Selecting a Fitness Video

Fitness videos are an important component to many people's regular exercise routine. They can be especially helpful for individuals who like to exercise outdoors but are faced with weather that makes that more difficult during the winter months.  But choosing the right exercise video -- one that you can do but that will be challenging enough and one that you will enjoy -- can really be difficult. The following guidelines should help to make that process easier.

Network -- Talk to friends or family of a similar fitness level as yourself and ask if they have any videos that they really like and enjoy. Also ask if there are any they would particularly warn against getting. Find out their reasons for both because your needs or expectations might be slightly different.

Look before you leap -- Before buying an exercise tape, go to your local video store and rent a few. Try each of the workouts a couple of times and then, if you think the video something you would enjoy doing regularly, consider purchasing it. Keep in mind that you should choose a video that is appropriate for your current fitness level. As you advance you can always buy something more advanced.

Quality counts -- All workout tapes will have at least one group leader. Look on the tape and check for this individual's credentials and qualifications.  Someone with several years of experience and certification as an instructor is always a plus. See that the instructor is providing adequate warm-up before the workout and a sufficient cool-down at the end. Both the warm-up and cool-down are vital, so make sure the tape is the correct length for the amount of time you can spend. Skipping the warm-up or cool-down will hinder the workout's positive effects and could lead to serious injury.

Your fitness fancy -- Pick a video that features the type of exercise that you like to do; if you have never enjoyed step-aerobics classes, a tape of that nature probably won't satisfy you -- no matter how highly recommended it has come. Also, pay attention to whether or not any equipment is needed.  You may need to buy dumbbells, ankle weights or resistance bands. If you already have these items, great; but if not, consider that the workout will not be nearly as effective without them so it might not be the best choice if you do not wish to invest in any equipment.

Common ties -- When choosing an exercise tape, it is important that in addition to it matching your physical needs and expectations, it also satisfies you from an intellectual aspect. For instance, always check the type of music used on the tape and be certain that its something you'll enjoy listening to as well as something that will motivate you to get moving. Look at the group of individuals featured as exercisers on the tape -- are they of a similar age group as you? Can you relate to them? Will participating with them give you a sense of community and involvement? Are they having fun? And will you have fun joining in? All of these aspects are important in choosing a tape because you will enjoy the time more and you will be likely to use it more often.

Down the road -- If you plan to start using exercise videos as a regular part of your exercise program, you may want to consider purchasing a set or series. This is very helpful in terms of progression and continuing to challenge yourself while simultaneously allowing you to develop a degree of familiarity and comfort with a certain instructor or genre of video.

Click Here to order the Strong Women Stay Young video.

by Miriam Nelson, PhD
Created October, 2000