Video Safety Rating (members only)

In response to many ESA certified instructor requests, the Exercise Safety Association has started a program that critiques popular commercial exercise videos for elements of safety and effectiveness. Videos are submitted by ESA members and rated by a representative from ESA's Advisory Board. The critique includes rationales based on scientific guidelines and generally accepted fitness recommendations. The purpose of the system is to help ESA professionals reinforce the safety information that they learned in their primary training programs.

If you are a current ESA certified fitness professional and would like to have a video critiqued, include the following five items in the body of an email 1.) your name, 2.) your membership number, 3.) the complete video title, 4.) the featured presenter, and 5.) the manufacturer. Send your email to askesa@exercisesafety.com.

Jane Fonda Returns

Veteran fitness advocate and movie star, Jane Fonda, returns with two new exercise videos called Jane Fonda Prime Time. The video, Fonda Prime Time Fit & Strong, a general muscle conditioning program, includes a touch of Yoga, Stretching, Pilates, and Core Stabilization.

At 72 years old, Jane Fonda's appearance, alone, is motivating and could match a fit twenty-year old. Exercising in a modest and stylish full body pant suit, she is striking with obviously toned muscles—a role model not only for fitness instructors but also for women of all ages. Her poise, grace, and clear instructions are exemplary. However, at first viewing, the target audience for the video seems perplexing. The program is not labeled a senior or older adult exercise program, and the explanation on the DVD cover only mentions "aging" one time. Yet, Jane refers throughout to the needs of older adults and includes herself in that category by repeatedly using the words "we," "our," and "us." The exercises and pace of the workout suggest that she intends to appeal to first time exercising older adults and fans of her former exercise videos, who stopped working out and want to get back into shape. The video might be too basic for experienced exercisers, professional instructors seeking ideas, or her fans who have continued to exercise since the 1970s when her first videos were released.