How It Works

How it Works

You've shopped online, listened to music, why not workout?

It's simple to find, select, and take classes. Membership fees and administration fees do not exist here. Select the class you want to take and pay for it. Order your workouts a la carte. We won't sell you shakes or coaching. Get in shape at your own pace with your own motivation.

We will continue to take advantage of advances in technology to deliver a great class to you. High Definition classes are coming soon.

To get a primer on how to hook up your device (laptop, Ipad etc) to your flat screen tv. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HINaC-Fe6A

The Classes

The at-home fitness experience has the flavor of the studios, gyms, and in-class experience. Here is what to expect:

Frequency:

Most of our instructors have live class on a weekly basis. Some instructors teach every other week or monthly.
On-Demand is refreshed according to the live class frequency. For instance, for those instructors that do a weekly class, we keep the classes from previous weeks for on-demand viewing. There will be 5 or 6 classes available on-demand at any time.

The Streaming Experience:

Camera view usually is to the side and behind the instructor. Your front row spot is to the right or left of the instructor. In some cases there is a mirror view as well. Experiment with your position to the monitor.
Like all classes, we have to wait until the previous class ends. We need a few minutes to set up just like the instructor. We try our best to start the class on time as much as possible, but we do have to wait until the previous class leaves the studio. You will see a preview reel and a countdown clock while you are waiting.
The instructor will speak to both the at-home student and the in-person student.
Don’t worry about cueing right or left. You are at home and won’t bump into anyone. The instructor will be teaching to the in-person class and will adjust and teach to the at-home student as much as possible. Let the instructor know of any adjustments you would like to see. Instructor emails are located on the instructor page and there is a "live chat" section on your screen.

The Selection and Purchase Process

Classes can be purchased individually or you can purchase credits. When credits are purchased you don't need to bother with credit card information each time you want to take a class.

Go to the class section from the home page and select a class. They are separated in two categories: live and on-demand.
Watch the preview, if you don’t know the class already.
Purchase the class. First time, put in your credit card, and then save it. That card can be used for future purchases. (We work with the largest CC payment gateway. They are secure.)
Take the class
1. Live – go to www.emglivefitness.com – log onto the site, go to the member section and see the classes you have purchased. Click take the class. Enjoy your workout!
2. ON-Demand - log onto the site, go to the member section and see the classes you have purchased. Click “take the class”. ENJOY - You have access to this on-demand class for 24 hours.

If you have any questions, need some help, or have a comment, please either go the discussion board or the help page. You can reach out to us at [email protected]

HOW TO CONNECT TO A TV:

There are many ways to connect a computer to a TV. The most basic is through cables. Those I have described below. However, there are new wireless ways to do this as well. Those of you that have those, I am thinking that you bought them and you know how to use them :). For the rest of us, the cables are the way to go.

HDMI is the most basic and simplest connection. HDMI carries both video and sound.

I have a 10 foot HDMI cable that cost about $10.00 at the local Best Buy, Radio Shack etc. I have seen no difference in the quality of a $10.00 cable and one that costs $50.00. This should work for both MAC and PC. You will need to go into your computer’s control panel to tell the computer it is allowed to share the picture and sound. It should be under “hardware and sound”. On the TV, select “INPUT” to HDMI. Once you do this for the first time, it takes a minute to make the connection. Very easy and well worth the learning. Taking these classes on the big screen makes a big difference.

The other connections are a DVI, VGA or S video connection. Looks something like this. This is where the video comes over one connection and the sound on another. For video, which is the common connection? Look at your computer, then look at your TV and identify which connection you have on both. Again, cables are not that expensive and are available at most local stores like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc. For audio, you must identify the audio out on your computer and the audio in on your TV. Most computers have a single (earphone like plug) headphone out and most TVs have the red and white connections for audio in. Some TVs also have just an single audio in. Just get the cable that is appropriate for your set-up.

Tips for Working Out at Home

Working out at Home is such a convenience. With these tips from fellow members, we hope that you can get a great workout. Please submit any additional tips you have and we will add them.

1) Workouts should be done in an adequate space to provide full range of motion for your entire body. Be aware of your environment before attempting a class. Classes such as Cardio Dance or On the Ball may be best performed on a hard wood floor if possible, but I have a Berber rug, and have a great time. Any equipment used on the floor should be tested first to make sure it stays in place and does not move when pressure is applied such as a STEP, bike, Bosu or a yoga mat..

2) Keep in mind that the instructor cueing the class does not see your environment and cannot make necessary recommendations.

3) Have a filled water bottle a towel, etc at hand. If you leave your workout area to get water or anything additional, you may get distracted and not come back.

4) You are working out at home, have fun, try something you wouldn’t have if you were in class. GO FOR IT! If you can't get the steps, make up your own. Join again when you can get them. If you are taking an on-demand class, you can try it over and over for 24 hours. I got Liz's steps by going back again. I am a pro now.

5) DISTRACTIONS - BALANCE. You are working out at home because of the convenience. If the phone rings...and you don't have to take it, DON'T. Don't give in to temptation. If you were at the gym, you wouldn't hear it. However, there is a balance. If you are working and taking some time to workout and need to be reached, pause your workout within 24 hours.

6) Be Careful!. Get a great workout but be careful Have a phone nearby, just in case.

TIPS for setting up the perfect place to work out from home:

Sound – If you can, link your computer/laptop/smartphone – however you are linking to us, to your stereo. If your computer has really good speakers…great. We spent a great deal of time configuring the sound to be like you are in the room and to hear the instructor – You can use the same cord that you use to connect your IPOD to your stereo. On the laptop/computer there is a headphones out jack and the stereo usually has auxiliary input.
Video – Go to You Tube for some instructional videos which will depend on your computer, laptop and TV or monitor. Basically your will have an HDMI cable or the component (which is the yellow, red and white cables) out from your computer to your monitor.
Set up the Monitor either straight ahead or to the side of you. I personally like it to the side. The experience is more of front row to the side of the instructor. Experiment as to what works for you.
Check out Pinterest for our Home Fitness Lookbook: http://pinterest.com/emg527/home-fitness-lookbook/