workout dvds – favorites, pros & cons

Posted: August 26, 2010 at 6:00 pm

So, did you see? If you missed it for some reason – we’re having a BOY!!! So excited to know that its little Braedon Hunter growing and moving around in there. :)Thanks for the comments and excitement everyone. Your love and support always warm my heart

After the appointment today, I craved movement. You could say I had energy to burn. I broke into my workout DVD case. Check out the monstrosity of it.

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That would be an old-school CD case filled with likely at least 60-70 workout DVDs. My love of fitness began in the living room of my parents’ old house the summer after my sophomore year of college with workout DVDs. I relied on them and didn’t join a gym until my senior year of college. Even though I love they gym, I still continuously compile at home DVDs to have some extra variety and an option for when the gym can’t happen. Overall, workout DVDs have many pros…but they also have cons.

Pros

  • Good option when no gym available or can’t make it
  • More flexibility with scheduling – work out when YOU want to
  • Less overall time needed without driving to/from gym
  • New ways to challenge yourself – do moves you wouldn’t do on your own or at a gym
  • Good starting point for beginners – guided workout and not as scary as a gym

Cons

  • Less variety unless you have a larger collection
  • Hard to get motivated for a workout with your couch, roommate, dishes to do right there
  • Can add up cost-wise to buy DVDs and related equipment if needed
  • Need extra space in your home
  • Noise or distraction from others

Since I also have access to a gym and acquired most of my workout paraphernalia over a few years, the pros outweigh the cons for me. My personal library includes an extensive selection. Let’s take a look shall we?

Slim in 6 – Beachbody

My first workout DVD set and what started it all. These videos fit a beginner perfectly. They are very basic and I don’t use them in my regular scheduling anymore. They do come in handy after birth though. I used them beginning a few weeks after M and plan to do so again after this baby.

Turbo Jam – Beachbody (and Turbo Kick borrowed from a friend instructor)

For fun I tried out Turbo Jam and ended up falling in love. These don’t provide the most intense of workouts but they are fun and get the heart rate up. I turn to them often because of the fun factor. Plus, at 45 minutes, they are the perfect length for quick but effective training.

Cathe Friedrich

She blows my mind. Every time. I don’t believe you can find a more top notch instructor in the fitness DVD world. She cues perfectly, knows just how to motivate, and works you HARD. I don’t end a single workout of hers without feeling spent. Everything she makes is fantastic. From weight workouts to circuit workouts to HIIT workouts to kickboxing. She does it all and well too. Can you tell she is my favorite? 😉

Those are the options I currently own. I do want to add Turbo Fire and Insanity to that mix though. I’ve also heard wonderful things about Jillian’s workouts and things like Core Fusion. And I will let you in on two that I HATE. Anything Tony Horton (including P90X) and anything Billy Blanks (TaeBo). It’s not the workouts I can’t stand…it is solely the style of the instructors. I can’t help it. I hate them. You can throw rocks at me now.

  • Do you use workout DVDs? If so, why do you like them? If not, why not and what do you prefer?
  • What are your favorites? Or what would you be interested in trying?
  • Giveaway coming tomorrow on the blog!!! 😀

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48 Comments to “workout dvds – favorites, pros & cons”
  1. Tina!!! How can you not love Bily Blanks??? He is one of my absolute all time favorites — honestly!

    But I totally agree with you about Tony Horton– he is so dull.

    I love workout dvds (I have a whole review page on my blog about the ones I have): my faves: TurboFire, TurboJam, 30 Day Shred, No More Trouble Zones, Taebo, Slim in 6, Jane Fonda. (ok, Jane Fonda is a VHS tape that I can’t use since I don’t have a VCR, but it is so much fun).

    I’m excited for a giveaway!

    • Tina says:

      It’s funny because I love what he stands for and his whole view on fitness since he has strong faith too. I have a big pet peeve about unbalanced workouts and it always seems he does one thing on one side and something completely different on another. And I get a feel he makes things up as he goes along. Whenever I do TaeBo though I feel it. So I will say its a good workout. I wish I liked his teaching style more. That’s the only thing about him.

      Tony Horton on the other hand? Everything about him makes me shudder.

