Why do a lot of women prefer exercise DVDs?

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Replies

  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    1. Convenience.
    2. Goes back to being obese in gym class and being teased and not being athletic.
    3. Convenience.
    4. I don't have to make sure the person before me wiped their sweat off of the equipment.
    5. Convenience.
    6. Bad experiences at Bally's in the early 90s when gyms were meat markets.
    7. Did I mention convenience? In the time it takes me to drive to and from the gym, I could be halfway through my workout.
  • NJD2885
    NJD2885 Posts: 216 Member
    i use them because there are no gyms close to where I live, i have small children so have to fit workouts in whenever i can, and they are cheap
  • linsey0689
    linsey0689 Posts: 753 Member
    I like DVDs when I first started out but have been going to the gym more here lately. At first I liked DVDs because at 285 I didn't want to go the gym and only last for 5-10 minutes, also my self-esteem was pretty low and I didn't know what people would think seeing me in the gym. Now I don't mind the gym at all, I am still big at 250-252 lbs but I am working on it and can say on the elliptical longer or just as long as anyone else.
  • mothsfkinprincess
    mothsfkinprincess Posts: 11
    I make weird sounds when I workout. So yea nobody else needs to hear them lol
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    I can't afford to go gym, wouldn't really want to even if I could (well, maybe I would want to, if I could get over my self conciseness), have kids at home, like the directions and knowing exactly what to do, and like the convenience of being able to workout whenever I want. It's just nice being able to work out alone in the privacy of my bedroom for free any time I want.
  • leina257
    leina257 Posts: 18 Member
    I totally agree! Plus it spices things up from my regular running schedule
  • sally_jeffswife
    sally_jeffswife Posts: 766 Member
    I prefer it because I feel I can work out harder in my own home cuz I can dress in minimal clothing comfortably and no one is watching me so I can sweat off all my makeup and push myself twice as hard without caring about who is seeing what I am doing. Also with having young children if they need something or my attention or something can pause the dvd and go right bk to it. Is more cost effective for me than going to a gym because I take surveys on the tellwut survey site and when I get enough points to get a amazon gift card alot of times will use the gift card to get myself a workout dvd and so it doesn't cost me alot and I have buildt up a pretty good collection. Mostly though its cuz I feel I work out harder without people watching me and I like being able to just wear whatever is comfy and not be subconscious of how I look drenched in sweat or after sweating off all my makeup in front of people. That and if I work out super hard I can just go hop in the bathtub right after and its pretty convenient.
  • 19Lindsay76
    19Lindsay76 Posts: 135
    Privacy, time management and more economical.

    I think this says it all. :happy:

    Exactly! I know for me, these cover it all perfectly.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I think a lot of women (basing this on people I know in real life) are intimidated by the gym, especially anything to do with weights, are intimidated by the thought of running or any other exercise in public. Those who have kids like to have something they can do at home that fits in with childcare. DVDs are relatively cheap and can be done at home. I guess a DVD also sells a certain kind of "look" and it's easy for people to be motivated by thinking that they will look like the person on the DVD when they're done. Women seem to be more swayed by stuff like that. I also know quite a few women who have bought DVDs because they like the person who has brought it out (ie celebrities).

    Personally, I hate exercise DVDs. I just don't like that style of exercise, and I don't like being "motivated" (aka shouted at) by someone while I'm exercising. I never liked doing aerobics classes at school either. I think I just prefer the process of going from A to B running, walking, cycling etc.
  • nyssa1231
    nyssa1231 Posts: 120 Member
    I LOVE going to the gym. However, it's only worth the investment for me if I: (1) have a lot of time on my hands and (2) can walk to it. Otherwise, I don't have those factors in my favor, I use DVDs.

    When we were living in Barcelona, I wasn't able to work, under the terms of my visa. I know, rough life. We joined the local gym for 20 euros a month or so. It was huge and beautiful (built in a former train station!), had a huge cardio and weight area, pool, hydrospa, and sauna. I pretty much spent an hour and a half there every morning, then I biked down to the beach and read for a while. It was heaven.

    Now that we're back in the States, there isn't a gym that is in walking distance, except for a nasty Gold's Gym that's located in the basement of a high-rise. It takes up too much time to get up, drink my tea, get dressed, drive to a gym, find a locker, find a cardio machine, life some weights, drive home, and get ready for work. I'm more consistent if it's convenient.

    P.S. I'm totally rolling my eyes at all the people who think that women like to exercise with DVDs because they're intimidated by the gym.
  • MelClaire2000
    MelClaire2000 Posts: 64

    P.S. I'm totally rolling my eyes at all the people who think that women like to exercise with DVDs because they're intimidated by the gym.

