Kathy Smith, Denise Austin, Billy Blanks

Yoga, muscle sculpt, kickboxing, dance? There are as many exercise DVDs and videos out there as there are diets! How do you know which ones are good? Many times, picking a good DVD or video is a matter of trial and error. Check out these tips before opening your wallet.

Think about your goals. Do you want to build endurance? Strength? There are specific workout DVDs designed for specific fitness goals, Read the DVD cover to give you a flavor for what it is about and the fitness level it's geared toward. There's often a breakdown of the fitness segments. For example: warm-up, cardio or aerobic work, and cool down.

Stick with a familiar and respected instructor. There are a number of fitness instructors and personal trainers who have made names for themselves within the fitness industry. Stick with an instructor you like or are familiar with.. Good instructors should be professionally certified. They speak clearly and give easy-to-understand directions. The instructors should demonstrate the moves and show you how to change them to make them easier or harder. They should include a warm up and cool down, and walk you through safety concerns.

Talk to others. Do some informal research to get others' opinions. Talk to friends, neighbors, or people at a health club or recreation center who use fitness DVDs or videos or are familiar with the best instructors. Visit some Web sites and see which names keep popping up. Read the instructor bios and any available reviews.

Consider the space or any special props you need to do the workout. Do you have enough space in your home to perform the workout? Do you need to invest in special equipment? Are you willing to spend the money that's required?

Try Before You Buy

One easy tip is to rent a DVD or video before you buy it. Local libraries and video stores have fitness videos you can borrow. Trying out a video before you buy is a great way to go. Check to see if:

• It's at the right fitness level for you
• It's geared toward an audience you relate to (beginner, competitive athlete, older person, limited mobility)
• It's easy to follow, as opposed to fast-paced and confusing
• It's fun and not boring
• You like the instructor's style
• The music suits you
• It doesn't make outlandish claims, such as promising a body-builder's physique in one week

Home Workout Advantages

Working out with a fitness DVD or video has many advantages.

• It saves time – you don't have to leave home and travel somewhere else to work out.
• You can do it at your convenience, rather than someone else's.
• You have the privacy of your own home.
• You get the feeling of having your own personal trainer or instructor right in your home.
• It's cheap. Even if you only do a $20 DVD four times, that's $5 a workout – cheaper than you'll find a class in most health clubs.

It's true that home workouts using a DVD or video aren't for everyone. But they can make a good back-up when bad weather or time constraints keep you from your usual routine. An occasional video workout also can add a nice cross-training component to your fitness program.

AARP Resources

Taking Fitness On The Road
Tucking a fitness video into your suitcase can help you stay active when you're on the road.

Cross Training For Optimal Fun And Fitness
Fitness DVDs or videos allow you to cross train and give you a break from your regular fitness routine.