Why do a lot of women prefer exercise DVDs?

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Replies

  • rainysue34
    rainysue34 Posts: 42 Member
    I don't do a lot of DVDs but I do like them for the diversity of exercises. They often break me out of my routines. I generally like to do running, biking, and other outdoors stuff. I'll add a few stretches and a few floor exercises and that's all that I'll ever get around to doing. When I exercise I like to let my mind wander and totally mentally relax. It's nice but it prevents me from putting together anything remotely close to a legit workout routine. The beauty of the exercise DVD is that the thinking/planning has already been done for me--I just have to follow along.

    Another benefit: snow days. Sometimes in Wisconsin where I live, it's just plain dangerous to go outside in the winter (walking, jogging, driving, whatever). With DVDs, I don't have to miss a workout.
  • jazzcat55
    jazzcat55 Posts: 164 Member
    "Privacy, time management and more economical."

    This. I've never even been to a gym. I'm an introvert, and it doesn't sound appealing to me at all. Plus, you can get great results! I've been doing a mix of Jillian's DVDs over the past few months and am really surprised at the changes in my body. I'm 52, and I've never been this toned in my life.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    I love my workouts this way because I can do it when it's hot outside or raining. I run as well though... so that's not inside. But I started with Zumba... I'm loyal to the ones that get me going & keep me there. I guess the OP could never understand that women get looked upon different when fat & working outside.

    I dont do 'classes' I don't do 'gyms' I don't do anything that can't be done at home where I can pee when I need to, or look after my family. I have enough stuff here ta home that I need not go anywhere & I've lost ALL my weight from doing it at home..... even before I started running. I can do any workout a person in the gym can..... why waste money on something like that anyway?
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,292 Member
    i can't say i prefer them - i run and i lift, but every once in a while it's nice to throw in a bellydance or burlesque dvd, get silly and have fun... no driving or scheduling involved.
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    Going to the gym (which I do because I have to, don't love it) takes 2 hours from my day, all told, and it's 15 mins from my place. Pack. Unpack. Change. Repack. Unpack. Wash. These are also 'extra' clothes to buy and wash. So much washing.

    Throwing on a DVD, which I could follow in my pjs if I wanted, takes exactly the length of the workout. Zero packing of pjs. No extra clothes to wash.

    **
    At the gym: disgusting starey guys that I'm not allowed to punch in the face.

    At home: no one staring, no punching desire formed.

    **
    At home: zero gross germs that are not my own.

    At the gym: many.
  • rosellasweet
    rosellasweet Posts: 163 Member
    Privacy, time management and more economical.


    This! My friend is spending more than 200 a month for a personal trainer. All doing things I do from home.
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    What does being a feminist have to do with it? (And yes, I am a proud feminist.) The women who like DVDs usually enjoy the flexibility of popping in a DVD whenever their schedule permits, the privacy afforded, and the ability to move at their own pace.

    What about the guys who do P90X and Insanity, among other DVD programs?
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    I like dvds, I also like to go to the gym. Your point? BTW feminazi is a derogatory term. Please refrain from using it.
  • nativoyoung
    nativoyoung Posts: 2 Member
    I have six children and the oldest is 9. When would i have time to go to a gym??? Besides--it is WAY more fun to have my hubby be my personal trainer. ;)
  • Jonesingmucho
    Jonesingmucho Posts: 4,902 Member
    So we can exercise naked...

    jk jk

    Made ya look!

    bahahahaha
  • Nonya81
    Nonya81 Posts: 145 Member
    I do a majority of my workouts at home with exercise dvd's. I dont have a gym membership and im a stay at home mom so i find workout dvds more convenient plus i can just throw on a sports bra and chonie shorts. I think alot of workout videos are also geared towards women.
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    For the most part women like to be told what to do. *ducks for cover*

    Speak for yourself ;)

    Fitness just isn't a domain in which women have traditionally felt empowered to pursue discoveries, or take ownership of. The language, the equipment, the methods, are all unfamiliar. It's only REALLY recently that big numbers of women have started looking past the treadmill or bike.

    They've been happy enough to trust 'specialists', true, but, it's for lack of *good* information. Most of what's out there is designed to trigger our self-esteem issues, so, it's not like it's easy to approach the stuff with a spirit of exploration.
  • royvor
    royvor Posts: 271
    I choose the exercise DVD's because

    I don't have to drive to and from
    I have social anxiety a little more in that environment because I feel too self conscious, and think I will be judged that is just the disorder though.
    I like having the ability to push press and play on my schedule that works for me weather it be to get water or because I am about to pass out.
    I feel I am in my zone when I am alone and give it my all

    :smile:
  • mahanaibu
    mahanaibu Posts: 505 Member
    Seems almost like the question should be turned around. What's the advantage of doing anything else? Time--I wake up at 5:30 a.m. so I can get a good amount of exercise in before it's time to take the teenage unit to school and then start my work day. Convenience--it's right here, in my temperature-controlled house. Cost--I have several DVDs for the price of one month of gym membership in my town. and it sure is cheaper than buying an elliptical. Safety--during the short days of winter, I don't have to worry about exercising in the dark. Individuality--I can put my own twists on the movements without anybody looking at me like I'm a little nuts. OK, maybe I'm a little nuts, but I'm PRIVATELY nuts.

