Yes, Fitness Videos Are For Men Too

When I workout, I DO use our fitness videos. I don't like working out in the gym surrounded by people or having a trainer counting my reps. I prefer to go it alone, getting my training from the DVD player. The results I got in these photos are from exactly 90 days using P90X. That sometimes surprises people, that a guy really would use fitness videos sold on an infomercial to get those results.

Last night in a focus group for the Turbo Jam product there were men in the group who were proclaiming that they would probably never buy a workout video because "workout videos are for women." It's a common perspective which points out how far we have to go to promote that exercise videos are not ALL dancing and kickboxing.

Video is an incredibly efficient medium of delivering consistent professional training instruction to men and women - with emphasis on your goal whether it is to lose weight, get toned, or perhaps even get totally ripped.

That's the case for Beachbody customer and college senior Jamie Roberts. I wanted to share an unsolicited email I got from him today relating his experience in just the first 17 days using Power 90. This is a great example of how a program can take the guess-work out of fitness, even for someone who has been working out for years. I will paste his email in its entirety below:

Hello,

My name is Jamie Roberts. I have been lifting weights and working out since my junior year of high school. In a few weeks I will be starting my senior year of college. When I started lifting I was around 6'0" and 205 lbs, not very tone and not lean at all. I continued to lift and workout and when my sophomore year of college ended, I was around 6'2" and 198 lbs. That is the least I've ever weighed and I still couldn't get ripped. I was working out all the time and participated in many activities such as basketball and cycling. I changed my workout this past year of college, I became really dedicated to weight lifting. I seen my max bench press go from 250 lbs to 315 lbs in about 5 months. However, I also seen my weight go from around 205 lbs to 240 lbs. The day I maxed 315 lbs and weighed myself at 241 lbs, I decided to change some things.

I decided to put the dedication I put into strength training, into dropping the weight, getting ripped and in the best shape of my life. About a month into my summer vacation, I realized that I wasn't doing anything towards that goal and the dedication wasn't there. My diet during the months of power lifting was very poor. So I decided to order Power 90. I had always been skeptical of things I see on infomercials, writing them off automatically and not giving them any thought. Something drew me to Power 90. Upon ordering it, I changed my diet completely, I cut out all of the junk that I was putting into my body. When I recieved Power 90, I read the program guide. I also found the Michi's Ladder card to be very helpful in building a great diet. When I recieved it, I stopped lifting weights and started Power 90, following all of the guidelines that were laid out. Having power lifted for 7 straight months, I have been through some pretty tough workouts, I seen after day one of Power 90 that it was for real. I honestly expected it to be something that I would breeze through, boy was I wrong. I have to admit, and being a very strong and somewhat in-shape guy, it kind of hurts, but I had to use my pause button a few times throughout the first several workouts.

Today I finished my 17th day of the Power 90 program. I remembered reading on page one of the guide that you wanted to hear feedback. I try not to look in the mirror often, but after todays workout, after just 17 days, the results are already showing. The results are very noticable in my chest. My arms are starting to get definition and become toned. I am seeing my stomach and waist shrink. During the weight gain I sustained during power lifting, I developed love handles and didn't have very much firmness to my abs at all, I'm starting to see all of that go away and my abs are starting to shine through. I am on day 17 of Power 90 and I just want to say that this is for real. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't do this halfway, and I haven't. I can't say how excited I am that I already see results and it's just day 17, I can't wait to see what my body will look like on day 90. I have already had several people comment me on my weightloss and the toning of my muscles. That is the ultimate motivation, when other people notice your hard work and dedication, and now, I notice it too. To you, Mr.Congdon, and Mr.Horton I say thank you. Thank you for developing a program that along with dedication and hard work, really works. Thank you for taking the time to read this also.

Thank You,
Jamie Roberts

I emailed Jamie to ask him for permission to include that kind email in my blog, and this was his response:

Mr. Daikeler,

Hi. Yes, I would be more than happy if you used my story in your blog. I honestly think I've already influenced a few people around here. When I ordered Power 90, I heard from several people things like "you know that isn't going to work" and things like "I would never trust a workout from a infomercial." Now that they see the results that I am getting, they say nothing. I am very flattered that you want to use my story. Once again. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jamie Roberts

I know for guys like Jamie, having the persistence to "push play" on the DVD player can be a tough hurdle to overcome -especially if you've been athletic in the past and look down your nose at videos. I know my own brother has found it hard to stay motivated after he lost 20 pounds using Slim in 6, whereas my 40-something year old sister gets into every video we produce and now has the body of a teenager.

So, to my brother, my attorney, investment banker and friends who have "convinced" themselves they cannot stay with it, I say - "stop making excuses and please, make the time in your day to push play!"

First, do it for yourself. That directly translates into a better quality of life with your kids. Your back will thank you. Your knees will thank you. Your mirror will thank you. And it's highly likely your wife will thank you too.