A Great Workout -- and you can do it at home.

FOR THE PAST six or seven weeks, Kerri has been begging me to put up a post about a little workout routine that I've been doing. She wants me to write about it because she thinks it's hilarious. I think it's genius. Maybe you should be the judge.

Now, I am no fitness freak -- that's for sure. But I am interested in doing some physical activity each week and trying to maintain some sort of weight-training regiment. I brought my bike with me from the States and, thanks to the mountains around our house, I'm covered on the aerobic side of things. The problem comes when I want to lift some weights. Since we don't live near a gym I have been forced to find things around our rented house that can serve as free weights. I've tried a lot of things: paint cans (thin handle hurt my hands), pieces of wood (not heavy enough), boxes (too awkward), even my son's bicycle (too ridiculous). After nearly giving up on the idea I finally found something that works and I have been using it ever since.

I work-out with our family tent!

It's perfect. It weighs about 25 lbs; it's packed in a nice storage bag with heavy-duty handles; it's not too big or bulky; and I can add weight if I need to by stuffing something in the handles (a large, full bottle of laundry detergent is perfect -- there an extra 6-7 lbs. right there). Now, I'm not going to get Rafael Nadal arms working out with a 25 lb. tent, but I've developed a little routine that hits my arms, shoulders, and upper chest and that -- along with some good bike rides -- is just about what I need.

I know some of you are reading this and beginning to chuckle at the thought of me lying on the floor (I have a mat!) in my garage working out my tricps with a tent. And as I write this it is beginning to dawn on me that working out with a tent is -- at the very least -- a bit odd. But I'm telling you, I'm on to something. It works, and without worrying about all those free weights lying around the house. All I need now is a promotional DVD and I could have millions of people around the world bulkin' up with their family tents: "Tent Training in 20 Minutes." Watch out Billy Blanks, I'm coming for you.

So you tell me: hilarious or genius? I'll check the comment box after a quick workout.

[obscure reference guide: see Rafael Nadal's arms; Billy Blanks]
CJS