About Fluidity Fitness
A classic fitness tool reinvented for a totally modern workout.
Dancers don’t dance their way to a beautiful body. They develop strength, proportion and flexibility using a wall-mounted ballet barre and their own body weight. The Fluidity Bar allows you to work against the resistance of your own body weight in any direction to transform your body into a dancer’s body. You can learn more about the Fluidity Difference here. The Fluidity Bar® features the stability of a wall-mounted ballet barre in the convenience of a fold-down unit.
Can anyone help me to assemble this? I don’t know where the backboard is or the lowere metal crossbars so I can lock them together. Please! It’s sitting here for 2 days now. No one answers the phone. Thanks!
Are you referring to the Owner’s Manual for setup? Our Customer Service is closed at 5:00PM EST, but we can have someone contact you on Monday morning and try to walk you through the steps here as well. First, position the unit so that the feet attached to the legs are flat on the floor; in this position, the backboard is lying on top of the unit. In step 2 of those instructions: Lift up on the bar and then place the lower hinge of the backboard into the lower metal crossbar so that the hinge locks into place, you’re basically lifting the wooden bar up and that bar is attached to the backboard so the backboard will become vertical as you lift up on the wooden bar. You should guide the bottom of the backboard over the lower metal crossbar and lock it into place – you’ll see there’s a blue plastic hinge on the lower cross bar and the backboard should click into that hinge. This step is critical b/c the backboard must lock into place prior to using.
Hi, my name is Teresa. I have been doing these work outs for a month now. I am loving it!!! how about you?
I’ve been doing Fluidity for 4 months now and can’t say enough about it.
I’m 59 and a lifelong exerciser. For the past 25 years I’ve done free weights..a basic, split-system bodybuilding routine, plus walking.
In the last few years however, my fibromyalgia, which I’ve had for 30 years, has worsened, as has my osteoarthritis. The list of things I can do has gotten shorter. Chronic pain causes me to chose my exercise method carefully for the best results. I don’t have tons of energy or endurance.
I’ve found that Fluidity is ideal for my conditions.In the beginning, I had to be in bed the day after my first workouts, but I knew it would be tough at first and that I’d have a lot of pain, so I kept going. I’m now up to Intermediate level, and no longer have to be laid up the entire next day! If I’m experiencing a flareup of my condition, I will go back to the beginner workout for a bit. My energy level is better and my stamina has improved tremendously, too. Much of my fibromyalgia pain is down the back of my body, so it was easy to let those muscles atrophy to avid pain, but I know that if I do that, I’ll hurt even more. Fluidity targets those muscles better than anything, (while sparing my poor old knee, which I’m coddling in order to avoid a replacement.
When I was young, I danced, and I was also an EMT for a few years, so I know my anatomy and Fluidity is brilliant in it’s design and execution.
I can’t tell you how much I like this training method and how grateful I am to have discovered it. Thank you so much!
Val Thomas
You’re very welcome! And thank you for sharing. We love to hear it!
Just got my bar, thank you for addressing the issues with fibromyalgia while holding out the hope for others of us that this is a doable form of exercise to keep us functional
I have a question: How do I know if I am using the proper posture. I have just received my fluidity bar and am not really sure if i am holding myself in the proper position. I have reviewed the video but still am not sure. also, while I was working out I felt pain in my knee. Does that mean I am doing something wrong. I have not been exercising so I am out of shape and this is harder than it looks. I am, however, up for the challenge. Help please
Toni
I am unable to keep the bar at this time. My husband is very sick in the hospital and I have to be there with him. I need an address as to where the bar is to be returned. Thank you for your understanding. Wendy Rothberg, 59 Walpole Street, Canton Ma 02021 !-781-727-5922, Sept. 18, 2010
Hi Wendy..I thought I replied to your question directly, but if I didn’t hit the right box, scroll down..its under ‘clenbuterol legal’s post.
Oops, I meant Toni..sorry!
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is
added I get several e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
Hey! Fluidity is way harder than it looks, so take it easy at the start and if you need to, follow the lowest level of beginner for awhile, while you listen to the instructions. It will take your body awhile to learn the new movements.
