Napa, California – April 2007 – National Senior Health and Fitness Day is May 30, 2007, and Harbinger is encouraging older adults to take the time to exercise for just 20 minutes a day to stay fit. Doing the following gentle stretches and exercises can help seniors stay strong and feel younger. Designed for all levels of fitness, they’re perfect for doing at home and only require three fitness accessories: Harbinger’s Weighted Fitness Ball, Training Ball and Stretch Mat.

EXERCISES FOR SENIORS
• Chair Sit & Stand (Legs)
This exercise will strengthen the muscles you need to get out of any comfortable chair.
Stand in front of a chair with feet about shoulder-width apart. Hold a Harbinger Fitness Ball (1-4 pounds) in front of you at chest level. Contract the abs, extend your arms straight in front of you and sit down on the chair. As soon as you make contact with the chair, stand back up and try to do so without rocking back or using momentum. For added intensity, don't sit all the way down: stop just before your backside touches the seat. Do 10 sets of five (approximately five minutes).
Use the Harbinger Weighted Fitness Balls for the exercises described above and below • Harbinger’s Weighted Fitness Balls are appropriate for every level of athlete
• Designed to be easily grasped
• An alternative to using metal free weights
• Enhances strength and endurance by helping isolate specific muscle groups during training
• Available in four weights:
o one-pound (red), retail price: $8.00
o two-pound (yellow), retail price: $10.00
o three-pound (blue), retail price: $12.00
o four-pound (green), retail price: $14.00

• Ball Taps (Abs/Legs)
Ever have a pesky recliner that you can’t get the foot rest down? Problem solved!
Sit in a chair and place a Harbinger Fitness Ball in front of both feet. Sit straight up and try not to rest against the back of the chair, keeping your back straight and your abs contracted. Lift your right foot and tap the top of the ball then take your foot back down to the floor. Switch sides and do the same with your left foot, alternating each foot for all repetitions. For added intensity, sit on a Harbinger Training Ball to challenge your balance. Do 10 sets of five (approximately five minutes).

Use Harbinger’s Training Ball for the exercise below, along with a Weighted Fitness Ball

• Harbinger’s Training Balls enhance strength and endurance by helping isolate specific muscle groups during training
• Increase balance and coordination as they are incorporated into weight training, aerobic and resistance workouts
• Stay round during use
• Have gripping ridges that provide excellent traction
• Available in three sizes:
o 55 cm diameter (purple) for heights 5’1”-5’6”, retail price: $20.00
o 65 cm diameter (red) for heights 5’7”-6’1”, retail price: $25.00
o 75 cm diameter (grey) for heights 6’2”-6’7”, retail price: $30.00

• Chest Squeeze (Chest)
This exercise is good practice for hugs for grandkids.
Sit on a Harbinger Training Ball or chair, back straight and abs in. Hold a Harbinger Fitness Ball (1-4 pounds) at chest level and squeeze the ball with the palms of your hands to contract your chest. While continuing to squeeze the ball, slowly push the ball out in front of you at chest level until elbows are almost straight. Continuing the pressure with your hands, bend the elbows and pull the ball back to chest. Do 10 sets of five (approximately five minutes).

COOL DOWN (approximately 5 minutes of stretching)
Every workout needs a cool down of gentle stretching.

Use Harbinger’s Stretch Mat for
the stretches below
• Harbinger’s Stretch Mat is a lightweight exercise mat for yoga and stretching
• 3mm thick non-slip foam cushions the body while allowing maximum contact with the floor
• Non-skid foam grips the floor and allows for easy and controlled stretching
• Size: 23" wide by 66" long
• Retail price: $20.00

Use Harbinger’s Stretch Mat for
the stretches below

• Back Stretch – Sit on a Harbinger Training Ball or chair, clasp your hands together in front of you turning your palms out and rounding your back. Press your hands towards wall in front of you, feeling a stretch in your upper back.

• Triceps Stretch – Sit on a Harbinger Training Ball or chair, lift both arms overhead in prayer (pressing palms together) then drop hands in prayer to center of back. Press elbows towards head, feeling a stretch down your arms.

• Shoulders/Chest Stretch – Sit on a Harbinger Training Ball or chair, interlock fingers from behind and press palms towards the floor. Look up towards the ceiling, feeling the stretch across your chest and shoulders.

• Forward Bend (Hamstring Stretch) – Sit up straight on floor with both legs extended straight out in front of you, feet flexed. Wrap a yoga strap around the arches of your feet, holding one end of the strap in your right hand, other end in your left. With your spine extended, shoulders relaxed away from your ears, chest lifted, hinge from your hips and bend forward. Bring your chest to your knees, eyes gaze one to two feet beyond your toes. Stay for five breaths then gently sit up. Repeat two more times.

For more information about National Fitness Day, go to www.fitnessday.com.

About Harbinger & Grizzly Fitness USA
As the leading fitness accessory brands in the US and Canada, Harbinger and Grizzly Fitness USA have partnered to become the number one supplier of fitness accessories in North America. With a focus on the strength training consumer, their combined product line combines innovation and performance. Product categories include gloves, belts, wrist wraps, lifting straps, machine attachments, a full range of hand exercise tools and other products designed to enhance even the most rigorous training regimens. For more information on Harbinger or Grizzly Fitness USA visit www.harbingerfitness.com and www.grizzlyfitnessusa.com.
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