How to Use Home Workout Videos to Get in Shape
When you're looking for convenience and variety in your exercise routine, home workout videos can be a great tool. Exercise videos are fairly inexpensive and you can workout to them no matter what the weather. There's a huge selection of videos to choose from, most of them with top notch instructors. (By the way, when we say "video" in this context, we're using the term interchangeably with DVD.)
But keep in mind that not all exercise videos are good ones and that working out to the same video all the time can get pretty boring. The key is to select quality videos suited to your interests and abilities. Here are just a few of the types of videos you can choose from...
- Aerobics videos, such as step, low impact, or high impact
- Dance videos, such as cardio salsa, hip hop, or Jazzercise
- Weight training videos, using hand-held weights, resistance bands, or exercise balls
- Stretching, yoga, pilates, and tai chi videos
There are almost as many choices as your imagination will allow! It's hard to know if you'll really enjoy exercising to a particular home workout video until you actually try it, so we recommend that you rent the video before you buy it at your local video rental store or a chain like Blockbuster. Or join an internet membership service that rents videos for a monthly fee. For example, Netflix is an internet-based company that allows you to rent DVDs for a week or more at a time for a low monthly fee.
Keep reading for some other tips on selecting the right home workout video for your needs...
Be Realistic About Your Current Abilities
Most of the videos you'll find do specify whether they're for beginners, intermediate exercisers, or advanced fitness buffs. Try to match your video choice to where you are now, not where you want to be. You'll have a much better experience if the video workout is within your current abilities. You can always move up later when the video becomes too easy or too boring for you to continue doing it.
Barnes & Noble has a nice selection of videos in all levels. You can count on anything from Kathy Smith's series to be fun and accurately graded as to level. Richard Simmons' videos (whatever you may think of the man) are also fun to do. 
DVD Planet is another low cost web-based vendor for home workout videos. Check out their Special Interest category, and then look for the Exercise sub-category.
Make Sure Video Exercising Is Right for You
It's important to know yourself and your home environment well enough to decide if working out at home to a video is the right choice for you. First of all, you'll need to have room in front of a TV to exercise. If you decide on a yoga or pilates video, obviously you won't need as much room as you will for a kickboxing video.
But perhaps more importantly, will you be able to find the motivation and time to workout at home alone? Some people really enjoy the privacy and convenience of being able to work out at home away from others, any time of day or night. Others seem to find it easier and more enjoyable to work out in a more social, classroom environment.
Know How Much Time You Plan to Dedicate to Working Out
Videos come in all different lengths. You'll want to choose a workout whose length matches your availability and your fitness level. For example, if you know you can spare no more than 30 minutes a day (plus changing and setup time) to working out, then you don't want to pick a video workout that goes for 45 minutes, because you'll have to cut out an essential part of it, most likely the cooldown, which is not a good idea.
Also, if you're just getting started, a 45-minute or longer video may not be the best choice, unless you're sure it's a gentle, beginner-oriented workout. You might want to start with one of the shorter video workouts and work your way up to a longer one. Some videos do have 2 different versions on them, which can be handy.
The 8-Minute workouts (which are designed to tone and strengthen specific areas of your body) are great for people who have very limited time for working out. They really do work and they're over before you know it. You can find them at
DVD Planet.
Choose a Video That Matches Your Fitness Goals
As you probably know, there are thousands of home workout videos available, on just about every form of exercise that exists. It can be tempting to buy those that you see hyped on infomercials or in stores. But it's a better idea to figure out what you want to get out of exercise first. For example, if you're looking for an aerobic or cardio workout to build your endurance and strengthen your heart, you have a pretty wide selection, which could include (but is not limited to) the following choices...
- Cardio kickboxing videos
- Dance aerobics videos
- Basic aerobic or step aerobics videos
- Tae bo videos
If you're more interested in learning yoga or pilates at home so that you can gain flexibility, then you'll want to choose one of the many videos that focus on those disciplines.
Or maybe you want to strengthen, tone, and define your muscles. In that case, look for a weight or strength training workout. The Firm and Kathy Smith both have really good videos on weight training that use simple objects in your household for resistance.
Have the Right Gear
The nice thing about working out at home is that you never have to worry about how you look. In most cases, there is no need for specialized gear, outfits, or equipment. However, it IS important to have comfortable, loose clothing that will not get in your way as you work out. For aerobics and weight training it's also a good idea to have good quality sneakers that provide support and that will keep you from slipping on your workout surface.
For yoga, pilates, or any stretching workout, it's nice to have some kind of mat to lie on, but you don't have to buy one of the expensive rubber mats you see in the videos. If you're doing weight training, obviously you'll need some sort of resistance, but often you can use inexpensive dumbbells or even 1 or 2 pound cans of food. Check the video to see what they recommend.
Keep Your Motivation Going
Sticking with any exercise program is almost always the biggest challenge. We tend to go into it with high hopes and lots of enthusiasm, but so often those fade as the days or weeks go by. One reason is because people set unrealistic goals for themselves. It's important to start off slowly, with workouts that you can easily accomplish, and then work your way up to more challenging and advanced workouts when you are ready.
Another issue with home workouts is that they can become boring after a time. Once you've done that same home workout video 25 times, it may get harder and harder to find the enthusiasm to do it again. There are a couple of strategies that can help.
First of all, think about mixing up your types of workouts. Your body and health will benefit from a varied workout anyway. This is called cross training. For example, get an aerobic workout 3 days a week, and on the other 4 days, mix it up with strength training and flexibility training. And to go beyond that, have at least 2 to 3 choices between videos in each category, so that none of the workouts tend to get stale. You could do a different workout video every day, or stick with a routine for a couple of weeks, then switch it up.
Another suggestion is to invite a friend or family member (even your children) to work out to the video with you once in a while. That can add an element of fun and socializing to your workout.
Home Workout Videos Best Offers
The Firm (VHS) (Fitness & Aerobics Videos)
The FIRM Body Sculpting System is a complete workout which will help you to slenderize and sculpt your body. With this system, you will be able to lose weight, burn fat and calories, and strengthen your muscles.
ZONE PILATES - DVD (Fitness Equipment)
Zone Pilates divides your body into 3 target areas, called zones. Just work a zone for minutes a day and you'll see fantastic results. And best of all, it doesn't take hundreds of repetitions. The secret is the Zone Pilates Sculptor that guides your body and adds muscle-toning resistance to accelerate your results.
Billy Blanks Tae Bo
Get Ripped is the most complete set of workouts for total body fitness. It will continue to energize you with fast-paced new moves and new music that drives you to peak performance and give you that “Get Ripped” look.
Walk Away the Pounds
This is the most comprehensive in-home walking system available anywhere. There is nothing better than walking in the comfort of your own home, rain or shine. This program will dramatically improve your body, change your health and change your life.
Wai Lana Yoga (Special offer)
Discover award-winning yoga videos featuring yoga’s #1 teacher, set in the world’s most majestic locations, and accompanied by beautiful & peaceful yoga music.
4 Minute Fitness
This new More than Movementtm exercise video offers dynamic principles taken from t'ai chi, yoga, meditation and ancient qi gong (chi kung)... combined with vital modern medical theory, relaxation techniques and key motivational techniques used by today's athletes.
Tai Chi for Busy People
Step by step video and follow along audio. EasyTaiChi — just five minutes a day.
Exercise Ball Xerball Training Video
This one's for people interested in working out with one of those big vinyl exercise balls.
BiGFiTNESS.net
This site offers a selection of more unusual videos, many combining aerobics and weight training.
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