Fun Friday Thread: Reminisce about when retail stores sold fitness videos - Page 2

Sissy B · 07-29-22, 09:01 PM

I used to buy workouts at Kmart, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, FYE (found some FIRM videos years ago), and Sam's Club. And I found one of the Winsor Pilates DVDs at Big Lots for $3.

imhere2dance · 07-30-22, 08:04 AM

My first Denise Austin VHS tapes came from Kmart in the '90s. Kmart had a good selection of videos until the mid-2010s. So did Best Buy. I think Walmart and Target always had the smallest selection. Barnes & Noble is the only store I can still find workout DVDs.

Melissa Baker · 07-30-22, 08:34 AM

Great thread! I remember shortly after I ordered my first FIRM video in the early 90s (Volume 2) for $49.95 seeings Volumes 1 and 3 for the bargain price of $39.95!

The FIRM had a very hard to find video called FIRM Power Cardio with Dale B that I found at Borders. I believe it was going for $40 or $50 on eBay and retail was around $15.

I also picked up several bargains at Ross, mostly Janis Saffell.

Good times!

Jo FitFan · 07-30-22, 09:50 AM

My first VHS was the the Gin Miller Step Reebok workout that came with my step - and thank goodness for the awesomeness of that workout 'cause it hooked me into step aerobics, and it was all I did for (weeks? months?). Then I found 2 Gin Miller Step Reebok videos (the Power Workout and...???) at Lechmere. Media Play was also great for browsing fitness videos.

Pat58 · 07-30-22, 10:28 AM

I bought my first VHS tape at Bradlees (long folded, unfortunately). Nautilus Plus Aerobics, The Weight Loss Workout. Soon after I received my first Collage catalog, but from Bradlees I ended up collecting all the Nautilus tapes.

We had a Suncoast at the mall in the 1980s. They used to keep the exercise videos right next to the porn, LOL.

I used to buy a lot at BJs in the 1990s, but they fizzled out into nothing but old Gaia and Firm DVDs. Renamed, of course.

Sissy B · 07-30-22, 11:06 AM

I forgot about Barnes & Noble! I got several workouts from there in the past.

sherry7899 · 07-30-22, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat58

I bought my first VHS tape at Bradlees (long folded, unfortunately). Nautilus Plus Aerobics, The Weight Loss Workout. Soon after I received my first Collage catalog, but from Bradlees I ended up collecting all the Nautilus tapes.

We had a Suncoast at the mall in the 1980s. They used to keep the exercise videos right next to the porn, LOL.

I used to buy a lot at BJs in the 1990s, but they fizzled out into nothing but old Gaia and Firm DVDs. Renamed, of course.

I remember that about Suncoast!

kat999 · 07-30-22, 11:43 AM

Such good memories! I routinely bought workout videos at Borders, Target, Barnes & Noble, Half-Price Books, Best Buy, Circuit City, and at various local shops that were mostly record stores with tiny VHS/DVD sections (usually used). I really miss shopping for media in physical stores, tbh. There was something kind of magical about finding a rare gem in person!

Joni O · 07-30-22, 02:06 PM

I remember when Collage was about 7 miles from me and I'd pick up my orders there. Those were the days.

fatkat555 · 07-30-22, 02:50 PM

I ordered most vhs direct or from Collage Video, and then when Dvds came out I got my dvds mostly Janis as was mentioned at Ross’s or Best Buy.

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07-29-22, 09:01 PM
Sissy B Join Date: Oct 2002	I used to buy workouts at Kmart, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, FYE (found some FIRM videos years ago), and Sam's Club. And I found one of the Winsor Pilates DVDs at Big Lots for $3.

07-30-22, 08:04 AM
imhere2dance Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Virginia	My first Denise Austin VHS tapes came from Kmart in the '90s. Kmart had a good selection of videos until the mid-2010s. So did Best Buy. I think Walmart and Target always had the smallest selection. Barnes & Noble is the only store I can still find workout DVDs.

07-30-22, 08:34 AM
Melissa Baker VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Denver	Great thread! I remember shortly after I ordered my first FIRM video in the early 90s (Volume 2) for $49.95 seeings Volumes 1 and 3 for the bargain price of $39.95! The FIRM had a very hard to find video called FIRM Power Cardio with Dale B that I found at Borders. I believe it was going for $40 or $50 on eBay and retail was around $15. I also picked up several bargains at Ross, mostly Janis Saffell. Good times!

07-30-22, 09:50 AM
Jo FitFan VF Supporter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New York State	My first VHS was the the Gin Miller Step Reebok workout that came with my step - and thank goodness for the awesomeness of that workout 'cause it hooked me into step aerobics, and it was all I did for (weeks? months?). Then I found 2 Gin Miller Step Reebok videos (the Power Workout and...???) at Lechmere. Media Play was also great for browsing fitness videos.

07-30-22, 10:28 AM
Pat58 VF Supporter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut	I bought my first VHS tape at Bradlees (long folded, unfortunately). Nautilus Plus Aerobics, The Weight Loss Workout. Soon after I received my first Collage catalog, but from Bradlees I ended up collecting all the Nautilus tapes. We had a Suncoast at the mall in the 1980s. They used to keep the exercise videos right next to the porn, LOL. I used to buy a lot at BJs in the 1990s, but they fizzled out into nothing but old Gaia and Firm DVDs. Renamed, of course.

07-30-22, 11:06 AM
Sissy B Join Date: Oct 2002	I forgot about Barnes & Noble! I got several workouts from there in the past.

07-30-22, 11:43 AM
kat999 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio	Such good memories! I routinely bought workout videos at Borders, Target, Barnes & Noble, Half-Price Books, Best Buy, Circuit City, and at various local shops that were mostly record stores with tiny VHS/DVD sections (usually used). I really miss shopping for media in physical stores, tbh. There was something kind of magical about finding a rare gem in person! __________________ peace.tranquility.calmness.serenity

07-30-22, 02:06 PM
Joni O VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities, MN	I remember when Collage was about 7 miles from me and I'd pick up my orders there. Those were the days.

07-30-22, 02:50 PM
fatkat555 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans metro area	I ordered most vhs direct or from Collage Video, and then when Dvds came out I got my dvds mostly Janis as was mentioned at Ross’s or Best Buy. __________________ Fatkat You have to make a mess, sometimes, to clean it up. DISCLOSURE: I have a professional relationship with a seller or producer of fitness videos or products. For details, please see my profile.