Mählich's shaky game

Next ex-athlete makes a fool of himself on ORF

"We've almost done the most strenuous part!" says Mählich happily after a less sweaty workout.

(Bild: tv.orf.at)

ORF viewers of "Fit mit den Stars" were treated to a humorous shake-up on Monday morning. Ex-football player and TV commentator Roman Mählich performed 17 entertaining minutes of gymnastics on Monday morning, but appeared a little too awkward and stiff even for pensioner sport.

"Fit mit den Stars" is the new, rousing fitness show that is broadcast on ORF2 at 9.10 a.m. on weekdays. Every week, a different celebrity guest presents a varied fitness program that has been designed together with a professional fitness trainer."

With these words, the public broadcaster attracts workout enthusiasts to their TV sets in droves, where "Dancing Star" dancer Conny Kreuter, ski jumping legend Andreas Goldberger and co. are supposed to give their viewers a workout.

TV commentator Roman Mählich

(Bild: tv.orf.at)

"Spechtelnder" Goldi first excitement
After the successful and confident debut of professional dancer Kreuter, it was Goldberger's turn first, who managed to upset many a viewer with a clever "fitness exercise for the eyes" in a society already characterized by debates on sexism.

On April 29, an extremely motivated Roman Mählich slipped into his sneakers to "work up a sweat" together with his audience and motivate people to exercise for 20 minutes "for every taste and every fitness level". At least that's what the program description promises.

In his familiar, likeable manner, the 52-year-old led the audience through the program at a leisurely pace. Important program points: "heels" and "ankle mobilization". He emphasized several times how important the "quality - rather than the quantity - of execution" is for the success of the exercise. Please don't forget to smile, it makes everything easier! And he's right.

"It wouldn't be bad if I could stop myself"
Unfortunately, however, the performance sometimes turned into an unintentional shaking game. Mählich wobbled several times, especially during exercises on just one leg, but took it with humor: "You can stop yourselves," he urged his fellow gymnasts in his light Lower Austrian dialect. "It wouldn't be bad if I could stop myself," he laughs. He bravely grits his teeth and pulls it off.

If you ever lose your balance: for God's sake! It's not a matter of life and death!

Roman Mählich

The toe of his foot is then lowered and raised, and Mählich's trembling leg can't be overlooked here either: "As always: quality before quantity! If you ever lose your balance: for God's sake! It's not a matter of life and death!" This is followed by a reference to his "bow legs", which could be avoided if you didn't perform ankle mobilization as often as he does. Laughing, he warns: "If you don't want to have bow legs like that, you shouldn't do the exercise too often."

"I can't get my feet to move at all!"
But he struggles. "I can't get my feet to close at all," he smiles, now that he is devoting himself to trunk circles. By now, his heart rate has probably reached 75 beats per minute. There are no drops of sweat in sight yet. The next exercise could change that. 

You've probably already noticed, it's been a bit longer for me too ...

Mählich kämpft erneut mit seinem Gleichgewicht

Mählich gets into the one-legged stance again, visibly struggling not to lose his balance. Here, too, he shows humor: "You've probably already noticed, it's been a bit longer for me too!" But, he assures us, it's fun and that's what counts! He then falls into a gentle trot, raises his knees to his palms, then his feet to his buttocks. Even if he finds it "difficult" - too "many knee operations". Don't forget to smile!

Too much sport is not good. Sport is murder! Professional sport at least!

Mählich hebt seine Knie

"I'm already a bit out of breath too"
Now, at the latest, his previously discreet panting can no longer be ignored, his high forehead shines. "I'm a bit out of breath too," he admits candidly, raises his arms in parallel and stands - again - on one leg. "Great!" is how he describes his feeling. Nevertheless: "I really do look a bit stiff!" he can't resist a little self-mockery. "That's the price that professional footballers pay. Too much sport isn't good. Sport is murder! At least professional sport is!" he laughs.

"I've noticed a bit of potential for improvement in myself"
Mählich shakes out his legs. "So, after this physically demanding activity, let's start regenerating," he finishes the workout with a wink. He motivates his fellow gymnasts once again: "We've almost done the hardest part!" Finally, he beams into the camera: "I've noticed a bit of room for improvement, but it's getting better every time," he says, thanking everyone for their - hopefully active and future - participation.

"Yes! I'm already looking a bit stiff!" comments Mählich on one exercise.

(Bild: tv.orf.at)

Our - purely subjective - conclusion: professional and amateur athletes will probably not achieve their fitness goals or calorie deficit with Mählich's "Fit with the Stars" edition. However, the mobilization, coordination and flexibility of many an older fellow gymnast, injured athlete or returnee are likely to benefit from the easy-to-follow, joint-friendly exercises.

Also very refreshing: Mählich's self-irony, good humor and motivating manner, which will probably have many fans tuning in again on Tuesday. Until Friday, he will be the "gymnast of the nation".