Top 5 Workout DVD Buying Tips

The Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max
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You’ve made a commitment to get in shape by working out at home and building your own personal workout DVD library. But with so many videos to choose from how do you pick the good from the blah? Follow the workout DVD buying tips provided in this article to increase the chances of getting the best workout DVD for your needs.

1. Read reviews.

You can read reviews of workout DVDs by real users at Amazon.com and sometimes you get a sneak peak of the actual video so you can get a feel of the instructor’s training style.

2. Consider length.

If you can only work out for 30 minutes a day then do not buy a 65 minute workout DVD. This is easier said than done especially if the price is right and the instructor seems like someone you’d really enjoy. You are setting yourself up for failure if you buy a video that you can’t make the time to complete in its entirety. Only performing half of the video doesn’t allow it to deliver the promised results and usually means nixing the cool down.

3. Know the equipment requirement.

Be sure to read the equipment requirement of the workout DVD. Not surprisingly, many workout DVDs now incorporate some sort of resistance training along with the cardio workout. This could be in the form of free weights, kettle bells, or resistance bands. The last thing you want is a video that you can’t properly perform because you don’t have the right equipment.

4. Try it for free.

Found one you like? See if you can check it out from your local library. If they don’t have it in stock ask about its availability via inter-library loan. Once you get it, you can find out the true calorie burn of the workout DVD by wearing a basic Polar heart rate monitor during your test run. If you like the DVD, then you’re ready for the last tip.

5. Buy it used.

You can buy it used from Amazon.com or even a local discount retailer. When buying used be sure to check the return policy. If it’s damaged you want to have the option of getting your money back to buy the workout DVD elsewhere as opposed to just having store credit.

September 4, 2010 | Filed Under Fitness