Pump It Up

Are you a workout addict? Do you run through step routines any time you hear music? Or do you ask folks “How much ya bench?” when they introduce themselves? Or maybe you’re the kind who just enjoys watching the fitness shows, gaining a sense of accomplishment just by flipping the channels.

When it comes to fitness programs, some of us are well-intentioned but dedication-challenged and need a bit of a push or have no idea where to start. Well, there’s a gym bagful of Web sites for us--after we get the go-ahead from a doctor.

If you’re intimidated by personal trainers whose necks are the size of your thighs--put together--you might consider an impersonal trainer. Most of the virtual trainers require you to register for free membership and answer some questions about your preferences and fitness level.

Asimba (https://www.asimba.com) is one of my favorites. After signing up, you can get a program and have daily workout plans e-mailed to you. In addition, you can send the program and related articles to a Palm OS handheld computer using AvantGo (https://avantgo.com/setup).

And if you want to add some muscle to your little digital friend, you also could download freeware and shareware applications to track your workout progress on your handheld. One place to stop is https://mobile.yahoo.com /wireless/downloads.

GymAmerica (https://www.gymamerica.com) is a similar free training site. After you fill out a moderately lengthy questionnaire about your workout preferences, the site produces a routine. You can track the progress of your pumpitude. It also offers workouts of professional athletes.

When you step up to the “Juice Bar” (https://www.fitnesslink.com), you can keep track of your fitness goals, get training tips, keep a fitness log, calculate your target heart rate and find a workout buddy. You also can get a grip on how to use machines in the gym.

Perhaps you’ve been trying to lose the love handles. At GetFit (https://www.getfit.com), you can click on a muscle group to get a list of exercise suggestions to work that part into submission. You can select workouts, articles and programs to stash in your cyber gym bag to be pulled out as needed.

If you get all tripped up in step class, you can let your fingers do the clicking at https://www.turnstep.com to break the moves down--before you break any bones.

And for the big mama-to-be, https://www.fitnessfind.com/pregnancy.html connects you with suggested workouts when you’re already doing heavy lifting--every time you manage to get off the couch.

OK, so you’ve got the whole working-out thing down, but your visualization abilities may be waning. You ask, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, how great will I look when I get small?” Find the answer at https://www.efit.com. You can e-mail a full-length photo of yourself and get one back 15 pounds lighter. It also gives you a daily dose of fitness news from across the country and around the world.

Speaking of visions, does the sight of feet pounding the ground get your heart racing? Check out https://www.ontherun.com to find local running clubs or get technique tips.

When it comes to controlling weight, apparently math is big at https://www.caloriecontrol.org. The Calorie Control Council has calculators for caloric intake, body mass index, calorie expenditure. It also offers food for thought on how to lower caloric intake.

This collection of fitness sites wouldn’t have muscle without a nod and a biceps flex to Arnold--and his bulging buddies. You can compare your work in progress with the physiques of Conan the Barbarian and that hulking mass of muscle Lou Ferrigno at https://www.musclepage.com.

But wait a minute. Not everyone is running on a treadmill with the desperation of a hamster in its wheel to wear a smaller size. The folks at https://www.sizewise.com say you can be just as happy being big and beautiful.

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