Virtual Workouts, Real-World Results?

Fitscape
What it's good for: A wealth of searchable, customizable nutrition information.
Don't waste your time if: You're beyond basic tips like "Exercise more."
What our CEOs had to say: "Most valuable for nutrition information." "Its strength is its focus on personalization." "Too slow for me. I didn't learn anything new or exciting."
What you should know: Medical advisers include a cardiologist and an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine.

GetFit.com
What it's good for: Personalized workouts.
Don't waste your time if: You object to registering before seeing any content.
What our CEOs had to say: "Well-crafted site...a bit of work to get set up, but easy once you're finished." "Probably appeals to those looking to get fit rather than to those who already are."
What you should know: The site contains a huge library of exercises with video instruction.

JustMove.org
What it's good for: Cardiac information.
Don't waste your time if: You get stressed out by Web problems. (Some testers reported problems accessing the site.)
What our CEOs had to say: "Aimed at baby boomers. Information is reliable and well researched." "Server problem prevented me from even reaching the home page."
What you should know: The site is operated by the American Heart Association.

Workoutplan.com
What it's good for: Basic, no-frills instruction.
Don't waste your time if: You want fully explained or challenging information.
What our CEOs had to say: "Oversimplified instruction left plenty of room for error." "The plan that was eventually given to me was for a geriatric couch potato."
What you should know: The site doesn't indicate who owns and operates it.

Our panelists
Lisa Johnson is founder and president of Studio Elle, a Pilates training studio in Brookline, Mass. (www.studioelle.com). Johnson, a long-time fitness instructor, was the first person in New England to be certified as a trainer in the Stott Pilates exercise method; she holds many other certifications.

Kelly A. Rodriques is chairman and CEO of San Francisco-based Novo Corp. (www.novocorp.com), which develops, builds, and markets E-businesses. Rodriques, a pole-vaulter, competed in the 1986 World Games in Helsinki.

Patrick J. Sweeney II is founder, president, and CEO of ServerVault (www.servervault.com), which provides secure, managed Web-hosting and data-storage services. He is a world-class single sculler who spent six years training full-time for the Olympics; he placed second in the 1996 Olympic trials.

Anne Stuart is a senior writer at Inc. Technology.

The Savvy Entrepreneur's Guide to Fitness

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