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DVD Review: Yoga Booty Ballet — Goddess Booty and Yoga Core

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0800

Right around this time last year I felt my abs burn from the Goddess Abs workout by the two women behind Yoga Booty Ballet, so I thought it was about time that I tried a couple more workouts by the peppy duo. I was looking forward to testing the two-disc set that includes Goddess Booty (25 min.) and Yoga Core (30 min.), but my experience with these DVDs wasn't all-around positive.

Gillian and Teigh used yogic terminology so frequently that it seemed unnecessary and an attempt to distract me from the fact that I wasn't getting a workout. There was a lot of guided breathing and claims that they were feeling the burn, but I did not feel that the workout made any impact on making my booty beautiful, as they said it would. The pair was good at explaining what each exercise was targeting but stayed in each variation for so few reps that I couldn't feel the slightest burn in my booty. Their cheesy encouragement to "feel like a goddess, feel beautiful," was enough to make me irritated and not at all centered.

See what I thought of the Yoga Core video when you

DVD Review: Billy Banks Tae Bo Amped Series — On Sale!

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Last Winter, I worked out with the Billy Blanks Amped Full Throttle DVD and thoroughly enjoyed myself while burning up some serious calories. The DVD is part of the Amped Tae Bo series. In case you missed it, all four of Blanks's Amped DVDs are available (and on sale for $36) in one set, complete with the expandable accelerator weighted sculpting bar.

If you're not familiar with Tae Bo, it stands for Total Awareness Excellence Body Obedience. It's basically like boxing aerobics. Expect a lot of punching, kicking, heavy breathing, and very little resting.

To find out more about this DVD series

DVD Review: Tracy Anderson Mat Workout

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I wasn't too thrilled with Tracy Anderson's cardio dance workout. It seemed more personal performance than cardio, but I was still interested in trying her Mat Workout DVD ($29.95). Tracy's approach to body sculpting is to tone without bulking, so she avoids working the large muscle groups as well as heavy weights. Muscles are worked from a variety of angles, which makes sense since muscle fibers rarely run in a straight line. Many of the motions are small and isolated targeting the smaller, underworked, supporting muscles. She calls this "strategic muscle exhaustion," and you will feel the burn. Much of the workout reminded me of the Bar Method with a dash of sexy jazz dance thrown.

As with her cardio dance workout, this DVD is shot in a very lovely studio, with just Tracy leading the workout and soft music with a beat playing the background. The workout is divided into sections: standing legs, arm work without weights, arm work with weights, standing ab work, floor work for the legs, and a variety of crunches. All in all, I felt pleasantly worked following the workout, and my heart rate stayed slightly elevated in a fat burning zone for the majority of the workout. The entire workout takes just under an hour.

I do have some problems with the workout. To hear my pros and cons, just

DVD Review: Dance and Be Fit — Brazilian Body

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

I wasn't a huge fan of Dance and Be Fit — Latin Groove. It just didn't satisfy my need for authentic merengue or samba whatsoever, but since I'm open-minded and love to dance, I thought I'd give Dance and Be Fit — Brazilian Body a try. The back of the DVD explains the workout like this: "By using elements of Brazil's heart-pounding, steamy dances such as maculelê, samba reggae, and capoeira, this workout targets all your trouble spots while burning fat and calories." After the six-minute warm-up, there are three different 12-minute workouts of each style of dance.

This DVD was basically a low-impact dance workout that incorporates some common Brazilian dance moves. The three dancers switch up their moves rather quickly and alternate between high-intensity moves and low-intensity moves, so it's better than sitting on the couch, but not even close to the feeling you'd get from a run. Honestly, I felt like the warm-up wasn't long enough, and since the moves changed so quickly, I was worried I might tear a muscle or twist an ankle.

Like I said, doing this DVD is better than nothing, so if you like to dance for your exercise, you can order this video from Acacia. But if you're really interested in learning maculelê, samba reggae, and capoeira, I'd sign up for some live classes at a studio.

