Exercise DVDs - the good, the bad and the ugly

[speedymama]

On the exercise thread, it was suggested that a separate thread reviewing exercise DVDs would be a good idea so I thought I would start the ball rolling with my faves and my pet hates.

Faves -
Taebo, especially, Everybody get ripped and Abs and Glutes work out. The advanced workout on Everybody get ripped is, imo, one of the best workouts I have ever done because by the end, every part of my body has had a workout - heart, legs, arms, voice box, sweat glands - you get the picture!

I also have Taebo Energise but I'm still getting into that one.

Davina Macall's Power of 3 and 3 x 30 minute work out. I do enjoy both of these and surprisingly, I don't get irritated by her pointless witterings. The workouts are intense, targetted and effective. They really work.

10 Minute Solution - Kickbox Bootcamp by Keli Roberts. This is great for people who are short on time. There are 5 sections - basic, legs, arms, abs and cardio - all 10 minutes long and designed to maximise intensity.

David Kirsch's Sound Mind Sound Body - Ultimate Fitness Boot Camp - I really enjoy this one because it is only 43 minutes long and it combines cardio with weights so it is like circuit training.

The equipment does take a lot of space up - it's true. I have gradually acquired most of it and it is all over the place.

If you want to try some that don't involve much equipment and you like the Tae Bo you would probably enjoy Kick, Punch and Crunch (that does use a stability ball for the abs section at the end - however it is really hard and you could miss that out, it's only 6 or 7 minutes long). That is on the same dvd as Legs and Glutes which uses a high step but you could get away with an ordinary step or just something solid to step up and down onto - it's a weight workout so you are not actually jumping onto it or anything. You would use the dumbells you have in that and although she uses the bar of the barbell for balance at one point, you can just use a broom handle for that bit.

I was looking on the Cathe discussion board to see what other people think about Billy - some love him and others hate him. Main complaint was that he didn't keep even counts on each side so one leg only gets 4 reps and the other gets 8 etc. I will keep an eye for a cheap dvd of his on amazon.

I suppose he doens't always do equal repititions, but then, as I do so many different DVD's all teh time, I am sure it doesn't really matter, lol....iykwim.

Speedymama - The taebo one I ordered was called Future of fitness think it came out in 2004, do you/anyone else have it?

Hi Kay, teh Active one, in the ultimate collection is one of the future of fitness ones...so,, it might be that....but I just looked at the video covers and I know I used to have Future of fitness Video, which was somehting other then the active dvd I have now...however, tae bo is generally, imo, brilliant anyway...

I don't know if it's appropriate to post this here but I have a few videos I am meaning to sell on ebay but will pass on to anyone here for a couple of quid plus postage if they are interested. I have a Kari Anderson "Fitness Formula" which is a step and abs workout, two Cathe Friedrich videos "power hour" and "maximum intensity strength" which are both full body weights and "I want those buns" by Tamilee Webb which is a really good no equipment 2x15mins of exercises designed to lift your bottom off your thighs . I can give more details if anyone is interested. I am selling the Cathe Friedrich because I have them on dvd, the Tamilee Webb because I have loads of other workouts which cover the glutes and the Kari Anderson because it is a bit short and quite dancy and I am choreographically challenged. Sorry if I shouldn't have posted here but it seemed appropriate to the thread.

Also a really good site for reviews of and clips of videos/dvds is collage video, though mostly American.

shame I have no use for Videos...as we don't have a video player where there is space enough to exercise....gave all my Exercise Videos away over Freeecycle

Thought I was being really keen just doing the Davina 3x30 mins each week! Never did any exercise pre-pregnancy but spurred into action trying to shift the last stone, 4 mths after having DS (now 6 mths), and prob half a stone more to go. Do find though that my knees really hurt after all the squats and lunges in The Pump... does anyone else find this or maybe I am doing them wrong?...

Jacksmybaby

You are probably doing this anyway but when squatting and lunging check your knee is not over your toe - ie you should have a right angle for your knee - does that make sense?

My faves are

Bellydance Oz Style - on the beach love it... not high impact but really good fun.

Lilia Kopylova - latinasize
Her workouts a brilliant, 15 minutes workout for each dance so you can pick and chose and with children sometimes 15 mins is all i can spare. The salsa is my fave, but they are very good.

Was excited about the Bollywood workout but turned out to be a bit of a let down.

mixedmama.the Lilia one, how difficult is it to pick up the routines? I am not great at picking up dancesteps at all...but I really like Lilia on Strictly come dancing....shying away from her DVD because of my inability to get dance steps right...despite the fact that freestyle I have very good rythm and style...

I am the same... freestlye actually quite good but not so with routines... even in classes.

Some of her routines are not as easy or well explained, i tend to do the salsa one as i find that is one i can do easiest....not so confident with the others.. she does a short intro to each routine so you can learn the moves.

