In a recent post, Chronic Pain & Trying New Things, I posted a few workout videos I’ve tried and liked. Here were a few of them:
Bedford Barre workouts on Youtube.
The Banks Method on Amazon Prime.
Pilates Workout for Beginners.
I wanted to do a post listing some of the other ones I’ve enjoyed.
Fabulous 50s
Ok, here me out. Yes, it’s for 50+ but I enjoyed them a lot! They are VERY well produced. The woman doing the workout is pleasant, encouraging, and has an Australian accent. 😀
Besides the excellent production, her workouts are quick. 10-30 minutes. You can add weights to make them more challenging. She gives you alternatives depending on your abilities. Most people can do all of the moves. Most of the workouts I’ve tried so far are also standing workouts–which is good if you have back or knee issues. She has an excellent format, countdown clock, etc. Like I said, it looks VERY professional.
10 Minute FAT BURNING HIIT | High Intensity Low Impact!
15 Minute Toned Arms Workout With Dumbbells | Build Muscle Fast!
8 Minute Standing Abs Indoor Workout Over 50 | Burn Belly Fat!
10 Minute Tone Your ARM Workout With WEIGHTS For Women Over 50!
Those are just a few examples. I’ve tried them and am working my way through her other videos. I usually do these videos in addition to another workout. For example, I did her 15 minute arm workout and the 10 minute HIIT and then I did 20 minutes of yoga. Don’t be turned off by the “over 50” part. I enjoy these videos!
Pilates
I tried this workout recently and I enjoyed it. The moves were “easy” to do but I felt the burn. Especially on the ab part of the workout. Like the other videos, they are things most people can do. If there is a move that is particular troublesome (sometimes certain back exercises are not for me) I modify them. Or go into Downward Dog, or Updog and do my PT exercises or stretches while she does the move I can’t do.
30 MIN FULL BODY WORKOUT | At-Home Pilates
30 Minute Mat Pilates Core Workout for a Great Full Body Workout
Good Videos
I’m pretty new to doing workout videos. I’ve never been a huge fan of them, I didn’t think they were good workouts–I was WRONG. I’ve also never really liked workout classes. For me I am always one step behind the instructor and feel awkward and frustrated. But a lot of the videos I’ve found are good and don’t make me feel that way.
For me, there are a few things I like in workout videos.
- Good music (but not too loud or distracting)
- Countdown Clocks (especially if the move is hard and I’m feeling fatigued, seeing there’s 20 seconds left can make me push through it)
- Good audio (some videos are just so terrible sounding I can’t do it)
- Variations (I don’t want the same 5 moves repeated the entire workout)
- Alternatives (I want an example of a modification to a move I can do if needed, also some videos are very advanced but not listed as such!)
- Narration (this one is important to me – I prefer that the instructor does the workout and then there is a narrator describing everything. Basically, I don’t want to listen to an instructor talking to me about the moves and being out of breathe)
- Backgrounds (nothing too distracting)
- Professional (I like decent production, also I see a lot of instructors have their phone right near them to see their timers and it looks weird and distracting–they should have a clock counting down behind their cameras so we don’t see it)
What are some of your favorites?
Beapea7
I have a spin bike and started using the peloton app last year. I realized they have a bunch of different types of workouts in addition to spinning and have tried some of them out. I really like their yoga and core strength workouts. When I did my first core strength workout last December I could hardly do two bicycle crunches and it’s amazing how much I have improved! Having a stronger core is helping me so much in other areas. It was recently warm enough to go paddleboarding and I could feel how my core was helping me.
Lisa Eirene
Michael was going to get me the peloton app for my birthday. I haven’t had a chance to get it yet. That sounds really cool! I like that they have other things too.
Christi
I also love the Peloton offerings. So much more than just spinning.
Lots of variety in instructors and class types. Barre and pilates are newer and there aren’t as many classes yet.
I really miss my reformer Pilates class
One thing I learned taking Pilates in a Stott studio was the importance of the structured 10 min warmup – breath, pelvic tilts, ab preps etc. It is small movements but really helps as you move into more challenging positions.
Lisa Eirene
I am really enjoying pilates and barre videos. They are surprisingly good workouts. I will check out the peloton app. It’s on my to do list!