Keep your knees bent, and if the cross legged floor stretch bothers your knee, or the stretch at the barre, modify it. My own knee is half gone from arthritis,(in fact I am on a cane now from some ill advised cardio), but in the year I have done this workout, I have not re-injured it once. Just be careful and go slowly. For the time being, simply remember to keep your hips square to the floor when you do foldover seat work and don’t let the hip with the raised leg tilt up toward the ceiling.
When I began Fluidity, I was very fit from other kinds of training but the intermediate level of the beginner workout destroyed me! Now I am at the middle version of the advanced workout. I also have fibromyalgia and am laid up quite often, but even if I am bedridden, I crawl out twice a week to do my workout. If I can do this, you can too! Good luck!
Hello ,
I have read what your story..Maybe I was ment to see it..I really don’t know but, I did..
It was the story I needed to see. I am waiting for the arrival of my Fluidity bar anyday now.
I have Rheuamtoid Arthritis , Osteo Arthritis, Lupus, ( SLE ). My back is shot..I knew if I did not try something I was going to lose all my abilities to do much of anything. I have sever pain…Oh , I do mean pain..I really can relate with your illness.
I have been working out doing pilates and weights…etc..I can tell it is working some..but, not the way I need it too. I have to reshape my body…My muscles have not been used in years..I thought I was not able too.. I would just hurt myself..the doctor’s told me to start to exercise as much as I can stand.. I know I cannot do as much as I once could..I have a bad knee also.I have to modify exercises..I am trying so hard…I hope this Fluidity Bar will help me in what I need to do …I need to get my muscles working again ..yet…I need stability also..Is this something that the Fluidity Bar will help me with?
I would like to see how you are doing and stay in touch with you..maybe we can help each other.There are so many days that I am bed ridden ..You are certainly someone who will make someone feel like they can keep going even if they are having health issues..You sound very strong and determined…so hope to hear back from you…e mail is tammie1026@peoplepc.com
Tam
I just received my fluidity bar as a gift and I started using it this week. I am very exited to see a transformation in my body. I will post my progress soon!!
Will the Fluidity equipment/system work for a sedentary, overweight, 65-year old male, and will it help reduce the embarrassing man-boobs that being overweight & sedentary have created?
About how many calories can you burn doing fluidity at the various levels?
While we have not yet studied the number of calories burned in a typical Fluidity workout, you can generally expect to burn 300-400 calories per hour. It’s important to know that the number of calories that you burn is dependent on your body mass (i.e. muscle burns more calories than fat); to that end, Fluidity builds lean muscle, and this in turn, will help you to burn more calories.
i wanted to know if this program work on your calf muscles as well.
Yes! Fluidity works the whole body from head to toe, front and back. We also do several positions with an optional releve – the releve will further work your calf muscles.
Hello – am considering this to help strenghen my back and core. But I have a bulging disc. Have been doing some beginning yoga, walking, and core back excercises but need to take it up a notch and have something I can do at home. Thanks
oh and actually i am considering either this or the Pilates Reformer machine. But this at least looks easier to get out of the way in my small room if need be
The Fluidity Bar was designed for stability and portability so it will fit into very small spaces! When open for use, its footprint is 43″W x 76″L (with the mat fully extended), and when closed for storage, it’s 43”W x 33”L x 4”H. It also rolls on wheels so you can easily store it in a closet or behind a dresser.
Typically, people with herniated disks can move in one direction and not the other. If you have pain when you bend forward, you have a disk that is bulging out the front. If you have pain when you bend back, you have a disk that is bulging out the back. In Fluidity, that’s ok as you can work in the direction you can. In Fluidity, we stand up and strengthen the body by stacking the inner unit in a neutral pelvis position thereby protecting the disks while strengthening the entire back line of the body which will help to prevent your spine from collapsing on itself. That said, we must always recommend that you consult your physician prior to see if this workout is right for you.
Hey Mary; I’ve begun PT for a total knee replacement I had on Jan 2nd. My therapist is a Pilates instructor and says Fluidity is fabulous and I should do whatever I feel up to doing whenever I want to..a testament to how gentle it is, even while it kicks your ass. There are moves the Fluidity staff can point you to that are as effective as work on the reformer. I had a herniated disc in the past, but it no longer shows up on images or bothers me..probably because of the core and back strength I’ve gotten from fluidity. I have no spinal pain at all any more.
