Fitness DVDs

[jAded]

I've never bought nor used one before (except for a yoga tape) and know that they probably aren't ideal, but I want something I can use at home on the days I'm not at the gym and don't want to go for a run outside (cos I never do to be honest, especially by myself).
I have a skipping-rope, mat and some dumbbells and don't care to invest in anything else. I want one that focuses on both cardio and resistance work.

I've heard good things about the 30 day shred. Can anyone recommend anything else?

[laurie15]

I highly recommend Jari Love's videos. They are awesome!

[slicknickns]

p90x...a bit cheesy but it looks extremely effective

[jAded]

What's p90x?

I've kinda given up on the idea already lol. I might just stick to my twice-weekly training sessions and use the studio for the cardio equipment. I just need to get over being intimidated by all the muscly trainers there haha.

[slicknickns]

What's p90x?

I've kinda given up on the idea already lol. I might just stick to my twice-weekly training sessions and use the studio for the cardio equipment. I just need to get over being intimidated by all the muscly trainers there haha.


ahhh, so this is your real problem.

what are your exercise patterns like?
do you do any calisthenics (bodyweight exercises, i.e. push ups) at home?

as for cardio....buy some running shoes with thick soles and explore your habitat.

[jAded]

I had a training session on Monday and went in 20 mins early to run on the treadmill. Then yesterday I went to a local park and walked/jogged around it and did 2 sets of tricep-dips on a bench and came home and did some skipping.

But somehow I have twisted my foot so just walking causes me pain which is highly annoying. If it's not better tomorrow I'm going to see a recommended osteopath :(

[slicknickns]

ok, ok; none of this sounds intense, so incorporating regular strength exercises you'll make tremendous gains.

aim to get in several miles for a run, you'll feel physically different after the run. Plus it's pretty much the best damn thing on the face of the Earth for weight loss

calisthenics are great to get stronger, their simplicity, range of motion and function (weight against you) is incredibly valuable for the performance of your body.

are you male or female?

[WonderRandy]

p90x...a bit cheesy but it looks extremely effective

I just ordered Power 90 (not ready for p90x yet. at all.) We'll see whether I manage to stick to it....

[Beachbnny]

My Husband just ordered P90X yesterday. No idea if we'll be able to stick to it or if I'll even be able to do any of the workouts. But with our schedules (especially mine) I am having a harder and harder time making it to the gym. I need better upper body strength because my shoulders kill me at the end of the day and I'm getting a little...um... fluffly around the mid section :)

Don't be imtimidated by the trainers. No one should make you feel bad and if they do, you're at the wrong gym. Just keep it up and be inspired :)

[codemonkey]

I lost 50 pounds working out with the older Firm videos (BSS1 and 2) and Cathe. The combination of cardio and weights works really well for me.

[Princess78]

I'm kinda shy so I've never been in a gym.I've found the following DVD's are worth the $$.The Trainers Edge-Killer Butt, Callentics, Super Callenetics-they are old but effective,Karen Voights The Great Weighted Workout,Hard Body Yoga with Tari Rose,The Firm/Body Sculpting Basics,Cathe's Pyramid Lower +Upper Body, Ali Macgraw's Yoga Mind & Body is nice for relaxing.

[jAded]

My walk wasn't intense. But my trainer pushes me really hard and when I do cardio it's normally intervals which, although short, makes me really sweaty and exhausted.

And I'm female.

But now that I can't put any pressure on my right foot without cringing I don't think there's going to be much exercise for me at the moment :(

[SobeVegChick]

Have you guys heard anything about the Nintendo Wii fitness programs?

[slicknickns]

My walk wasn't intense. But my trainer pushes me really hard and when I do cardio it's normally intervals which, although short, makes me really sweaty and exhausted.

And I'm female.

But now that I can't put any pressure on my right foot without cringing I don't think there's going to be much exercise for me at the moment :(

Those intervals are good. Soon you'll be able to build up to a long good, several mile run.

let your foot rest.

have you looked into calisthenics (sit ups, push ups, other bodyweight work?), weight lifting is good for girls too.

[jAded]

I do resistance training for about 45 mins twice a week which includes weights (mostly free weights but a couple of machines, too). I sometimes do push-ups and core work at home.

Since it was running that screwed up my foot I think it's time I acknowledged maybe I'm not cut out for it :(. And should look into some other form of cardio that isn't so high-impact, like cycling.

[slicknickns]

damn, quick reply. You must take your fitness seriously, so i'll take my time with my advice.

