When I hear the words ?fitness? and ?DVD? uttered in the same breath, late-night infomercials, over-the-top aerobics instructors and bad spandex all come to mind. Having grown up in the pre-DVD ?90s, a time when workouts on tape led by the likes of Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons and Susan ?Stop the Insanity!? Powter ruled American living rooms, my perceptions of at-home fitness regimens have always been a bit skewed. Thanks to the power of YouTube, I look back at the way Suzanne Somers hawked the Thighmaster or Oscar De La Hoya powered through the Skip/Fit Workout, and I have to laugh. These techniques seem cheesy at best nowadays, not to mention the fact that most of us wouldn?t be caught dead rocking the hair and fashion trends on display in these hilarious time capsules.
Much has changed in the world of health and wellness over the past 20 years, but one thing that always seems to remain is our desire to firm, tone and shed a few extra pounds?with a little help from the pros, that is. According to a survey published in the American College of Sports Medicine?s Health & Fitness Journal last year, educated, certified and experienced fitness professionals took the number one spot on the list of expected worldwide fitness trends in 2012 for the fifth consecutive year. Based on the responses of more than 2,500 fitness professionals, the list of 10 top trends also included strength training, exercise and weight loss, and personal training.
The consequences of neglecting balanced meals and exercise are clear?the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a third of American adults are overweight while another third are obese. Yes, the statistics are startling, but I prefer to keep the following fact in mind when searching for the inspiration to work out: even modest weight loss (as little as five percent of your total body weight) can lead to improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugars, according to the CDC. That being said, staying in shape never goes out of style, so I recently decided to give the world of at-home exercise a second chance and found that today?s offerings have come a long way from the gimmicks and fads of the past. At under $25 apiece, the following DVDs provide a great, low-cost way to address a myriad of fitness goals.
Personal Training with Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Workout
$14.95 at jackiewarner.com
- Ideal For: the always on-the-go type
- What You?ll Need: hand weights
Total Runtime: 32 minutes
Whether you recognize Jackie Warner as the star of Bravo?s Work Out and Thintervention, a successful gym owner, or regular contributor to Fitness Magazine, one thing?s for sure?her rock hard abs are hard to miss and nothing short of enviable. The Xtreme Timesaver DVD is designed to be used three times per week and aims to help you lose weight and achieve a lean, strong and sculpted body like Warner?s. The process begins with a brief warm-up that gets your heart rate up without wearing you down and prepares your body for a range of cardio and strengthening exercises targeting everything from glutes and shoulders to quads and hips. Each compound movement is carried out for just one minute, keeping you (and your muscles) totally boredom-free. The importance of proper breathing is stressed heavily throughout the workout, in addition to the need for control and form over rushed repetitions. I really appreciate that the benefit of each exercise is explained clearly and concisely, and Warner?s time updates and repetition countdowns kept me motivated throughout the process. When she smiles at the camera and says, ?Hate me now, love me later,? I?m able to see past the burn and visualize my potential.
Looking for a similar workout in a class setting?
Try the 30-Minute Express Workout at Roseville Health & Wellness, 1650 Lead Hill Boulevard, Roseville.?916-677-1200, rosevillehwc.com.
Physique 57 Express 30 Minute?Full Body Workout
$24.95 at physique57.com
- Used By: Denise Richards, Kelly Ripa, Christy Turlington
- What You?ll Need: waist-high sturdy chair or sofa back, exercise mat, playground ball
Total Runtime: 35 minutes
Physique 57 creator Tanya Becker lets you know from the get-go that the process of performing her interval overload workout never becomes easier, but rather gets better as you become more familiar with the technique. Designed to deliver a leaner and stronger ?dancer?s body,? improve flexibility and cardiovascular health, and increase bone density, the popular program has been receiving massive buzz since 2006 and guarantees you won?t plateau. The Express DVD, which is meant to be used as a once-a-week supplement to the Signature Physique 57 workout, features fast-paced, easy to follow movements based on the Lotte Berk Method (a low-impact combination of yoga, dance and strength training). ?Let desire drive you? is just one of many motivational phrases Becker uses that would surely sound ridiculous coming from any other instructor, but her enthusiasm, intensity and energy is contagious. Modifiers are demonstrated throughout the DVD, which is a nice touch since some of the movements can be challenging for first, let alone second and third-timers (I?m looking at you, anatomically correct split). For a little something extra, select Bonus Moves on the main menu for a quick lower body exercise that, over time, can help lift and shape your derriere.
Looking for a similar workout in a class setting??
Try an Express Class at The Dailey Method, 1611 Lead Hill Boulevard, Roseville. 916-783-8367, thedaileymethod.com/roseville.
Element: Yoga for?Energy & Relaxation
$14.98 at anchorbayentertainment.com
- Ideal For: full-body restoration and stress-relief
- What You?ll Need: yoga mat
Total Runtime: 75 minutes
Tamal Dodge grew up in his family?s Hawaiian yoga ashram and has spent the majority of his life teaching the art of yoga, and his distinguished pedigree is on full display as he guides at-home practitioners through two distinct, yet complimentary sessions. The Energy portion of the DVD promises to ?give you a perfect balance of vitality and calm,? while the Relaxation program soothes and relaxes from head to toe. In my experience, at-home workouts are usually filmed on impersonal soundstages, so imagine my delight when Dodge?s calm, smiling face and yoga mat appeared not only outdoors, but also near the ocean. The setting alone, combined with the lightly soothing sounds of spa-esque background music, was almost enough to put me on the path to restoration, but once the process began, I knew I?d unlocked a door to true mind/body renewal. Don?t be fooled by the title, though?this program aids in relaxation, but it does still provide a workout. Dodge?s highly-detailed, step-by-step instructions are enough to aid even a beginner like myself in achieving poses like a seasoned yogi, and his explanations of each movement?s internal effect helped me to work through any initial difficulties. As he says, it isn?t about how far or deep you take each pose; it?s about really feeling the stretches.