I did my first post-op fluidity workout 2 days ago..19 days post-op..stitches still in, still taking heavy meds, but it did not bother the prosthesis at all. Obviously I didn’t do any of the stretches that involved crossing legs, and I still can’t bend it completely in half, but even so got a wonderful workout and feel like ME again.
Hi Valerie,
I have osteoarthritis of the knees, is this very difficult to use? I have trouble getting down or up on my knees, I am currently taking shots for this, very painful. .
Hi there Nancy ; You poor lil’ gal!..I was in the same boat as yourself, but I was still able to do Fluidity with no problem, since there is almost no knee bending,,just some gentle pulsing from whatever level of flex is comfortable. Now, there are some stretches I wasn’t able to do, so I substituted one or two that didn’t hurt my knee, instead. I credit the workout with giving my old knee about another year of use in fact, because it strengthened the small muscles surrounding the joint. My left leg didn’t bend or cross though, and I also took shots for a couple years ,until they started making things worse. Osteopathy also provided some relief, but finally the joint was just completely collapsed and my option was be disabled or replace the joint..so here I am..on my third week of recovery with my brand new bionic joint!
The only real difficulty I can foresee for you with the Fluidity system( I swear, why don’t they just hire me..I get them a ton of customers! ) is getting up or down from the mat, but you can actually make it part of your upper body training, by using the bar and your arms to lift yourself, until you feel you can use your knees/legs to go the rest of the way.( I’m no expert, I’m just speaking as an enthusiast, mind you.)
Also each of the three levels of workout has a beginner, intermediate and advanced version of it..it’s 9 levels of difficulty very nuanced.
Hi Valerie – thanks for your reply. So you didnt hurt your knee on the Fluidity did you ? I’m guessing you did not. So you think this system would do well to strengthen my back? How would I get in touch with someone on the staff to lead me to the specific moves you mention. Did you start with the fludity because of your back problems? And I guess the Reformer would be good too – just depends on how much space one has. This is a hard decision for me. I’ll have to bite the bullet and try one!
Hi Mary; No no! I didn’t hurt my knee doing Fluidity..I injured it 45 years ago and had a botched first surgery at that time. I’ve had a bum leg all my life that I was partly able to hide by building the muscle as much as possible and doing most things on my good leg. It didn’t fully bend or fully straighten. But! Since many Fluidity exercises are done standing ,on a slightly flexed leg..it was perfect for my disability, being frozen in the ideal position!
I had back problems and neck problems through my 20′s and 30′s from a car crash, but maintained my fitness with weight training and lots of chiropractic. My main ailment has been the Fibromyalgia that sailed in on the heels of my first surgery. When one leg is shorter than the other, you stand and walk funny and eventually you are a mass of chronic pain, so it’s been quite a slog for most of my life.
I changed over to Fluidity after 23 years of bodybuilding, because the knee and the Fibro were both getting worse. Most of my fibro pain pain is in the center of my back and my shoulders and I had to quit everything I was doing, including my jobs as an EMT and an Animal Rescue worker and until the surgery, was usually forced by pain to rest. Fluidity was so easy on me that for most of last year I would literally get out of bed, do my workout and go right back to bed. When I got to the hospital for my surgery, they were amazed at my level of strength and fitness, so that says a lot.
With your back, you will find that the exercises will wake the muscles up and make them do some work, but since none of the movements are risky it won’t stress your bones..it simply trains the muscles along their natural lines of function. So, you might be like me and the day after you train, the big muscles in the small of your back on either side of your spine will feel sore, but you won’t “throw it out” the way you do now and it won’t be that awful “injured” soreness.. In no time, your back will be stronger than it’s ever been, bet you anything!
Hi Valerie. So I’m wondering why the system is now $479.00 when it has been much lower. I’ve seen articles online of it costing as little as 150-250? Do you know if they’ve made improvements to it or something?
Gee, Mary, I wasn’t aware the price had gone up..but I know I got mine during a time they had a special..I think it was around $300.00 and included the ball, resistance bands and 2DVDs.
I’m sure one of the staff will reply to this..but it could just be an old fashioned price increase.( I know used sets are available on Ebay at times and someone also mentioned Amazon but I bought mine directly from the company during the sale..
Hi Tam..just wanted you to know I emailed..Voxval is the username, so check your spam if you didn’t get it.
