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2009 Bi-Annual Top 10 Workout DVDs
By Linda LaRue
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New exercise DVDs and videos are being released every week. The volume and diversity can leave consumers overwhelmed and confused. That’s why as part of our Ultimate Home Workout 2 Part Issue we’ve decided to create our Bi-Annual Top 10 Workout DVD list (in random order) nominated by seasoned, fitness experts with degrees in exercise physiology and more than a few years successfully working within the fitness industry.
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Exercising to a workout DVD instructed by a top fitness personality is a great way to get or stay in shape for many reasons. You’ll be inspired, motivated, and have great cues that will teach you how to keep your workout moves safe and effective, while always working on proper postural alignment. Plus, you’ll work up a sweat without ever having to leave your living room or pay expensive, monthly gym fees, and deal with driving to the gym and parking.
Exercise physiologists and trainers know much more about workout effectiveness and safety today than we did when the fitness video craze kicked off in the '80’s. As part of this article we recommend the importance of updating your vintage video collection. Older tapes that should be thrown away include those in which the instructor gives no cueing about how to keep proper exercise from and great alignment guidance, offers no easier alternatives for tough moves, repeats the same exercises over-and-over, or presents spine-stressing or knee-straining high impact moves.
For user reviews, we found the best comments at Collage Video http://www.CollageVideo.com. This site lets you preview each DVD before you may wish to buy them. Collage Video also rates videos on a sliding scale for level of difficulty and notes whether you need any special extra equipment when using the DVD. *We understand from the good folks at Collage that talent receives the most royalties when consumers buy from them, which is good fit biz karma.
Here is our Top 10 Bi-Annual Workout Video Recommendations List for 2009. Notice, that we’ve included a balanced mix of aerobic, strength training, core training, and mind-body too.
2009 Top Ten Bi-Annual Workout Videos
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5 Mile Fat Burning Walk by Leslie Sansone TRT: 68 Min Anyone can do these indoor-walking moves — five fast-paced “miles” using no equipment. It’s back to Leslie’s original fat-burning formula: a super-friendly instructor showing just four basic steps (marches, knee lifts, side steps and kicks). You can choose just one “mile” for your easier/time-crunched days or select all five for a calorie-blasting mega-workout. All the segments include optional arm motions, and end with faster two-minute jogging sequences (also optional). |
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The Complete Gliding Program by Mindy Mylrea - www.glidingdiscs.com - TRT: 115 Min Kit Includes: Gliding Discs, Total Body Sculpting video, Fat Burning Cardio video, Ultimate Buns & Legs Workout video, and the Glide into your Jeans Program Guide and Meal Plan. |
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Total Body Lift by Kathy Smith - www.kathysmith.com - TRT: 69 Min It targets four distinct body areas with an effective mix of varied workout styles. You also get lots of between-set stretches that keep you motivated and flexible. Upper body, legs, butt and tummy — this programmable DVD lets you play any section in any order. The progressions include traditional exercises like pliés and push-ups, plus Pilates classics like “the hundred” and “dead bug.” But you also get less common isometric and deep-muscle pulse moves that target the smaller muscles in each body area. Requires 1 to 5 lb. dumbbells. DVD has: Programmable chapters, Music only option. |
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Flirty Girl Deluxe DVD Collection by Flirty Girl Fitness - www.flirtygirlfit.com - Kit includes: 4 fun, flirty, and how-to get sexy while getting fit routines on DVD: Booty Beat, Chair Dance, Chair Fit, and a fabulous, fun new DVD called Video Vixen, plus the Flirty Fit & Fabulous booklet. Get ready to unleash your inner diva! |
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Let’s Get Stepping by Debra Mazda of Shapely Girl Fitness TRT: 46 Min A super-easy-to-follow step workout especially created for plus-size women. Lifting yourself up and down on the step boosts the intensity — and calorie burn — without complex movements (a step also lets you control your workout level by simply adjusting its height). The instructor, Debra Mazda, used to weigh 310 pounds. Now she’s a size 12, but hasn’t forgotten the importance of keeping the workout safe, simple and non-intimidating. Her moves are basic; her cues are clear and encouraging. DVD includes a 15-minute step tutorial and a 9-minute bonus-toning workout. All plus-size female class.
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Advanced Kettlebell Express with Kettlebell by Sarah Laurie - www.gofit.net - TRT: 27 Min A well-cued program that focuses on the kettlebell’s unique challenge — you have to control its swinging motion (unlike a dumbbell where you have a fixed grip on the handle). Accelerating and decelerating the bell’s momentum engages your core, strengthens your muscles, and improves your balance. The workout demonstrates the basics and is designed to get you comfortable with the bell as you practice the fundamentals. |
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Having A Ball With ABC by Patrick Goudeau TRT: 60 Min Cardio-speed stability ball exercises that also integrate balance and core strength. Patrick’s contagious enthusiasm keeps you motivated while the fast pace and non-stop movement keeps you burning fat. Most moves are done seated on the ball, from simple up-and-down bounces to grapevines, jacks, shuffles, and criss-cross legs. Patrick includes a variety of holding-the- ball standing moves, and even rapid rolling-on-the-ball push-up motions (which really engage your arms and core). The ending segment is Pilates-based ab work on the ball. Requires a stability ball. |
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Yoga for Weight Loss by Jill Miller - www.gaiam.com - This series includes two dynamic 30 minute sequences covering the whole body and a 15 minute Core bonus. It incorporates 3 lb hand weights that serve as an additional challenge for strength and concentration while helping to burn fat faster. A round bolster helps add support for poses, and with it’s unique rounded shape, can be used as a comfortable seat during the post-workout meditation. |
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Mari Windsor’s Shape Pilates for Pink by Mari Windsor TRT: 49 Min A gently-paced, body-part-targeted Pilates workout that comes with a resistance band. The band is creatively utilized to match the moves to your exact level. In the beginning, you’ll use it to maintain proper form during the more challenging exercises. As you get stronger, you’ll use the band as an intensifier to increase results. It’s a well-sequenced medley of mat work. Each section is focused on one body area: upper body, lower body or abs. *Note: $1.00 is donated to breast cancer research for every video sold
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Crunchless Abs Cardio Core Sculpting Kit by Linda LaRue - www.crunchlessabs.com - TRT: 42 Min 6 Complete Workouts. This kit includes the entire Crunchless Abs Kit plus 3 additional videos and a FREE Resistance Band. You get: The Crunchless Abs Set-Up by Linda to teach you how to achieve true, perfect posture and continuous, maximal deep core contraction throughout your entire routine. |
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Crunchless Abs DVD 1, Crunchless Abs 2, & Crunchless Abs 3 conveniently packaged on one easy menu DVD, which also includes 3 Additional Core Sculpting Workouts: Crunchless Abs 4, Total Body Sculpting & Cardio Core Sculpting. As a bonus, you'll get Linda LaRue’s SOUPer Slim Diet booklet - filled with a few, delicious sample recipes to get your appetite excited. |
Most of these workout DVDs are available at www.CollageVideo.com or www.Amazon.com, and we’ve listed URL’s to purchase directly if not available by these 2 sites.
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