EXERCISE VIDEO JUNKIES

[Sara Emily]

In many of the posts on the BB, I read of members going to the gym to work out. Although I like using a gym when I'm travelling, and staying at a hotel near one, when I'm home, my EXERCISE PASSIONS are walking and ... cross training with exercise videos! Aerobic dance, toning routines of all sorts, aerobic callesthenics, yoga, etc. make for an interesting and exhillarating workout for me. I don't have to dress up, hop in the car, and go anywhere, and there are so many excellent ones out there. (I have about 30 to date!) I can pop a cake into the oven and "boogie" around my den while its baking! I'm pretty self motivated when it comes to exercise and usually prefer to work out alone.

Kathy Smith, Gilad, Leslie Sansone, and Charlene Prickett are all regular instructors in my house, and are some of my favorites. I alternate between the more basic and some of the "tougher" workout routines. Are there any other exercise video junkies out there? What tapes and types of routines do you favor?

[phantomcg]

I have a couple of The Firm videos and some various step videos, but I am quickly becoming a Tae Bo junkie. I recently bought a set of Tae Bo videos and absolutely love them. I usually pop in a video and workout while dinner is cooking. I used to go to the gym, but the prices have gone up around here and none of them seem to offer month by month memberships. I lost about a year and a half of memebership when the last gym I joined went out of business (they had been around for about 3 years, so I felt safe - shows what I know, doesn't it?). Anyways, I've been working out at home for about the last two years and I love it.

Cheryl

[This message has been edited by phantomcg (edited 03-14-2001).]

[pammy]

I love step aerobics and kickboxing, and I have found that instructors in gyms and other community classes are hit or miss in terms of knowledge and ability to lead a fun, heart-pumping class. Never a problem with Kathy Smith or Karen Voight. I can always count on them for an invigorating work-out when it is cold or rainy out.

[Leslie w]

I am so with you guys! I love working out at home. Right now it's both economical (I'm a stay at home mom) and beneficial timewise. I usually pop in a tape after dinner and exercise in my bedroom. My dh will put the kids to bed. I have some Firm tapes, lots of yoga tapes, and I just ordered the Karen Voight weighted workout which I heard a lot of good reviews from on another website. I like to rotate them to prevent boredom and also because it's not good to do the same thing over and over again. For my birthday my dh is going to buy me a piece of exercise equipment. I'm not sure if I want a treadmill or a home gym. I'll have to do my research.

[Emdg]

I also work out with videos. I live in the country, and it's a drive to a gym.
I like to mix them up, depending on how I feel, time, etc. Right now, one of my favorites is Kari Anderson's Angle, Lines & Curves. Sort of a mix of yoga, pilates, and stretching. Also, Kathy Kaehler's Target & Tone. Straight forward body conditioning. I have lots of Kathy Smith, and use Leslie Sansone's 2 mile walk when I'm pressed for time (although her laugh bugs me!)
I have promised myself new tapes, as soon as I maintain my "new" level of working out for two months...sort of a motivational tool http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[ewatkins]

Great topic --you must have read my mind as I can't get to the gym much but have never tried a tape. I would like some stretching and also strength tapes--any suggestions?

[RUSTYSMOM]

I have just recently really gotten into videos at home - they are a great way to add some change to your workout. I have a couple of Denise Austin taht I am pretty happy with and also do Tai Bo and the Firm Abs series. Based on thsi thread I need to buy Kathy Smith and Gilad. I had forgotten about Gilad and used to really like him on TV. Thanks for more inspiration!

[Sara Emily]

ewatkins,
I'll share with you a few that I particularly like and, since you're seriously thinking videos now, suggest a GREAT company where I purchase most of mine. It is called COLLAGE (phone # 1-800-433-6769). You can call and they will rush you a free catalogue. All their videos are guaranteed for life, and they will replace them if you wear them out or a mishap occurs!

