PULSE.

FIGHT AGAINST CANCER: A team of celebrity athletes is making noise, but not on court. "Unfabulous" star Emma Roberts and Dallas Maverick forward Dirk Nowitzki are among the new spokespersons for the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Following in the footsteps of Lance Armstrong's Livestrong wristbands, the organization has created the Big Steps Shoe Disk, a small token that attaches to your shoe so that more of us might, as CCRF puts it, help to de-"feet" cancer. Proceeds from the Shoe Disk ($1 each) go toward the CCRF. The CCRF is holding a Kids 4 Kids 5K RUN/WALK on Sunday, April 30, in Century City. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the run/walk begins at 10 a.m. Free parking is available at Watt Plaza, 1875 Century Park East, Century City. For more information or to purchase a Big Steps Shoe Disk, visit www.ccrf-kids.org.

- Andy Wang 

NO MORE GERMS: Sticklers for toothbrush hygiene finally have something to grin about. The Smiley Toothbrush Holder, a plastic cap that snaps over the head of toothbrushes, protects bristles from germs lurking in your bathroom namely those unspeakable ones that can be liberated from the toilet bowl with a single flush.

Vents in the antibacterial plastic form a smiley face, keeping the bristles aerated enough to dry out and prevent bacteria from colonizing your brush. A suction cup on the back also lets you attach your brush to the mirror, in case you're also afraid of the counter. The Smiley Toothbrush Holder retails for $3.49 to $4.85 for a package of two, and can be found at select supermarkets and drug stores, or online at www.amazon.com and www.magellans.com. For more information, visit www.pacificdrygoods.com.

- A.W.

IN-HOME TRAINING

Bring a personal trainer into your home with PUSH, a new customizable home workout system.For $25 a month (or less, depending on length of commitment) consumers get a monthly DVD tailored to their fitness needs.

Designed by a professional trainer, it's based on an online profile each person fills out, detailing his or her fitness level, goals, health concerns and listing any in-home equipment that could be used.

The result? Two personal DVD workouts and one cardiovascular program on a new DVD every month. To help keep exercisers enthused in body and spirit, each workout is meant to be done just six times over a two- week period. Then they receive a new DVD that builds on the previous month's practice.

"The program is designed to take you on a journey," says Mike Monroe, chief designer of the fitness program and a former leader of a U.S. Marine Corps special forces unit. "It's progressive, and we add to it so the body doesn't plateau."

The system is also interactive. If a workout proves to be too easy or difficult, subscribers can visit the Web site and adjust their profile.

For more information, visit www.PUSH.tv or call 1-800-503-PUSH.

- Diana McKeon Charkalis

ON THE BALL: Searching for a way to subvert authority by working out at the office? Then look no further. "Working on the Ball" (Andrew McMeel Publishing; $9.95) suggests you take an exercise ball to work and sit on that instead of your office chair.

Sitting on the ball while working requires "active sitting" - continually maintaining balance and engaging several muscles throughout your body.

The book includes a primer on getting started with the ball, with tips including how you should sit at your desk. Once you're on a roll, it offers a couple of chapters of exercises and movements you can do to entertain yourself (and your co-workers).

Authors Jane Clapp and Sarah Robichaud say that if done correctly, the practice can improve your posture and your attitude.

- A.W.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(1) Kids 4 Kids

(2) no caption (Smiley Toothbrush Holder)

(3 -- 4) no caption (dvd PUSH exercise)

(5) no caption (book: ``Working on the Ball'')