TVSquad

If you're like me, then you're probably a mom. Although, I don't have children. In fact, I'm a quarter-century old dude built like an extra from a 1960's beach movie (that's not necessarily a compliment, especially if you think "compact" is a terrible description of body type, as I often do). However, when I'm at the gym, I seem to get along like gangbusters with all the mothers who take to the Stepper for a mindless lower-body workout in which one essentially climbs to nowhere.

In fact, every now and then, you'll catch me on the machine upwards of an hour, which is by no means an easy task when you have the attention span I do. But luckily, I've got plenty of friends to keep me going, and I don't even have to talk to them. Because they're inside the TV! (Sorry, moms!)

In my experience, cardiovascular activity can be a torturous process when not accompanied by an appropriate distraction. Some people read magazines, others listen to music, and some even make phone calls (but that's usually because those people are way more important than the rest of us). I, on the other hand, need television. And I don't just need a television, I need shows that are so visually seductive, so stupidly accessible and moderately [if not lightning-] paced (read: edited for dummies), that I could lose feeling in my legs and still be more concerned with seeing how many straight gals Workout's Jackie Warner can seduce in one episode.

Here are, in my humble (and, admittedly, childlike) opinion, some of the best shows to watch at the gym:


Press Your Luck - If there's any game show that doesn't dilly-dally and gets right down to business, it's this one (the old version, thank you very much). Although I love my Millionaire and Sajak, neither game show fires at rapid speed like PYL does. Plus, there's no better method for raising one's heart rate than with the entrance of a godforsaken Whammy.


The Golden Girls - I've written about the show here at length, so all I really have to say is: how could you turn away from this for even a second? Bea Arthur + murder mystery = your new weight loss secret.


Workout - Chronicling fitness entrepreneur Jackie Warner and her posse of trainers, Workout provides a peek into the lives of L.A.'s most attractive and self-obsessed residents. Problem is, most of the cast seem like healthy, genuine people (especially commanding, no-nonsense Jackie), so rooting for them comes easy.

Plus, if you're just about to give up on the treadmill, just take a close look at Jackie's abs, and you'll be upping your resistance level in no time.


Real Housewives of New York City - Considering that I'm a New Yorker myself, this particular cast from the Housewives franchise is the only one to which I really pay any attention. However, I can't actually imagine that any other cast member, from Atlanta to Orange County, has boarded the Crazy Bus driven by Ramona, the wide-eyed gnome who sputters fake French and poorly-timed insults, making for what I truly consider Must See TV, especially if you're lifting weights.