Easy fitness via YouTube workout videos
By Margaret Davis
May 24, 2012 10:55 p.m.
Sometimes it can be difficult to work out when there are so many social events to attend or delicious restaurants to eat at instead ““ especially when walking to class feels like a workout in itself. When my friends aren’t around to keep me in check, it gets pretty hard to motivate myself to exercise.
Since I don’t have a personal trainer on hand to motivate me, I decided to give workout videos a try. With workout videos, you have the freedom to pick your own personal trainer who will be available whenever you need him or her with a workout of your choice.
Last quarter, my only experience with workout videos consisted of the “Brazil Buttlift” videos my roommate got for Christmas, which meant I was doing dance moves like “sweep the sand” and ab sequences like the “Brazilian bikini combo” with her every morning in the TV lounge.
These videos were really fun, and it didn’t take long to see my body becoming more toned. But since I didn’t own the videos myself, after a quarter of mooching off my roommate I decided it was time to take the initiative and find some videos of my own.
When I think of workout videos, the first thing that comes to mind is P90X. To be honest, the idea of even attempting P90X scares me. This workout program promises to turn people’s bodies “from regular to ripped in 90 days.”
The results are so extreme in such a limited amount of time that I can only imagine how difficult the workouts are. Also, while I want to be fit, I do not necessarily want to be completely ripped.
So, instead of spending $180 on P90X, I turned to YouTube.
I like using workout videos on YouTube because you can easily find videos that are tailored to your needs, whether they are abs, arms, legs or overall cardio fitness. Plus, they’re free.
One of my favorites is the “8 Minute” workout series. It has workouts for arms, legs, abs and buns. Each clip is eight minutes long, and the concept behind the series is to do the videos every day, which is why they are so short.
This way, even when it feels as if I can’t find the time for a workout in my day, it is still possible to get in a brief exercise or two. The short videos make it easy to break up workouts and do little bits at a time in between studying, being with friends and other activities.
The guy who does the videos (he never names himself) is dressed in ’80s style workout clothes such as bright blue pants and keeps up a lively attitude with sayings like “Let’s go gang!” He is very encouraging and has a good level of enthusiasm that is energizing without being annoying.
The “8 Minute” videos provide an array of movements for each body part you are working out, so that the workout feels balanced and complete. They never leave me overly tired or sore, and I saw their effects within a couple weeks.
Another YouTube workout series I am a fan of is the “Sarah Fit” series. These videos are all made by a personal trainer that blogs on health and fitness.
Like the “8 Minute” series, Sarah also has videos for any part of the body you would want to target. She also has less standard videos such as “The Standing Crunch-less Abs Workout” for anyone who hates crunches but still wants to work out their abdominals.
Another video of hers is the “30-Minute Weight Loss Circuit Workout” in which she advises viewers on a workout with both strength and cardio designed to burn fat.
These videos are great because Sarah provides as many variations as possible on basic positions such as the plank, which makes the video suitable for people at different fitness levels.
She also incorporates quick diet tips into the videos. This makes the video great for comprehensive health advice all in one spot.
Workout videos have been an excellent source for me to find motivation, and having a workout plan laid out for me has made me feel more efficient with my workouts because it is as if I have a coach with me. They are a great resource to try when you need that extra push to exercise.
What videos do you use to shape up? Email Davis at
