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Group Classes versus Gym Equipment versus Fitness DVDs – Which is Best?

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by Adriana Falco in Exercising, Fitness Classes

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DVD, Fitness, Gym, Health, Physical exercise, Pilate, Yoga, Zumba

Getting fit is the goal, but is it easier to achieve by participating in a group class or following along a fitness DVD? What about all the other exercise equipment that can be found in the gym? This could be a great debate question among exercise enthusiasts; work out in a group, in a gym, or solo in front of a TV. Which gets you the best results?

When I first joined a health club, I became curious to the aerobic exercise classes that went on behind the closed door in the gym. As a person who came to the gym to use the equipment, treadmill and swimming pool, I would take a quick look inside of the room – filled mostly with enthusiast women –sweating it out in almost complete synchronization to the vociferous instructor. It was almost as if I was in envy as I stood there watching. At the time, I had never taken group fitness class, so I was very curious what it would be like to work out in a synchronized group. What kind of results would I get?

Many of the participants in the group classes seemed more flexible and more coordinated at the choreography than I’ll ever be. But as I gazed in more often and frequently, I also noticed that most of these very same women do not work out in the free weight room or on the circuit training equipment. They solely come to the gym to take a class, then exit out the door. That’s it. That’s their workout, well, from what I can tell from the gym’s side.

Can someone get fit just from a fitness class? For many years (since I was 17), I had used the equipment in the gym – from the free weights and weight machines to the indoor track and swimming pool. This was my main training means when I worked out for fitness competitions to which I got great results.

I have also used and still use fitness DVDs, with Mari Winsor’s Pilate series my absolute favorite, (especially the ab sculpting DVD). Results have been very good; so good that I continue to use the Pilates DVDs to this very day.

I did eventually try the group fitness classes at my gym. I wanted to see what type of results I would achieve but was also drawn to the socialization, something you do not get with a DVD or dumbbell.  I soon became hooked, and before you know it I became a regular and pro at the Advance Step Aerobics class, a high cardio step routine on risers. I also many others, including Pilates, Yoga, and Boot Camp.

So what about the classes? Are they just as good? Well, like the fitness DVDs, there are so many to choose. Step. Body Pump. Lift It. Kickboxing. Interval Training. Spin. Zumba and many more. For many and most, results are achievable. If you put in the time, determination and dedication – as much as you would any other workout – then yes, goals are definitely attainable.

The true bottom line is the best workout – may it be group classes, gym equipment or fitness DVDs – is the one the gives YOU the best results. Everyone’s genetic makeup and how your body reacts to your chosen exercises and venue is different. The personal preference to what you enjoy best varies from person-to-person as does their time availability to get fit. Do what makes you feel good and the one you see the most ideal results. Find what works best for you and enjoy most. In the end, it doesn’t matter “how” you achieved your results as much as the fact you “have” reached your goals.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

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My Top 10 Favorite Fitness DVDs

11 Sunday Dec 2011

Posted by Adriana Falco in Exercising, Top 10 Lists

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Tags

Bob Harper, Chalene Johnson, Denise Austin, DVD, Jane Fonda, Pilate, Tony Horton

Fitness DVDs. You see them everywhere. They are advertised on TV and online. You can find them at the grocery store and Amazon. Often you will even see them placed aside at friends’ homes. Yes, they come in very hand when we are tight on time and still want to get a workout in. They are convenient as you can follow along at any time during the day and from anywhere – your home or hotel room. You have total privacy and have friends or family members join in. And they are definitely way more affordable then joining a gym, enrolling in a class or hiring a trainer.

Almost all fitness DVDs are led by a personal trainer or fitness instructors. Each shares their own workout method to reach a particular fitness goal – may it be weight loss, tighter abs, or larger muscles. Thus, in the spirit of the gift-giving season, I thought I would share with some of my favorite workout DVDs that can help change up your normal routine or help push you through a plateau.

30-Day Shred – Trainer Jillian Michael guides you through her exclusive 3-2-1 Interval System that combines strength, cardio and abs to blast through calories for a dramatic weight loss in 30 days.

Insanity® – Transform your body in 60 days and get the hardest body by unleashing your inner world-class athlete through plyometrics, speed, agility, strength, and core workouts in a jaw-dropping series of progressions by Shaun T.

P90X® – Trainer Tony Horton’s 12 extreme workouts use the science of Muscle Confusion™ to get you ripped in 90 days. The very popular and advanced total-body training program focuses on abs, legs, chest, back, and arms.

Pure Burn Super Strength –Bob Harper shares 35 power surging moves, delivering an intensified burn that works to aggressively increase metabolism, attack fat and exhaust calories to lose weight and gain pure muscle.

RevAbs® – Get the abs you always wanted with a  little hard work and trainer Brett Hoebel’s proven Abcentrics™ training technique. Workout includes fat-burning cardio, muscle building, and sculpting focused on abs and core.

Sculpt & Burn Body Blitz – Banish calories and fat with Denise Austin and her fun kick-butt workouts that feature four training methods to sculpt lean muscle: martial arts, conditioning, kettle bell, and cardio sculpt.

Slim in 6® – Literally reshape your body in six short weeks with Debbie Siebers’ exclusive Slim Training®  technique, which combines fat-burning cardio with light resistance moves to help slim and sculpt your body without bulking.

Trim, Tone and Flex – The latest by fitness enthusiast Jane Fonda focuses on toning and stretching the body – to promote weight loss, reduce joint stress and increase brain function – while building lean, healthy and supple muscles.

TurboFire® – An intense cardio conditioning program from fitness innovator Chalene Johnson that will pick you up and push you past your limits by burning nine times more fat and calories than you would with traditional cardio.

Winsor Pilates Ab Sculpting – Get the flat defined stomach you’ve dreamed of through specific Pilate techniques that solely focus on your core powerhouse. Workout is designed by fitness expert Mari Winsor to shrink your waistline.

I hope you find one that’s right for you. Feel free to recommend others!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

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