Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont: Favorite Exercise Videos


			Favorite Exercise Videos Need a new workout tool? We asked BSBCVT members to tell us about their favorite exercise videos. Here's what they told us! Barbara, Essex Junction: My favorite, and currently only, exercise tapes are "Walk Away the Pounds for Abs" with Leslie Sanzone, available at www.walkawaythepounds.com, along with other, similar-in-home exercise tapes. It is a set of three (one mile, two miles, three miles) tapes to use with or without stretch cords or weights. I use wrist weights for strength training while I walk in the comfort and convenience of my home. I purchased these non-boring, fun tapes because I can walk aerobically inside my home no matter what the weather, but especially during Vermont's cold, snowy winters. I use the tapes less in the warmer months because I walk outside or ride my bike in addition to the tapes. Teri, Dummerston: I have tried many work-outs and find the Firm Workout Videos the best. All start with a warm-up, then stretching, and end with a cool-down and stretching. Available are a wonderful variety of work-outs -- as short as 20 minutes to 65 minutes. Many combine aerobics and weights but some are just aerobic or just weight-training. The catalogue explains very well the exercises offered in each video. The phone number is 1-800-THE-FIRM. It is also available on a website. I have several videos and thus am constantly challenged and never bored. My favorite: "Strength." Joanne, Middlesex: I have been using Kathy Smith's "Winning Workout" for years. It has a warm-up, aerobics, weight training, and cool down. It is great for toning and abdominal exercise. It is a teaching tool also as she explains the importance of each exercise. It is designed for different levels. Hand and ankle weights are needed. One can obtain this video and others by Kathy Smith through: Collage Video 5390 Main Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55421-1128 Phone number is 1-800-433-6769 or web address http://www.collagevideo.com/ Bonnie, St. Johnsbury: I am writing to let you know my favorite exercise video. It is called "Walk Away the Pounds for Abs". This in-home walking video comes packaged with one-mile (15 minutes), two-mile (30 minutes), and three-mile (45 minutes) workouts. It is created by Leslie Sansone. I purchased these videos at BJ's Wholesale Club; they can also be ordered on TV from an infomercial or by going to the website www.walkawaythepounds.com, and just about any other retail location. The reason I love this exercise tape is because if fits into my busy schedule. I never thought I would do the one-mile/15 minute tape, but some days that is all I have time for. I try to do the one-mile tape first thing in the morning and the two-mile tape in the afternoon. The three-mile tape is good for days I really need a good sweat. Another reason I love this exercise tape is because anyone can do it -- if you can walk, you can do these tapes! Betsy: My favorite exercise video is the original "Tae-Bo Advanced." It looks and sounds pretty dated at this point, but the exercises are still a blast-and seriously effective. It's a great, sweaty, hour-long workout, and all that kicking and punching is a great de-stressor. I don't recommend other videos in the Tae-Bo series as much-they're much more about dance steps as apposed to kickboxing, which makes them harder to learn and get up a good sweat with. Also, the first video has really healthy, racially mixed body types, whereas the later ones have a couple of seriously anorexic women right up in front-yech! Yes, you can still buy the original Tae-Bo advanced at Amazon and on the Tae-Bo website, even though the original is now several years old. Pam, Groton: My favorite video is Weight Watchers' "Get Moving." This is a 30-minute moderate intensity exercise video. It gives a total body workout utilizing five-pound weights. This is the only video I have been able to stick with. This is perfect for someone who is new to exercise and weight loss. It can be purchased at Weight Watchers. Colette, Barre: My favorite exercise videos are any of the many excellent ones put out by "The Firm." They guarantee visible results in ten workouts! You can buy these almost anywhere you can buy video tapes. I bought mine at the University Mall. What makes these so effective is that they combine aerobics with weights. Having been a health club member for over ten years, I've done it all and I'm in pretty good shape. The Firm tapes are not too easy and I don't tire of them. I use a "Cardio Sculpt" tape when I want a combination cardio and weight training workout. I use the "Body Sculpt" tape when I want to concentrate on a weight workout. They have several in a series called "Firm Parts" if you want to concentrate on legs, or arms. I use the Firm Parts "5-day-Abs" tape on weekdays. It has five-or-six minute abdominal workouts on it. I heard about these tapes through a friend. Beth, Jericho: I like to use the New York City Ballet workout tapes. Dancers from the ballet demonstrate simple moves from the workout they do every day to keep in shape. The videos concentrate more on stretching and toning, rather than on highly aerobic moves, so the workout is relaxing. Still, you can feel the effects in a wide variety of muscle groups. You have a choice between a classical soundtrack or a more modern one. I enjoy the calm of the classical soundtrack - sometimes I light an aromatheraphy candle for a truly "unwinding" exerience after a long day. The dance moves aren't too tricky, but they do make you feel like a dancer. There's nothing like feeling graceful while you're doing sit-ups! Catherine, Burlington: I recommend Youg Journal's series on AM and PM yoga with Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden. The first section, which features a Hawaiian sunrise as a backdrop, gives you "A.M. Yoga for Beginners," and energizing workout with Rodney (who's fantastic) that will prepare you for the day ahead. At the end of the day, relax and unwind under a spectacular Death Valley sunset with Patricia in "P.M. Yoga for Beginners." These tapes appeal to me because they only take 20 minutes or so and can be squeezed into the busiest schedule, be it work or child care responsibilities. I also like the Journal's series on "Yoga for Strength, Yoga for Energy and Yoga for Relaxation." You can get them at www.shopcdsbooks.com. The energy, strength and relaxation series are good because they can be tailored to your needs, depending on whether you want to be energized or need to relax after a stressful day. Imagining that you're in a warm place, be it Maui or Death Valley, is especially appealing on a cold winter's day.