Who Needs to Join a Gym When You Have the Library?

September 29, 2010

I'm a big advocate of working out in the privacy of your own home to videos and DVDs versus joining a gym. Not only will you save the money you would have spent on membership fees, you won't have to drive across town, fight bad weather, pack up your entire bathroom, limit yourself to the gym's hours, or worry about not being able to keep up with the class.

Visit Mid-Continent's online catalog and enter "aerobic exercises" in the search engine under the subject line. You will see 189 selections to choose from.

Where do you start? Well, if you've been sitting on the couch for the last 20 years, you really don't want to start with Tony Horton's P90X unless you want to be so sore the next day, you pray for death. I'd suggest beginners (Do I really need to tell you to get an all clear from your Dr. and proper footwear?) start with any of Leslie Sansone's Walk Off the Pounds DVDs. Leslie is upbeat, chatty, and fun without being annoying. I'd also recommend anything by Denise Austin. Denise has been a longtime member of the President's Council on Fitness. The moves in her videos are fundamentally sound and not too fast paced. She is always encouraging. Hot Yoga Moves is her latest.

Once you can move for a continuous 30 minutes without gasping for air like a fish out of water, your options are numerous. Like to dance? Look up the "So You Think You Can Dance?" series. I recommend both Cardio Funk and the Tone and Groove DVDs. Twitch, Katie and the gang will teach you hip hop, disco, ballroom, and modern jazz. Need to work out some frustration? Billy Blanks will have you punching, kicking, and jabbing your way to better health. I especially recommend his Tae-Bo Gold low impact video. Billy is so inspirational ("Ask the man upstairs to give you some, so you can make it through this workout") that you might want to start your day working out with him. Want a gentler, but effective workout? Try Pilates with celebrity trainer Mari Winsor of the Winsor Pilates fame or Ellen Barret's Fat Burning Pilates DVD. Want to firm up with light weights? Try Circuit Training with trainer, Bob Harper with the Biggest Loser series. Two words for those looking to build a home gym inexpensively - GARAGE SALES! You can find great deals on hand weights, aerobic steps, stability balls, etc...

Once you can handle Bob, then you're ready for Jillian Michaels. There's a reason fat cells fear her. I loved both No More Trouble Zones and Banish Fat Boost Metabolism so much, I bought them for myself! Be forewarned - Jillian is old school. That means running in place, knees up, squat thrusts, mountain climbers, walking planks, etc..YOU WILL SWEAT. Don't be afraid to hit the pause button and walk around to catch your breath with these DVDs. Just be sure to come back and finish the workout out, or Jillian will come to your house...just kidding. (She's not leaving California.)

Still looking for more? Well, ask the nice librarian at the front desk to show you how to use the World Cat system to request The Firm Aerobic Workout with Weights series or Tony Horton's P90X system.

Contributed by the Beth who prowls the Red Bridge Branch in the evenings and an occasional Saturday. Her personal workout video collection includes over 30 titles. She works out at home because no one, especially not small children, should ever see her in spandex.

Beth H.
Red Bridge Branch