Workout Video Recommendations

[junipermuse]

I've just started exercising again and I'm finding that working out at home is the easiest for me with a lively toddler running around. I prefer working out with a video instead of on my own because for me it more motivating. The problem is I get bored easily and like to change it up often. I also feel that doing a variety of different workouts will probably lead to the most well rounded fitness. That being said I would love some recommendations for good workout videos. Right now I am using the go fit kettlebell workout #1 and the biggest loser powersculpt video.

Here's what I'm looking for in a video.

-about 20-40 min running time (that's all I can carve away, I usually walk with the baby for another 30 min)
-not a lot of complicated choreography because I want to concentrate on moving my muscle the right way not doing the right steps
-something moderately intense that will leave me feeling sore the next day

any ideas? TIA

[kamesennin]

i'm looking for recs too, good thread!
nak

[srneda78]

I like Jari Love videos for strength training. They're closer to an hour long, but you can always select different body parts from the dvd menu and do them in separate sessions instead of one whole session.

Cardio -- hmmm. I still have yet to find cardio I really like.

[dogmom327]

I really like Turbo Jam. I used to take kickboxing at 24 Hour Fitness and it's the same thing. Very fun. Good music. The videos range from 20-45 minutes and if you need to shorted a 45 minute video, you just skip a section (easy to do with a DVD player since each section is a separate "chapter" on the DVD).

[nolansmummy]

I like Cathe tapes for strength, her kickboxing one, kick punch crunch, is tough! I also like a few Slim in 6 dvd's i have. They aren't part of the original set, but are tougher more advanced ones. They are long, but a good workout. They use weights through the whole thing, and i got in awesome shape after having my son doing these 4 x / week.
Its this one http://www.amazon.com/Beachbody-Slim.../dp/B000B5U49G

I have heard good things about the Firm, and i have a few newer ones which i use sometimes, but the perky girls annoy me sometimes so they aren't my favs.

I just signed up for netflix to get more variety in my workout dvds. I get bored so quick and i love that i just do the dvd once or twice and send it back ! I 've tried Jillian Michaels kickboxing one - was way too easy, she kept saying how hard it was, maybe i just did it wrong. The good thing was that the moves were very simple and easy to follow, and it was short- like 20 minutes i think.

Crunch Fat burning Pilates - 40 minutes. I liked it. Did this one yesterday and my abs are sore today.

I also own Billy Blanks' tae bo tapes - don't like them. They move too fast, and i'm just not coordinated enough.

[LeslieB]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

I really like Turbo Jam. I used to take kickboxing at 24 Hour Fitness and it's the same thing. Very fun. Good music. The videos range from 20-45 minutes and if you need to shorted a 45 minute video, you just skip a section (easy to do with a DVD player since each section is a separate "chapter" on the DVD).

: Or any other Beachbody program. A lot of people love Slim in 6, and I'm currently doing P90X. It's a tough program. If you're already in decent shape, then I would definitely recommend P90X. And I was REALLY sore during the first two weeks. I'm in good shape, and I still find it challenging.
Just browse their website; they have lots of cool stuff.

[Girl In The Fire]

Originally Posted by LeslieB

: Or any other Beachbody program. A lot of people love Slim in 6, and I'm currently doing P90X. It's a tough program. If you're already in decent shape, then I would definitely recommend P90X. And I was REALLY sore during the first two weeks. I'm in good shape, and I still find it challenging.
Just browse their website; they have lots of cool stuff.

How do you like p90x? Is it as brutal as I have heard? I just ordered it and am awaiting it's arrival.

I really like this DVD
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6976917

And this one
http://www.amazon.com/Island-Dance-F.../dp/B0001EQIBA

I had (have) sciatica, the above dvd really helped alleviate a lot of the pain I was having. Whenever my back is really bothering me I pop it in and I usually feel better by the time it is done.

[LeslieB]

Originally Posted by APBTLuv

How do you like p90x? Is it as brutal as I have heard? I just ordered it and am awaiting it's arrival.

