Run for Fun isn't your typical exercise DVD. For one thing, it's not aimed at runners, but rather at potential runners: people who could find running to be an enjoyable and beneficial activity, but who don't really know how to get started. For another thing, it's primarily motivational rather than informational; while you'll learn some things about running here, Run for Fun's main objective is to inspire you to get off the couch and get moving.

Run for Fun is hosted by a well-established duo in the running world: John "the Penguin" Bingham is a columnist for Runner's World magazine, where he pens the "No Need for Speed" column, and Jenny Hadfield, a racer and athletic trainer. The program has an odd but workable format: most of the footage is from a presentation to a live audience, intercut with sections that were filmed elsewhere. I think that the overall program could have been more effective if it had been created as a DVD program from the outset, rather than being put together from a live presentation, but for the couple's first outing on DVD it's reasonably effective.

Bingham starts out the one-hour main program with a lively recounting of his transformation from an overweight, out-of-shape non-runner into someone who discovered better health and endless enjoyment from running. He takes pains to emphasize that running should be (and can be) something fun, not something to stress out about. The motivational section of the program also includes elements on how to set goals, and how to build a cycle of success and positive reinforcement. While some runners may immediately take to the idea of racing or improving their times, Bingham wants his viewers to have a great running experience, no matter what their speed.

The second part of the program brings in Jenny Hadfield to add specific details about training to Bingham's inspirational message. Hadfield describes four different training programs and explains how a training program works. The programs themselves are included as .pdf files on the DVD, so you can print them out or view them on your computer; they're also available on Bingham and Hadfield's web sites. In this section, we get more specific details about how to run (and enjoy yourself doing it), including information on choosing shoes and running clothing, proper stretching, and nutrition.

Overall, Bingham and Hadfield take a cheerful, very enthusiastic tone that manages to project a playful, friendly attitude without going over the top. Run for Fun doesn't pretend to be an exhaustive treatment of how to run, but what it does, it does quite well: it presents running as a fun, healthy activity that any viewer can start participating in right now, no matter how out of shape or slow he or she might be. The DVD also does a good job of covering the basics that a complete newcomer to running might not know about, like shoe selection.

The DVD

Video

Run for Fun appears in its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The picture is clean and bright, and is pleasant to look at.

Audio

The basic stereo soundtrack does a perfectly fine job of presenting Bingham and Hadfield's voices clearly, and without any audio flaws.

Extras

Several special features are included here. (Note: the 74-minute running time listed on the back of the DVD includes the 60-minute main program plus the special features.) There's an 8-minute segment on buying running clothes, and a 3-minute clip in which Bingham recounts an anecdote about the first time he purchased real running shoes.

The training plans described in the main feature are also included here, as .pdf files.

Final thoughts

If you are interested in getting more fit, but are a bit intimidated by the idea of starting to do exercise, then Run for Fun is just right for you. The whole premise of this friendly and low-key program is to convince you that running can be (and should be) a fun and satisfying experience, and to give you the basic information that will help you get started. If you're already a runner, this probably isn't the DVD for you, but it might be something you'd give as a gift to someone else (and you might learn a few interesting things from it). I'll give it a "recommended" rating.