    Haha, THANK YOU! Saying women are intimidated by the gym so use DVDs is like saying men only go to the gym to show off and try to score......

    I know a lot of women who work out at the gym, and a lot of men who use DVDs at home.

    IMO and from what I've heard from both men and women, a lot of the contemporary DVD's are a heckuva lot harder than any gym workout they've ever done.

    I exercise with DVD's because its cheap....and convenient. No travel time, no dealing with lockers or showers or other people's sweat on equipment (seriously folks wipe off your equipment!), or competing over equipment. No inane chatter or obnoxious behaviour. Just pop on the clothes, grab my weights, flip on the workout, BOOM, hop in the shower and be off. Personally, I don't understand why people pay so much money for all the hassle of a gym when they can do the same stuff at home for a lot less.
  • almc170
    almc170 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Because of my schedule, it's much easier for me to work out at home. I have a weight set, but generally use DVDs for cardio. They're convenient, don't take up a lot of space, and don't carry the safety risk that a 4:30am run in my neighborhood might.
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    I've done Insanity previously. I restarted it & I am on week 4 after a long hiatus. Thinking of trying Les Mills next, how do you like it??
    I prefer Les Mills Combat to Insanity. But then I trained in kickboxing for 10 years.

    Oh, and for the record, here's part of my workout room where I do my DVDs... no fear of weights here:
    969514_10151664853546210_474111359_n.jpg
    Nice Rack!
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    I do a pilates DVD for strength/flexibility training. I prefer to do this in my own home because it's convenient and I don't have to be comparing myself to other girls in the room or feel bad about how crappy I look when I wake up. I get up, get it over with and go to work. Easy and cheaper than paying for classes.
  • C12254
    C12254 Posts: 198
    I used to use the DVDs. i was too broke to afford a gym membership and lived hours away from a gym anyways. with 2 kids it was just easier to do a 30 minute DVD during their naps.
    I now have a gym membership and prefer getting out of the house and being forced to stay accountable (i refuse to spend the money on a gym and not go.)
  • AbigailClarke48
    AbigailClarke48 Posts: 35
    I used to do DVD's - but when I joined the Y and started going to fitness classes. I can't go back - DVD's are BORING! When I did them, it is because it was convenient. I have no weight equipment or cardio equipment. Also - working out to music I love.

    There are 2 or 3 brave male souls in my gym class for that matter. Should ask them why class, similar to the DVD's is not the traditional method of choice for exercise.
  • plynn54
    plynn54 Posts: 912 Member
    Honestly I'm just too embarrassed to go to a gym and gym memberships around here are at least 60$ a month and a 30 min drive for me so not really convenient.
  • TinaBina90
    TinaBina90 Posts: 19 Member
    For me:
    - Busy student- we do have a gym on campus to use for free, but with a jammed packed workload, I don't want to have to lug gym clothes to school or be there longer than I have to.
    - Privacy
    - Time management- I can fit it into my schedule better. Going to the gym is like an event because I have to make sure I bring everything to school. When i workout at home I just throw on my clothes, put in the DVD, workout, and get back to whatever else I need to do.
    - Variety- Mixing up workout DVDs is a lot easier for me than trying to figure out what I want to do at the gym. The work is already done for me, all I have to do is do it! I do a combo of JM(strength training, circuit training), Zumba(Cardio when I don't run), and some workouts from the BeFit channel on Youtube (Yoga, Meditation, other workouts to mix it up).
  • andiechick
    andiechick Posts: 916 Member
    I would love to have a membership for the nice gym that's nearest to my house, but a) I can't afford it and b) I'd struggle to fit in enough visits to make it worthwhile financially. Its about a 50 min walk each way (I don't drive) and the council gym is crap for about £35 a month, so instead I walk a lot, use the odd DVD, use my treadmill, swim in the council gym on my morning off and try am trying to get my husband to train me on lifting weights again. Its hard to fit things in when you're busy working, running a home and looking after a family. My husband has it easy, he pays £1 a week for a gym at his place of work which he goes to as soon as his shift finishes - me, I have to get home to get the kids :grumble:
  • pig2201
    pig2201 Posts: 31 Member
    So nobody can see me sweating like I pig.
  • bellesouth18
    bellesouth18 Posts: 1,071 Member
    For me, it's a no-brainer. The routine has been developed for you and you only have to follow along. And, it's a portable workout. Have TV will travel. It's really hard (and very expensive) to haul weights around with you when traveling, etc. :happy:
  • Jennms85
    Jennms85 Posts: 49 Member
    I have 4 kids at home, 3 in school and one 7 month old. I loved going to the gym per-kids but is not much of an option. Also live in the country and the closest gym to me is a half hour drive. As much as I enjoy the gym I like the structure of my DVD workouts. I have scheduled days of what to do when and every program has worked for me, some better than others. No guess work makes life a lot easier. If I did have access to a gym I think I would use it mainly for extra cardio work.
  • katscoots
    katscoots Posts: 255 Member
    For me personally - I like to work out alone. I don't want to go to a gym and number one - share equipment and number two, when I working out, I'm a sweaty mess - i'm not at the gym to pick up a guy or anything else except to exercise. Plus, possibly a lot of women can't get away to a gym or go out for a run because of kids jor other domestic issues, so they find a way to work out at home and the DVD gives them a solid workout they can follow. Not to mention, when you are overweight and just getting started, it's a way to get through it without feeling embarassed thinking people are watching you or making fun of you.
  • jlcarcajc4
    jlcarcajc4 Posts: 71 Member
    I have small kids, and it is easier to do home exercises.

