Are exercise videos better than e-books? Technology has advanced so much in the past few years with email, e-books and anything internet-related. Despite that, exercise videos are easier to access and better than e-books. They’re also more dynamic and interactive and allow us to accurately go at our own pace with simple steps and great visuals – something that an e-book can’t do.
Well known personalities have helped popularize exercise videos over the years. There’s Jane Fonda, Suzanne Somers and the gregarious Richard Simmons.
They paved the way for the great selection of videos on pilates, yoga, tai chi, belly dancing and more on the market today. There’s a huge variety of exercise videos out there and that’s why they’re still popular.
Exercise videos are convenient. For some, the effort of getting in their cars to get a workout is daunting especially if the closest gym is an hour away. Not to mention battling the weather or struggling through traffic.
Videos are inexpensive. A one-time cost gives you a lifetime of workouts and if we don’t feel like it, we’re not pressured to train because our membership is almost up or the gym will be closing in an hour. And there are no monthly fees or hidden costs of gas, parking, and travel time.
For those who prefer privacy, exercise videos are a definite pro. Starting a program can be awkward and if we’re not used to certain movements or holding set counts, we easily get self-conscious and lose motivation. Add camouflage clothing versus sleek gym wear and we crawl to our home videos in great relief!
However, there are people who crave human contact while doing their workouts. Many prefer the live setting to get feedback from their trainers and instructors. Others need the encouragement and support of people in the workout sessions to keep them going. While others, still, need that change of environment to inspire them to get results.
There are definitely benefits and consequences to exercise videos. Convenience, cost, self-image and social interaction are all factors that affect our choice, but whatever we decide to go with, the most important thing is to be aware of these factors so we can make the best choice for us.