  2. rachael says:

    Yay for a boy! Having one of each is like winning the lottery:)

    I am not a huge fan of workout dvds, I like them from time to time but generally get distracted when I try to do them.

  3. Mark says:

    I’ve never tried a workout DVD, but a few weeks back I thought about trying Zumba. I’d read a few posts about it and people were enthusiastic, so I looked into it. I watched a few clips around the web and it looked like fun, but nobody was out of breath and nobody broke a sweat. I concluded that it wasn’t intense enough for me.

    I’d still be open to the idea of a workout DVD, but it would really have to push me. If I’m not exhausted and hating the instructor by the end of a session, it’s not working 🙂

    • Tina says:

      I’ve never seen Zumba DVDs or on ExerciseTV but the classes give a good workout. At least in my experience. I can see how it wouldn’t be as effective in a DVD though. In a group environment its easier to get more into it.

  4. Penny Lane says:

    Yeah for a New Baby Boy! That is so exciting and a whole new child raising experience:).

    I have workout videos, but I don’t like them. I get bored very easily and hearing the same lines every day or everyother I get so irritated. (the one I dislike the most is Don’t phone it in.)

    But I do like the 30 day Shred and my Yoga vids.

  5. Baby Boy!! How exciting!! It must be fun knowing your baby’s name now 🙂 Yay!!!

  6. ashleigh says:

    I like fitness DVD’s, but I don’t do them enough! They are a good back up plan for me when I don’t have enough every to walk to the gym, or it’s raining out. I really want to try turbo jam!

  7. Awww CONGRATS!! Little boys are the cutest!! 🙂

  8. Aww congrats on the news of having a son:) We’ll be having boys together!

  9. homecookedem says:

    Since I don’t have a gym membership, I rely on workout DVD’s and Exercise TV. I love The Firm, Walk Away the Pounds, and sorry Tina, but I love Tae Bo, haha! 😉 Never done P90x… probably never will.

  10. Lee says:

    Congratulations on your boy! I can’t remember what I thought you were having, but I wrote it in the comments on one of your posts.

    I like the P90X workouts, but Tony Horton annoys the crap out of me. I always put it on mute!

    • Tina says:

      Even looking at him makes my skin crawl. I really don’t know why but I can’t handle him. Which stinks bec I think it would be fun to try P90X. I know I couldn’t get past him though.

  11. Heather says:

    we were meant to be friends…cathe is my favorite too! i record everything she does on fitTV even if it involves equipment i don’t have. I LOVE her!

    • Tina says:

      She is crazy! I remember the first time I saw here was on FitTV and I thought I could NEVER do those workouts. Then I got one. Then another. Then another. And soon I had almost everything she ever made. I think the only thing I don’t have is her STS series because I use the gym for weights.

  12. Katie H. says:

    YAY congrats girl! I am so excited for you guys. I love the name selection 🙂 I could understand the pent up energy after finding out such exciting news!

    I really like Jillian’s No More Trouble Zones. The 30 day shred got me into fitness so I have a soft spot for it (same with the biggest loser yoga dvd).

    Congrats again! 🙂

  13. Ela says:

    Oh, congratulations! How beautiful and exciting for you – and great that you’re wanting to move your body.

    love
    Ela

  14. Julie says:

    That’s funny you brought this up – I totally do NOT work out to videos at home, but today, I did – Belly Dancing. It was hilarious…and fun… not much of a work out, but life isn’t all about working out, right? It’s about movement…and I definitely got some movement today 🙂

  15. Love the baby boy name! I always refer to my daughter on my blog as Miss B. Her name is Brealyn so you can see why I love Breadon!!! Congrats again on baby boy!

  16. I only have Jillian DVDs, and I really love all the ones of hers that I have!

  17. Angela says:

    In high school I was obsessed with Tae Bo. I did it every day, sometimes twice a day. I also love the buns of steel series, especially abs of steel. But at the time I didn’t have a gym membership, once I started joining gyms I quickly stopped videos. I want to get back into them though because I think they would be a good way to get some more variety. I’m really interested in Turbo Fire, insanity and Jillian Michaels 30 day shred.

