How Effective are Training DVDs?

By Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.

Its no secret, I have been a runner for 30+ years. The older I have gotten the more important stretching has become to me to keep me injury free. But, like most athletes, I try to bypass the stretching due to lack of time but evidentially I end up paying the price.

I have recently found a training DVD called, Performance Stretching for Multisport, which helps me stretch the right muscles for a runner after my workouts. While I have been doing some of the stretches featured in the video for years, this particular training video takes you through stretches that are pertinent to a runner. Coach Lee Zohlman keeps you stretching until he thinks its time to move on. I have to admit sometimes I take short cuts but using the DVD keeps me on track.

Performance Stretching for Multisport contains three specific sections.
Section 1 is entitled Performance. This section features 8 stretches which includes: back, back of legs, neck, shoulders, calves, hip flexors, quadriceps and glutes. Coach Zohlman goes over each stretch and explains how to perform the stretch properly using female models. Many of these stretches are very similar to a number of yoga poses.

Section 2 is entitled Supine. There are 6 stretches in this segment. They include: lower back, torso, hamstrings, glutes, in/out thighs and also the hips.

Section 3 is called the Recovery Phase. This phase includes the lower back, hamstrings, glutes, inner thighs, lateral torso, IT Band, abs, rear shoulder, chest, biceps and triceps.

In addition to the sections mentioned above, the training DVD offers bonus stretches specific for cycling, dance, golf, running, swiss ball, partner stretching, swimming and tennis. Because I am also a cyclist, the stretches featured in the DVD for cycling are helpful as well.

Endurance Films produced the DVD. They have a number of training DVDs which include specific running techniques that help you run faster and prevent injury ­ Evolution Running and open water swimming fundamentals called Open Water Swimming. In addition, Endurance Films has triathlon training DVDs, cycling fitness training DVDs such as Pedaling Technique and Climbing Acceleration and plus many others. Each DVD costs from $24.95 to $29.95.

For more information, check out their Web site www.endurancefilms.com or call 888-246-0856.

Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N., is the publisher and nutrition editor of Kentuckiana HealthFitness and Kentuckiana Healthy Woman. She is the former sports nutrition consultant to the University of Louisville Athletic Department and the United States Navy SEALs. She is the author of Fast Facts on Fast Food For Fast People (ISBN 0-9631538-6-2) and High Energy Eating Sports Nutrition Workbook for Active People (ISBN 0-9631538-5-4). In addition, Barbara has a private practice specializing in sports nutrition and has a weekly health & fitness radio show on WKJK 1080 AM.