    I do like to walk and hike--hike for hours on weekends--but for workout workouts, I keep returning to DVDs.
  • lovejulez03
    lovejulez03 Posts: 139 Member
    What everyone else said lol. Last time I got a gym membership I went 4 times in a year and it was waste of hundreds of dollars. Thats MY fault, but I still refuse to buy another membership until I feel I will use it. And if I keep seeing results without it then I wont get one - I may just pay every now and then to go do weights unless I can fit some into my tiny apartment. lol I agree with what everyone else said though.. I only have 1 kid but during the summer I dont have daycare. Cheaper, privacy, and more options. I get bored easily and that makes me feel like giving up.
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    Oh hell yes, someone else brought it up... THE LAUNDRY.

    I wear a sportsbra and undies at home to work out. Less laundry.
  • jojo86xdd
    jojo86xdd Posts: 202 Member
    Personally...

    - i get bored and i like variety
    - i don't have to worry about looking cute
    - i don't have to worry about the creepy elliptical machine guy that stares at my chest while im on the treadmill
    - many of those dvds are like 15, 30 mins which is a great time saver
    - i can do the same strength workouts at home
    - because i can easily burn 400 calories doing a HIIT workout in 20 mins instead of being on the treadmill for an hour
    - cuz no one looks cute going hard during a work out...no one lol

    but mainly because i feel more comfortable sweating like a pig and huffing and puffing in the privacy of my own home
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    I do DVD's because I have no clue what I am doing.
  • jojo86xdd
    jojo86xdd Posts: 202 Member
    Going to the gym (which I do because I have to, don't love it) takes 2 hours from my day, all told, and it's 15 mins from my place. Pack. Unpack. Change. Repack. Unpack. Wash. These are also 'extra' clothes to buy and wash. So much washing.

    Throwing on a DVD, which I could follow in my pjs if I wanted, takes exactly the length of the workout. Zero packing of pjs. No extra clothes to wash.

    **
    At the gym: disgusting starey guys that I'm not allowed to punch in the face.

    At home: no one staring, no punching desire formed.

    **
    At home: zero gross germs that are not my own.

    At the gym: many.


    Lmao! Love this!
  • tehboxingkitteh
    tehboxingkitteh Posts: 1,574 Member
    Four pages in, and I don't remember reading this... no one to witness farting during yoga or pilates :laugh:

    I go to the gym, but I have tried exercise DVDs in the past. I prefer to take classes instead of doing it at home because I have a teacher pushing me. Otherwise, I might never get off the couch.
  • SilverLotusGirl
    SilverLotusGirl Posts: 537 Member
    For me, I like the variety and that I go from HIIT, to belly dance, to yoga, to weights all in my bed room or living room. I like not having to pay a gym membership that I really can't afford, having to deal with getting dressed to go the gym, dealing with people at the gym or gym music or gym germs, or gym staff. I can do what I want, when I want, in as many or as little clothing as I want, and when I'm all sweaty gross I'm only a few steps away from my shower.


    I'm not sure why a lot of guys aren't as into DVDs or YouTube but it's a resource that has been very useful to me. It's not perfect and a lot of it is being self motivated to put the DVD in and to push yourself and to use heavier weight but it's not like anyone makes you go to the gym either.
  • pcdoctor01
    pcdoctor01 Posts: 389 Member
    A few years back, I bought a treadmill and did that at home. Then I went to a community center and their treadmill was miles above mine. I was able to use a treadmill, elliptical and stationary bike. The only problem was if I went in the morning when they opened and worked out an hour, I would have to rush home to get dressed for work. My home treadmill started not working properly and I decided to not buy another one that thus I'm using workout DVDs now. I want an elliptical but the one in the price I'd like to pay I hear it's not worth it. Also plus it takes me 15 mins to drive to the community center and 15 mins back home. That's 30 mins round trip. I don't have to get up as early if I workout at home and do a 20-30 mins of working out.
  • rawrxamberx
    rawrxamberx Posts: 646 Member
    I prefer the DVDs for many reasons...

    1) Privacy; I hate the feeling of people's eyeballs staring at me. Not saying they are, but I feel self conscious of my body.
    2) Saves money; I can't afford to pay a gym membership every month, but a ten dollar DVD won't kill me.
    3) Saves time; Don't have to worry about getting ready to go out and find a parking spot and all that junk. Just pop in the DVD and call it done!
  • Lovdiamnd
    Lovdiamnd Posts: 624 Member
    Blah no way. I won't do it at home.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    i can't say i prefer them - i run and i lift, but every once in a while it's nice to throw in a bellydance or burlesque dvd, get silly and have fun... no driving or scheduling involved.

    I don't prefer DVDs either. I like going to the gym. But my gym, the only gym within 20 miles, has limited hours, is closed on Sundays, and gets ridiculously crowded. Fortunately, I like exercising just about anywhere.
  • AmandaReimer1
    AmandaReimer1 Posts: 235 Member
    I workout during naptime, or after bedtime for my toddler. I need consistency for me to workout, and with my hubby's work schedule it won't happen. I also have wasted money on a membership I barely used. I miss some of the weight machines and would love to go. But, I've never felt stronger doing Jillian Michaels at home. It's mostly all about time.
  • celtbell3
    celtbell3 Posts: 738 Member
    I do yoga dvd - I prefer a live class though.
  • Terpnista84
    Terpnista84 Posts: 517 Member
    I actually prefer the gym but I am seeing the benefit of the alternative.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,973 Member
    Privacy, time management and more economical.
    I'm betting this.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I don't like videos. I'd rather exercise while Ellen makes me laugh than while Jillian yells at me. :blushing:

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