Good on doing push ups at home, there's nothing more needed other than your arms and a firm ground. Why do stuff at the gym you could do at home?

Running not your cup of tea? sorry i suggested it and really pushed it. It's just that i love running and it's also something that is terrific for fat loss. I often too blindly suggest it too people with out realizing their personalities or physical traits.
Cycling is like running but for longer distances. Sounds like fun. You get to see so much more and feet don't ache like they do after a long run.

Try to do more and more exercises at home, i don't mean entirely, but while you are at home, exercise more. Do more push ups than you usually do and do them while watching tv, at night after dinner, etc. Push ups are a very low-intensity exercise, but are excellent for your strength.

Not to sound, oh, say, perverted but push ups are great for women, they work the chest and the back of the arms, forming a combined support. The pressure on the chest is great for the breasts, as it will firm them and make them more noticeable as they sit higher on your chest.

Some great body weight exercises I love are:
leg extensions, laying on your back and bringing your legs to and out, extending them; which is good for your lower abs.

crunches; can be done to a high rep, are great for the upper stomach and will do wonders to harden up your torso region.

clapping push ups, clapping on every rep of push ups.

jack knife crunches and jumping jack squats, which are too hard to describe right now with typing; look them up at google images. They're terrific for your entire stomach region and for strengthening up your legs.

[jenna]

I do resistance training for about 45 mins twice a week which includes weights (mostly free weights but a couple of machines, too). I sometimes do push-ups and core work at home.

Since it was running that screwed up my foot I think it's time I acknowledged maybe I'm not cut out for it :(. And should look into some other form of cardio that isn't so high-impact, like cycling.

what about taking a spin class? i ended up ordering a spin bike and some dvd's with it. love it and i can ride whenever i want to - don't have to worry about weather or the time of day.

[jAded]

I actually am starting to enjoy running. It's just that I twisted my foot whilst doing it and want to strengthen it before I do something high impact like that again which is why I'm considering cycling. It'd be a stationary bike too cos I don't have a bike anymore and Melbourne drivers scare me.

I should probably have made clear, I'm not actually a member of a gym. This place I go to has all the equipment a gym has, but is a personal training studio so you're allowed to use their cardio equipment (but not weights) anytime if you use a trainer there once a week. So I can't think of any classes I could attend without being a member of a gym here.

p.s. don't worry you don't sound perverted, slicknickns. I think most of us are at least partly motivated to exercise by a more beautiful body. Oh and cos I'm not on my feet at the moment, I'm on the net way more hence quick replies lol.

[codemonkey]

push-ups are good for everyone! They work just about every part of your body from your arms to your chest to your abs and back right down to your legs. Your whole body works together to keep you stable. Push-ups are a fantastic exercise.

That being said, I've been working out regularly for 4 years and I can only do a few "real" push-ups in a row. When I can't do any more "real" ones, I drop to my knees for the rest. Someday I'll be strong enough to do all "big girl" push-ups.

[slicknickns]

I actually am starting to enjoy running. It's just that I twisted my foot whilst doing it and want to strengthen it before I do something high impact like that again which is why I'm considering cycling. It'd be a stationary bike too cos I don't have a bike anymore and Melbourne drivers scare me.

I should probably have made clear, I'm not actually a member of a gym. This place I go to has all the equipment a gym has, but is a personal training studio so you're allowed to use their cardio equipment (but not weights) anytime if you use a trainer there once a week. So I can't think of any classes I could attend without being a member of a gym here.

p.s. don't worry you don't sound perverted, slicknickns. I think most of us are at least partly motivated to exercise by a more beautiful body. Oh and cos I'm not on my feet at the moment, I'm on the net way more hence quick replies lol.

Melbourne? Australia, eh. Fun. Cool, you're not a member of a gym, do you still have to pay anything though?

hahahaha, yeah, but it'd sound perverted if we were speaking face to face. lol. Getting sick time off? Lucky you, i'm in the middle of winter/spring registration.

[SobeVegChick]

I so have to start working out again. Ugh. Fitness DVDs here I come.

[WonderRandy]

I just started the Power 90 DVD program today. I have a strong feeling it's gonna work!

[SobeVegChick]

Ooh! I've so been wanting to try that. Do keep us posted on how it goes. I might just order it!

[WonderRandy]

I'm gonna keep a blog on it.

http://randysprogress.blogspot.com/

[SobeVegChick]

Cool. I bookmarked it. Best of luck! You may just become the reason I plunk down the $ for P90.