Looking for a similar workout in a class setting?
Try Gentle Hatha Yoga at Serenity Soul Center, 3980 Douglas Boulevard, Suite 120, Roseville. 916-797-8550, soulyogaonline.com.
Tracy Anderson Method?Dance Cardio Workout DVD
$14.98 at anchorbayentertainment.com
- Used By: Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow
- What You?ll Need: nothin? but your dancin? shoes
Total Runtime: 137 minutes
Sure, I love to dance as much as the next girl, but I?ll be honest?Tracy Anderson and her moves can be a little intimidating the first time around. Even Gwyneth Paltrow, whose brief testimonial extolling Anderson?s virtues can be found on this DVD, is willing to admit that she felt a bit lost when she first started this particular regimen. Her persistence in mastering the moves obviously paid off as Paltrow has a truly rockin? body that so belies her 40 years. Anderson recommends using this DVD in combination with either her Mat DVD or Perfect Design Series, but let?s not get ahead of ourselves?the Dance Cardio Workout features a thorough warm-up and two different routines, both of which have their own step-by-step set of instructions that break down each and every bit of fancy footwork. Unless you?re fortunate enough to have a background in dance, one run-through on this portion of the workout probably won?t be enough, but hey, that?s what the rewind button is for, right? Practice, practice, practice until you?ve really got the moves down, otherwise you?ll likely feel left in the dust when it?s time to perform (Anderson really picks up the pace during the actual routines). Once you?ve got it down, the bouncy, music video-ready choreography will have you looking and feeling like a superstar.
Looking for a similar workout in a class setting??
Try Zumba at Broadstone Racquet Club, 820 Halidon Way, Folsom.?916-983-9180, sparetimeclubs.com.
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Classic
$14.99 at billyblanks.com
- Used By: Wayne Gretzkey, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O?Neil
- What You?ll Need: plenty of space to kick and punch
Total Runtime: 63 minutes
You probably remember Billy Blanks from (what else?) his ?90s era infomercial touting the powers of Tae Bo, a fast-paced, high-energy combination of Taekwondo and aerobics. Now that his wildly popular workouts are available on DVD, members of a whole new generation like me can kick, punch and move their feet into a total-body, calorie burning frenzy. According to an article on Livestrong.com by contributor Kristeen Moore, a fitness Web site called Fatburn.com estimates that a 160-pound individual can burn up to 764 calories per hour during a basic Tae Bo workout and up to 878 calories per hour during a more advanced version. It?s an impressive claim, but one thing?s for sure?if you move the way Blanks does for at least an hour, you?re sure to work up a decent sweat at the very least. (I?m sweating just thinking about how hard he pushes himself, not to mention his viewers.) This DVD promises a new spin on the original Tae Bo workout?it takes you through all of the original moves at a breakneck pace, and the energy in the onscreen dojo reaches a near palpable intensity on more than one occasion. Tae Bo definitely isn?t a program for the faint of heart, but Blanks? positive reinforcement and ever-present eight counts are sure to make you feel like a warrior.
Looking for a similar workout in a class setting??
Try R.I.P.P.E.D. at California Family Fitness,?700 Oak Avenue Parkway, Folsom.?916-932-0100, californiafamilyfitness.com.
Exhale: Core Fusion?Pure Abs & Arms
$10.99 at acacialifestyle.com
- Perfect For: anyone short on time and abs
- What You?ll Need: hand weights, resistance band (included with DVD)
Total Runtime: 50 minutes
Created by husband and wife team and Exhale mind/body spa founders Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp, this workout combines elements of Pilates, Lotte Berk Method, yoga and dance to transform flabby arms, no-pack abs and undefined backs. My favorite aspect of this program is the fact that it?s conveniently divided into five, 10-minute sessions (upper body weights, upper body, abs, abdominal curl with leg variations, and upper body, back and hip stretches) that can be played together for a complete toning experience, in small groups of my choosing, or individually when I?m really pressed for time. I also enjoyed exploring the disc?s bonus features which includes an additional stretching exercise, as well as portions of two other titles, Exhale: Pilates Plus and Shiva: Creative Core Abs. With more than 50 years of combined experience between them, DeVito and Halfpapp are a fitness force to be reckoned with, but their calm, cheery demeanors helped keep my mind off the intensity of the workout and firmly planted on my goal of achieving a body even half as taut as theirs.
Looking for a similar workout in a class setting??
Try Hard ABS at El Dorado Hills Sports Club, 530 Post Court, El Dorado Hills. 916-933-4929, sparetimeclubs.com.?
NOTE: To avoid injury, it?s always best to consult your doctor before beginning a new fitness routine.
Article appears in the November/December 2012 Issue of Family Health & Wellness Magazine.
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Source: http://familyhw.com/2012/11/6-dvd-workouts-breathing-new-life-into-an-old-trend/
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