How To Choose The Right Exercise Video For You

If you truly want to exercise--you have many options: Walking, hiking, running, biking, swimming, strength training, group exercise workouts. But even the most dedicated exerciser can struggle to get their workout in when short on time. If you have a busy life due to family obligations or work commitments, or you live in a town were the closest health club is half an hour away, or you simply feel uncomfortable walking into a gym, you may consider trying exercise videos and working out at home. There are workouts for the beginner to the advanced, from Pilates and Yoga to Toning and Kickboxing. So finding the right video for you is relatively simple, but here are a few types when choosing your home exercise video:

1) It's very important not to give in to all the hyped marketing surrounding many videos that may make unsubstantiated promises. In fact, any video that promises quick weight loss or instant results is probably unsafe and should be avoided.

2) Ask your friends what exercise videos they do. Or go to your local video store and rent a few workout videos to see which ones you like before investing $20 into one video.

3) Decide what you want to achieve: If you want to loose body fat, choose cardiovascular workouts (like Low-Impact, Step Aerobics, Cardio Dance, Kickboxing) over Pilates/Yoga workouts. While I truly believe a well-balanced workout routine includes Pilates, Yoga and strength training, at least initially, most of your workout time should not be devoted to this type of training.

(4) Honestly evaluate your current level and choose exercise videos appropriate for where you are today. By working out at your level, you will be able to get stronger and develop more endurance without putting your body at risk. Also, this creates a feeling of success, and as I always say, there is nothing more motivating than success.

5) The exercise video should give modifications for different fitness levels. For example, an aerobic video may show a high impact option, a medium impact option and a low impact option. Or a toning workout video may show how to increase or decrease the intensity of a shoulder exercise by changing the position of the hands.

6) Instead of spending around $20 per video, consider subscribing to an online exercise video website. There are several good ones out there. These types of websites offer a variety of exercise videos and add new workout videos every week for between $10 to $20 per month. You can even download exercise videos to your computer from many of the fitness sites.

Whatever you do--make sure it works with your schedule and make sure you enjoy the workout. By choosing workouts you enjoy and naturally fit into your life, you are setting yourself up for success. The the more successful you are with your workouts--the more you will do them.

Pascale Vandenbroucke is the Creative Director for Workouts On Demand. They offer over 90 full-length online workout videos and add new exercise videos every week. With Toning, Pilates, Kickboxing, Yoga and more, you always have a new workout with motivating instructors.