Monday, February 4, 2008
Anna Benson, you’re my hero! Anna Benson, along with her sister, Cynthia, and their company, The Firm, first introduced me to exercise videos, and exercise more generally, some thirteen years ago. They had already been at it for a while having combined weights and aerobics back in the late 1970’s before anyone else was doing it, let alone women. I joined thousands of other sweaty, buff females and became cultishly addicted to The Firm’s numerous exercise videos (on VHS, no less). I knew I was hooked the moment I spotted my bicep rippling under my taut, young skin. I sang the praises of The Firm to anyone who would listen (and some who wouldn’t), and I was proud when people would ask me what gym I went to. “Oh, me? I don’t go to the gym at all. I do exercise videos from the eighties in my living room.” Ah, yes, those were the days.
I remember giggling at The Firm’s newsletter when they suggested doing Kegel exercises to “increase sexual pleasure,” but I did them anyway. Later videos produced by the company even had instructors leading Kegels with a subtle fist-clenching gesture to queue the viewer. I recall, as a young woman, being a little shocked that these crazy ladies from South Carolina were shamelessly teaching me how to exercise my vaginal muscles. They even showed detailed diagrams and said the word “vagina” matter-of-factly.
Years passed, and the Benson sisters sold the rights to The Firm. The numerous, and talented, Firm instructors split-up and started projects of their own. Anna went on to produce a number of new videos, including the Kick Butt series, which I own and adore. While The Firm and its creators remained an important influence on my workout regimen, they took a back burner to the elliptical machine and other exercises I could do while watching Martha Stewart roast root vegetables and talk to the stars of Desperate Housewives.
Recently, I received an email announcing that Anna has a new trick up her…. sleeve. Anna Benson has yet again made exercise anything but routine and, in the process, she’s won my heart again. In her new video, RootLock she is not only leading a variety of pelvic floor strengthening exercises, she is recommending the use of Smart Balls by Fun Factory to enhance these exercises. Complete with colorful balloon models of the pelvis, Anna’s new video makes me want to squeeze her (and my perineum).
Not only is she a successful and creative businesswoman, she is proud of being a sexually integrated woman. What a great roll-model! Why not exercise your vagina when you hit your abs and quads? Why not incorporate sex toys into a fun and challenging workout? Suddenly, the elliptical machine is not sounding so appealing. I think I will stay home and lift weights – inside and out. Thank you, Anna Benson. I remain a Firm Believer!