Getting into great shape doesn't have to be expensive. There are many options for working out indoors or outdoors. Using workout videos or DVDs to get into shape allows you to reach your personal fitness goals in the privacy of your own home. There are excellent workout videos available, for all levels of fitness and all types of exercises, including cardio/aerobics, strengthening, and yoga or stretching.
Cardio/Aerobics
Leslie Sansone is best known for her walking videos. Designed for beginners through advanced, they are very easy-to-follow (never dancey). She uses walking-style steps like marches and kicks to elevate your heart rate. Try her "Fast and Firm: 4 Really Big Miles" or "3 Mile Weight Loss Walk" videos.
Billy Blanks' (founder of Tae Bo, a mix of boxing and tae kwon do) workout routines are full of energy, as well as fast-paced kicks, punches, and combo moves. If you are new to kickboxing, check out his instructional and beginner videos.
If you love step aerobics, "Reebok: Intense Moves with Gin Miller" will become a favorite. It offers nearly 50 minutes of step aerobics alternating cardio "bursts" with slower recovery intervals. Gin Miller's "Everybody Steps" is a good pick for a step aerobics newbie.
Toning and Strength Training
Jillian Michaels is the star trainer on "The Biggest Loser" television program. All of Michaels' workout videos feature her "boot camp" motivational style. "Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones" is a fantastic strength training video. Classic exercises featured include squats, tricep kickbacks, lunges with bicep curls, as well as impressive and innovative abdominal exercises.
Cathe Friedrich is known for her challenging workouts, often using an ultra-high step and very heavy weights (dumbbells and a barbell). Her "Butts and Guts," "Muscle Max" and "Core Max" workout videos are challenging for even advanced exercisers.
Kathy Smith has been motivating home exercisers since 1986. Her workout videos are well-taught, varied, and friendly (non-intimidating). Try "Lift Weights to Lose Weight Double." Loaded with variety, it offers seven different workouts (seven to 26 minutes each), targeting every muscle. Have a Swiss ball, dumbbells and a weight bench on hand.
Aerobics plus Strength Training
Kill two birds with one stone by combining strength training with aerobics. The Firm workout series videos was introduced in 1986. They are known for simple, effective moves and straightforward cuing. The Firm videos integrate classic strength training (with dumbbells and a high step) into the aerobics segments. Try the "Total Body Shaping Mix" and/or "Crosstrainer Strength."
Jillian Michaels also offers aerobic with strength training workouts. "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism" will challenge intermediate and advanced exercisers. Nearly one hour of non-dancey aerobics and basic toning intervals offer a no-nonsense workout.
Gilad Janklowicz's "Bodies in Motion" workout videos are effective and motivating. Try his "Express Workouts" video. It features two workouts with bootcamp-style moves (total-body aerobics/toning and an upper/lower body toning workout). The choreography is basic, but the moves are challenging.
Pilates and Yoga
Pilates and yoga routines are beneficial for toning, stretching, strengthening (creating long, lean muscles), as well as total body relaxation. One of the best Pilates videos is "Mari Windsor Pilates." It is a classic, challenging workout that offers a myriad of benefits, including abdominal conditioning.
"Yogazone" is a power yoga workout that features classic flexibility and strengthening poses. You may be surprised to find your thighs burning and your brow perspiring. If you enjoy both yoga and Pilates, try Karen Voight's "YogaSculpt" which integrates yoga, muscle toning and Pilates mat routines into one compact session.
References
- Collage Video
- NASM Essentials of Personal Fitness Training; M Clark, S Lucett and R Corn; 2008
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