Long Island University Professor Teams Up with Former Firefighter with Tips to ‘Get Firefighter Fit!’
- Exercises from the Bravest for the average couch potato -

Brooklyn, N.Y. – The slumping economy and freezing temperatures may be getting New Yorkers down, but with New Year’s around the corner, now is not the time for them to abandon their fitness regimes. A sizzling new book, “Get Firefighter Fit,” offers tips about the program that gets firefighters in top shape and can help others with their fitness needs too.

The authors are Kevin S. Malley, the former director of the New York City Fire Department’s physical training program, and David K. Spierer, Long Island University Brooklyn Campus assistant professor of sports sciences. In “Get Firefighter Fit,” they present a step-by-step approach to body conditioning that can be personalized to suit individual goals and activity levels. Half of the book’s proceeds will go to a scholarship in honor of two of Malley’s colleagues who perished on 9/11.

Heart health is the key

Published by Ulysses Press, this exercise guide emphasizes heart health. “Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for firefighters - with factors such as stress, heat and weight taking a heavy physiological toll,” explained Spierer. “Recent statistics from the American Heart Association demonstrate that one in every five deaths in America is attributed to heart attack. The exercises in this book will not only show you how to get fit in the short-term, but how to stay fit for a lifetime.”

Noting that heart attacks devastate everyone uniformly, Professor Spierer offers these tips for a heart-healthy regimen from his book:

• Eat right. Good nutrition is the fuel that we use for energy for everyday activities and is essential for firefighters to work at high intensities under extreme heat. Additional benefits include less risk of heart disease and colon cancer.
• You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym to exercise - all you need are a pair of dumbbells and a desire to get fit.
• Consistency is key both for firefighters and the average person because it lessens the chance for injury. Make a commitment to exercise three times a week for 30 minutes, which can be broken down into smaller intervals if necessary.
• Focus first on duration, not intensity, to help build muscle strength for daily function. Strength is important for the Bravest – and for the rest of us - to push, pull, lift and carry.
• Include aerobics exercises like walking or jogging to improve circulation and the efficiency of the heart muscle - benefits anyone can use.
• Don’t forget stretching exercises for flexibility, mobility and injury prevention.
• Squats are great for toning muscles firefighters use in racing up stairs – and for keeping your legs strong.
• More energy and better cardiovascular health help reduce stress and improve alertness, necessities for firefighters and for enhancing your quality of life.

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Posted: December 1, 2008