Workout Videos Worth Watching

Obviously, we highly recommend our fitness classes to people who are looking to get some top-notch instruction and kick their metabolism — and their motivation — into high gear. But we also know it’s not always realistic for you to count on being able to come to classes right on schedule, because you’re a busy person! Sometimes it’s 10 p.m. and you’ve just finished some leftover Chinese food and suddenly you’re looking for a way to burn off that extra energy — and those extra calories. So we definitely support the idea of having some go-to at-home fitness videos on hand as a back-up facet of your overall fitness regimen for those times when driving over to our Greenville gym just isn’t in the cards.

Here are a few we like, new and old:

1. “Insanity Workout” — This is one of the most popular DVDs on the market today. You receive 10 discs and follow a 60-day program that maximizes a blend of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The best part is that you don’t need any equipment besides your own body — but be prepared for a real challenge, because this workout is intense! The routine claims to burn 1,000 calories in just one hour with take-no-prisoners trainer Shaun T.

2. “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” — Surely you remember this one! A ‘90s classic, Richard Simmons will get you up and moving with some low-impact, easy-to-perform exercises that will get your heart rate up with those old tunes you love. Fun, funny and not intimidating, you can work up a sweat in just 55 minutes. There’s also a “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” 2 and 3. Sure, it’s embarrassing and kitschy, but if you can learn to laugh at yourself then keep in mind that laughing burns calories, too!

3. “The Biggest Loser, The Workout” — If you’re a fan of watching “The Biggest Loser” on your TV, you’ll love this fitness video that combines the moves you see those contestants perform with the motivational catchphrases that your favorite trainers say. You can buy videos tailored to your interests, such as Cardio Max, Boot Camp or even Weight Loss Yoga. The videos are about 100 minutes, but you can choose from six routines to find what works best for you — all overseen by TV trainer Bob Harper.

Our best suggestion is to buy DVDs with return policies so that you can try a routine and figure out what tempo and type is going to actually keep you interested and fulfill your physical demands. Don’t be scared off if the first one you pick isn’t perfect for you.

Do you have any other favorite workout videos we should know about? Please feel free to share!