Age: 27
Family: engaged and marrying in summer of 2000
Collecting videos for: I'd say about five years, since 1995. My first tape was Kathy Smith's Great Buns and Thighs Step
workout. I had bought a step second-hand, and was determined to get back into shape after not having done regular cardio worouts
for a few years. I loved the idea of doing workouts at home!
Number of Videos Owned: 102
Other Fitness Activities Mountain biking, tennis, walking, cross-country skiing and alpine skiing
Loved ones' opinion of video habit: "Whatever makes you happy!"
Jennifer's opinions:
Current Favorites:
Cardio:
CIA 9902
CIA 9907
CIA 9908
CIA 9704
Kathy's Kickboxing Workout
All of Kari's Great Moves Tapes
Happy Hour HI/LO
Strength:
Body Tech
Balance, Strength and Flexibility
Timesaver (Lift Weights...) if I ignore Kathy's overdose of caffeine that day!
All-Time Faves I Still Return To:
Real Fitness: Ultimate Step
Reebok Aerostep
Functionally Fit Peak Fat Burning
Great Buns and Thighs
PowerMax
Two the Max
Reebok Intense Moves
Energy Sprint
Favorite Instructors
Keli Roberts, Jennifer Mills, Kathy Smith, Janis Saffel, Petra Kolber, Karen Voight, Kari Anderson, Christi Taylor, Cathe
Friedrich, Franny Benedetto and Gin Miller.
Underrated:
Petra Kolber: If she did advanced videos I am sure she would be a favourite at VF. I love her teaching style and
soothing voice.
Reebok Aerostep: The best thing about this intermediate tape is the music - I love it!
Biggest Disappointments:
Crunch videos: Their hootin' and hollerin' and over bubbly exercisers make me gag!
Billy Blanks' Tae Boxing: too basic, boring, and when choreography is added to make things
interesting it is too fast and his cueing is way off!
Knockout Workout with Stephanie Steele: You can't get a knockout workout with this one- your
heart rate won't stay up, it's really an instructional tape.
Reebok: Best of Step Reebok T.V. : Intense Moves fans will not want to see Gin at her worst here -
it's a Dr. Jeckl and Hyde personality change!
Kathy Smith's Ultimate Workout: This video should not be sold at all anymore; it is so outdated and
unsafe. Rent and watch only if you are curious!
Would love to see:
Petra Kolber and Karen Voight doing advanced workouts
More circuit training workouts
Cathe doing some less advanced workouts to attract people who can't do her tough workouts- I think she
would be great instructing beginners and intermediates.
More quality workout tapes selling retail in stores instead of the latest Hollywood actor/fitness enthusiast
workout tapes.
Words of Wisdom:
Do workout tapes for the enjoyment factor, not because you are compelled to do so much cardio and and so
much strength per week, or to lose weight, etc. The bottom line is, if you do a workout that you enjoy, you won't feel pressured and
you'll commit more to the workouts. My favourite tapes that I do most often have great motivating music, and complex choreography
to keep my mind busy and my dancing fever happy so I don't check the clock to see if I've done my 40 minute cardio for the day. If
you're bored, find a tape too tough, find choreography too complicated, then don't do it!
Cross-train: Do a variety of cardio workouts alternating with strength to avoid injury, keep things interesting,
and to keep you challenged! When I started my step workouts to get back into shape, I thought I was pretty amazing until I tried
Hi/Lo - boy, was I humbled. A few months ago I tried walking as an alternate cardio workout and was pleasantly surprised at what a
great workout I had. Try kickboxing, yoga, biking, tennis, team sports - anything to add some spice into your fitness routine!
Don't overdo when building up your fitness level. If you want to try an advanced workout, do listen to the
instructor: shorten the height of the step, do less turns, don't use your arms, or just do a shorter workout. Give your body a chance to
adjust, and if you move too quickly, you may discourage yourself.
Keep a few lower level tapes around. They're great for days when you're under the weather and don't want to
go all out. That way there's no guilt, and your body will thank you for letting it move around. I also like to use them occasionally for
motivation. It's great to do a tape that will remind you of the progress you've made - "Hey, that tape is easy for me now!"
Lastly, use all means possible to motivate you. I got a big chunk of motivation alone just from using the
Video Fitness site, from reading reviews to reading other VFers on the forum and learning about fitness instructors and products.
