As time has passed and this blog has reached more viewers, one question I receive more and more often is why I don’t tend to post exercise videos. Well, the answer is pretty simple: most of the time they are very dull. I do, however, come across an aerobics video that catches my eye for one reason or another once in awhile. Sometimes it’s the title (ex. Yoga Booty Ballet), other times it’s the packaging, like with the Step Reebok video, and I pick them up.
Over the years I’ve watched a lot of the typical workout tapes, though most of the time I’ve acquired them in a bundle or lot deal, but I can think of one previous instance in the past where I highlighted this kind of media here: The (cursed) Workout with Barbie tape.
So, while I don’t see another post like this happening again anytime soon (well, maybe a soccer tutorial tape post is already in the works!), I would like to present you with some dancing tutorials, straight workout videos, Olympic highlights, skiing tutorials and some early morning and late night yoga routines for your viewing pleasure. It’s taken me about a year to find all of these, but all of these are much more interesting than your typical sweatin’ tape.
Get your personal indoor trampoline, thigh master, ab lounge and throw on your neon leotard and let’s get right into the tapes!
Step Reebok: The Video
1992 | Runtime: 57 Minutes
"Step Reebok: The Video" is the electrifying video that takes you through a complete, heart-pumping session of Step Reebok. With the look and feel of a music video, it puts you in the middle of a unique and dynamic group workout. Unique music transitions, verbal and visual cues make it almost impossible to miss a single step. The high- tech, high-energy workout is led by Gin Miller, the inventor of The Step Reebok Program and recipient of many fitness awards including IDEA: The Association of Fitness Professionals' 1991 Fitness Instructor of the Year. As Gin leads the workout, her experience and creativity are reflected in the ease and simplicity of the moves and transitions. Join the millions of people who have already discovered Step Reebok, and enjoy the total body workout at home. The Step Reebok been extensively researched by the workout has award-winning team of Drs. Lorna & Peter Francis, professors at San Diego State University. Each Step Reebok product has been thoroughly tested by the most experienced step training team to ensure maximum performance and safety.
Yoga Booty Ballet LIVE
2005 | Runtime: 48 Minutes
Now you can keep having fun while you shed pounds and inches-with Yoga Booty Ballet LIVE! Gillian and Teigh want to make sure you keep your body moving and your booty shakin'—just as if you were with them at their studio in Hollywood. Yoga Booty Ballet has taken L.A. by storm, and now it's your turn to join in the fun! You'll love how their signature yoga, ballet, cardio, and booty-sculpting moves transform your body! Fun, easy-to-learn dance steps, hand-jive, and even pony riding are included here to make you burn tons of calories, shape your body, and target your midsection! Sculpt your tummy with the all-new six-minute abdominal routine for a strong, defined, scooped-in sexy belly ready for midriff fashions!
A.M. Yoga for Beginners
1998 | Runtime: 30 Minutes
Morning is the ideal time to revitalize the body and center the mind. Getting your body moving and energy circulating can help you create a more productive, stress-free day. In A.M. Yoga, internationally acclaimed yoga instructor Rodney Yee leads a series of gentle yoga poses at sunrise on the shores of Maui Island to awaken your body and energize your mind. Practicing just a few minutes each day can bring you a lifetime's worth of benefits for better health and well-being. A Complete 20 Minute Yoga Workout: Conscious Relaxation awakens the mind (4 minutes) A.M. Workout energizes the body (14 minutes) Guided Meditation centers the body and mind (2 minutes) Props Recommended: Mat, Strap, Blanket
P.M. Yoga for Beginners
1998 | Runtime 30 Minutes
The end of the day is the ideal time to rest and rejuvenate the body and mind. Relaxing and letting go of the day's stresses is essential to getting a rejuvenating night's sleep. Led by internationally renowned yoga instructor Patricia Walden, P.M. Yoga is an inspiring evening workout practiced in Death Valley National Park, to transition from the business of the day to a peaceful evening. Simple yoga movements help quiet the body and mind, release tension in the muscles and bring deep relaxation to your entire being. A Complete 20 Minute Yoga Workout: • Centering Poses quiet the mind and body (4 minutes) P.M. Workout stretches and soothes the body (13 minutes) Guided Relaxation revitalizes the mind (3 minutes) Props Recommended: Mat, Brick, Blanket
Cross Country Skiing for Beginners
With Bill Koch
1988 | Runtime: 50 Minutes
This video features world renowned champion cross country skier Bill Koch teaching beginners the fundamentals of Nordic skiing against the backdrop of Oregon's scenic Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center. Bill's method of instruction is simple and stresses the fun of the sport. It changes the notion that cross country skiing is hard work and points out the benefits of its aerobic nature. Designed to improve your cross country skiing, Bill's method focuses on techniques for beginners and intermediate skiers.