For stretching, "Karen Voight's Pure & Simple Stretch" is SUPER, as are Kathy Smith or Suzanne Deason's yoga tapes. I'm also become newly enamored of the workouts using the exercise ball (See the thread on "Physioball anyone?" for more info on this!)Kathy Smith has quite a few excellent strength training videos (It's hard to go wrong with anything she has done!!!), and Kathy Kaehler has one called "Your Best Body: Target & Tone," that is good. I hope that you will enjoy your video workouts as much as I do, and hope these suggestions assist you toward that end.
My exercise video collection just keeps on growing! ...... but so do my fitness and sense of well being! ENJOY!!!

[Lynn B]

I am a certified, 4-star, card-carrying Tae Bo-aholic! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I just LOVE those work-outs! I have quite a collection... the original basic and advanced ones, the original "Live" 4-pack, volumes 1-5 of the Live Basic series, several 8 minute workouts, and most recently I got the Tae Bo Gold (which is my all-time favorite!)

I have LOTS of other workout videos, but NONE of them inspire me like Tae Bo. I NEVER get bored w/ them!

I lost 25 pounds last year and am now successfully maintaining at goal weight... all thanks to Billy Blanks and Cooking Light! Really!!!

Lynn

[Sara Emily]

Lynn, with ALL the exercise videos I have, and with the great variety that I find in them, I must confess to NEVER having tried Tae Bo! Reading your post and those of some of the other members, I now realize that my video exercise experience must be lacking a very important ingredient!!! You've convinced me, and I'm going to spend some of my hard earned money to find out what all the excitement is about!

[Lynn B]

Sara Emily,
How fun to read your post! Thanks! I can't wait to hear which one(s) you get and what you think!
Lynn

[julia kay]

I too am an exercise video afficionado, and have a collection of around 50 I use. They can't be beat for convenience, effectiveness, and variety! If you use videos, check out www.videofitness.com, (http://www.videofitness.com,) which has thorough reviews of tons of exercise videos, plus lots of other related info and a great fitness forum. If you use FIRM videos, they too have a website worth checking out at www.firmdirect.com, (http://www.firmdirect.com,) with a fitness forum and you can purchase their videos there. Also, if you use fitness videos for very long, you will come across the name Cathe Friedrich, one of the queens of *intense* step videos and weight training videos; check out her website at www.cathe.com. (http://www.cathe.com.) Exercise videos have been very helpful to me.
Julia

[Angela]

A great stretching video is one from Denise Austin Stretch and Flex. I always find Denise motivating and relaxing at the same time. I always feel great after joining her with this tape.

[Sara Emily]

Lynn, I've been looking through my exercise catalogue (MY version of a wish book!) and thought that since you specifically mentioned Billy Blanks by name, AND since I THINK he sort of started this phenomenon, I would begin with his original series. They offer volumes 1, 2, and 4 (all except the ADVANCED cassette, which is #3 in the series) for $39.95. They offer the 53 minute long advanced tape seperately for $29.95. That final price seems like a lot of money for a single cassette, so I think I'll wait on it and see how Billy and I get along first! If we hit it off as well as you seem to have, I'll be back on the phone, asking for it!

They also offer the "Gold" set of two, featuring an instructional tape and a work-out tape, and say that these best suit men and women over 40. Since I'm 43, but in pretty good shape, would I be better off to start there? What thinkest thou??? I'm ready to place an order. THANKS!

[woodsl]

Originally posted by Lynn B:
I am a certified, 4-star, card-carrying Tae Bo-aholic! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I just LOVE those work-outs! I have quite a collection... the original basic and advanced ones, the original "Live" 4-pack, volumes 1-5 of the Live Basic series, several 8 minute workouts, and most recently I got the Tae Bo Gold (which is my all-time favorite!)

I have LOTS of other workout videos, but NONE of them inspire me like Tae Bo. I NEVER get bored w/ them!

I lost 25 pounds last year and am now successfully maintaining at goal weight... all thanks to Billy Blanks and Cooking Light! Really!!!