If you're in decent shape already, I don't think you'll find it brutal. I was in good shape when I started, but not so much with the weight training so I was really, really sore the first week. But at the same time, I didn't find anything too hard. I really enjoy it. I have had to add in some extra cardio because I'm just used to more intense cardio than is on P90X (minus Plyometrics; that's a really good workout). I'm on week 6 right now, and although I haven't seen drastic results, I have seen some. One thing I'm not doing is following the diet that goes along with it. I just don't believe in "diets", especially a low-fat, low-calorie one. I'm sure people see greater results with it, but I'm just not going to do it.
So, anyway, I'd love to hear how you like it. Maybe we could start a P90X thread.

[TopazBlueMama]

If you like to focus on form then you should check out T-Tapp. There is a 15 minute one and a total workout one that is 50 minutes. She also has several other videos on her website.

[Girl In The Fire]

Originally Posted by LeslieB

If you're in decent shape already, I don't think you'll find it brutal.

So I got my P90x and I decided to do the lean program first. I passed all the fitness requirements and I would classify myself as being in decent shape... I did Core Synergistics yesterday and WOW did that make me sweat. I will admit at one point I thought I was going to throw up but I kept going. I have seen people on shows like Celebrity Fit Club saying they felt like they were going to throw up and I thought they were just being big babies... Guess I was wrong I am doing the cardio dvd today just as soon as my coffee kicks in, I am sure it will be a good workout. Based on the Core dvd alone I don't see how anyone could do this program and not be in awesome shape.

[LeslieB]

Originally Posted by APBTLuv

So I got my P90x and I decided to do the lean program first. I passed all the fitness requirements and I would classify myself as being in decent shape... I did Core Synergistics yesterday and WOW did that make me sweat. I will admit at one point I thought I was going to throw up but I kept going. I have seen people on shows like Celebrity Fit Club saying they felt like they were going to throw up and I thought they were just being big babies... Guess I was wrong I am doing the cardio dvd today just as soon as my coffee kicks in, I am sure it will be a good workout. Based on the Core dvd alone I don't see how anyone could do this program and not be in awesome shape.

Yeah, I really like Core Syn! It was tough the first time. I am so uncoordinated at the rolls. I did a trial week when I first got it and tried the Lean. I thought CardioX was way too easy and ended up going with the Classic version. Just started week 7 today. Chest, Shoulders and Triceps is a KILLER!
P90X really is great. I recommend it to lots of people.

[hippiewitchie]

Just a thought.... Have you checked out your local library to see what exercise videos they have? If you get bored from videos quickly at least you are not wasting your money on a dvd you will use for a few weeks and be bored with.
My local library only has a few, but there are several libraries in the county that will do an inter-library loan and that really opens up the number/variety that are available.

That being said, I know people rave over the Beachbody dvd's. I tried YogaBottyBallet and thought it was pretty OK.

[junipermuse]

Originally Posted by hippiewitchie

Just a thought.... Have you checked out your local library to see what exercise videos they have? If you get bored from videos quickly at least you are not wasting your money on a dvd you will use for a few weeks and be bored with.
My local library only has a few, but there are several libraries in the county that will do an inter-library loan and that really opens up the number/variety that are available.

That being said, I know people rave over the Beachbody dvd's. I tried YogaBottyBallet and thought it was pretty OK.

This is good idea. I haven't checked out the library yet because every time I've gone I've had my 20mo dd with me and she is so constantly on the move that I can't even look at the shelf for 2 seconds or she's gone (seriously I thought I lost her twice in the same week) however tomorrow she goes to the sitter for a couple of hours so I could probably get to the library without her. Maybe I'll do that.

[Girl In The Fire]

Originally Posted by junipermuse

This is good idea. I haven't checked out the library yet because every time I've gone I've had my 20mo dd with me and she is so constantly on the move that I can't even look at the shelf for 2 seconds or she's gone (seriously I thought I lost her twice in the same week) however tomorrow she goes to the sitter for a couple of hours so I could probably get to the library without her. Maybe I'll do that.

I dunno if you have netflix but they have a decent selection of workout dvd's and some are instant view or whatever it's called.

[mags]

Subbing, this is a great thread!