Thanks Valerie for your reply. I really appreciate the information you’ve given me thus far. I guess the bottom line is it’s not necessarily about the money, but which system, the reformer or the fluidity, will help me get my back and core stronger faster and as safely as possible with regard to my back, ie. the least chance I could re-injure it again. The reformer will take up more room and be more cumbersome to move, etc., but I could make it work. What are your thoughts on this comparison? Thanks in advance.
I am looking forward to getting my Fluidity. I ordered it on 1/24/20103. I had major surgery almost 2 yrs ago on my ankle and have not been able to use my Spin Bike any more due to it causes my ankle/tendon to be come very inflamed and takes up to 5 weeks to settle down. So per my Dr I needed to find something that would not cause this aggravation of the tendon.
I too am looking forward to getting my Fluidity… apparently there is such a high response in orders I won’t be receiving mine as soon as I wanted. But when I do receive it, I am anxious to get started on it… I have heard so many great stories on transformations I just had to get it!
Greetings to all! I just did my first workout with Fluidity and can tell that it is just what I needed I have fibromyalgia, lupus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) so it will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow! I hope I can walk! Anyway, I’m really excited about this workout! I have been sedentary for almost six years now, when I was first diagnosed, but I really hate what prednisone and no exercise has done to my once nicely toned body! I am determined to make this work for myself and feel better reading here that I am not the only one with chronic disease using this system! It is very hard to get up and down on the mat for me and the stretches in the last half of the beginner’s exercise video were challenging for me. I was happy to see that I was able to do the intermediate level of exercise on the first half of the video! I look forward to getting back in shape! Thank you, everyone, for sharing!
Greetings, again! Just an update from yesterday, other than my normal morning stiffness, I awoke today with no problems! I was worried the first workout day would have me laying low for a day or two but I feel great! I know I might sound a bit crazy, but, I actually can feel my stomach starting to stay firm. I mean, it is obvious the workout was effective and I look forward to continued toning of my entire body! Is it possible to have such a quick response to the workout? I always thought I had good muscle memory but this is amazing! As much as I want to do another workout today, I think I might just do some stretching and continue tomorrow with a full workout with the video. I think I will do every other day for the first few weeks and then, hopefully, get into a regular daily workout since it makes me feel so great! Thanks, again, Fluidity!
Congratulations! I’m one of the chronic ailment people, by the way, I have fibromyalgia and just had my left knee replaced in January.
You’ll find that you may feel really awful the day after your first workouts, but it will pass and it will eventually not happen any more. Not only that, I was able to safely return to my workout only 3 weeks after my operation. I’m still healing, but my PT people were very enthusiastic about the workout and urged me to do what I could, in addition to their program.
The great thing about Fluidity is that no matter how sick you are, there is always something you can manage to do to maintain and improve your present physical condition. Sometimes that barre is more like a crutch!
My best friend has spondylosis..4 surgeries in 2 years, and she just ordered the system too so she can maintain what function and bone mass she has .
Best of luck to you..don’t give up!
I just got the fludity bar and I don’t know how often I’m supposed to use it. The directions aren’t very good. Any ideas? Thank you.
WOW! so I just received my Fludity and done the beginner dvd.
I totally fill it!
The dvd says to do two to three times a week,but can u do it more often or would just following the directions be better?
I also log on myfitnesspal so how many calories do u burn doing this program.
Hello Everyone!
I am 26 years old and have been a life long equestrian and athlete as well as training top tier working and protection dogs for a living (an extremely physical job). However I do tend to bulk up very easily (I used to joke that I put on muscle just by looking at a hand weight), and while I understand the benefits of being muscular, it just looks funny on my otherwise petite 5′ 3″ frame.
I have several injuries resulting from being thrown (or, errr, falling) off horses as well as from the rigors of training strong big animals, the worst one being a kink in my neck that reappears frequently. I also have Crohn’s disease (normally looked upon as a digestive disorder but is actually an auto immune issue) that has begun to affect my joints in a way similar to rheumatoid arthritis.
While I have been a long time kundalini yoga practioner (one of the few things I found to help the inflammation in my joints and the pains in my neck and back) I was fascinated by the idea of the fluidity work out. So I ordered it at the beginning of this year and am now on my 2nd week of working out with fluidity and I have already lost an inch on my waist, hips and thighs. My joints feel great, and aren’t in pain during the workout and my neck and back feel supple and stretched. I even think my posture is improving (very important to the equestrian).
