video-related stories
Cheesy Workout Video Round-up
Cheesy workout videos abound on the Internet. Aerobics instructors and jazzercise devotees back in the 80s had no idea how much joy their perfectly feathered hair, matching leotards and corny commentary would bring to us in the future! At That's Fit, we're rounding up a few of our favorite funny fitness videos. Some are the real deal, while others are purposely playful, but no matter what, they're sure to bring a smile to your face. If you have a favorite, be sure to share!
This week, our focus is on some amazing aerobics competitions. Seriously, where can we buy tickets?
The 1987 Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship
This video hits all the marks of a cheesy workout video. Awesome costumes? Check. Overly-enthusiastic attitude? Check. Hysterical (but perfectly performed) choreography? Oh, honey, you know it. As an added bonus, there are even leg warmers. Also, who knew doing "The Robot" counted as exercise?
Czech Aerobic Open 2008
Great aerobic videos don't have to go retro -- this is from just last year, and proves that the aerobics is alive and well in other parts of the world. We're just hoping our step instructor doesn't get any ideas.
Mixed Pairs Aerobic Competition, 1995
This gem features a male/female pair doing some impressive (and, according to the commentators, "innovative") maneuvers. In fact, once you get past the matching outfits (is that a tiger print?) and slouch socks, listening to the commentators is almost as much fun as watching the clip!
This week, our focus is on some amazing aerobics competitions. Seriously, where can we buy tickets?
San Francisco Bay Club on The Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship
This video hits all the marks of a cheesy workout video. Awesome costumes? Check. Overly-enthusiastic attitude? Check. Hysterical (but perfectly performed) choreography? Oh, honey, you know it. As an added bonus, there are even leg warmers. Also, who knew doing "The Robot" counted as exercise?
3rd Kamikaze Czech Aerobic Open
Great aerobic videos don't have to go retro -- this is from just last year, and proves that the aerobics is alive and well in other parts of the world. We're just hoping our step instructor doesn't get any ideas.
1995 Aerobic Competition
This gem features a male/female pair doing some impressive (and, according to the commentators, "innovative") maneuvers. In fact, once you get past the matching outfits (is that a tiger print?) and slouch socks, listening to the commentators is almost as much fun as watching the clip!
Pulse Yoga I: DVD Review
Photo: pulseyoga.com
The 60-minute video incorporates Pilates, weight training and yoga to build strength, stamina and power. Other DVDs in the series are Pulse Yoga II Balance & Tone, Pulse Yoga III Stamina & Strength and the 30-minute Pulse Yoga Express. The subsequent DVDs are all on the same skill level. This way, "You can choose to mix and match your routines, depending on which workouts you like best," Tang says.
Tang has a wealth of experience in yoga, having studied under some of the great masters. In 1978, she opened the first Yoga College of India for Bikram Choudury and has taught more than 15,000 yoga classes. She's joined in the video by Prisca Boris, who shows modifications for some of the more challenging poses and worked with Tang to launch the "Y4A" Fitness System.
Break Your Bad Diet Habits
When you're battling to lose weight (and let's not kid ourselves -- it is a battle), it's often the subterfuge that keeps you from winning. You feel like you're doing everything right, but it's those sneaky ol' bad habits that make the last five (or 10, or 20) pounds so dang hard to drop. Often, you don't even realize you're doing anything detrimental to your diet!
For example, eating a really light breakfast or skipping it entirely might actually sabotage your weight loss efforts. Oh, and those sexy heels you've been wearing? Yep, those aren't doing you any favors.
The video above gives some helpful tips for changing those deceptively bad habits, but if you have suggestions of your own, be sure to leave a comment!
And, because you can never have too many weapons in your arsenal when fighting those cravings, check out these new diet tools.
10 Minute Solution: Knockout Body - DVD Review
So far, I've enjoyed the 10 Minute Solution DVDs (at least, for the most part). And I love kickboxing. Plus, I'm all about awesome accessories. And so, when I received 10 Minute Solution: Knockout Body along with a pair of pink weighted gloves, it wasn't even a day before I was trying it out.
As I'd hoped, this is a workout. Kickboxing really works your entire body, and this video did just that. The instructor, Jessica Smith, keeps you moving and motivated from beginning to end. Five 10-minute segments were focused on five different areas, but truthfully, each of them works the whole body.
