Thursday, May 22, 2008

Get Slim and Strong at Home!

We picked the top DVD workouts for weight loss, energy, and all-over toning.
By Liz Neporent, Prevention


The right exercise DVD can help you shape up faster and for less money than a gym membership. One University of Florida study found that over 15 months, home exercisers were more consistent and lost 10 extra pounds compared with gym goers.

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

Strong Body, Ageless Body

(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

Walk Yourself Fit

(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

DVDWHAT SELECTIONS TO PLAYTOTAL TIME
MONWalk Yourself FitCardio Workout (warm-up and cool-down included)28 minutes
TUEStrong Body, Ageless BodyWarm Up, Standing Exercises, Stretch26 minutes
WEDWalk Yourself FitCardio Workout (warm-up and cool-down included)28 minutes
THUREST
FRIStrong Body, Ageless BodyWarm Up, Floor Work, Stretch25 minutes
SATWalk Yourself FitBody Shaping Workout (warm-up and cool-down included)23 minutes
SUNREST


For Weight Loss

These high-intensity workouts hit multiple muscle groups at once to max calorie burn to drop pounds fast.

Your DVDs

Strength in Movement

(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

DVDWHAT SELECTIONS TO PLAYTOTAL TIME
MONStrength in MovementJust hit wide- or full screen55 minutes
TUEDance Off the InchesFat Burning Jam36 minutes
WEDStrength in MovementJust hit wide- or full screen55 minutes
THUDance Off the InchesFat Burning Jam36 minutes
FRIStrength in MovementJust hit wide- or full screen55 minutes
SATCrunch: Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot CampJust hit play40 minutes
SUNREST

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

Tight on Time Hot Spots

(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

Slim & Sculpt Pilates

(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)

Balocity

(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

DVDWHAT SELECTIONS TO PLAYTOTAL TIME
MONTight on TimeWarm-Up, Arms & Shoulders, Super Abs, Cool-Down28 minutes
TUEBalocityWorkout50 minutes
WEDSlim & Sculpt PilatesPilates for Lower Body, Pilates for Abs20 minutes
THUBalocityWorkout50 minutes
FRITight on TimeWarm-Up, Total Body Rocks, Total Body Tubing (under Bonus Workout), Cool-Down28 minutes
SATSlim & SculptPilates Pilates for Abs, Pilates for Upper Body20 minutes
SUNREST

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

DVDWHAT SELECTIONS TO PLAYTOTAL TIME
MONIntenSatiWarm Up, Upper Body24 minutes
TUEHot Body/Cool MindUnder Waking Energy Workout Segments: Waking Energy Sitting24 minutes
WEDIntenSatiWarm Up, Lower Body35 minutes
THUHot Body/ Cool MindUnder Waking Energy Workout Segments: Waking Energy Standing24 minutes
FRIIntenSatiWarm Up, Yoga Stretch27 minutes
SATHot Body/ Cool MindUnder Waking Energy Workout Segments: The Five Tibetans, Yin Yoga and Meditation (short)32 minutes
SUNREST

From MSN Health

 
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