[michellez]

I'm looking for recommendations for exercise videos for beginners that aren't too hard to follow and that are fun. Are Richard Simmons videos the best? Or Denise Austin? Or Kathy Smith? Oh, and I currently don't have a lot of home exercise equipment.

I should also probably mention that I exercise at a gym -- water aerobics and recumbent bike mostly -- and I also walk for exercise, but I'd like to get at least one fun video to do at home occasionally.

Any suggestions/recommendations are GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

[marbleflys]

I like Leslie Sansone videos for beginners. Her walk aerobics are easy to follow. I always buy through Collage.

[boatingmommy]

Howdy! I have no money to go to the gym, but I like to walk and I am loving doing the few aerobics tapes that I have. Especially when the weather is 95 plus degrees outside!

The Minna Emergency Workout tape is a great starter tape. The moves aren't too complicated and it gives you a great workout. It has 30 minutes of aerobics, and 30 of toning excercizes. I really enjoy it. I have a Dennis Austin tape and find that I can't stomach her overly perky dialogue! Plus she reminds of the Saturday Night Live Cheerleader skits with the faces that she makes while she's excercising! Okay, that's just my personal opinion. I have a couple of Minna Lessig's other tapes, too for after you build up some stamina. They are also very good.

Richard Simmons tapes are good for beginners, too. But, there again, you have to be able to stomach his brand of style.

I would suggest that you go to your local video store and check out videos from a couple of different persons and find the style that you like best. Then invest a little money in tapes by that person.

Good luck to you!
Boatingmommy

[michellez]

Thanks, marbleflys and boatingmommy, for the great tips. I really appreciate it. Boatingmommy, your suggestion to go to a video store and rent one or two is really a good one.

Boatingmommy, from the look of your numbers in your signature, I can see that you're having tremendous success! Good for you! YGG!!

Thanks again to both of you!

[marbleflys]

The Billy Blanks Tai-Bo for beginners is also fun and not at all "Dancy". When I first started, I held onto the doorway while I learned the kicks (so I wouldn't fall over). You REALLY feel it in your butt.

[Karena]

I agree with Boatingmommy and others on Denise Austin and Richard Simmons. I also have the Kathy Smith Functionally Fit tape and like it. It's very different-not dancy at all. And I think Kathy's a great role model-fit, healthy, strong, and not TOO perky and annoying!! I have a Weight Watchers aerobics video that I like fairly well - easy to follow. My major complaint with most tapes is the "elevator muzak" I love really good motivating music, but they seem to have much more complicated dance moves. I like the basics!

Good luck finding one you like- for the two or three I own that I like I have twice as many I don't like!

[michellez]

Thanks again to everyone for your recommendations! I really, really appreciate your help!