Fitness DVD Targets Military Spouses

NEW YORK -- When Laura E.'s husband was sent to Iraq and Afghanistan, she was left with a seemingly impossible to-do list.

She had to handle household chores, pay bills, take care of her young daughter, complete her graduate degree and work a full-time job -- not to mention, worry about her husband at the same time. She felt lonely, exhausted and didn't think she had time for anything else, especially exercising.

As her stress and to-do list increased and her fitness level dropped, she reached out to a longtime friend and fitness instructor for a solution.

"Laura and I live far away from each other, so taping a workout was the only way to act as her virtual personal trainer," said Nikki Fitness, creator of the NikkiFitness Military Wife Workout (MWW). "She asked for a video that would combine all muscle groups and cardio in just half an hour, so I made this DVD for her and all other military wives like her. It's perfect for anyone whose husband or boyfriend spends a lot of time away from home."

During the DVD creation, Nicole Glor, aka Nikki Fitness, began a monthly fitness column for www.military.com, which led to hundreds of emails and phone conversations with other military wives. They all struggle with the issue of staying in shape while their family members are deployed.

The MWW combines cardio intervals with upper- and lower-body moves to get every major muscle group toned within 30 minutes. A warmup and stretch are included, as well as modifications and challenge adaptations for any fitness level. It is now available on Amazon.com

Unlike a traditional fitness DVD, the MWW will not show a studio full of women doing the same old routine. It's shot in scenic locations around New York City, with quick edits to keep people entertained and visually stimulated.

Also, in the spirit of YouTube and iPod and thousands of products tailored to individual tastes, one generic soundtrack isn't forced on participants. The DVD sends exercisers to http://www.nikkifitness.com/ for their own playlist suggestions in many different genres. Each workout can include new music.

For more information, a biography, video demo, press clips, columns, photos and letters from other military wives and mothers, go to www.nikkifitness.com.

Nicole Glor, aka Nikki Fitness, is a personal trainer, group exercise instructor, writer and publicist living in New York City. 

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