DVD Review: Yoga for Runners

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

At this stage of the game, I don't think I could keep running if I didn't do yoga on a regular basis. Running makes me tight and yoga unwinds my muscles and prepares me for my next run. So I was happy to check out Christine Felstead's Yoga For Runners: The Essentials ($30), hoping to learn something new or to reinforce good habits. This DVD is not a taped yoga class for you to follow, but rather a primer on why and how yoga can help keep you on the road.

Felstead began as a runner who found yoga later in life, but was moved enough by the practice to become a yoga instructor and spread the message of the power of yoga for runners. I must say the visual aspects of this DVD are a little austere as are the student demonstrators; none of them look like they are enjoying their practice. The narrative is done in voice over fashion, which has an alienating affect as well, but the information given is incredibly helpful to any runner or yogi. I learned a lot from the program, and felt great after doing all the recommended poses.

To see how the DVD is organized, just

DVD Review: Beautiful Belly with Hemalayaa

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Remember Hemalayaa, the woman who did The Dance of the Kama Sutra DVD and Bollywood Burn? Well she's back with this Beautiful Belly ($15) workout. She begins with a 6-minute cardio warm-up that's refreshingly quick-paced to raise your heart rate up immediately. Then Hemalayaa moves on to three 12-minute dance workouts you can do all at once, or choose one if you're pressed for time. Since most ab work tends to involve staying in one place, I was pleasantly surprised that this video involved so much action, and I really felt it in my core.

What I loved most about this video is that it didn't feel like exercise, but that I was on stage as the star of a dance musical. She encourages you to smile, laugh, enjoy life, and be proud of your body. While Hemalayaa is slightly corny, her sweet and encouraging personality is so endearing that you can't help but dance with her. Don't worry about being bored since the movements are so swift and sexy; you're too busy kicking, bouncing, shimmying, and stretching to lose interest. Plus all this moving around also ends up working your thighs, booty, hamstrings, shoulders, and back, not just your belly.

To see a clip of The Ellen DeGeneres Show with Hemalayaa as a guest this past Monday

DVD Review: Tracy Anderson Dance Cardio Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Years ago, I used to dance around, high impact aerobic style to Madonna's first album (sing with me "I'm burning up, burning up for your love"), so I find it humorous that over 20 years later I am dancing around my living room with Madonna's trainer. Well not actually with Tracy Anderson, but with her new Cardio Dance Workout DVD ($30).

Anderson believes that dance cardio is the perfect aerobic workout for creating long, lean muscles and a feminine, toned physique. When dancing you work your muscles from a wide variety of angles as opposed to running or biking, which are repetitive in one direction, which in her opinion can create bulk. This workout is high energy dancing, dare I say high impact aerobics, full of hopping, jumping, high kicks and even the 60s dance step the Pony. The eight combinations that make up the workout are like a jazzy version of petite allegro (the jumping section of a dance class. Even though it is high energy and full of movement, I was able to dance almost full out in my tiny living room.

To see how the workout is broken down, just

DVD Review: Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workouts With Gabrielle Reece

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

On the next stop in my Fit Momma series, I took on Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workouts With Gabrielle Reece. Let me start by saying I am a huge Gabby Reece fan. She's very inspiring so I was thrilled when she put out this video with trainer Mike Monroe.

All the exercises have been approved by a leading OB-GYN, so you know that you're not putting yourself (or your baby) in an unsafe situation. The DVD itself is broken down into the first and second trimester with workouts for each month of pregnancy up to the sixth month. That being said, if you're already in your second or third trimester, the workout is not going to be as appealing to you since you're already past half of the DVD.

Another point that is not made clear on the cover is the need for a lot of equipment to do the workout. You'll need: an exercise ball, a resistance band, a light set of dumbbells, a medium set of dumbbells, a towel, a mat, a chair, and a partner (if possible). I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things about DVDs is that I can do them at home with minimal equipment; this is not the case here.

