Streaming 411

When I am feeling angry, or overwhelmed, or just wanting to get a nice dose of feel-good, an intense body pump workout, a sweaty hour of step aerobics, or a soothing bout of yoga have been my go-to activities for several decades.  Having been an exercise enthusiast for many years, I have collected a nice library of aerobic, weight training, and yoga workouts that enable me to scratch the itch in any way that appeals to me that moment.

I recently purchased a couple of yoga tapes to help target some specific ailments I had.  Specifically, I threw out my back doing deadlifts with poor form, and I have suffered for years with stiff and sore shoulders from being hunched over my beloved computer for hours a day.  I hopped on Amazon.com to purchase the tapes, and a moment later I received word through email that I could instantly stream these workouts, rather than wait for the DVD's to arrive in the mail!

There are a number of videos that you can purchase (and for a discount if you are a Prime member) and stream instantly, and even a few titles that you can rent for 24 hours, including:

• Kettlebells, Strength Training and More!
• Step-by-Step Strength Training starring Petra Kolber
• Yoga for Strength starring Rodney Yee
• Yoga Journal:  Yoga for Strength and Toning
  

The website Yoga Today has several ways to get your yoga fix.  A no-obligation monthly subscription of $9.99 a month gets you full access to their entire library, unlimited class streaming, and $2.99 downloads.  If you prepay a one year membership for $89.95 you save $25%.  They even offer a free weekly yoga class with downloads for $3.99.

Gaiam TV offers a free 10-day trial, and a monthly subscription of $9.95 a month, where you can stream their entire library.  They are famous for The FIRM videos and also carry names like Jillian Michaels and Leslie Sansone.

Streamfit targets men with unlimited streaming for $4.99 the first month, and $19.95 a month thereafter.  Purchase an entire year for $120 and save over $100.  Popular videos on their site include:

• Metabolic Mayhem
• Beginner Bootcamp
• Build the Body of an Immortal Cardio Workout
• Build the Body of an Immortal Muscle Workout

Looking for more free options?  You can stream 2 to 10 minute "clips" of Exercise TV instantly, targeting abs, legs, arms, or shoulders on Hulu.com to cobble together your own fitness routine for the cost of an internet subscription and screen to play the workout on. 

If you opt to subscribe to Hulu Plus, you have access to shows like Yoga Zone, Yoga for Everyone, Yoga with a View, and Maya Fiennes Kundalini Yoga.  If you want something a bit more strenuous, check out Get Fit, Stay Fit, Celebrity  Fitness, or The Firm.

Other great online gems:  Workoutz.com, Physical Fitnet, and even YouTube.  If you have a nice, wide computer screen (or you have pc to TV streaming) these free fitness websites can be a great resource.

Check out our streaming services comparison for a snapshot of available options.