I was truly amazed at how much my muscles were worked after such a short period of time and I was thrilled to be sore in places that I am not usually sore. And though the workout (even the first few workouts when I stayed at the beginner level to ensure I was staying in the correct position) kicked my butt and I felt really noodly afterward, I certainly didn’t feel like I had to kill myself in order to get there … it is so nice to see quick results from a workout that is actually nice to you! I can’t wait to see what my body looks like in a month!!! I can hardly put down the measuring tape!
Great to hear! Fluidity will definitely improve your posture because you’re training/strengthening your body in a neutral pelvis position (most of us are not typically in a neutral pelvis position) and strengthening the back line of your body. And because you’re working against the resistance of just your own body weight and the Bar, you’ll develop LEAN muscle and a more proportionate, longer looking body. Keep us posted on your results!
I ordered my fluidity bar from HSN. It should arrive by 3/21. Reading all the comments generates is generating a great deal of excitemnet! I have been searching for a piece of exercise equipment that I can use before or after work. I’ll be adding my comments….
Is there a place on the website that shows breaking down the positions?
Your response did not answer my question. The video that comes with the fluidity bar does not show in any type of detail how your form should be when doing the different moves. Is there a place on the website with more details???
Hey Allison..I haven’t been on here in a while but your question was in my mail folder. In my own experience with Fluidity, the best way top learn the moves is just to do them the best you can at first and really listen to Michelle’s verbal instruction, especially about neutral pelvis and about keeping your hips level when raising your leg behind you for seat work. It took me a couple weeks to learn the moves really get my form in line. One tip; if you adjust your position and it makes the exercise harder..you got it!
Thank you for your getting back with me. Nuetral pelvis? not sure if I doing it right. I have navel in, pelvis tilted out and tailbone tucked under?
Hmm…that sounds more like the pelvic tilt position.
You know during warmup when you swivel from side to side..the “dancey” part, opening and closing your arms while you tilt the pelvis? The part where you go back to starting position in the center and essentially do nothing except hold your navel in, that’s “neutral pelvis” ..like putting a manual transmission into neutral gear..kind of relaxed. Does that help?
Hi Valerie, I just got my fluidity bar before my surgery and haven’t set it up yet. I’m 10 days post kidney donor surgery. Do most of the exercises involve the pelvic muscles? I’m got a 3 inch incision below my navel. I go back to the surgeon next Tuesday, maybe I should ask them. However, you offer some great advice to others I thought I would ask you. Thanks
Mary
Hi Mary; Aren’t you a wonderful human being to donate a kidney!!! I hope you are on the mend..you must be, if you are looking at your bar already.
Definitely wait to get your doctor’s okay before you begin. If you are only 10 days post op, you will still be healing on a deep level and you need your energy for that right now!
Even when you get the all clear,you will probably want to ease into the workout..maybe not do abs right at first, etc. See what she says first…and until then just rest..maybe a bit of walking to get your strength back. I got a whole new knee in january and I’m just now feeling like me again.
Best of luck with your healing..and thanks for being awesome! Val.
I just got my fluidity system, and so far have done 2 workouts, a couple of days apart. Is it normal to have knee pain in the beginning? It’s hours after the workout that the knees hurt, not during. I’m thinking that as the muscles build the pain will stop following the workouts?
I’m so surprised that I’m seeing some solid results after just 2 sessions, and my lower back pain has improved tremendously!
Hello. average person on the street here, just weighing in on your question. I had that too when I began and it’s probably just what you think it is..the small knee muscles having new loads placed on them. I just had my right knee totally replaced 3 months ago, but I did this workout on the old horrible knee for the whole year I was waiting for my surgery. It helped a lot, since the stronger muscles held the damaged joint in place better, and nothing in the workout aggravated the existing problem.
If you are geting the soreness only after the session, I’m betting it’s just the training soreness, but if you get any swelling or sharp pain, then obviously see your Doctor to rule out any injury.
