Need unbiased recommendations for a great workout DVD series

greyhoundphile

Hi everyone! So I've been losing weight through dieting only but I know I need to add exercise in to kick this into faster gear and also to strengthen my core. I'm 40, I'm not in shape (but not totally out of shape - I walk, ride horses, etc but in no means am I buff), and I have a history of shoulder bursitis.

I tried the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred last time I tried to lose weight and I kind of got bored, and my knees started to hurt.

I am really interested in the Insanity workout for its intensity but I'm worried that so much jumping and push-ups would hurt my shoulder/knees. But i want something fast and fun.

So what do people think? What is your favorite workout DVD that you didn't get bored from and saw results quickly enough that you didn't lose interest? Thanks in advance!

DavPul

is a gym an option? it's going to work a helluva lot better than dvds (the dvds can be fun but they are NOT the way the people in them got in shape) and I don't get bored in the gym.

Lyadeia

is a gym an option? it's going to work a helluva lot better than dvds (the dvds can be fun but they are NOT the way the people in they got in shape) and I don't get bored in the gym.

Exactly this.

auroranflash

I've heard a lot of people say the Jillian DVDs (Ripped in 30, 30 Day Shred, etc) gave them knee pain. You could check out http://www.bodyrock.tv for free online workouts you can try. Youtube also has a variety of workout videos if you search.

Alternately, if you have any gaming platforms, you could look into getting the Xbox Kinect + "Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012/2013" or the "EA Sports Active" series for the Playstation Move. They're interactive and come with several different workouts and mini-games. I played Your Shape 2012 for the Xbox and had fun with it, haven't tried the 2013 version but I'd like to. I've heard good things about EA Sports Active for PS3 but have not tried it. The Wii also has interactive games such as these. I would look on Amazon if you're interested.

Hitting the gym will be more effective, of course, especially with the addition of a good weight training program, but if you want at-home options, you can also search Amazon.com for 'workout dvd' and read the reviews to see if anything sounds appealing. You can definitely improve your fitness level with body weight exercises, but eventually you're going to want to add weight and resistance.

Best of luck!

curds

Mmh there's nothing wrong with working out at home or workout DVDs, I know a few people who gym and they not really seeing any better results than me, some might even say I'm getting better results then they are.

I think as long you put the work in you will get fit either through the gym or workout DVDs a gym isn't a magical place, you get out what you put in.

I like Jillian Michaels, but I get bored with workout DVDs really quickly so I constantly mix up my workouts. I'd recommend p90 if you low on equipment, I also like HIIT programs. I haven't tried insanity, but I tried turbo jam and hip hop abs and I found both annoying. I tried slim in six that's okay nice for slimming the legs.

I also have a kinect and lol it can be fun not sure how effective it is though.

Mochila09

I too love Jillian's workouts, but had knee and neck pain when doing them. I switched to kickboxing (and lifting weights), and love it!! For kickboxing I use TaeBo PT 24/7. It's a 6-week program with 7 different videos and comes with resistance bands.

greyhoundphile

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it. I think I'll try TaeBo PT 24/7. A gym is a great idea but I just don't have enough time to be away from home that long.

greyhoundphile

Do you think p90 is too hard on shoulders/knees?

larsensue

I love Hip Hop Abs with Shaun T. he is SOOO funny and the workout flies by. he has other dvd workouts as well.

TeaBea

Joint freindly ..... Cathe Low Impact Series

http://cathe.com/cathes-low-impact-series

Reviews & video clips for some individual DVDs on collagevideo.com

sweetpea03b

I tried 30DS... B-O-R-I-N-G. Now I do the Gold's Gym Sculpt & Burn (got it at Walmart for like $13 - comes with handweights). They have different 15min segments so you can change it up... work out shorter or longer times if you want.

Ive also researched good circuit lists and use a circuit timer APP for my iphone so I can workout while I watch TV. I agree that the gym doesn't magically make you lose weight. If you need to be planted in front of the TV while on your bike or whatever why not? Do whatever you gotta do to make it enjoyable.

LaurenAOK

I have done several DVD series, Insanity, 30 Day Shred, etc. Right now I am doing the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution and it is by far my favorite one I've done so far. It's only 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week. Best of all, there are 12 different workouts and they get progressively harder. So in the beginning the workouts are doable for pretty much anyone, but by the end of the program you're doing some pretty intense stuff! I actually find them fun, which I didn't expect.

Though I do agree that if possible, a gym is a better option than a DVD will ever be. I'm a weight lifter at heart :P I just don't have gym access right now.

nashai01

is a gym an option? it's going to work a helluva lot better than dvds (the dvds can be fun but they are NOT the way the people in them got in shape) and I don't get bored in the gym.

I would have to agree with this

smiley245

Jillian bores me to tears, so repetitive.
I do like turbo fire and turbo jam, I also enjoy zumba dvds. I think the music pumping gets you moving and sweating.
Ill chose these over my elliptical any time.
(And weight lifting to round out my efforts..no dvd)

just_fur_luck

The OP specifically asked for unbiased recommendations. Most of the responses I've seen so far show some kind of bias. That's not what she asked for.

boothekm

P90X is an extreme workout. I do Tae Bo. My knees are kind of bad even though I'm only 22 from years of basketball training and running suicides. Tae Bo Cardio doesn't hurt my knees and is a wonderful workout.

