What To Look For
Before you shop for an exercise video, first decide what type of exercise you want to focus on. Decide if you are interested in yoga, cardiovascular exercise, strength training, abdominal work, dance moves, pilates or another discipline. Second, take your fitness level into consideration. The best workout videos are often labeled for beginner, intermediate or advance levels. Choosing an intensity that corresponds to your fitness level will help you stick with a program and see results, rather than getting frustrated and abandoning the workout.
Common Pitfalls
Don't expect results overnight, even from the best workout video. Just like with any other workout, results take time. Videos that promise you will get an abdominal six-pack in just five minutes a day or lose 40 pounds in a month are usually too good to be true. When choosing a video, take your workout space into consideration. If you only have a small space to work out in, a dance or kickboxing video may not be your best choice.
Where To Buy
You can purchase exercise videos and DVDs at a discount from an online retailer like Amazon.com, which separates exercise videos and DVDs into categories like aerobics, yoga or weight training, and also categorizes them by instructor or body part. The site lists bestsellers and features customer reviews, and offers video clips of most videos. Alternatively, many exercise videos are available online directly from their source or available for loan from your public library.
Cost
Exercise videos can start at less than $10 and go up to $25 or more for a boxed set. Their cost is often less than a one-month membership at a gym. You can even offset the cost by exchanging workout videos with friends who have a similar fitness level.
Comparison Shopping
Shopping at online outlets will allow you to compare prices and features of workout videos. Many sites also rate the best workout videos, based on sales, consumer ratings and results. And fitness magazines and fitness websites often publish lists of what they consider the best workout videos.
Accessories
When shopping for an exercise video, take note of what accessories you may need to complete the workout, in addition to proper footwear and water. You may need free weights, a weighted ball, a yoga mat or other yoga accessories, resistance tubes or other supplies.
Insider Tips
Physical fitness experts recommend doing workouts that include both cardiovascular fitness and strength training. If you are new to working out, check with your doctor before beginning a workout regimen. In addition, the instructor on the video should have professional fitness credentials. Learning fitness moves from a professional will help you avoid injury due to doing something incorrectly. A professional instructor will also demonstrate modifications you can make if a move is too difficult.
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