But what did my pregnant pal and I think of the workout? To find out, just

DVD Review: Step-by-Step Tai Chi with Tiffany Chen

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you're like me, you use fitness DVDs to get in a good cardio workout on a rainy day or when your kids are napping. A friend lent me this Step-by-Step Tai Chi ($20) DVD recently, and I decided to give it a whirl one afternoon when I was feeling mellow. Tai Chi master Tiffany Chen begins saying that most people think of this discipline as an elderly person's exercise (just what I thought!), but that everyone can benefit from it. Just like yoga, it's a wonderful complement to all sports because it teaches you how to focus and be aware.

This style of Tai Chi involves a series of 60 movements. You can learn them individually (in the Step-by-Step Movement section of the DVD) or you can do the Complete Form. Chen's verbal explanations as she performs the movements are really helpful, especially when she talks about the energy of your body being like a bouncing ball. Every time you relax and exhale, think of the ball sinking all the way down, and then catch the momentum of the ball bouncing back up to guide you into the next movement. The most important thing she stresses is not to rush through the movements but to breathe and to relax. Eventually you'll memorize all 60 movements, and you'll be able to move through them on your own, at your own speed. Although I didn't feel like I used my muscles too much, my body did feel calm, relaxed, open, and aware. I can see why doing this regularly could have a positive effect on your mind and on your other workouts. If you're interested, you can order it through Acacia. Trust me — it's much better than that Nude Yoga & Tai Chi DVD I told you about.

To see a clip of this video

DVD Review: Dance and Be Fit — Latin Groove

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I won't lie; I like a dance workout. After watching the fiery Latin numbers on So You Think You Can Dance, I was ready to rumba. Unfortunately, Dance and Be Fit — Latin Groove ($15) did not satisfy my dance craving.

Like many workout DVDs produced by Acacia, the instructor's voice is dubbed over the music. Without the spoken instructions coming directly from the person leading the workout, I found the moves hard to follow. The three dancing bodies on my TV screen seemed oddly separate from my workout as I attempted to merengue in my living room. This DVD is shot on location, under a palapa roof gazebo. The image was a bit dark, which made the workout a little hard to follow visually as well.

The DVD is billed as a "fat-burning" workout, and this is because it is a really light workout. My heart rate crept slowly into a zone 60 percent of max. Aside from the emphasis on the hips, the dance moves felt much like any other low impact dance workout, and frankly I was a little bored. The DVD is comprised of a nine-minute warmup, and two 20-minute dance workouts followed by a seven-minute cool-down. If you need to move around and get your blood flowing without bothering your downstairs neighbors with your stomping, this DVD could work for you. I ended my workout with some strength training, and that's when I began to sweat.

You can buy this DVD directly from Acacia.

DVD Review: Bollywood Burn

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you loved The Bollywood Dance Workout DVD, here's another one from Indian dance diva Hemalayaa with a pop-culture bend to it titled Bollywood Burn ($15). This video has three different dance segments, so you can do all three at one time (42 minutes total), or just choose one or two dances if you're pressed for time.

I've got to say that when the DVD started, I felt a little silly doing the moves. Also, Hemalayaa kept laughing uncontrollably, which was a little weird, but I must say that this workout was intense. I swear that my thighs were burning the entire time from the squat pulsing, and my heart was pumping from all the hopping and knee lifts. I liked that she alternated between a few minutes of intense dancing and a couple minutes of stretching. This workout seemed like new-age aerobics, and since I have loved aerobics since the '90s, I really enjoyed this workout. Once I got into the Bollywood groove, I found that this DVD was a really fun way to tone my entire body, especially my shoulders, thighs, and bum. I bet this would be really amazing to do in a class with a live band. Well for now I'll stick to this DVD. If you're looking for a new way to exercise, burn calories, and feel the burn in your quads and hips, I'd definitely order Bollywood Burn.

To see a clip of this DVD

DVD Review: Erin O'Brien's Prenatal Fitness Fix

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

It feels like baby fever over here on the Sugar Network. Many of our favorite celebrities along with our very own BabySugar are expecting so I've decided to dive into the world of keeping healthy while pregnant in my Fit Momma series.

