We've Got Your Fitness Needs Covered

Your Library has a collection of over 400 fitness DVDs! 

We try our best to have a wide variety of choices.  From chair exercises to advanced (makes you sweat just to look at it), there's a DVD for your situation.  

How do you find just the right one for you?  Of course, the catalog is the most comprehensive resource.  But, if you want to browse, the Fitness DVD Collection binder is here to help.  The binder is located on top of the book case that holds the DVDs.  It has four sections.

• The first section has the DVDs listed in Dewey Decimal order, just as they're found on the shelf. 
• The second section is by title. Do you know the title of your favorite DVD?  Find its location in this section.
• The third section is by presenter.  Do you love Jari Love?  If you like a particular presenter, this section has all of their DVDs listed together. 
• The fourth section has them grouped by keyword.  Do you want to exercise with kettle bells?  Or what about step aerobics?  From abdominal exercises to vinyasa yoga, and every topic in between, we have something for you.

Our goal is to have the DVDs that fit your fitness needs.  If we don't have a particular DVD that you want, leave a suggestion in our box by the binder.

Try Focus T25 or P90X3 to get in Shape - they're here at your library.

We have two new exercise DVD sets by the BeachBody team.  They both focus on getting your workout done in half the time of your normal workout.

Shaun T. brings us Focus T25. 

From the website: “It's a full-body workout in 25 minutes. With zero rest.  Focus Interval Training works every muscle group in your body—one after the other—then it works it again. It's short. It's sweaty. But after 25 minutes, it's done.”

Shaun claims big results.  If you’re short on time and not afraid of sweat, this might be a good choice for you.  

Our second new set is P90X3 by Tony Horton. 

He is promising great results in 30 minutes a day.  Your library owns the 9 DVD set, as well as the Nutrition & Fitness Guide.  

From the P90X3 website: "I used to think...the longer you work out, the better results you'll get. Turns out, it doesn't work that way. In fact, the latest science says that most of your progress happens in the first 30 minutes of your workout. After that, your body responds to the exercise less and less. So the trick is to get the absolute most out of that 30-minute 'window of change.'”

Don’t forget we also have complete DVD sets of Insanity, P90X, Body Beast & Zumba.  Don't have buyer's remorse, or DVDs gathering dust on your shelf.  Check out DVDs from your library and get in shape for free. 

Include Fitness in Your Holiday Plans

The last thing we are apt to think about this time of year is fitness.  Then when January comes, we groan and moan about the weight we gained and the energy we lost during the holidays.  The November/December issue of "Pilates Style" magazine has some tips for us to maintain our fitness routine during this busy time of year:

Do Some De-Stressing:  "Putting your fitness routine first will help you manage all the stress that comes this time of year."  What better way to beat stress than yoga? 

With all the mindful breathing and slow poses, one of these routines will get you relaxed in no time.

Stay Ahead of the "New Year, New You" Game: "Getting back into shape is so much harder than maintaining your exercise routine."  We say to ourselves that we'll get back to it when life slows down.  But when does that happen?   If walking is your choice, walk with one of these DVDs.  We have several choices for you by Leslie Sansone and others.  One mile is only 15 minutes.  Get the family off the couch and get walking.

Every Good Plan Has a Backup: "Whether you skip class for holiday shopping, eat too much fudge, or snooze through your morning class, don't panic."  Just get to your library.   One of the most popular classes is Zumba.  We have a great option, a 7 DVD set that will keep you dancing all December long.  You'll feel great when you say hello to 2015.

And don't worry, if you skip these guidelines from "Pilates Style", we'll still be here in January to help you with those New Years Resolutions!

Are You a "Body Beast"?

We now have the Body Beast DVDs at your library.  If you've sweated through P90X and Insanity, this is the next high intensity workout for you to try.

