Study: Fitness DVDs may be psychologically harmful for users

[macska]

Now I admit. I always always wanted to look like Tony Horton and I'm psychologically damaged because of his DVDs and the reality that I will never look like him!
I don't understand the article. The benefits way outweigh the possible "damages".

[Lannette]

Originally Posted by Vintage VFer

But, how do you really feel?

Personally, I find the "sexy" talk and super-skimpy outfits annoying. If being annoyed can cause psychological damage. Then, I'm damaged!

Originally Posted by macska

Now I admit. I always always wanted to look like Tony Horton and I'm psychologically damaged because of his DVDs and the reality that I will never look like him!
I don't understand the article. The benefits way outweigh the possible "damages".

Me three! I'm damaged. I'll never be the same. Class Action lawsuit baby!

[eyefit]

Originally Posted by Yelly

I can only speak for myself, but the only thing in this article that I had a strong reaction to is the sensationalism with the headline's wording: that fitness videos can be "psychologically harmful". I take issue with that because it only serves to further isolate people who are actually suffering from real psychological harm, and trivializes the very real things that cause psychological pain and damage in this world. I could care less about fitness dvds being threatened, since I haven't bought an actual dvd in probably 2 years (I have long ago moved to streaming). I also wondered why they chose to target fitness DVDs, since it's really a dying business in many ways, and more and more people are moving to streaming.

ETA: the only other thing that bothers me with articles like that is that (especially for people who don't like the gym) it could possibly deter people from working out at all, which in my opinion is WAY more psychologically harmful than a few annoying phrases in a workout video. Home fitness has only improved my mind and body, and (to me at least) the issues covered in this study are petty.

Originally Posted by macska

Now I admit. I always always wanted to look like Tony Horton and I'm psychologically damaged because of his DVDs and the reality that I will never look like him!
I don't understand the article. The benefits way outweigh the possible "damages".

Exactly to the bolded sentences. Fitness dvds and working out at home gets the side eye as it is. How many of us have heard how working out to dvds is dumb, weird or "doesn't work" and that working out at the gym is the only way to get fit? I would not be as fit as I am if working out at home to dvds was not an option. I would be as out of shape as I was 6 years ago because I could never get myself to go to a gym. I'm not motivated enough to do paper workouts or design my own workouts. DVD's have been a godsend to me. So yes, I will get defensive when a sensationalistic headline about a study that sampled TEN dvds from a retail store makes sweeping generalizations about a whole industry that has benefited me in innumerable ways.

Anyone who is familiar with my posts knows how I feel about society's view of women's bodies and how certain instructors perpetuate that unrealistic ideal. I loathe how those instructors and the culture at large perpetuates that unrealistic "ideal" and makes it so hard for women to have a positive body image. I just don't see where a "study" like this is helpful in that regard. It's basically telling us what should be common sense by now. Of course some fitness dvds and instructors perpetuate these problems. So do the magazine covers at the supermarket, movies, tv, the internet and Barbie dolls. For that matter it can happen with romantic partners, friends and family. It's everywhere. Most definitely in the fitness arena. You think it's just dvds? It's EVERYWHERE in the fitness sphere; personal trainers and the internet included. How many times have we heard how we shouldn't lift weights because we will get bulky? Come on, why single out dvds?

I guess I'm feeling a bit ornery tonight. Maybe I shouldn't be posting. LOL

[Betty Boop]

From the press release:
"The findings indicate that there is a need to further study commercial fitness DVDs, Cardinal said. Along with the language and imagery used in the videos, researchers should consider studying the effectiveness and safety of the types of exercises and techniques used, he said. In addition, many of the instructors appear to have little or no credentials in fitness instruction, he said."

Hark! Do I hear the sounds of paper shuffling and someone getting ready to write a grant request for such a study?

[Lucky Star]

Originally Posted by laurajhawk

It's too bad they made it sound like all fitness DVDs have those negative qualities.

Exactly!! Of the many, many videos I own, none are like this...and they're not all old either, lol.

Somebody send these guys some DVDs by Jessica Smith, Leslie Sansone, Sadie Lincoln, Ellen Barrett, KCM and lots of other instructors.

[catcrazy]

Originally Posted by dutchgirl

Where do I even start to rip apart this awful 'study'? And I use the word study loosely as this more resembles a piece of crap in my eyes.

Agreed!

[kittybug]

Originally Posted by Betty Boop

This article seems to be in the same genre as the students at the University of Ottawa who pulled the yoga class because of cultural appropriation.

I think the article would have done a better service by encouraging people to do research before they buy. This would include looking at clips online and reading forums like VF . And of course looking at and reading the packaging at the store; instructors in skimpy outfits like to put themselves on the cover.

Agreed. I had to laugh at this, because I was thinking the ~same~ thing, AND the fact that it was an Oregon State University "study"...well, I have to laugh. Don't get me wrong, I adore Oregon, but for crying out loud, this is JUST the kind of thing I would expect from a place so, so overly concerned with everything "PC" and "socially conscious" and, and...well, don't get me started.

Gah.

Pardon me while I gag.

Take what works for you and leave the rest. If you like the workouts, do them. If you don't, don't. Easy.

[Chomper]

Originally Posted by eyefit

Exactly to the bolded sentences. Fitness dvds and working out at home gets the side eye as it is. How many of us have heard how working out to dvds is dumb, weird or "doesn't work" and that working out at the gym is the only way to get fit? I would not be as fit as I am if working out at home to dvds was not an option. I would be as out of shape as I was 6 years ago because I could never get myself to go to a gym. I'm not motivated enough to do paper workouts or design my own workouts. DVD's have been a godsend to me. So yes, I will get defensive when a sensationalistic headline about a study that sampled TEN dvds from a retail store makes sweeping generalizations about a whole industry that has benefited me in innumerable ways.

Anyone who is familiar with my posts knows how I feel about society's view of women's bodies and how certain instructors perpetuate that unrealistic ideal. I loathe how those instructors and the culture at large perpetuates that unrealistic "ideal" and makes it so hard for women to have a positive body image. I just don't see where a "study" like this is helpful in that regard. It's basically telling us what should be common sense by now. Of course some fitness dvds and instructors perpetuate these problems. So do the magazine covers at the supermarket, movies, tv, the internet and Barbie dolls. For that matter it can happen with romantic partners, friends and family. It's everywhere. Most definitely in the fitness arena. You think it's just dvds? It's EVERYWHERE in the fitness sphere; personal trainers and the internet included. How many times have we heard how we shouldn't lift weights because we will get bulky? Come on, why single out dvds?

I guess I'm feeling a bit ornery tonight. Maybe I shouldn't be posting. LOL

Ha ha we are both annoyed for the same reason then. I think it's so obvious too! That's why I'm having trouble understanding some other posters being so dismissive. I may be overreacting, too, but I feel like there is not much respect for body image issues, eating disorders, etc on this forum and in this thread, and I think that's a shame.

[nyskier]

I can think of many things more psychologically harmful than exercise DVDs. How about the checkout line at the grocery store? Or, the aisles of candy at the local big box store?

If I have a DVD with questionable comments or outfits I try to look for the positive. If I don't find it, that one goes on my trade pile. I have worked out with Jillian DVDs for some time with no harmful side effects. I think we have created a nation of big babies who find offense everywhere they look. Ridiculous!

[Sara1000]

Thanks a bunch for posting this link. I think the writer just wanted an angle that would sell an article. I'm so glad I found Cathe, Leslie and Jessica!!