I put in my vote for Tae Bo. The advanced version is a killer. You get a great cardio and toning workout without weights.

T

This is my first post here and I'm so glad it's on this thread. I've been a video exerciser since the mid 1980's. I've been doing the Firm most of these years (I have almost all their videos) with fantastic results. A few years ago I branched out to Cathe Friedrich. I cross train with The Firm and Cathe. I also have a few others...Fitprime (a new company by the original creator of The Firm, Anna Benson), Karen Voight's Great Weighted Workout, and Christy Taylor. I have approximately 90 videos and I do them all for lots of variety.

I see a couple people mentioned Kathy Smith's kickboxing, I love that tape. It's the first home video workout that I was able to "Get into" enough to use religiously.

I lost 40 pounds and totally toned myself with it last year. Needless to say I had some personal shake ups that hindered my workout schedule, I gained 30 pounds back and I haven't been able to really get back on the horse.

I'm gonna go dust off Kathy and get back to work, TONIGHT.

I love my sweating to the oldies tapes by Richard Simmons.. they are so much fun and my kids join in. They are great on days when you don't feel like going outside.

TaeBo definitely. I've been doing the basic 25m tape 5-6 days a week for the last 3 weeks and I just started the 60m advanced on the weekend, plan to rotate between the two.

Great workout either way you do them

I recently started the Firm. Man, these tapes are so great!! I just got a DVD that is over an hour long but you can program it anyway you want and wittle it down a bit if you're not up to the whole hour (I'm not yet). I do the upper body video tape on one day and the lower body the next then the cardio sculpt DVD on the next. You can get the tapes on Ebay for cheap and just use your own stool (rather than buy theirs - it's pricey!). Walmart has inexpensive weights.

Heather

The FIRM baby!

my absolute favorite is the Power 90 videos from beach body.com. They promote a different kind of diet, but the results are visible and the workouts are doable. Il like it that you can see a time down and that it is easy to do and coached really well. They have other videos as well - I hope to do Slim in Six when I get closer to my goal weight - happy video hunting .

Tricia, how long have you been doing P-90? I agree--it looks really common-sense and do-able. Do you use the resistance bands or weights? The diet is different, but still "relatively" low carb if you follow the top 2 tiers. They do have some exceptions, like bananas and raisins, etc. but I'll just eliminate those that I know will give me trouble. I'm really interested in your opinion, since you're not affiliated with bb.com!!! Do you take advantage of the website support? I'm starting tomorrow!

Kelley

Nordic Trak has been my exercise method of choice for the past 15 years. It is a great workout, and completely adjustable to the individual and to personal attitudes for a particular day.

I have a series of video tapes, some from Nordic Trak, others from skiing and climbing clubs, which give me a virtual tour of ski areas and mountain climbing while I do my workout.

When you can't get outside to do the real thing, this is a great substitute.

One of the best things about Nordic Trak, for me, is how well and how quickly it strengthens the lower back, even while burning lots of fat and building cardio endurance. Good for us old guys!

I just thought of something that would be really cool and I bet it's the exercise rage of the future. Virtual exercise videos. You're hooked up to an exercise machine that simulates some kind of sport like skiing and workout to a video that challenges you on the virtual slopes. You can go fast, slow, go around trees, mogules etc. etc.

Hi Kelly,
I have been doing it for 3 weeks now - there is a huge difference in my ability to bend and run and I can do the push ups now - I a getting stronger and have lost inches - I still have a long way to go, but I truly like the program and plan to stay with it to day 90 ad beyond. I use 5 pound weights and take their fat burning vitamins as my vitamin supplement. I bought the resistance bands,but I like the weights. I like the DVD, but I also have the Videos. If you like structure and something that is challenging yet doable as well as fast - they have a motto of from power to shower in under an hour. Let me know if you have any other questions. I see that you have been doing well on the Atkins plan - keep it up!

I too have a membership to the gym which I should use more often. But when I want a change of pace I like Richard Simmons Sweatin to the Oldies #2 I like dancing to the music. I also like Denise Austin and for weight work I like Rachel Mclish.

I would love to try the taebo videos they look like a lot of fun & work and my daughter would probably do it with me to keep in shape for basketball.

Instead of buying them right off the bat I think I will go to the video store and rent them or the library. If I like them then I will buy them.

Happy exercising

Interesting thread. I'm almost at goal and have to admit
I do not exercise at all. I would like to start and have
been looking at exercise videos (I own ZERO exercise
videos). Also I saw a Pilates set at Sears that had thick
rubbery clear blue bands, a fitness ball, a mat, and a
video. All for around $40. Thinking about it.
Taebo looks fun but my living room is not huge and I am
afraid I'd kick the TV off.
Anyone have the Pilates set?

Shelia, I don't have the Sears pilates set, but I have used the ball, mat, etc. that comes with the kit. It's pretty amazing what can be done with the exercise ball! Does it come with a resistance tube as well? I use that a lot and it's just like lifting weights, but it "travels" well. You're so close to goal that I'll bet exercising will really tone you nicely. I feel so much better now that I exercise, but I don't see much muscle definition because there's still too much fat over my muscles, LOL!
Kelley