Knockout Body Blast is an interval workout, mixing cardio and strength. Fat Attack also uses intervals, but with different intensity and different moves. Ultimate Upper Body focuses on punches, but there are enough squats to get your legs screaming, too. Kickbox Cross Train shows more combinations and incorporates cardio, strength and balance. Then, Fierce & Fabulous Abs, as you'd guess, works your abs, but you do a lot more than just crunches.
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| 10 Minute Solution: Knockout Body with weighted gloves. Photo: amazon.com |
Knockout Body Blast is an interval workout, mixing cardio and strength. Fat Attack also uses intervals, but with different intensity and different moves. Ultimate Upper Body focuses on punches, but there are enough squats to get your legs screaming, too. Kickbox Cross Train shows more combinations and incorporates cardio, strength and balance. Then, Fierce & Fabulous Abs, as you'd guess, works your abs, but you do a lot more than just crunches.
Slim Down Your BBQ
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
So, have you done your grocery shopping for the big cookout this weekend? Before you do, think about how comfortable you really are with blowing several days' worth of calories in one big, fatty meal. Since you're here, chances are good you'd rather keep the damage to a minimum. And no, lightening up your Fourth of July spread of food doesn't make you any less patriotic.
Want to cut some calories without sacrificing flavor? The video below has some great tips. We want to hear from you, too. Share your top tips for a slimmed-down barbecue in the comments!
Want to cut some calories without sacrificing flavor? The video below has some great tips. We want to hear from you, too. Share your top tips for a slimmed-down barbecue in the comments!
Natural Ways to Curb Your Appetite
Are you snacking or eating too much because you're hungry, or because you're bored? While boredom is a big problem for many of us, hunger plays a big part, too. Too bad you can't do anything about it.
Oh, wait -- you totally can! There are lots of natural ways to curb your appetite, and this video will show you how to make these tried and true methods work for you.
Oh, wait -- you totally can! There are lots of natural ways to curb your appetite, and this video will show you how to make these tried and true methods work for you.
Healthy Indian - What to Order
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
As is the case with any other cuisine, the best way to defend your diet is by preparing yourself. It's extremely helpful to know what popular menu items are more diet-friendly than others. Samosas, for example, are fried, so although they're amazing (oh my gosh, so tasty), they're not the best appetizer choice for someone being cautious about calories.
Check out the not-very-high-tech video above for some solid tips on what to order at an Indian restaurant -- you might be surprised at some of the scrumptious dishes that are actually recommended!
Can Your Dog Do Squats?
Lots of us go running with our dogs, or count on them to get us up and walking in the mornings. You can definitely get a bit of a workout tossing the tennis ball or Frisbee around with your pup. Heck, there's even dog yoga. But that's as far as a workout with man's best friend can go, right?
Wrong!
Check out this video of a man and his pooch doing a synchronized workout. The dog might have better form than half the people at your gym!
Check out this video of a man and his pooch doing a synchronized workout. The dog might have better form than half the people at your gym!
Boost Your Metabolism - DVD Review
Results Fitness: Boost Your Metabolism promises to ignite fat burners, sculpt sexy muscles and burn more calories all day long. Plus, it shows a lean, toned woman in a bikini on the front -- sounds like the perfect way to get in shape for summer, right?It just might be. In addition to the workout, Boost Your Metabolism offers a meal plan that provides about 1400 calories a day (and recommends that men add 300 calories a day to the menu). And, I'll tell you, if you complete a workout like this a few times a week and are careful about what you eat, you're sure to see results.
The workout consists of three cardio segments and three weight segments, so you really have a chance to work your entire body in a variety of ways. I tried it out at home, and I think it's safe to call it a challenge!
How to Run in Hot Weather
Running in hot weather presents some unique challenges, and now that the mercury is steadily rising, it's a good time to make sure you're prepared for those summer workouts.
Do you know how much water to drink ahead of time, and when to drink it? Are you familiar with some of the signs of heatstroke? And are you dressing properly? Find out by watching the video above!
Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners - DVD Review
Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners is unlike most Pilates DVDs in a few ways. For one thing, it's very low-key. Filmed in a gorgeous outdoor setting with flowers and the ocean in the background, it focuses heavily on breathing and proper stretching. Something else that struck me was the fact that the instructor does speak as she does the moves -- the instructions are given via a voice-over, and truthfully, I found that really helpful. The instructions were detailed, and I swear she was watching me, because every time she reminded me to tuck my pelvis or release my shoulders, that was exactly what I needed to do, and Blair had the same reaction.
One thing I think I should point out, though, is that I don't find this workout to be any more conducive to weight loss than any other workout of similar difficulty. You can't do a Pilates DVD, eat pizza and cake, and then expect to drop pounds. But I assume you already knew that, so let's get into the review!
Cirque de Soleil Workout For Home
Fit Kicks Videos, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Oliver's exercises offer a range of benefits, including strength, balance and proprioception. Proprioception is something you want to train for -- it's basically your body's ability to respond to its surroundings without you intentionally willing it to. For example, if your foot were to hit the edge of the sidewalk, your ankle would have two choices on how to respond. It could either roll out, causing you to tumble over and injure yourself. Or it could instantly retract and keep you up on your feet. This split-second response comes from your body's natural ability to do what is best for you. With a short response time, you wouldn't be able to think, "Gee, let me pull my foot in this other direction." It either happens or it doesn't. Super proprioception keeps you on your feet!
On another note, I took my family to see Saltimanco. This show offered one breathtaking performance after another. My husband and I gasped, and my children belly laughed. I'd see it 20 more times if I could. I think it inspired every one in the audience to hit the gym a bit more too.
For more innovative fitness videos, visit Fitzness.com
Kathy Smith Total Body Lift - DVD Review
Kathy Smith Total Body Lift promises to "sculpt a leaner, younger looking you" with a warm up and four dance-inspired workouts targeting the arms, legs, buns and tummy. And if anyone can follow through on a promise like that, you know it's gotta be Kathy Smith. The woman has been arching those eyebrows and making us sweat since the 80s, and she looks just as phenomenal now as she did then (and the hair is much improved, but then again, I can't talk much).
So does it meet expectations? I tried it out and can say with certainty that Kathy Smith is one tough lady, and she definitely knows her stuff. Many of the moves don't look terribly challenging, but once you're midway through a set, you realize that those little tips she gives ("Scoop your abs! Tuck your tailbone!") are making you work muscles you didn't think you could work.As with many videos, you have the option to do all of the workouts, or choose a section or two. And, you can opt to hear her instruction or just listen to the music (which was really good -- current, popular music but played without words, so it was energizing without being a distraction).
Creative Vado HD Pocket Video Camera - Have You Entered to Win?
Creating high quality videos used to be something best left to the pros, but these days, you can shoot your own with a camera that fits easily in your pocket. And now, you might not even have to buy the camera yourself!This week, we're giving away a Creative Vado HD Pocket Video Camera -- it's compact, easy to use, and gives great results. All you need to do is head over to the original giveaway post and leave a comment entering yourself to win!
There are so many possibilities -- film your trainer to remind yourself of all the moves you should be doing at the gym, or just use it to take video of your kids running around at the park. The winner will have a blast with this camera -- good luck!
Creative Vado Giveaway
Ever wonder what you look like when you're running or lifting weights (or doing those crazy balance games on your Wii Fit)? Maybe you need a video camera. Not that I think you're vain -- far from it. I think seeing video of yourself working out can be really helpful for perfecting technique and improving motivation. And the Creative Vado HD Pocket Video Camera might be just the tool you need.Lucky for you, this week we're giving one away! With it, you'll be able to take high-definition video easily with a 2x digital zoom, record in HD for up to two hours, upload it in seconds, and even edit it with the included software.
Think about the possible uses -- create a video for your friends or family to share a workout, or finally find out just how goofy you look doing those dance workouts in your living room. And, of course, if you have kids or dogs or just some fun friends, the nonworkout-related possibilities are positively endless. Plus, as always, entering is easy!
- To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what you're most excited to film (and keep it clean, people -- this is a family blog).
- The comment must be left before 5pm ET on Friday, May 1, 2009.
- You may enter only once.
- One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
- One winner will receive a Creative Vado HD Pocket Video Camera (valued at $229.99).
- Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
- Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by email, so make sure to check next week to find out if you've won!
