Tom Lynch

The most important rule of "Punk Rock Aerobics" is that music by Madonna or Ricky Martin is not allowed under any circumstances. The rest of the rules are easy, as long as The Ramones, Sex Pistols, and Minor Threat dictate the rhythms of lunging, squatting, and, yes, even air guitaring. Maura Jasper and Hilken Mancini's guide to getting in shape to punk rock covers most facets of exercise and aims to strengthen all muscles. The book diagrams seventy-five different moves, each with their own chapter and catchy title, such as "Jumpin' Jacked Ups," "Head Kicked In," and "Pogo."

Mancini, member of the deceased indie-rock band Fuzzy, and Jasper, art designer and video artist, held "Punk Rock Aerobics" classes in their native Boston last year, then toured briefly in New York City. The success from their classes and the endorsements of fellow punks Evan Dando and Mike Watt influenced them to release the manual, a funny, off-center look at getting in shape and not being ashamed of it. Interviews with musicians like Thurston Moore and Hugo Burnham are interspersed between the instructions of the exercise maneuvers, and the playful tone of the dialogue makes the entire reading experience that much more enjoyable. It's nice to read interviews with legendary musicians when they're not pissed off about something, just acting giddy, goofy, and naturally happy that they're included. Mancini and Jasper never stray from their good-humored tone. For instance, their "Head Kicked In" disclaimer: "We cannot proceed without first mentioning that this move is possible only because of the Rezillos' bubblegum pop version of `Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in Tonight.' Fittingly, it is incredibly ridiculous. Find your meanest scowl for this one."

Though "Punk Rock Aerobics" may be more suitable as an exercise video, the book achieves its goal--it makes exercise look like fun. And if that's not enough, Mancini and Jasper try to persuade the reader in other ways. "By not exercising," they write, "your body will start to rot like a car in a junk heap, turning you into an atrophied blob with brittle bones."

Punk Rock Aerobics

By Maura Jasper and Hilken Mancini

Da Capo Press, $17.95, 175 pages

(2004-02-03)

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