Exercise Video Recomendations

[Ilpirata]

Ok. Yes. I. Need. To. Exercise.

I won't try to pretend otherwise anymore.

So I've decided to start with a video. Please recommend your favorites. I'm looking for something not too crazy hard as I'm not in the greatest shape in the world. Just something to get me started a few days a week for the next month or so - I'll kick it into a higher gear after that. Something FUN wouldn't hurt!

Thanks.

[heythatsfun]

I'm not so sure about "fun" per se, but the video that got me moving was Crunch - Pick Your Spot Pilates. Ellen Barrett is a horrible instructor, in me opinion, but I think it is because the routine is a little rushed and she doesn't explain what to do until during while she is doing it -- so you miss out on doing the first half of the reps because you're just trying to figure out what to do next. That can be fixed if you just watch the video all the way through once or twice to figure out what the moves look like. It is 30 minutes, comprised of 3, 10-minute routines, focused on your abs, butt, and thighs. They all overlap in me opinion though and each one works everything, plus your arms too. It seems like I'm pointing out all the bad things though, and you'll never do it if you listen to that, so let me tell you the positive (which outweighs all that negative stuff):

* It goes by SO quickly! Before I know it, I'm like "What? We're moving onto the butt already? Was it really 10 minutes?"
* There's a bonus 10 minute whole body routine which is good if you're being particularly ambitious that day.
* It isn't too strenuous, and even doing the modified versions still makes me feel it the next day!
* I've been doing it a month and I know that it is working. Even though I still have a layer of fat on top of me muscles, each time I do it, I come closer and closer to doing the non-modified versions, so I know I'm getting stronger!
* You don't get bulky, because it is pilates after all. And I'm more flexible!
* It's cheap too! I got me video for <$20 USD


Hope that is helpful!

[heythatsfun]

Oh, as for fun, I just thought of one that is fun,Kathy Smith's Project: You! Fat Burning, Core/Flex, Strength. I only got around to doing the cardio (fat burning) and pilates (core/flex) sections so far (I think there are "8" workouts but it is really only 3), but that takes a very long time. Her routines are too long, in me opinion, but darn fun! She is constantly switching it up (from kickboxing to sidesteps to all sorts of things), and you don't realize how hard you're working until you're sitting still and you are all out of breath, sweaty, and exhausted. My one qualm with it is that I can't quite get the moves down -- I've only done it twice though. I'm uncoordinated beyond belief, so I'm sure that might have a bit to do with it! That's what makes it funny though. The whole time I was laughing me arse off about what I fool I must have looked like. I felt like I was swatting a fly at times -- again though, it did still give me a great workout!! And I hate treadmills so doing cardio off the treadmill is a great thing. Me mum walked into the room for a bit of it and asked, "What are you doing?! You look crazy!," and started laughing. She can laugh all she wants though!

Good luck & great for you for doing workouts! If you find one that you really like (that is suggested by someone else), will you please post it here so that I can maybe try it out? As much as I love these, I'm always looking for something new.

[Ilpirata]

yes I guess fun IS rather a subjective term... I'm already familiar with all the basic pilates moves so that might help me with your first recommendation.

THANKS!

[fiji]

I would suggest you check out the Exercise, Workout and Fitness videos & DVDs. They have alot of variety in exercise videos and best of all you can view clips to see if you will like it. You can also select the level and type of exercise you're interested in and just view those clips.

[lee]

I personally like Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds series. The early ones are a bit dated, and have made their way to the badk or the closet, but her newest one Walk Slim is a 1, 2, 3 or 4 mile walk with a resistance band (comes with the dvd) that is used during one of the miles. This workout is good because while it is almost all her traditional walking steps she has integrated some more ab/core workout steps and a bit of strength training. Also the music is alot better on this workout...

I think the ability to pick the number of miles you want to do makes this a good series to begin with, and while it is not easy it is not so difficult that you are going to be frustrated if you are not used to working out I also do Turbo Jam and some of the Slim and Six workouts, but like the walking tapes very much.

[qbu]

Slim in 6...Turbo Jam...Hip Hop Abs...Yoga Booty Ballet

All good workouts. They have various levels for beginner all the way to "what are you nuts?"

They're all from beachbody.

[Godiva]

Be sure to check your library so you can try before you buy. Also, if you have Netflix or Blockbuster, try them out from them, too. Oh and be sure to check out Ross, they usually have a lot of DVDs for $3.99-$5.99, very affordable.

[jabbok]

turbo jam

[aunatural]

Yes, videos are a wonderful and convenient way to get started with exercise. Here are some of my favorite workouts:

Crunch: Total ReSculpt
Abs Diet 2
Women's Health: Train for Your Body Type
Women's Health: Total Workout in 10
Cathe Friedrich: Low Impact Step
Leslie Sansone: Fast Start 1 & 2 mile
Crunch: Super Slimdown

Good Luck.

[JuliaL]

I like The Firm workouts. I also love Cathe Friedrich. Her workouts vary from beginner to advanced, and all of the exercises on her videos have modifications you can use until you get stronger. It's better to get a tough video with modifications because you can work up to the harder moves. If you get a video that's too easy you won't use it as long and you won't get your money's worth, IMO.

[shannyn_rose]

Thanks for all the suggestions too! Ima go see what I can find that will keep my interest. :0)

[thisisrightnow]

Turbo Jam

[Ilpirata]

I just saw the commercial for turbo jam. I'm going to buy it ASAP.
Thanks!