When I get bored, I mix my routine up with a little outside running/walking or Zumba. Dancing is always fun!

sevencallmemom

I'm really enjoying Les Mills Combat. The 2 that lead it are pretty entertaining. I've read reviews that said they were annoying with the way they sing along to the music sometimes, but it cracks me up.

djshari

Gilad. No one ever knows what I'm talking about because I think they are older but he had a show on FitTV that I watched a few years ago while babysitting during the day. I ordered a few DVDs off ebay and I really like them for the few times I want to work out at home. They are pretty basic moves. I have one DVD that is a 45 min workout and one that has 3 twenty minute episodes. I am always sweaty and tired by the time I finish them.

ggtischer

I've been using the Hip Hop Abs with my daughter. We enjoy them alot! Low impact options for me (ankle, knee & hip issues) and high impact for her (she jumps all over the place). The 1/2 hour work out flys by and we're both sweating heavily by the end.

LaurenAOK

The OP specifically asked for unbiased recommendations. Most of the responses I've seen so far show some kind of bias. That's not what she asked for.

Huh? How are any of the responses biased? Everyone is telling her which workout DVDs they prefer.

chargraves

My current weight makes me self-conscious about being in a gym so I am a big fan of exercise dvds. Try going to Collage Video www.collagevideo.com. You can preview the dvds and there are consultants that you can speak to who can make recommendations based on your fitness level, preferences, goals etc. Best of luck to you!

joelann10

I am currently using Billy Blanks TaeBo Ultimate Workout... It's awesome!!!

waldo56

P90X is probably the most complete program. There are better programs for each part of P90X, but P90X is probably the best overall blend.

Though if you're good at using the internet, you can just get all of them and mix and match the parts you like.

Kori0714

I like The Firm workouts. I have an older set with five different workouts. All the DVDS workout your whole body. When I was getting married i lost 30lbs using them. I just ordered their newer collection. It is 13 DVDS with a meal and work out plan. I would compare it to P90X only for girls. The only thing i would recommend is turning the volume down so you can hear them but also turning on the radio to keep you motivated. The music is kind boring on the dvd.

jamers3111

I really like P90X and ordered the resistance bands from Amazon.com to do the strength DVDs with. The cardio and yoga DVDs are challenging so I never found myself getting bored. There is a lot of jumping in the Plyometrics workout so you may want to stay away from that but the other cardio workouts would be fine. You can also scale them to your ability.

I hear a lot about Turbo Fire, too. I have never done it but I have a few friends on here that swear by it.

I agree with the suggestion of checking out YouTube for free videos. You can test the waters before you spend the $$. Good luck!

Squirkie

I'm in my 40's as well. I enjoy Shaun T's Hip Hop Abs. The workout flies, is not hard on the knees and hasn't bored me yet. There are about 2-3 DVD's with the workout set so you can switch it up, do more than one a day, etc. I believe he also has other workouts that can lead you up to Insanity if that is the route you want to go, but for now, Hip Hop Abs is great.

I also used to do alot of Tae Bo. Haven't seen the latest ones though.

difyance

I actually managed to lose quite a bit of weight with Carmen Electra's Fit to Strip DVDs. I got the box set off amazon and it was a great mix of different types of dance. Going through the learning parts helps too because repeating it over and over could be a workout all in itself. I spent a lot of time with the hip hop DVD and the fitness workouts, never even put the costume/chair dance one in the player. Also, once you learn the dances you can perform them any time that there's music playing. They are quick and fun, no one has to see you do it! (And don't be dissuaded by the title, they aren't teaching you stripper moves.. until the last DVD).

I am currently working out with Zumba for XBox Kinect. Just got my second Zumba game yesterday. They are fun because the game comes with so many songs/dances, and you can mix them up to create your own workout. There are different intensity levels to choose from, three different length classes that use preselected songs (which I like because I can do the same class several times and get better each time), and they aren't hard on the joints almost at all.

I got Your Shape Fitness Evolved, but any time I try to work out to that one my boyfriend will step in and try to show me up. It's distracting and I feel like I have yet to get the full benefit from a work out with that game, but facing off with him is fun, so it has potential.

marianneread

Does your local library have DVDs? It's a great way to try new workouts and see if you like them before purchasing.

HannahJDiaz25

is a gym an option? it's going to work a helluva lot better than dvds (the dvds can be fun but they are NOT the way the people in they got in shape) and I don't get bored in the gym.

Exactly this.

This!

LuHox

I'm personally cheap so I don't buy any of the expensive several-disc sets.
I like Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30, although I dislike 30 Day Shred. I also like Yoga Meltdown. It's great! With her DVD's I find if you're not intermediate to advanced it's best to tune out some of the stuff she says. In the beginning if you have to pause the DVD and get a drink of water and rest a bit that's totally okay. And who cares if she has 400-500 pound people who can do a certain move, if you feel at risk for injury when you're doing it, then don't. Modify it or run in place. And I always do a little extra cool down of my own because her DVD's don't seem to have much of that.

Zumba is a great recommendation. I don't have a zumba dvd, but I use the XBox Kinnect games which are awesome & fun. If you happen to have a Kinnect anyway, there are a lot of cool fitness games that are a good place to start. but if not, zumba dvds i'm sure would be great.

TeaBea

Does your local library have DVDs? It's a great way to try new workouts and see if you like them before purchasing.

Another option .... Netflix by MAIL offers hundreds of workout DVDs. It's worth a few months membership just to try out a whole bunch .....test driving workouts before you buy them