You do need an interest in it otherwise I think you wont like it. It has got quite a lot of bad reviews on amazon but it is my fave and the music is good so if you find parts difficult, or miss something until you get the hang you can improvise... i always find it makes me want to play loads of CD's afterwards and dance around the house.

Haven't read all the replies (no point atm as i'm 21+1 pg!) but i did read the bit where speedymama enjoys Keli Roberts' step video. I also love this video and only wish she'd brought out another one. I know she did one with Cher (very basic step work out) and then brought out her own one which is much more intense but i'd love to see her do another step video. Her work outs are very effective and just brilliant! Cant fault this instructor at all!

I also enjoyed Billy Blanks Tae Bo 1 DVD. It's about 25 minutes long, which IMO is just right because it doesn't go on and on and on and make you wish it would hurry up and end! It's multi-level so anyone can do it and basically you work as hard as you want to!

Erm..... haven't really tried anything else other than those two "old faithfulls" so will take the time to read through this thread and ear mark those that i think are worth a look.

thanks mixed....am not really thinking of getting any new ones right now anywya (like I haven;t got enough already, lol)...but might try it out at one point....I love dancing and anyhting to do with it

Isabella's Power workout is my newest addiction and I am very happy with it
Warm up is a good 10 minutes workout with some marching on the spot, stretching etc... the usual really.
Then there is a 40 minutes full body circuit.
Legs and Upper body (Squats, interval training, shadow boxing, lunges and power jacks all done in a kneefriendly manner)
Core and Upper Body exercises (Plank, press ups, etc...)
Buttexercises (Leg and Pelvic raises)
Abs exercises (Crunches, side plank, etc...)
Then there is the 10 minute stretch/cool down section which is absolutely excellent.

Everything is well explained and you can see what is done often from 2 viewpoints at the same time. You don't need much space and no equipment is needed.
It's a challenging workout and fabulous for toning I owuld think...it could have more Cardio in it, but that is the only real negative.
The music is a bit odd....but it's not to offensive and by no means annoying as such!
Isabella hardly says anything, so, that si probably a plus (not that I have anything against her, indeed, she really comes across as quite nice).
Definately got the thumbs up from me

RGPargy

Keli Roberts recently brought out The 10 Minute Solution KickBox DVD which I reviewed in an earlier post. It is excellent for time challenged people, especially mums. There are 5 sections - basic, legs, arms, abs and cardio - all 10 minutes long and designed to maximise intensity. It is excellent and Keli Roberts knows how to get the most out of you in 10 minutes!

I recently completed the Pilates Essentials DVD. I bought this because I realised that to get the most out of the Pilates for Abs DVD, I really needed to learn how to engage my core muscles properly.

The teacher in this is very down to earth and gentle. She explains everything clearly and shows you how to engage your core muscles effectively.

There are 3 pupils who demonstrate the beginners, intermediate and advance versions for each exercise. The workout covers the whole body and does require concentration. The workout lasts for one hour, require floor space and if you are advanced, some pilates props but you can improvise with cushions.

I thought it was a good introduction to pilates and made me realise that in order to get the most of out of it, will require a lot of practise, especially in my endeavour to effectively engage my core muscles in order to achieve a trimmer and flatter midriff.

Can I set a challenge for you clever ladies?

Time and space constraints mean I wouldd only be aable to do a workout with Dh or Dd (3.5) around. They'd both potentially be game for joining in. What would you recommend?

Also good if you can do it short bursts, and if it helps with baby-jelly-belly.

Kif

This is what you need. It has excellent reviews on Amazon and I have done it several times too.

It has 5x10 minute sections and one of them focuses on the abs. Combined with the cardio from the fat blast and kick box sections, it is an excellent workout that will help tone your tummy.

Also, if you can stretch to it, get Billy Blank's Everybody Get Ripped DVD because this has a 25 minute basic workout as well as the 1 hour advance workout. However it also has an 8 minute workout (plus 5 minutes warm up) that is really intense. So if you are short on time, that will do the trick. Plus your DH will love it too because Billy is such a motivator.

thanks.

if no=one replied i was going for davina - but your optoion looks better. Cheaper - and sleb free.

Kif

Please post a review when you have worked out to the DVD because it would be interesting to have another perspective.

bumping it back into active conversations...
because there are so many new Exercise DVD's out....so, if anyone tried one of those...please give us a review here!

I don't know if the Pump it Up vol 4 DVD has been reviewed but that is my favourite one at the moment. I love the music, the exercise and the trainer is so energetic as well as motivating. The warm up is one of the best warm sections that I have ever done in that it leaves you energised but if you are unfit, that would be enough of a work out for you. The programme also provides low impact and high impact options so you can tailor the routine to your fitness/energy levels.

I don't particularly like the dance section and tend to skip this. The aeroburn section really works the heart strenously. The kickboxing section is not so strenous but still a good workout and the toning section is fierce on the thihgs.

Great DVD.