We've become a nation of desk potatoes, wouldn't you agree? When was the last time you had to wash your clothes by hand, or even had to get up from your armchair to change the television channel?

To add to this, very few of us are involved in intense physical labor in our day jobs. In fact, many occupations involve standing at retail desks, or sitting behind a computer desk all day, with virtually no movement.

In the 2006 Canadian report Physical Activity Among Canadians Workers, 85% said they...