Having already experienced the joys of pregnancy myself, it's been a few years, so I recruited a pregnant pal to try Prenatal Fitness Fix with Erin O'Brien. My friend was a frequent gym goer, but recently she can't stomach the smell of my gym — if you're pregnant, you understand — so she happily joined me. We were both thinking it was going to be a walk in the park since it was after all, a prenatal fitness DVD. To find out if we were right, just

DVD Review: Strong Body, Ageless Mind

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

There are so many DVDs out there that get your heart rate up, so I was psyched to find a video devoted to strength training called Strong Body, Ageless Body with Erin O'Brien. This woman is the definition of bubbly, and I love how she says, "We are so fortunate we get to exercise." She's very personable and encouraging, and the fact that this workout was filmed in her (or someone's) living room gave the DVD a comfortable feel.

The beginning warm up is very much like an aerobics class, but then O'Brien gets into some pretty intense exercises with weights. She moves quickly from each exercise, alternating between working the upper and lower body, so you end up a little "breathy" as she calls it. The exercises are pretty basic but still tough, and repeating sets of each is what makes you "feel the burn." This 40 minutes workout involves 20 minutes of standing moves, and 20 minutes off floor work and stretching. It's definitely a great complement to any cardio routine you have going, or a great DVD to pop in on a rainy day.

If you want to tone up your muscles, get strong, and learn how to use those dumbbells you have lying around, I definitely recommend this DVD. You can order it through Acacia.

DVD Review: Shiva Rea — Creative Core + Lower Body

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I loved Shiva Rea's Creative Core Abs video, so I was excited to try her newest DVD, Creative Core + Lower Body ($10). It focuses on a combination of fluid movements and holding of postures that targets your abs, thighs, lower back, and bum. I learned variations of poses that in my eight years of teaching yoga I've never seen before, so this DVD was a breath of fresh air and insanely challenging too. Although this sequence was short (only 22 minutes long), my thighs and bum were burning (in a positive way), and my lower back felt open and calm.

This is a great video to pop in if you only have a short time to work out, or if you want to do a little lower body stretching after a run or bike ride. Creative Core + Lower Body is one of the best yoga DVDs I've ever tried. I just wish it was longer!

If you want to see a preview of this DVD then

DVD Review: Hoopnotica — Hoopdance Basics

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Since I just started to get into Hoopdancing, I've been trying out some instructional DVDs to help me learn basic moves and tricks. I really loved Hoopnotica Hoopdance Basics ($19.95). The instructor has a really upbeat personality, and gives great descriptions for how to master certain moves. She is very encouraging, reassuring you that each exercise would take time, and that practicing is the key to making smooth movements. I loved how she says it's important to cheer yourself on, and not get frustrated, since hoopdancing can be really challenging.

The DVD begins with a great sequence of stretching to help open your entire body. I especially loved the stretches she teaches using the hoop. It then moves on to basic hooping, walking in circles with the hoop, walking in all directions, hip hooping, and more advanced moves like lifting the hoop over your head. I've got to say that this DVD moves pretty quickly, so it's important to pause after every move, so you can practice it and get it down. I like how she explains the mistakes you might be making and how to fix them. She also tells you which parts of your body you're working with each move.

This was an awesome cardio workout, and the repetitive movements are great for toning your booty, hips, core, and arms. Plus it's guaranteed to make you laugh. If you want to try this DVD, you can order it through the Acacia website. Be sure to have an adult-sized weighted hoop too.

To see a demo of the video

DVD Review: The Best of Tamilee's Buns, Abs, & Arms

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I didn't have time to hit the gym last night, so I decided to pop in a new DVD instead. I gave The Best of Tamilee's Buns, Abs, & Arms ($14.99) a go and it was tough. I am not sure if you've ever tried her Buns of Steel or Abs of Steel series, but basically The Best of video takes her favorite exercises from each of those workouts to give you a more total body workout.