This set includes seven DVDs:

1. Beast Basics
2. Chest/Tris,  Shoulders, Beast, Abs
3. Legs, Back/Bis
4. Chest, Back, Legs
5. Shoulders, Arms, Beast, Abs
6. Cardio, Abs
7. Total Body, Abs

Body Beast is built on the concept of "Dynamic Set Training".  The developers describe it as "a specific sequence of sets and reps which maximize the muscle's time under tension with the goal of exhausting the muscle and "recruiting" more muscle fiber".

This system does require some equipment.  They suggest:

• Curl bar, dumbbells, or resistance bands
• Flat-incline bench or stability ball
• Chin-up bar or resistance bands with door attachment

 This is for people who want big gains in muscle mass.  They say it is possible to add ten pounds of muscle in 90 days. Though it appears that all the demonstrators are men, this system is also for women who are not afraid of lifting weights. 

Although there is a lot of sweating going on during these workouts, the exercises themselves are basic tried-and-true movements.  There is not any complicated choreography, just straight-forward weight lifting.  If this sounds good to you, come get your Beast on.

Top Fitness Trends for 2014

The American College for Sports Medicine is located nearby in Indianapolis.  From their website, they state that "ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world".  We are fortunate to be close to such a prestigious organization.  

Recently the ACSM has published a list of the top fitness trends for 2014.   We will highlight a few of those trends, and also a few resources that your library has in those areas.

Strength Training. It's a simple fact that the more muscle your body has the more calories the body will burn.  This will lead to weight loss and a more lean appearance.  It is not a complicated process.  You just need a set of hand weights, and a good instructor to lead you through a safe, effective workout. 

 Coach Nicole is a well-known trainer, and her DVD, SparkPeople Total Body Sculpting is one to try if you're starting a strength training routine. Three workouts are included.  Exercise at your own pace by following the Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced presenter.

Yoga.  This ancient form of exercise is still on trend.  When it comes to yoga, there are many varieties to try.  But, where better to start than with Beginning Yoga?  This DVD will give you a good foundation, and then you can try our other options and find the practice that is right for you.

Core Training.  Here's one the men might want to try:  Phenomenal Abs & Core by Gilad.  This guy is almost sixty years old, and he looks great!  This DVD incorporates Pilates, yoga, military exercises and advanced abdominal routines to give you a complete core workout.

"Just move" was not one of the top fitness trends, but it is good advice.  Move on down to your library and find a fitness DVD that's right for you.

Five Fitness Goals - Your Library Can Help!

I recently read a blog by Amy Roberts.  She is a personal trainer and writes for "Women’s Health".  It reminded me of our discussion in January about making SMART fitness goals.  If you missed it, you can link to that blog here.

The premise of Amy’s blog is the importance of goal-setting.  The author suggests that we set five particular goals.  Once you’ve set your goals, your library has resources to help you achieve them.

Goal #1: Lower Your Body Fat Percentage

Often, when we say we want to lose weight, what we really want to do is lose body fat.  This will make our body look more compact, and rev up our metabolism.  Unfortunately, wishing doesn’t make it so.  We need to perform exercises that will help us to change our body composition. 

Many times, that is the frustration of walkers.  They will put in a lot of time “hoofing it”, but won’t see a change in their figure.  Adding weight training to your cardio routine will help you lower your body fat. 

If you are new to strength training, try Petra Kolber’s “Step-by-step Strength Training”. 

Petra is an experienced instructor who will lead you into a safe and effective workout.  You have the choice of four short sessions that will hold your interest.

Goal #2: Get Stronger

We have the freedom to set any goal we want.  Most women hate to do pushups because we are generally weak in our upper body.  If you had a plan to get better at pushups, you would be more likely improve, and maybe like them…or hate them less.  Remember: any goal that gets us stronger will also give us more lean muscle, and as we discussed in Goal #1, that’s a good thing!

One great workout to help us toward this goal is “Strong Body, Fit Body” by Erin O’Brien. 

You will perform exercises that work multiple body parts at once.  This will shorten your exercise time, the full-body workout is only 45 minutes.

