Study: Fitness DVDs may be psychologically harmful for users

[barreboxbell]

Since this is a fitness DVD forum, I though some of you may be interested in reading. Here's the link: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2016/...3501452257990/

[dbclark44]

Seriously?! I have no words.

[twinkletoes]

psychological damage? that's a bit extreme

[carolyn jane]

I agree with everything in this report which is why I am still doing workouts I bought 10-15, even 20 years ago. I am sick of seeing women instructors wearing practically nothing as if that will motivate me to workout. The clips I see of today's workout DVDs are focused on all the things this article describes and it is a sad but true commentary on the DVD exercise industry.

[SeptemberGirl]

Interesting article but unless I missed something, did the researchers actually test/survey exercise video users to see how the statements or instructor appearances made them feel? Curious too as to which videos they reviewed.

[alisoncooks]

Well, I will say there are some videos I don't allow in my home. I like my instructors to be encouraging, with no sexy/body talk. I do this because I don't want my daughters to hear it; I do actually think it could be damaging.

That said, the benefits of dvds must far outweigh the negatives for most adults looking to get fit at home.

[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.

[laurajhawk]

One reason I read VF posts and reviews is to avoid the sort of DVDs they're talking about -- bikini talk, berating, unsafe moves. It's too bad they made it sound like all fitness DVDs have those negative qualities.

[Sue B]

Does anyone here have access to the study's full text? I'd like to know which DVDs they looked at. (If they just went to Target and pulled 10 DVDs at random off their shelf, I can guess who was in them )

I do agree that many DVDs lack diversity in body types and ethnicity, and portray a false image of what fitness is supposed to look like. Also that if negativity and shaming made people thin, everyone would be thin.

[Vantreesta]

I do understand where everyone is coming from about what instructors are wearing now, but I am just self-delusional enough to be motivated because maybe, just maybe, I can have abs like that!