The Fitness Instinct: The Revolutionary New Approach to Healthy Exercise That is Fun, Natural, and No Sweat

The editor and founder of American Fitness magazine excoriates what she calls ""the fitness cartel""--gyms, the media and the sports apparel industry. Jordan, admitting to her own part in the conspiracy, shares amusing anecdotes of phony endorsements, hard-bodied aerobics instructors and thousand-dollar airbrushing. She begins by giving the reader a personality test (the Enneagram) to determine his or her fitness type. Jordan's cornerstone program is based on brief periods of activity throughout the day, which amounts to not much more than an elaborated ""take the stairs"" approach. She offers her views on everything from yoga, stretching, tai chi and relaxation techniques to running, biking and hiking. While none of this is really new, she does effectively embrace the now mainstream mind/body connection, inspiring people to work out in their dreams and get to know their bodies. Her steam runs out tward the end with a perfunctory review of supplements such as carnitine and ephedra and an endorsement of liposuction. Yet the book offers many options that may lead frustrated aerobaholics to more fulfilling paths. 5-city author tour; QPB and BOMC alternates. (Oct.)