The video is comprised of three 15 minute segments: Buns, Abs, and Arms. Tamilee uses light dumbbells, a step and an exercise mat. Since I don't have a step at home, I just did the whole thing with weights and a mat. The buns segment is a lot of squats and lunges. The abs segment is a lot of crunches and isometric "squeezing" and the arms segment is actually deceiving because you end up doing a lot of full body work and core work, not just your arms. There is not really any cardio to this DVD, other than the quick warm-up in the beginning. While your heart will definitely get pumping after you've been squatting for a few minutes, you may want to consider going on a light jog when you're done.

To get my final take on the DVD just

DVD Review: Jennifer Kries New Body Pilates

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Since many of the exercises require no equipment, Pilates is a great way to work out at home. But it's very important that you do the movements exactly right, so I often worry that beginners may not be getting the instruction they need at home. If you're new to Pilates, but prefer to work out in your living room, then Jennifer Kries' New Body Pilates is a great place to start.

This DVD is a cross between a workout routine and an educational video. Before and during the basic mat workout, Kries — who, poor thing, is much cuter than this unflattering photo! — does a great job explaining both the fundamentals of Pilates and how to do each exercise. For details,

DVD Review: Shiva Rea — Flow Yoga for Beginners

FitSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If you've always wanted to experiment with Flow Yoga, you're going to love Shiva Rea's DVD, Flow Yoga for Beginners ($9.49). This DVD is all about creative, fluid movements, and it's full of inspired, rhythmic music with heavy beats and gorgeous scenery in the background.

I love that Shiva Rea begins this practice in a seated position, to give you a chance to slow down your body and mind, so you can prepare yourself for complete awareness. She starts with series of slow movements, called Foundation Flow, to warm up your body and get you connected to your breath, which is so important for your focused yoga practice.

The other sections include Backbend Flow, Flexibility Flow, Standing Pose Flow, and finally Savasana. Each section is about 10 to 20 minutes long, so you can do the entire 70 minutes at once or choose the ones you have time for. The sequence of poses are very slow and gentle, so you'll learn about proper alignment in each pose, which is so important for beginners. I really enjoyed this DVD and felt extremely relaxed and calm afterwards. If you are ready to try and flow, you can buy it here.

DVD Review: Yoga Link — Core Integration

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Looking for some new moves to tone your core muscles? The DVD Core Integration ($19.95) is designed to strengthen you from the inside out. The exercises are meant to not only target your abdominal muscles, but they'll also strengthen weak muscle tissue, awaken sluggish organs, stretch scar tissue, and cultivate vibrancy in your nervous system. It's important to strengthen your core for spinal stability and digestive health, but it also makes us feel good about ourselves to have tight abs.

I'm a fan of this DVD because the instructor gives you a little three-minute anatomy lesson of your core muscles, and describes how each muscle moves your spine. Very cool. Then in the workshop portion of the DVD, she shows you how to use props (a mat, block, wall, and a foam roller) to do some really awesome core-strengthening moves that target your rectus abdominals, obliques, and your transverse abdominals, and psoas (you'll learn what these are if you watch the video). She does a great job of explaining each move as she's doing it, and describes what's happening in your body as you do each exercise. I haven't learned this much from a yoga DVD in a long time.

After the 71-minute workshop portion, she guides you through a 57-minute core practice, which includes a flow sequence of all the exercises you learned in the workshop. These moves were amazing, and I worked muscles in my abs I never reach with regular crunches. I definitely recommend this video if you're really into strengthening your core.

DVD Review: The Wedding Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you're going to be walking down the aisle you're probably in serious planning mode. One DVD that will fit right into your frame of mind is The Wedding Workout from Women's Health. Not only does it provide a great workout, but it's one DVD that let's you plan exactly how you want to do your workouts and when.