Goal #3: Master a Skill

Choose a sport, skill or exercise that you’re interested in, and give it a try.  This is not only good for your body, learning a new skill is good for your brain.  There are many leagues and groups that do a wide variety of activities in our area.

One group fitness activity is Zumba.  This Latin-inspired dance craze can be found in many gyms, churches and rec centers.  If you don’t want to try it for the first time in front of a lot of hip-shaking enthusiasts, you can try it on DVD in the privacy of your own home. 

We have the entire 7-DVD set of Zumba Exhilarate.  Disc 1 is a guide through the steps.  Each additional DVD will lead you through the unique aspects of this fitness system.  By the time you’ve tried all seven, you’ll be ready to join a live class. 

Goal #4: Make Fitness a Part of Your Routine

What is the typical answer that we give people when they ask us how we are?  “Busy!”  Everyone seems to have the same problem.  If we don’t schedule fitness into our routine, it will easily go by the wayside. 

With over 300 fitness DVDs at your library, you can check out several (remember the limit on DVDs is ten at a time), and find the ones that you will enjoy.  We have several DVDs from the series “10 Minute Solution”. 

Each DVD has five 10 minute workouts, why not start with one and see what you think?  It may be just what you need if you’re in an exercise slump.

Goal #5: Train For an Event

This time of year there are charity 5k’s all over the place.  If you train ahead for an event, then you will be able to get to the end with a smile on your face, instead of hobbling in pain. 

The library has many cardiovascular workouts that will help you boost your speed and endurance.  We also have great books that will give you a plan for success.  “3 Months to Your First 5K” is just one.  

 

 Whatever your goals are, remember your library when you are looking for inspiration and motivation. 

Get Lean in 2014

Have you seen the new slogan; “Fit is the new skinny”?   It is a good mantra for our 2014 fitness goals.  Instead of looking for a number on the scale, maybe we should look to improve our fitness performance.  Are you a runner or walker?  Set a goal to go faster or farther.  Having trouble with those push-ups?  Don’t give up, just start where you are and move forward.

SMART is an acronym for sound criteria when setting a goal.   

Here’s an example:

Specific –what do you want to change or improve?  I want to increase the number of push-ups I can do from one to five.

Measurable – how will you measure your success?  If I am able to complete five push-ups, I have attained my goal. 

Attainable – can you realistically achieve this goal?  I believe I can achieve this goal because it is reasonable.

Relevant - will this goal matter to your overall health and well-being?  I will be stronger if I can perform more push-ups.  It will help my posture and my ability to remain injury-free.

Time-oriented – how much time will you give yourself to attain your goal? I will give myself six months to attain this goal.

Using your goal, make a specific plan to achieve it. Your library can help.  We have many resources available to help you attain your fitness goals for 2014. 

Bring It! by P90X guru Tony Horton is not a one-size-fits all fitness plan.  You will begin by 
answering fitness questions, as well as taking a few measurements.Using your results you will either be a Beginner, a Striver or a Warrior.  Each group has a specific workout created for cardio, strength and yoga.  There are a lot of pictures and written descriptions of each exercise so you'll know exactly what to do.



The Ultimate New York Body Plan by David Kirsch says it will "shed

pounds and reshape your body - FAST!"   This plan combines fitness with nutrition.  You will start with a fitness test (yes, actually performing exercises to determine your starting point).  This test will measure your starting fitness level.  Again, there are a lot of pictures and descriptions of the exercises recommended.  There is a 14-day plan to get you started.

Dr. Vonda Wright's Guide to Thrive is a four step plan for "body, brains and bliss".  Step 1 is preparation.  The following steps each last two months, equaling a six month program.  As an M.D., Dr. Wright brings us medical information as well as a plan for improving our health.  Parts of the book have fill-ins, so you might want to have a notebook near by to write things down.  There are a lot of principles here that are valuable for fitness and life in general.

If you're not a reader, but would rather move, look for the next fitness blog highlighting some fitness DVDs that will help you reach your SMART goals.