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Signs of a sharp instructor: Certification is a definite plus, but water-

certification programs are few and far between. A good certification program

is offered by the United States Water Fitness Association and by the Aqua

Fitness organization.

Safety should be the first priority in any class. A good instructor will iden-

tify nonswimmers and insist that they wear life vests at all times during

water aerobics. In water running, all class members — even experienced

swimmers — wear flotation vests.

Tips for first-timers: Choosing the right class is essential. You don’t want to

dive in with a group of 90-year-olds with limited mobility unless, of course,

you are one. If you’re trying to come back from an injury, look for classes with

names like Rehab for Runners. Check with the doctor treating your injury to

make sure you have the okay to take a class. Also, realize that your target zone

is about ten beats lower in the water than on land. (We define target zone in

Chapter 8.)

Choosing from Among

All the Exercise DVDs

If you think that exercise DVDs are for wimps and disco groupies, you may be

surprised to discover just how tough a workout you can get from popping a

disc into a DVD player. (Well, not from the actual insertion of the disc, of

course; you do have to follow it.) Yet for some reason, exercise DVDs still

carry a stigma.

Like health-club classes, fitness DVDs have become safer, more creative, and

more specialized. You can buy DVDs for muscle toning, step aerobics, yoga,

kickboxing, pregnancy, post-pregnancy, belly dancing, Ta’i Chi — the list goes

on and on. Not only are there more high-quality tapes on the market, but

because of the Internet, you can now read thousands of reviews, order DVDs

more cheaply, and gain inspiration and helpful tips from Internet forums. This

section tells you how to choose the winners and avoid the duds. We offer our

best-instructor picks, shopping advice, and important tips for using exercise

DVDs safely.

Advantages of exercise DVDs

Sure, exercise DVDs don’t suit everyone — you may feel silly prancing around

your living room alone, mimicking an instructor who says, “You’re doing great!”

even though he can’t see you. But if you’re short on time, self-conscious

about your body, or taking care of kids at home, DVDs may suit you well. You

294 Part V: Conquering the Gym (Even at Home)