1992 Winter Olympics Highlights
1992 | Runtime: 63 Minutes
From the majestic opening of the 1992 Albertville Olympics to the glittering closing ceremonies, this permanent souvenir features all the exciting and memorable highlights of the XVI Olympic Winter Games. See the star athletes in their moments of triumph and glory - American double gold medal winner, Bonnie Blair; American gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, silver medalist Paul Wylie and bronze medalist Nancy Kerrigan, the Unified Team's gold medalist Viktor Petrenko and Japan's silver medalist Midori Ito. Relive the excitement of skiing events with the gutsy performance of dashing Italian playboy Alberto Tomba, the surprise medal-winning performances of Kerrin Lee-Gartner and Hilary Lindh, and freestyle skiing gold medalist champion Donna Weinbrecht. From ski jumping's youngest gold medal winner, Toni Nieminen of Finland, to Team USA's semi-final finish in hockey, featuring the outstanding goaltending of Ray LeBlanc - this tape will bring you back to Albertville over and over again.
Hot New Dances:
Learn to Dance the Macarena
1996 | Runtime: 45 Minutes
KICK up your heels with this new video featuring today's hottest dances. Join professional instructors and expert dancers as they demonstrate dances using easy, step-by-step techniques. Included are the: Macarena Macarena Line Dance Train Tootsie Roll & Electric Slide Impress your friends with the NEW Macarena Line Dance, which adds a special twist to the original Macarena. Then, get on board with the hottest new club dance, The Train. Once you have mastered the dances, you'll be ready to move to the dance floor and try it with music and friends.
Hot Texas Nights
Country Line Dancing
1994 | Runtime: 30 Minutes
If you love line dancing, this intermediate-to- advanced instructional series is the fastest way to the dance floor! Country Line Dancing features acclaimed choreographer and dance instructor Anita Williams, who gives you step-by-step instructions for today's hottest and most popular line dances. This comprehensive video series is ready when you are, with easy-to-follow guidelines and the most extensive collection of line dances ever assembled, set to your favorite country songs. So come on and get in line for fun – with just a little time, space and practice you'll be boot scootin' with the very best!
Real quick before I go! For this post, I used a scanner to archive the VHS covers and to digitize the Step Reebok manual, in place of a camera. I’m pretty happy with how the images came out, and found it much quicker / easier with far less editing once the individual images for all the sides had been made. If you feel the quality has dipped at all, please leave a comment saying you liked the previous method better.
I personally feel like the text is a lot sharper since switching to the scanner, and I would occasionally have issues with not having perfect focus on one side or another, which is resolved with the use of a scanner. In addition, since everything is being scanned on the same plane, any media sleeves going forward with wrap-around art will be preserved properly as each side will match up perfectly. Anyways, let me know your thoughts!
Well, that’s it for this week! I hope you enjoyed the tapes! If you’re looking for more, please check out my page on Archive.org for the full list of digitized media. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message right here or drop a comment below. If you haven’t already, please check out the one of my previous posts below, or all of my other previous posts here. Thanks so much for checking out this week’s edition of Diptych!
See you soon!
—Forrest
Dancing! Fighting! Depression!
I think I say this at least once a month, but this week’s edition of Diptych really does have something for everyone. There’s not really a theme this time around, but as I was sorting through my backlog of tapes this past Sunday, I watched a good portion of all of these throughout the day and I just felt like sharing them....
The scans look very nice! What scanner are you using?