Good Exercise DVD?

[deedeetoo]

I want to get back into shape and am looking for a dvd or two to use at home.

Some background - I used to be in very good running shape years ago but then had kids and well, most of you know how that goes. Running again (or even walking) would be the obvious choice but there is still too much snow around here narrowing roads and blocking drivers views for me to feel comfortable doing that. Where I live there are no sidewalks. I am also 50(!) now so I'm thinking running again might not be the best thing for my joints. Though I haven't personally had any problems, I know lots of people my age who have.

Also, I have just found out that I am being laid off so I don't want to join an expensive gym or buy any expensive equipment. So I have lots of time but don't want to spend a lot of money.

A DVD seems the best solution. Any suggestions?

 

[elgerber]

Leslie Sansone Walk Away The Pounds DVD's are great! Super easy to follow and she doesn't drive me nuts!

 

[poohfriend77]

Visit your library! Mine has lots to choose from. Those DVDs can be expensive, especially if you get one and decide you don't like it (because it's too fast, too slow, or the instructor is just too darn perky ). I also get bored quickly, so I like being able to change up my routine often.

You might also be able to find workouts "on demand" if you have that feature through your cable/satellite provider.

Personally, I like Denise Austin, the Firm (combines aerobics with hand weights), and "dance-type" workouts. A lot of my friends love Zumba, but those DVDs are expensive, and I think you need a lot of floor space to do it. Another friend who hates the dance-type moves just started doing Leslie Sansone's walking workouts (done inside... more of a walk/march-in-place kind of thing, I think).

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I agree with the library suggestion. Good way to try new videos without getting bored.. or poor. My favorite two fitness gurus are Denise Austin and Jillian Michaels. You can get DVDs pretty cheap on Amazon and you can read reviews to see if the video will work for you.

Specific suggestions: For cardio/weights circuit training Jillian's 30 Day Shred is a classic and I also like Denise's 3 Week Boot Camp. For cardio without weights, Jillian's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism is killer.

 

[Darth Boeder]

30 day shred is a killer. Also you might want to look into a couch to 5k. I know they have a lot of podcast you can put on your ipod.

 

[themermaidgirl]

Jillian Michaels whipped my butt into shape!

I started with her Beginners DVD (Frontside and Backside), then I progressed to her 30 Day Shred It!

I lost about 10lbs (117lbs-107lbs - I'm 5'1 and petite) and I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life!

 

[mtemm]

I use on demand and netflix to stream different videos. you might try that if you have access to either and give a few a try before you make a final decision!

 

[disney_mommy]

I also recommend Leslie Sansone's DVDs. Fun and easy to follow, but you also feel like you're working.

 

[golfgal]

I use on demand and netflix to stream different videos. you might try that if you have access to either and give a few a try before you make a final decision!

Good idea

DD's golf team is doing Jillian Michaels for preseason training-they are all pretty fit high school aged kids and they were all walking around like old ladies the next day . I guess she is pretty intense but from what I hear she is good!

 

[IDoDis]

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred is awesome!!! There are 3 levels and you can move yourself up when you are ready. I moved myself up every 10 days. After the first couple of days I could barely walk down the stairs from soreness, but I worked through it. I only took off one day a week. Boy did I see changes in my body!!! I did the video for 60 days (stayed at level 3 after the 20th day). I did get bored with it after that.

Those two months were amazing for my body though! I worked up a drenching sweat in those 30 minutes. That's what I liked about it --I didn't waste time doing exercises that were too easy and did nothing for me. It's very intense, but it's over in 30 min. so it goes by really quick.

You'll need a yoga mat and some hand weights. The video is pretty cheap -- around $10.00

 

[castleview]

Collage Video has a great selection to choose from and there are some DVDs out there that are just as good as gym classes. Like you, I did a lot of running pre-children. Now I do a lot of stepping and Zumba. Less stress on the joints, but still getting a great workout. You might like kickboxing too.

My favorite DVDs are Cathe Friedrich ones - some of her step workouts are complex choreography but some are not (Athletic Step is perfect for former runners). And she's one of the few whose DVDs match a live class.

 

[crazelion]

I like the one bu Billy Blanks Jr called Carioke is just plain fun. It a dancing work that is easy to do.

 

[rabyoga]

I like the "10 minutes" series. You can pick and choose a variety of types of workouts plus you can start with 10 minutes and work up to 50 minutes.

 

[Lloyd Gondolli]

You can't go wrong with Buns of Steel!

 

[disneychrista]

I second borrowing htem from the library until you find what you like.

I really like Leslie Sansone for a solid workout. I also like Jillian Michaels for more of a higher intensity workout.

 

[hereyago]

Personally, I like Denise Austin, the Firm (combines aerobics with hand weights), and "dance-type" workouts. A lot of my friends love Zumba, but those DVDs are expensive, and I think you need a lot of floor space to do it. Another friend who hates the dance-type moves just started doing Leslie Sansone's walking workouts (done inside... more of a walk/march-in-place kind of thing, I think).

When I used to be little miss fitness, Denise Austin rocked it. I need to get some of her DVDs, it's been awhile ok years since I really worked out. I can work out to Gilad, but I miss Denise being on tv.

 

[JVL1018]

I recommend Jillian's 30 Day Shred as well.
I am doing it for the 2nd time-on Day 4. The first couple of days I whimpered whenever I had to go down stairs, so be prepared, but it's so worth it. A really great, quick workout.
It's awesome.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I agree with a lot of others that Leslie Sansone is excellent, especially for someone who is just starting to get back in shape.

I've used "The Firm" before and thought it was a good workout, my only issue with it was that I'm very uncoordinated, and some of the moves were too "dancy" for me--I couldn't keep up and would end up just staring at the screen, trying to figure out what they were doing. If you're more coordinated than me, you might not have such trouble

If you are interested in weights, my favorite is Jari Love. She has a lot of videos out, buy my very favorite is "Ripped to the Core".

 

[golfgal]

DD and I bought Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred at Target today-$9.00. OUCH but we are going to be BUFF for our trip next month. OK, DD will be buff, I will just be less flabby.

It is actually an awesome work out. I combines strength training, stretching and cardio in a 20 minute workout. It is long enough to get you moving and short enough that you don't get bored and frustrated. It also isn't "aerobics", it's a workout, which I really like because I very much dislike aerobics.

 

[VBsHustla]

I love Bob Harper's DVDs! At first, I was horrified because they're an hour long, but I adjusted to that within a few days. He has separate DVDs for yoga, strength training, and cardio. All of them are awesome. I usually do one every other day and go running on the other days.

I like Jillian's DVDs too, but after getting used to Bob's, they're all too short for me to feel like I'm really doing anything. If I do one of them, I also run for 30 minutes afterward. However, the other day I did her 6 week 6 pack DVD and then for the next half hour I ran 10 mph sprints like Jillian was making people do on Biggest Loser. That is a combination I do not recommend. Really thought my heart or treadmill would explode.