Spring in Wisconsin can take an awfully long time to take hold.  For instance, the other day we had temperatures near 50 degrees! I was completely ready to throw my winter clothes into storage and start dusting off the summer stuff.  Unfortunately, the next day we got 7 inches of snow.

During this time of year, I often find myself struggling to get my work-out in. Mentally, I’m ready to move my routine outdoors. Realistically, though, we’ve got a bit of time before that consistently happens. So I end up skipping the gym and find myself sitting at home in front of the TV.

So, I’ve decided instead of sitting and watching yet another episode of American Idol (go Danny!), I’m going to start utilizing some exercise DVDs from my library. Exercise videos are a great way to get some activity while in the comfort (and warmth) of your own home.

And if the words “exercise videos” conjure up images of women bouncing around in leotards and sweatbands you should know that things have come a long way. There are now DVDs of yoga, Pilates, boot camp, salsa dancing and much more. (Have you heard of Bollywood dancing?)

Odds are, whatever your fitness level or goals, there is an exercise video that can work for you. Once you choose the type of exercise you like, the next step is finding out what sort of intensity you need.

If you are new to exercising, try to find videos with the words “beginner” or “basic” in the title. Also, take into consideration how much impact you want to put on your body. Videos with step, boot camp or kickboxing may not be the best choice if your body needs low-impact exercise.

If you have been active for more than 6 months and are used to higher-impact exercises, go ahead and try some of the more advanced videos. A good thing for everyone to do is to view the DVD beforehand and make sure you can follow along. Most videos also have one person performing modified versions of exercise moves; if you aren’t sure what you’re doing just follow that person.

Other tips for purchasing exercise videos:

• Visit websites like Amazon.com and collagevideo.com to read what other people like or dislike about the videos. Some websites even feature short previews of the “classes” to help give you see if it’s the right fit for you.


• Before purchasing a video, try to rent it through the library, a rental store, or Netflix. If you love it you can buy it. If you find out it’s just not your cup of tea, take it back and try another one.


• Create a workout schedule for the week with your video selection. Write the times down in your planner and treat it as any other meeting so you won’t be tempted to skip.


• If you have friends that also exercise at home, plan a video swap once a month. That way you can try out different videos for free!


• Check to see what kind of qualifications the instructor has. A college degree in exercise science and/or certifications from recognized organizations like ACSM, NSCA, NETA, and ACE are usually a safe bet.

Do you use exercise videos to stay in shape? Who are some of your favorite instructors?

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