So tell me about exercise dvd's, are they an effective way of toning up and losing weight?

[MummyPenguin]

I've been a member of a gym for almost 3 years, but I find that I have long spells of not going. When I am in a regular routine of going I find it so time consuming and by the time I've got there, done the workout, showered, got home etc etc I get next to nothing done at home so I'm thinking of trying jogging and getting some fitness/exercise dvd's to do at home.

Does anyone do dvd's regularly? Would you say they're an effective way to exercise?

They're the same as anything else really, stick at it & you will see results.

I used to do Davina's power of 3 a couple of years ago & it works!

Do you have one in mind?

The Davina ones have been highly rated I know, so would probably get one of hers. I read somewhere that the Gaynor Faye one is very good too. I also like the look of the Dirty Dancing one as I totally love DD anyway. I think, and this might sound a bit daft - or perhaps not - but you'd have to quite like the celeb that made the dvd wouldn't you? For example, if a dvd was really recommennded but I couldn't stand the person that made it I wouldn't buy it.

i have the davina ones, and i have to say that they do work the first time it did her power of three one? i sat down and then when i got up later realised i couldnt walk up the stairs, my thighs killed, however within a couple of weeks i could really see the results

he three 30min workout dvd is good, i love the kickboxing session and i now plan on buying her new one which has 5 20min workouts on it, i figure i will be able to fit them in with a new baby (due in 5wks)

Yep, the Davina ones do sound good. I'll definitely get one of hers and will look for the power of 3 one as even though it's an older one, I haven't heard a bad thing about it.

I bought the new one yesterday. I've just done the warm up, aerobics and legs and a bit of the abdominals sections as well as having a bit of a jog on the way back from school this morning!!

The DVD is good. It's quite easy to follow, although some of the steps take a bit of getting the hang of. Once you've done it a couple of times you'll soon get the hang of it I think. Davina is her usual upbeat self, throwing in quips here and there. I know a lot of people find her annoying, but I've always like her and she makes me laugh.

Dirty Dancing one is so hard!!!! - mines going on eBay just as soon as I can bend down to the DVD player to get it out again!

I had another look at the Dirty Dancing one the other day and came to the decision that it looks more like a 'learning dance steps' than an exercise DVD. I've just done the boxing section of the Davina one, and after flailing around like a demented windmill for the first 5 mins or so, I soon got the hang of the jabs, uppercuts, hooks and what order they go in. It's great, there's kicks in there too, and the trainer says to imagine you're kicking someone you don't like! I yelled a couple of names of people too! Had to curb the enthusiasm a bit when I accidentally booted the telly

At the moment I am into The Firm Fat Burning DVD. I use it mainly for toning as I think it is a bit light on the cardiovascular side. For cardiovascular fitness the advanced work out in Tae Bo Everybody Get ripped is, imho, unsurpassed for sweat generation and The Ultimate Challenge by Nell McAndrew is brilliant.

For a less intense but still effective cardiovascular work out, I also use Pump it Up - the first one in the series. The hi-energy section will leave you exhausted. I'm also using regularly the new Tae Bo DVD Celebrity cardio and Celebrity Sculpt - they are not very intense on the cardiovascular side but I still manage to sweat by putting in extra effort plus I enjoy doing them.

HTH

MP if you like Davina's, you will love the Firm Work out - it is similar but without slebs and imo, a better all round choreographed workout that last 40 minutes.

I have the first two DVD by Davina and I do enjoy them but there are much better ones around.

HTH.

Just to say as well that I am quite fit so for someone who is not as fit, all the DVDs I mentioned as not being intense enough on the cardiovascular side, they will find them challenging.

I did a couple of sections of the Davina one on Thursday and Friday (it's split into 5 20 min sections and advise to do 2 sections plus warm up & cool down 3 times a week.) After doing it 2 days running, my muscles in my thighs and calves have been killing me. So I take it it's doing some good. My upper body is okay as I have to get some hand weights so haven't done any upper body sections yet apart from the boxing and I did feel that in my arms the following day.

That Firm one sounds good, as does the Gaynor Faye one, that had a good write up. I'm sure Nell's is good too.

The good thing about Nell's Ultimate Challenge is that it has 5 bail out sections so you can bail out every 10 minutes of the main cardio bit because it is tough.

Davina's workouts are effective. I have the first two DVDs and even now, the workouts leave my thighs aching.