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Are fitness DVDs really useful? New research by officials at Oregon State University discovered that "hyper-sexualized and unrealistic body images" due to these DVDs makes them ineffective and lead to psychological harm, according to scienceworldreport.

Most of the instructors had few credentials, which made them question the validity of the routines, their safety and effectiveness.

"These findings raise concerns about the value of exercise DVDs in helping people develop and commit to a workout program," Dr. Brad Cardinal, a professor of kinesiology at Oregon State University, who is a national expert on the benefits of physical activity, said in a news release. "There are a lot of exaggerated claims through the imagery and language of 'do this and you'll look like me.' "

Through 10 "commercially available, contemporary, single-instructor exercise DVDs", researchers surveyed them for "instructor and model characteristics, motivational content of primary instruction and emergent relationship patterns".

While just 26.9 percent of the statements seemed to motivate, one in seven were negative. There were messages like: "say hello to your sexy six-pack," "you should be dying right now," and "you better be sweating."

Such messages focused not on health but on "social comparisons and strategies" leading to harmful effects that encouraged competition.

"You're inviting into your home these images and messages that could make you feel bad about yourself, and ultimately hinder your efforts to improve your health," Cardinal said. "If the experience is not positive, the likelihood the person is going to continue with an exercise program diminishes."

The study is published in the Sociology of Sport Journal.