If you work out (or stretch, do yoga) to the television, old videos or DVDs, you might be interested in using a Netflix account to try out new material without having to buy it. Netflix is a company that sends you videos in the mail. You keep them as long as you like and when you send them back you can get more. The $16.99 monthly cost of a Netflix 3-at-at-time plan is comparable to the cost of purchasing one new fitness DVD. Here is a link: http://videofitness.com/features/netflix.php

I worked out at home for several years (before my neighbor complained that my jumping on my mini-trampoline was putting a crack in her ceiling – the jury is still out on if this was a legitimate complaint, but I decided to play it safe and find a new routine at a nearby gym).

But I loved the convenience of working out at home. I could wear whatever I wanted (undies and sports bra on muggy days?) and do it whenever I wanted. I loved doing it when I got up in the morning but if that didn’t work out, I could fit it in later in the day. Sometimes I could start a home project and keep tabs on it while I worked out.

I learned a lot at http://www.videofitness.com, which posts reviews of workout media (videos and DVDs) and has a wonderful, active message board with all kinds of tips and ideas and support. I was able to buy some really excellent videos based on tons of reviews on the website. If I heard about one video over and over, I knew it was probably a good one. I was able to read lots of discussion so I could base it on the tastes of the people who were posting. They could say “I like dancey aerobics videos, I’m at about a middle level, and I really loved this one.” There were all different levels of exercisers who posted, which was great. The community was very welcoming and helpful.

If I heard of a brand new video out, I could usually search the board and someone would be talking about it.

One thing I learned was the advisability of working out on a good floor surface. My condo was mostly carpet at the time and so I searched the message boards for good ideas and was advised to find some cheap puzzle mats. They fit together like a puzzle and work great. They were really inexpensive (under $20 for a pack of four, if I’m remembering right). Eventually bought eight and had a nice big surface to work out on. When I was done I could slide them under the couch.

Another excellent source for exercise DVD info is http://www.collagevideo.com which carries hundreds of titles – again with good reviews, and sample videos which is great – you can actually see what you buy.

VideoFitness got me interested in purchasing a mini-trampoline, which was also handy for at-home cardio workouts. If I didn’t feel like doing a whole routine, I would just “bounce/run in place” and watch something on TV. If I’d had room to keep the trampoline set up permanently, it would have been great to just run on it any time I needed a break – or require it to be used any time I watched TV. As it was, I kept the trampoline folded out and ready to go – but I leaned it against a wall in between workouts. I asked around on the website  and someone had gotten a good bargain thru QVC so that’s what I did too. This was in 2004 but I have checked and they are still available for about $100 on the urbanrebounding.com web site and their price includes some videos. I’m sure there are similar models you could get for less money – or check eBay or Craig’sList.

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