Sit and Be Fit creator and host, Mary Ann Wilson, RN, was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame on April 30, 2017. Wilson was honored for her 3+ decades of helping millions of individuals become functionally fit and live healthy, happy and productive lives through her nationally syndicated television program, Sit and Be Fit. Wilson joins an elite group of past inductees which include: Jack LaLanne, Jane Fonda, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Richard Simmons.
Sit and Be Fit airs on KSPS weekdays at 11:30 AM, Pacific.
More about Mary Ann
Executive Director, Creator/Host of Sit and Be Fit, Mary Ann Wilson, RN began her career as a registered nurse, specializing in geriatrics and post-polio rehabilitation. In 1985, while teaching aerobics to older adults, Mary Ann noticed a high incidence of injury and attrition among her students. In response, she designed a gentle program tailored to their special needs. As students began reporting marked improvement in their physical and mental health, Mary Ann became convinced that there was a need for this type of exercise program on a national level. With persistence, she convinced the Spokane PBS affiliate station, KSPS, to produce Sit and Be Fit. In 1987 the first series of 30 programs was distributed nationally to PBS stations. The program was an instant success, and today, thirty years later, Sit and Be Fit remains a feature “how-to” program on public television.
Mary Ann is the creator and host of 330 nationally syndicated television episodes and 34 workout products. She continues to teach fitness classes at local retirement communities and uses feedback from her students, as well as ongoing research, to continually update the Sit and Be Fit television series.
Mary Ann has authored several health and fitness publications, and has been featured as a guest columnist in health and aging newspapers and magazines. She also educates healthcare professionals, caregivers, and hospital personnel at national and international health conferences.