Our Lady of Second Helpings

Regular readers are aware of my recent frustrations over Netflix removal of all fitness content from their Instant Watch library (read my rants here and here). Well readers, it is time to move forward.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the lovely folks at Workouts On Demand. In exchange for reviewing the site they are generously offering one of my readers (aka it could be YOU!) a six month membership completely free! This is a seriously awesome prize especially as we cruise into couch dwelling hibernation season.

I’ll fill you in on the giveaway in a minute, first let me tell you about the site.

www.workoutsondemand.com Basics: According to the home page there are over 170 full length workouts available to stream or download directly from the site. They range from 5 to 45 minutes and all of them are available to preview without a membership – a really cool feature. Basic membership allows users to stream workouts.  Downloading is available at the two higher membership levels. There is even an app in the LGTV store for those with newer LG televisions. Memberships begin at $8.99 a month, about 1/10th what I paid when I belonged to the YMCA. There are no contracts, you pay month to month, and can cancel at any time.

Review: Bottom-line – I liked pretty much everything about Workouts on Demand and I am very happy to recommend it to anyone looking for an easy way to fit in a bit more activity.

The site has a lot of content. I found it thoughtfully organized easy to navigate. Logging in and locating the lists of workouts took very little time.  Our high-speed cable internet connection had no trouble playing the videos without interruption. I was impressed by the variety of workouts both in length and style. There is a more diverse selection than Netflix offered.

I tried workouts ranging from 5 to 30 minutes. I feel they could be enjoyed by people of most fitness levels with personal intensity dictating the burn. Most can be done in a space little larger than a yoga mat with no additional exercise equipment needed.

The instructors come off very “real.” I felt pleasantly encouraged by their motivational language. I tripped my two left feet through a hip-hop aerobics class with out stomping in frustration. The instructor cheering me on, even as I missed every beat. (It helped that he was very easy on the eyes.) I had fun during that workout but it didn’t make me work very hard. On the other hand both Kickboxing and the Ballet, Yoga, Pilates combo workouts had me moving the entire time. I got a nice sweat going and pleasantly “felt it” the next day.

These workouts are for people who enjoy the format of an aerobics class.  You only see the friendly instructor not a group of leotard wearing models barely breaking a sweat and uttering annoying fake cheers throughout.

People who travel for business could take advantage of the membership levels that enable downloading.  Keeping a few downloaded workouts on your laptop means no wait for the hotel wireless speeds to catch up to your video. Not to mention traveling to countries with different copyright laws may prevent any streaming regardless of available bandwidth.

So, what are you waiting for? Oh right –

The Giveaway!!

I am so excited! Workouts On Demand is giving an Our Lady of Second Helpings reader a full 6 month membership to use the site!

Here’s how to play:

1. Click over the www.workoutsondemand.com and take a look around.
2. Make a comment back here on the blog – name the workout style looks the most fun to you.
3. Bonus Round! Share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc. and comment “shared” for a second entry into the giveaway.

The contest will end at midnight PT on September 16th.

Every reader is a winner!!

Through the end of September Our Lady of Second Helpings readers can take advantage of a fantastic discount on a new Value Plus or Premier Membership.

When you register enter the coupon code: 55SEP to receive 55% off EVERY month you are a member.

That means all the perks for less than $6 per month!!!!  Yippee!

Now what are you waiting for? Check out the site, make a comment, tell your friends! Most importantly  -Let’s Get Movin’!

Full disclosure: A one month membership was provided in exchange for this review. The opinions stated are my own. www.workoutsondemand.com membership arrangements must be made directly with workoutsondemand.com.