Goodbye Couch!
I’ve been tracking the gradual development of a modern redo of the old Royal Canadian Air Force Exercise plan (the 5BX plan for men and the XBX plan for women). Now the site is up and soon (I hope) we can get the new version. From the site:
In 1956, the Royal Canadian Air Force through Wing Commander J.K. Tett asked a civilian, William Orban to join their R.C.A.F. Recreation Branch as a civilian consultant to help them to develop an exercise plan for them. After two years William Orban and his team finalised the fitness program. They considered calling it 5 Basic Exercises Physical Fitness Programme but that was too long so it was shortened to 5BX – a ladies program followed this called XBX. Originally designed for the forces it quickly ‘spilled over’ to the world. Over 24,000,000 copies were reportedly sold.
The premise for 5BX came to Mr. Orban in Illinois, when he noticed his son’s maximum oxygen intake did not improve significantly, even as he became more skilled on the treadmill. He also noticed that certain elite athletes — Jesse Owens was tested in the energetics lab at the University of Illinois — did not show improvements in their fitness levels after lengthy bouts of exercise.Perhaps length of time wasn’t as important as previously thought. Perhaps the intensity of the exercise was more important.
5BX Plan for Physical Fitness’ and ‘XBX Plan for Physical Fitness’ is no longer being published. The Department of National Defence (DND) has researched and concluded the possible dangerous nature of the 5BX and XBX Plan for Physical Fitness. As such the 5BX and XBX programs have been discontinued by the Canadian Air Force because several of the exercises in these programs are contra-indicated and could result in physical injury. The EXPRES program is the current exercise program of the Canadian Forces.
What Goodbye Couch! is doing is revising the exercises in the RCAF 5BX and XBX plans so that the exercises are safe. I’m eager to give them a go.
I’m particularly eager because I read this article on how the meds don’t really protect us type 2 diabetics from heart attacks.
Looks interesting but I tried to sigh up for the notification service and it wasn’t functioning. Then I noticed the note at the bottom that said:
“Unfortunately, The Goodbye Couch program is not available yet for sale to citizens or residents of the territories and protectorates of the United States and Canada due to insurance costs”.
I’m assuming this means we’re out for now. Only good for Australia, NZ and other less litigious countries I guess.
Steve
14 March 2010 at 5:51 pm
Hi – yes that is correct re the insurance comment you made Steve. I can get the insurance but the costs are quite high and also the excess. We are quite confident the exercises are watertight so the chances of getting a negligent claim very remote.
We are expecting sales will do well in the rest of the world and then we can pick up the USA/Canada tab also. We do have another possible way we could go but waiting for a short time is our best option.
Understand your disappointment (I would be to) .Will release it as soon as we can to USA/Canada.
Regards
Chris
Goodbye Couch
Chris Gurney
14 March 2010 at 10:23 pm
Chris, you might want to consider Canada as different from the USA; far less litigious. Assuming the two are similar in this regard is a big mistake. We’re closer to Australia and NZ in attitudes…Commonwealth you know!
Steve
20 March 2010 at 10:39 am
Hi Steve
I would love to, considering the inspiration for the this came from 5BX which was created by Canadians, but not my choice – here in Australia insurance companies lump Canada in with USA.
I expect this to be only temporary because if sales are good I can handle the extra premiums otherwise I do have another possible way I could tackle it.
I’ll keep you informed.
Cheers
Chris
Chris Gurney
20 March 2010 at 1:53 pm
I dropped the 5bx program in the late ’60s because it was so boring. I think it was a big mistake to drop out. I now find that I cannot do a sit-up and can barely do a push-up. Have begun 5bx at the bottom rung with a long way to go.
Bob Slaughter
25 March 2010 at 11:30 am
I was a regular 5BX exerciser for quite a while—I remember jogging in place in a house we rented in Coralville IA, where we were living when TYD was born. I’m very interested in this modern revision that fixes some of the exercise flaws.
LeisureGuy
25 March 2010 at 11:57 am
Hi Bob – It was like finding an old friend again?!
I had originally hoped to get permission to reprint 5BX but the copyright holders would not authorise it due to unsafe fitness practice on some of the exercises. Can’t tie down which ones exactly but I know the situp was one of them. You should be able to find a safer way to do situps on a Google search.
You could always check with a fitness trainer on what exercises could do with a tweak or change.
That is why we are developing an alternative to 5BX.
Cheers
Chris
Chris Gurney
25 March 2010 at 1:27 pm
Hi LeisureGuy
I too am looking forward to the revised edition – been taking longer to get finalised that I had expected but then never been down a road like this before.
Should be ready for release in two weeks.
“Unfortunately, The Goodbye Couch program is not available yet for sale to citizens or residents of the territories and protectorates of the United States and Canada due to insurance costs”.
I expect this to be only temporary because if sales are good I can handle the extra premiums otherwise I do have another possible way I could tackle it.
Cheers
Chris
Chris Gurney
25 March 2010 at 1:31 pm
I got the original 5bx at http://www.scribd.com/doc/4069861/5bx-plan
Bob Slaughter
25 March 2010 at 2:14 pm
Hi Bob
Thanks for that
Unfortunately it now needs to say
“An oldy, but a good one, but not a safe one according to modern fitness practice.”
Cheers
Chris
Chris Gurney
25 March 2010 at 2:34 pm
Hi Steve
For your information.
Following a conversation with my insurance broker I have reworked the statement on our website that said
“Unfortunately, The Goodbye Couch program is not available yet for sale to citizens or residents of the territories and protectorates of the United States and Canada due to insurance costs”.
TO
Unfortunately, we cannot ship, at this time, Goodbye Couch! Fitness to any address that falls within the territories and protectorates of the United States and Canada.
There is a difference as you can see.
Cheers
Chris
It now states
Chris Gurney
8 April 2010 at 3:14 am
Is there any news on the publication date? I believe originally it was given as early May, but it seems to have slipped. It’s just that I am eager to begin, having used 5BX in the past!
All the best, Nick
Nick Riley
18 July 2010 at 5:16 am
Hi Nick – Sorry about the delay. We had some testers and they picked up small things and a missing stretching exercise and we needed to retake the photos but I have the final artwork for the cards sitting before me which is going to the printers in the next day or so. The booklet will go off for printing the following week. So, I anticipate it available 2-3 weeks from now. I’ll post here when it is done.
Cheers Chris
Chris
18 July 2010 at 3:50 pm
Thanks Chris. I am looking forward to getting stuck in and, hopefully, becoming fit again!
Cheers, Nick
Nick Riley
22 July 2010 at 8:40 am
Hi Nick
We have just gone live with the store. Unfortunately the restrictions of sale to the US and Canada are still in place at this point but if you have a friend outside the States/Canada it can be sent to them.
This is the newsletter we sent out with the discounts available.
http://www.goodbyecouch.com/news
Cheers
Chris
Chris
21 September 2010 at 2:27 am