  18. Chaymi says:

    I am obsessed with working out DVDs as well I started my collection last year by purchasing P90X and INSANITY and I’ve added to that RevAbs, Chalean Extreme and Brazial Butt Lift. Programs I totally love to do when I can’t make it to the gym. Big Hugs From The Netherlands

  19. I have pilates and yoga DVDs…otherwise, I don’t workout at home. Wish I would. Excited about the giveaway tomorrow!

  20. Wow, thats one big workout DVD collection! In the UK there is a TV presenter called Davina McCall who has a range of fitness DVD’s which I love. I also like a bit of Jillian too, and have been known to do a little Tae Bo! I can see why he would get on your nerves though x

    • Tina says:

      Davina sounds like Cathe. I’ve never heard of her. Guess since shes UK. I love when they have a ton of variety to choose from.

  21. Braedon – what a cute name!!! I bet your husband is over the moon to be having a boy… and you too of course.. but there is just something about men and boys hehe.

    I love 30 Day Shred… one of my favs!

    • Tina says:

      Haha! He is. He wants someone to play cars with him. M loves cars but is way more girl than I think Peter expected. She much prefers to play “princess”. Which he groans about but then I have to remind him HE was the one who brought home the cute princess dress up outfit. LOL

  22. Just wanted to say that I think the name is adorable!

    I’ve never really gotten into workout DVDs. I have a hard time following an instructor – even in a live class. I always feel like I need to be able to ask someone to physically show me moves with my own body, to slow down, etc. I suppose there’s always rewind, but I still find them difficult to follow usually.

  23. I actually have a couple workout DVDs, I don’t remember the instructor names, but I really like them, because like you mentioned they are so flexible, but it is hard to concentrate (especially yoga) when you have the family running around the house 😉 I still like to workout on a gym (love the classes) so I think that balancing these two will work great. Thanks for the tips on your fave DVDs, I will have to try them out. and CONGRATS on the baby boy 🙂 all the best wishes for you and your family!! That’s so exciting!!

  24. I LOVE Cathe! She is by far my favorite!

  25. Kristy says:

    I have the 30-day shred for a back up, not my fav but gets the job done. I sometimes rent new videos of netflix if I get board. 🙂

  26. Cynthia says:

    I have tried the Taebo ones and like them, but I agree his style is a bit much. My favorites are the Jillian Michaels and the Biggest Loser ones. I actually have several JM workouts and I go to her workouts when I need a little cross training from running or when I want to get some good strength training in. I actually have that Slim in 6 workout, but I haven’t used it in forever! Maybe I should actually do that one eventually.

  27. I’m sure you already know I’m a DVD queen too. I love the option of working out at home. I can have 3 fans blowing on me if I want, I can stop the DVD mid-way through and put in another if that strikes my fancy too. I’m a Cathe fan all the way (as you already know). That woman knows how to kick some serious butt!

  28. I’m a big fan of Jillian Michaels’ DVDs, and I’m loving Insanity right now!

  29. Nichole says:

    You are reading my mind! I did a yoga DVD yesterday and while I liked it, I thought, I wish someone would tell me if my warrior looks more like a solider.

  30. janetha g. says:

    holy workout DVDs! that is a lot. the only DVDs i use are the insanity ones and i looove them. i am not opposed to trying more, i have just never purchased any. i want to get one of jackie warner’s.

  31. Kelly says:

    I do a lot of DVDs, because with two little kiddos, it’s hard to get to the gym or get outside everyday. I’ve tried a lot – faves right now are Insanity and TurboFire. I do P90X, because I need the strength training, but I have written down the routine and do them on my own, because I’m with ya – Tony can be a little annoying!!

  32. Sarah says:

    I like them! I’ve started checking some out for free from my public library. It’s a great way to mix things up at no cost (so far, I’ve already had all the needed equipment.)

  33. Chris Watson says:

    i have followed several home workouts before, including Tae Bo and p90x and have to say that i love working out at home.

  34. Andrea says:

    Do you have any Yoga DVD’s that you really like? I’ve been looking, but you know how it is…so many to chose from. 🙂

    • Tina says:

      I actually don’t. 🙁

      I can only really motivate myself to do yoga in a group setting. I have tried things like yogadownload.com for at home yoga workouts, though. I just prefer my gym’s class. Wish I could help!

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