As some of my regular readers know, I workout exclusively with exercise dvds at home. I generally do not count my bowling nights, walks at breaks, and walks around the neighborhood as my daily exercise quota. These activities always involve other people. I consider these activities to be my socializing time since my focus is talking to the people I am with.
This post is a discussion of why using exercise dvds are a cheap way to work out.
It saves time to workout at home. No need to drive to and from the gym.
As soon as I get home, I immediately change into my workout clothes. When I used to exercise at the gym, I need to set aside at least 1 hour to account for the driving time, the multiple outfits changing, and the waiting time for a machine or a class.
Nobody is looking at you at home.
When I started exercising for the first time, I am embarrassed by the way I look. At my first aerobics class at the gym, I was in the back corner trying to figure out what was going on and worried that people are secretly laughing at my red, frustrated face, while my two left foot are making jerking motions that are suppose to resemble a sway.
I can schedule a workout based on my schedule.
Since I am insanely familiar with my exercise dvds collection, I know that no matter how busy I get, I can find a workout to squeeze in 20 minutes during the evening and weekends. I do not have to get to the gym by a certain time to attend a class.
There are so many types of exercise dvds on the market. How can you get bored?
Pilates, kettlebells, step aerobics, strength training, interval training, circuit training, yoga, etc. You name it, and there are probably multiple exercise dvds catering to whatever fitness fetish you may have.
Using exercise dvds are the one of the cheapest way to work out.
The average price of a gym membership in my area is approximately $35/month. For $35, I can get at least 4 dvds by scouring ebay (I am ok with used), Marshalls, and Ross. And if I purchase dvds that have multiple workouts in them, for $35 I can get 6 or 7 workouts. Seriously the only way you can exercise cheaper is by going out for a walk.
Who should use dvds to exercise at home?
If you are on the fence about exercising and thinking that a new machine like a recumbent bike or a treadmill might do its magic, consider starting with exercise dvds because will be a cheap way to experiment with exercise.
However, if the only way you are willing to exercise is in a group environment (ie. team sports or gym classes), then working out to exercise dvds are not for you.
Next post, the advantage of using an exercise program with a pre-designed eating plan and workout sessions.
Until next time and thanks for stopping by Small Steps to Health. If you like what you are reading, please share it with your friends.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree exercise videos are great for working out. Some that I have used are P90x and Tae Bo. I do find however that they do get stale if you don’t change it up. Maybe muting the volume and putting music on would get rid of having to hear the same thing from them every time. It’s almost like watching a movie many times. After a while you could probably just do it without the video. I like to keep changing my workouts to keep me motivated. A lot of people don’t realize the great workouts you can do at home with a video or not.
@Darren – I have about 200 exercise videos in my exercise dvd collection (I have been collecting them for years). And yes, changing your workout at least once every 2-3 months is the key to keep getting results from your workouts at home. Once your body get used to the same exercise intensity, it has no incentive to change which means no increase in strength, aerobic capacity, or flexibility. What is the point if exercising if there is no improvement to your body? Thanks for your comment.
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