the wine country.

And... September is National Yoga Month... honor your body by taking a yoga class. Lots of free classes around in September.

So this month - try something new. Ride a bike, take a hike, or visit nearby fitness studios in search of a "home" for your winter workouts.