Lynn



Wow! I think you have inspired me. I bought the original Tae Bo tapes over a year ago. I liked them, but did not keep it up. For the past 3-4 years, I have traveled a huge amount with my job (flown over 100K miles each year - yuk!) and eaten way too many meals in restaurants. The only exercise I "truly" enjoy is bicycle riding outside, and that does not fit well with traveling. So, needless to say, I have gained quite a bit of weight. Unfortunately, it does not look like the traveling is going to change much - so until I decide to change jobs - I need to change my "traveling" lifestyle. Perhaps I will dig out these tapes and make sure I stay at hotels where I can get a VCR in my room. Maybe I will learn to love them and look forward to the workout as much as I look forward to a long bike ride.

Why is the Tae Bo Gold your favorite? I am over 40 and have heard that this tape is geared to that age group. How do you stay inspired? Do you just love Tae Bo, or do you have several different tapes that you rotate?

[woodsl]

Originally posted by Sara Emily:
Lynn, I've been looking through my exercise catalogue (MY version of a wish book!) and thought that since you specifically mentioned Billy Blanks by name, AND since I THINK he sort of started this phenomenon, I would begin with his original series. They offer volumes 1, 2, and 4 (all except the ADVANCED cassette, which is #3 in the series) for $39.95. They offer the 53 minute long advanced tape seperately for $29.95. That final price seems like a lot of money for a single cassette, so I think I'll wait on it and see how Billy and I get along first! If we hit it off as well as you seem to have, I'll be back on the phone, asking for it!

They also offer the "Gold" set of two, featuring an instructional tape and a work-out tape, and say that these best suit men and women over 40. Since I'm 43, but in pretty good shape, would I be better off to start there? What thinkest thou??? I'm ready to place an order. THANKS!

Sara Emily, I think I have seen the Billy Blanks tapes (or at least some of them) at Sam's Wholesale. Should be less expensive there. If there is a Sam's near you, I would check there. Also, on one of the other threads someone mentioned they bought the Tae Bo Gold at Walmart for $24.95.

[This message has been edited by woodsl (edited 03-24-2001).]

[Sara Emily]

Thanks, Woodsl, for those suggestions! I AM an INCURABLE bargain hunter, and will head out to both our local Sam's and Wal Mart this week.

[woodsl]

Lynn B,

I bought the Tae Bo Gold, and you were right. I really like it. It is a great workout. Also, I know this sounds vain, but I like the fact that the people in the video are not all wonderfully fit 20-year-olds. For those of you reading this who are still wonderfully fit 20-year-olds - don't get me wrong - more power to you!! I used to be one of those, but I am now 47 and gravity (and my hiatus from regular workouts http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif) have definitely taken their toll. It is a great motivator to have some "more mature" role models in the videos.

[KarenW]

I've also had great success finding workout videos I've wanted on EBay. I've never had a problem with any of them & I can usually get them much cheaper than from an online or regular store.

[Lynn B]

Sara Emily and woodsl:

This is the first time I've been back to this thread in a long time - I am so sorry I didn't comment/answer questions sooner! Please forgive! (Been too busy on the Food Board, I guess!)

WOO HOO!!! I am SO THRILLED you guys are liking Tae Bo!!! (blushing modestly!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I have also just recently got the new set of the 6 "Get Ripped" videos! LOVE THEM, TOO!!! (They are not available from the Tae Bo website, you gotta get them from QVC [www.qvc.com] but they are very reasonable! I believe $39.99 for all 6?!! A bargain any day of the week in Tae Bo-ville!)

I probably have about 20 Tae Bo tapes, and I use them all. I know they aren't inexpensive, but I think of them as an investment and don't begrudge a penny of it! And the variety keeps me from getting bored. BTW, I'm 43, too!

Lynn

PS Do be careful on eBay, I have seen some of the videos go for WAY MORE than the regular retail price!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

[Sara Emily]

Thanks to your good advice, inspiration, and motivation, I am Tae-Bo-ing!! WONDERFUL! It is FUN, while getting the job done! A great addition to a balanced fitness routine, and a good way to shake up my system and keep me from getting in a rut!