One of my goals for this little column is to help you wade through the massive piles of junk out there claiming to be the “best” or “only” way to get fit. I can get behind some science as much as the next guy, but at some point, even I get bored. Somehow when it comes to fitness-related science, specifically diets; it seems that you can find science to support almost any diet. Take the Cotton Ball diet, for example, this diet is simple”¦why take up precious room in your belly with pesky food when you can just stuff a little cotton in there instead. Not enough flavor for you? Dip your cotton ball in some hot sauce, it’s delicious!

Obviously that diet is insane. There are no questions about it. However, if you Google long enough you will find the science that says it is not all that terrible. The Cotton Ball Diet is the extreme end of the spectrum. The gray area comes when the more realistic diets begin to enter the picture. Trying a diet can be costly, confusing, and worst of all, totally ineffective. The problem is that most science agrees that the right diet can contribute to your health way more than exercise can. When I started to get healthy I knew the first thing I needed to do was change my eating habits. I’m not a scientist, so I won’t pretend to babble on about what is healthy and what isn’t. I will tell you what I have tried, and what has worked for me. Everyone is different and not everything I have tried will work for you. Still, the way I found the right diet was by trying stuff that worked for other people. I now have a pretty easy diet to follow that doesn’t require a lot of sacrificing what I like.

American Gladiators Ultimate Workout
Exercise DVD
Starring Gina Carano, Monica Carlson, Michael O’Hearn, Tanoai Reed, Jennifer Widerstrom
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 16, 2008

Are you ready to get your fit on with some of your favorites from the American Gladiators TV Show? Then get your oil and dumbbells ready because Jet, Titan, Wolf, Phoenix, Toa, and Crush are ready to pump … you up.

The American Gladiators Ultimate Workout DVD consists of 3 separate workouts for both men and women. I have confirmed this because my wife did each workout right alongside me and she really impressed the hell out of me! It also includes 3 short target zone sessions that each focus on a certain part of the body. Yes, they are the important ones”¦ and each workout is performed by the Gladiators right on the set of the TV show!

In muscle Madness Strength 1, Titan, Phoenix, and Wolf each take turns pushing you with their own distinct style. The Gladiators have fun with you and each other in this muscle workout that winds up giving you some cardio as well. This is really a great combination of not only muscle building and cardio exercises, but there are calisthenics, stretching, and even yoga elements as well thanks to the lovely Phoenix. Most exercises employ dumbbells as the muscle resistance. This works out well because each person can customize their workout using the appropriate weight for their specific level and goals. My wife used 40% of the weight I used.