We picked the top DVD workouts for weight loss, energy, and all-over toning.
By Liz Neporent, Prevention
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At Prevention, we've been working our DVD players — and our bodies — overtime to screen more than 40 new releases and classic workouts to find the all — time best ones to help you lose weight, get toned, boost your energy, or simply get started.
For Beginners
Our picks provide simple moves and easy-to-follow routines to help you build a solid foundation of strength and cardio fitness.
Your DVDs
(Instructor: Erin O'Brien; $14.99)
Why we love it: Short, snappy segments keep this weight workout upbeat, while O'Brien provides tips on proper form and technique for maximum firming without injury.
Bonus: The program combines upper- and lower-body moves for head-to-toe toning.
Needed: 3-to 5-pound dumbbells, exercise mat
(Instructor: Chris Freytag; $19.98)
Why we love it: It's not just because we developed it — we swear! The moves in this indoor workout are simple to learn because they're based on walking; steps like the "salsa walk" and "curb hops" keep it fun and interesting.
Bonus: Three walking workouts improve stamina, burn calories, and tone muscles, especially in your butt and thighs.
Needed: 3- to 5-pound dumbbells for the Body Shaping Walk
Your 7-Day Routine
| DVD | WHAT SELECTIONS TO PLAY | TOTAL TIME | |
| MON | Walk Yourself Fit | Cardio Workout (warm-up and cool-down included) | 28 minutes |
| TUE | Strong Body, Ageless Body | Warm Up, Standing Exercises, Stretch | 26 minutes |
| WED | Walk Yourself Fit | Cardio Workout (warm-up and cool-down included) | 28 minutes |
| THU | REST | ||
| FRI | Strong Body, Ageless Body | Warm Up, Floor Work, Stretch | 25 minutes |
| SAT | Walk Yourself Fit | Body Shaping Workout (warm-up and cool-down included) | 23 minutes |
| SUN | REST |
For Weight Loss
These high-intensity workouts hit multiple muscle groups at once to max calorie burn to drop pounds fast.
Your DVDs
(Instructor: Jen Carman; $14.95)
Why we love it: Nonstop weight-and-cardio segments are packed with uncomplicated moves. Favorite feature: swinging a medicine ball during cardio, which really revs your metabolism.
Bonus: No downtime pumps up intensity to torch calories even after your workout is over.
Needed: 2- to 6-pound medicine ball; 3- , 5- , and 8-pound dumbbells; mat
Dance Off the Inches Fat Burning Jam
(Instructor: Michelle Dozios; $14.95)
Why we love it: Anyone can learn the 10 simple dance steps (thanks to an easy-to-follow instructional segment) that make up this high-energy routine. It's so much fun it doesn't feel like exercise.
Bonus: The workout burns fat, loosens up hips and shoulders, and boosts cardio fitness.
Needed: Nothing
Crunch: Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp
(Instructor: Teri Ann Krefting; $14.95)
Why we love it: This fat-busting program has aerobic/toning intervals that are demonstrated at progressively more challenging levels. Work up to the hardest ones to slim down and tone up faster.
Bonus: Beyond serious firming, the three standing segments blast fat, and the 7-minute ab routine tightens your midsection.
Needed: Mat
Your 7-Day Routine
| DVD | WHAT SELECTIONS TO PLAY | TOTAL TIME | |
| MON | Strength in Movement | Just hit wide- or full screen | 55 minutes |
| TUE | Dance Off the Inches | Fat Burning Jam | 36 minutes |
| WED | Strength in Movement | Just hit wide- or full screen | 55 minutes |
| THU | Dance Off the Inches | Fat Burning Jam | 36 minutes |
| FRI | Strength in Movement | Just hit wide- or full screen | 55 minutes |
| SAT | Crunch: Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp | Just hit play | 40 minutes |
| SUN | REST |
For All-Over Toning
By using different body-firming tools — dumbbells, bands, and your own body weight — you'll challenge your muscles in new ways for faster results.
Your DVDs
(Instructor: Tamilee Webb; $14.95)
Why we love it: A new spin on supereffective old standards such as squats, lunges, and crunches makes this workout fresh.
Bonus: These 10-minute segments tone up common trouble spots, like belly, arms, butt, and legs.
Needed: 2- to 5-pound dumbbells, band, mat
(Instructor: Suzanne Bowen; $16.95)
Why we love it: The exercise band simulates Pilates gym machines to get you stronger and firmer in less time.
Bonus: Although Pilates offers the most effective workout for your abs, these routines also tone your arms and legs.
Needed: Mat (exercise band included)
(Instructor: Deanna McBrearty; $19.95)
Why we love it: Dance-inspired moves by this former New York City ballet dancer make this the perfect cardio routine to complement a total body toning program.
Bonus: Burn calories as you target often-neglected areas such as the inner and outer thighs.
Needed: Mat
Your 7-Day Routine
| DVD | WHAT SELECTIONS TO PLAY | TOTAL TIME | |
| MON | Tight on Time | Warm-Up, Arms & Shoulders, Super Abs, Cool-Down | 28 minutes |
| TUE | Balocity | Workout | 50 minutes |
| WED | Slim & Sculpt Pilates | Pilates for Lower Body, Pilates for Abs | 20 minutes |
| THU | Balocity | Workout | 50 minutes |
| FRI | Tight on Time | Warm-Up, Total Body Rocks, Total Body Tubing (under Bonus Workout), Cool-Down | 28 minutes |
| SAT | Slim & Sculpt | Pilates Pilates for Abs, Pilates for Upper Body | 20 minutes |
| SUN | REST |
For An Energy Boost
These inspiring DVDs rev you up physically, mentally, and emotionally so you'll feel fitter and more confident.
Your DVDs
IntenSati Great Body, Great Life
(Instructor: Patricia Moreno; $14.99)
Why we love it: Motivational chants while you're kicking and punching boost self esteem and distract you from how hard you're working so you feel refreshed, not worn out.
Bonus: You'll burn calories, sculpt shapely muscles, and have a more positive attitude.
Needed: Mat
Hot Body/Cool Mind: Waking Energy
(Instructor: Jennifer Kries; $19.95)
Why we love it: The flowing series of qigong and yoga based moves found on this DVD invigorates your whole body.
Bonus: Stretches muscles, lubricates joints, and reduces stress. It's also gentle enough to do when you wake up first thing in the morning.
Needed: Chair, mat
Your 7-Day Routine
| DVD | WHAT SELECTIONS TO PLAY | TOTAL TIME | |
| MON | IntenSati | Warm Up, Upper Body | 24 minutes |
| TUE | Hot Body/Cool Mind | Under Waking Energy Workout Segments: Waking Energy Sitting | 24 minutes |
| WED | IntenSati | Warm Up, Lower Body | 35 minutes |
| THU | Hot Body/ Cool Mind | Under Waking Energy Workout Segments: Waking Energy Standing | 24 minutes |
| FRI | IntenSati | Warm Up, Yoga Stretch | 27 minutes |
| SAT | Hot Body/ Cool Mind | Under Waking Energy Workout Segments: The Five Tibetans, Yin Yoga and Meditation (short) | 32 minutes |
| SUN | REST |
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