I'm often asked about the effectiveness of the home workouts that we see constantly advertised on TV.  Tae Bo, P90X and Insanity are just a few of the literally hundreds of programs that are out on the market today.

A lot of people that I know have lots of wonderful workout tapes and DVDs sitting on their shelf or entertainment center and doing nothing but gathering dust.  Is it that the workouts are boring, or ineffective?  The answer more than likely has to do with intensity.

Intensity is what happens when you have a good instructor, heart bumping music and other people around to help motivate you through the workout.  Even Fitness Instructors with decades of experience enjoy taking a class.  All you have to do is get to the aerobics room and the instructor, the music and your peers will carry you through.

The reason that home workouts fail is not due to the program but because maintaining the kind of intensity we see generated on the DVD is extremely difficult in the privacy of your own home.  I've met a lot of athletes in my life and my experience has shown me that people that have the kind of discipline and intensity demonstrated in videos are already in shape and have the amazing ability to push themselves through workouts that they design to be varied and more difficult week after week.

On the positive, these programs are extremely effective especially when used in conjunction with gym time and training classes.  One of the best things about these programs is that they incorporate the principle of "Muscle Confusion."  This is a principal that the great Joe Weider proposed back in the 80s and states that in order for muscle to continue to grow, workouts have to be varied.  What we often refer to as "Cross Training."  I'm sure that many of us know people who run five miles a day, six days a week and are still overweight.  Why?  Because the body adapts to the workload and then compensates.

As we get older Cross Training is especially important because it allows our muscular and cardiovascular system to work while providing our skeletal system as well as our tendons and ligaments with a break.  Statistically Triathletes suffer less from chronic injuries than do marathoners.  Why?  Because a Triathlete's workout regimen provides for more overall body balance.

Bottom Line - Yes, these programs work well but for the most part are not a substitute for the gym or instructor led classes.  Instead of counting on these programs alone to get you in shape, incorporate them into your workout program.  Bad weather, the baby is in the bath or I don't have enough time to get to the gym are a great time to pop in a DVD and get a good workout.  Personally, I record FIT TV and thoroughly enjoy the varied workouts.  I find that it's a great way to start my day.