Thanks Valerie! I ended up google-ing “knee pain after workout,” and found some stretches that helped a little. You are right,– it has improved a bit and the pain seems to lessen as I continue to do the fluidity workouts.. Also the lower back pain I’ve struggled with for years is gone – and the hips muscles that were starting to bug me no longer give me trouble either! Thanks for taking the time to share the info.
JUST RECIEVED FLUDITY BAR ..LOVE IT!
ALSO ITS ALOT HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE..
HOW MANY CALORIES DO U BURN DURING A WORKOUT?
While we have not yet studied the number of calories burned in a typical Fluidity workout, you can generally expect to burn 300-400 calories per hour. It’s important to know that the number of calories that you burn is dependent on your body mass (i.e. muscle burns more calories than fat); to this end, Fluidity builds lean muscle, and this in turn, will help you to burn more calories. Good luck. It will changes your body like no other workout can!
Just did my first fluidity workout. It was harder than it looked on tv. I have pain in my right knee and hip. I hoping to stretch those muscles and loss weight. I’m 66 years old and looking for mild non aerobic eexercises to get me in shape and feeling stronger. Do you think this will help me to reach my goal? Diane
I’m 60 Diane, with a host of things amiss with me and I can say it most definitely will help you reach your goals! You may have some iliotibial band tightness, since that’s a band of tissue that stretches from the crest of your hip bone and down the side of your leg and knee, and can cause pain in both places. If that’s the case, the stretches in the workout will help a lot over a period of time.
If you do the workout you will be very strong and fit, for sure and the added muscle will boost your metabolism, so you can’t lose! Good luck!
Hi,
I just put my Fluidity bar together and the directions say that the bar should be 2″ below your hips. But when I watch the video, it looks like everybody has their bar at a much higher level. I’m 5’4″ and have set it at the fifth notch (I’m not high or low-waisted). Any thoughts on this? Thanks so much!
I teach bellydance and was taught using the concept of proper dance posture and alignmment. I never took ballet but of course became aware of ballet movements in my bellydance instruction. I must say that fluidity takes the guess work out of having a portable dance bar that is reliable. Thanks!
I just ordered my Fluidity bar and I am so excited after I read all these messages. Valerie, you are a wealth of information. I have herniated L5/S1 and my core and back muscles need to be strengthened. I do cardio workout 4x a week: zumba, spinning class, elliptical and occasional jog on the treadmill, but I need some strengthening exercises. I thought Fluidity will help ease my back issues. And I am almost 52 years old.
Hey Mitzi! I’m just another fan, but yay for you too! This system is just the best for strengthening the back of the body. I went back into the weight room last week for the first time in a year. I’m re-building my skinny quadricep in the wake of my recent knee replacement this January. Last year all I did was Fluidity, so I was mighty pleased to find that I have not lost one iota of strength! I picked up my normal poundages and was fine. Even pullups on the Gravitron..same setting.
This was hugely comforting for to me because I always have a big flare up of Fibromyalgia after every workout, but especially with pumping iron, so knowing Fluidity keeps me in the same shape, with less post-training pain is great news!
Also my best friend has a degenerative spinal disease which has attacked her neck and lumbar spine. She started Fluidity last month , and not only can she do the workout but she has less pain. Good luck!!!
Valerie, I got my bar 3 weeks ago and I started with beginner, at first I could not even lift myself off the sitting position. I did my 7th workout last night and I can feel I am getting stronger and my herniated disks, pain has improved. I can actually stand longer with minimal hip pain. I think the stretching is really working for my back. I can even stretch with my feet up on the bar now!
Ok, where do I start? When you said on an infomercial “just give me one year, and you will see the difference fluidity makes” (or something like that), I said “alright, one year”! I am 52 years old and have worked out for 31 years … aerobics, weight lifting, etc. and have NEVER seen the results that I have gotten using the fluidity! It will be one year in June that I gave up every other type of exercise (except I do walk every morning), and I am blown away by my results! When I first started last June (2012), I couldn’t do any of the flat back, pretzel or fluidity abs … now I am advanced in some, intermediate in others, and am still doing beginner in even others. I can never say enough about the results I’ve seen in my body! Thank you soooo much for introducing this to all of us!
We LOVE to hear this!! We don’t promise what Fluidity can’t deliver and as you know…if you stick with it, Fluidity will change your body in ways you’ve never imagined. Keep up the good work!