    this ^^
  • MrsG31
    MrsG31 Posts: 364 Member
    There aren't many dance classes where I live, but there are a lot of instructional dance DVDs, and a lot of samba DVDs.

    Samba DVDs?? Where did you find those? Maybe Amazon? If you can reccomend some, I would appreciate it! I'd love to throw in the dancing workouts - sometimes you just need to get your groove on!
  • MrsG31
    MrsG31 Posts: 364 Member
    And to the OP question- what many have already said - convenience, cost, time, and a wee bit of privacy for me

    I was a memeber of the YMCA once and loved it, but mainly I took classes and used the elipticals or treadmills. I was shown how to use all the machines by an employee when I first signed up, but often felt embarrassed since I was a newbie and couldn't lift much. If my husband went with me, I would do them with him and he could help me but we often couldn't go at the same time. In fact, I used to hate DVD's b/c I would buy them and never do them - if I was at home, I always found other things to occupy my time. (like watching TV, shopping, painting my nails......very important stuff here!)

    Back then I had 1 child, now I have 2. The cost and time to go back to the gym right now is not worth it. I walk during breaks at work and do my own routine of strength training at home and use a DVD. (which I am sore from doing a new routine last night!)

    One day I hope to be able to go back as I do miss those dance-type classes like BodyJam and Zumba. And I really enjoyed BodyPump! Maybe we can all start going as a family when the kids are older.
  • MrsG31
    MrsG31 Posts: 364 Member
    I make weird sounds when I workout. So yea nobody else needs to hear them lol

    Bahahaha - love your honesty!

    There was a guy at the Y who took the same BodyPump time slot I did and he was always grunting all through class! After while though, you don't really notice. You get into your own groove and are worrying about your own form to worry about anyone else!
  • Jennms85
    Jennms85 Posts: 49 Member
    And to the OP question- what many have already said - convenience, cost, time, and a wee bit of privacy for me

    I was a memeber of the YMCA once and loved it, but mainly I took classes and used the elipticals or treadmills. I was shown how to use all the machines by an employee when I first signed up, but often felt embarrassed since I was a newbie and couldn't lift much. If my husband went with me, I would do them with him and he could help me but we often couldn't go at the same time. In fact, I used to hate DVD's b/c I would buy them and never do them - if I was at home, I always found other things to occupy my time. (like watching TV, shopping, painting my nails......very important stuff here!)

    Back then I had 1 child, now I have 2. The cost and time to go back to the gym right now is not worth it. I walk during breaks at work and do my own routine of strength training at home and use a DVD. (which I am sore from doing a new routine last night!)

    One day I hope to be able to go back as I do miss those dance-type classes like BodyJam and Zumba. And I really enjoyed BodyPump! Maybe we can all start going as a family when the kids are older.

    Working out at home h as definitely gotten my kids interested. The younger ones play soccer and baseball and track etc. however my ever so predictable lazy teen has actually took it upon her self to research some DVDs and decided on her own what shed like to get into. I don't think many kids realize that people aren't just born fit, they have to eat well and exercise. Teens especially think being super skinny is healthy, my kids will know the measure I've taken to be a super-fit hot mama because they're witness to my journeys and successes.
  • KatieBee8
    KatieBee8 Posts: 61
    Time, money, privacy, flexibility, choice, and yes I can work out in whatever I want to :bigsmile:

    This :happy:
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    I go to the gym 5 days a week but I like videos for the winter or when it''s crappy out and I can't get outside to run and I want to add an extra workout in on the weekend.

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