The DVD is divided into several sections by body parts – there is: upper body, abs and core, lower body, and cardio. You can do the workout in a prebuilt schedule, which separates parts of the body each day of the week with one rest day, or you can create your own workout. You can also decide how heavily you want to focus on the upper or lower body (i.e. strapless dress versus hip-hugging dress). I just tried the prebuilt schedule and feel like I got a good workout. I didn't realize until I finished working out that all the exercise routines are the same, and you simply repeat the same moves on different days. This means if you're doing lower body on Monday and Wednesday those workouts will be exactly the same and this might increase the boredom factor of working out with a DVD. Furthermore, all warm-ups and cool-downs are the same each day of the week, making this part my least favorite aspect of the DVD. But if you can mentally get over the repetition, you will get a good physical workout.

You do need a pair of light dumbbells for the upper body, core, and abs portion and an exercise mat would make the whole thing a little more comfortable. The lower-body portion is heavy in squats and lunges — my legs were literally shaking — so if you have bad knees you should be careful or opt out. And as with all DVDs, I feel like the cardio is not sufficient enough so I would supplement with jogs outside and sessions on the elliptical.

Fit's Tip: The bonus segments that teach how to walk in heels, nutrition, and stripping 101 were unnecessary — I'd skip them altogether.

Be sure to check out all our exclusive wedding coverage on IDoSugar.com!

DVD Review: 10 Minute Solution Rapid Results Pilates

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:45:00 -0700

I was pleased with the other Pilates DVD I reviewed from the 10 Minute Solution series, so I decided to give 10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results Pilates ($11) a try. Like the slim and sculpt workout, this DVD consists of several 10-minute workouts that you can mix and match: buns and thighs, arms and shoulders, waist slimmer, slim and sleek stretch, and a total-body workout. You can do the routines all in a row for a hearty 50-minute workout or take them one at a time when you have 10 minutes to spare. To find out what I thought of this DVD,

DVD Review: Crunch — Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:45:00 -0700

I'll be the first to say that the Crunch workout videos can be a bit much for me. The trainers can be just a bit too peppy and the music can be a bit too pop-ish for me. I will say, however, that I enjoyed Crunch — Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp a lot.

This DVD is a very high-energy workout that is easy to follow and interesting to do (i.e. I was not bored after the first five minutes). In the 40 or so minutes that it takes to do the DVD, there is a good mix of cardio and sculpting — the cardio is fun and the sculpting is tough. The video focuses a good amount of time on lunges, more lunges, and squats so be prepared. My husband spent the majority of the time saying, "Wow, that looks hard" (as he sat on the couch and watched me sweat). The trainer, Teri Ann Krefting, comes off as motivating and strong, rather than the typical overly peppy and oddly skinny DVD instructor.

My only wish is that there were a bit more exercises for the arms, but I guess that's why it's called a belly, butt, and thigh boot camp, so it was to be expected. If you're looking for a fun way to work out your lower body then I highly recommend trying out this DVD. If you do, or if you've already tried it, share your comments below.

Fit's Tip: To really get in a good workout, think about supplementing the DVD with some extra cardio. I took a 15 minute jog after the DVD workout was over and felt great.

DVD Review: Shiva Rea — Creative Core Abs

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I'm always looking for ways to sculpt and strengthen my abs without having to do crunches, so I was psyched to try Shiva Rea's Creative Core Abs ($9.99). I've loved her Yoga DVDs in the past (especially Fluid Power — Vinyasa Flow Yoga), so I had a feeling this would be just as great. Her voice is calming, her instructions are clear, and her routines are always challenging.

The DVD includes three short workouts: Water Core (10 min), Spontaneous Core (8 min), and Fire Core (10 min); you can do all three in a row, or choose which ones you want to do. The sequencing is very fluid and dance-like, so the time goes by really quickly. It definitely doesn't feel like yoga. Shiva encourages you to explore your range of motion, and even though this video was focused on the abs, the movements strengthened and stretched my upper and lower back, hips, quads, shoulders, and neck too. Cool to know that even Shiva Rea is all about the core.

If you're looking for a DVD that works your abs in a unique way you can order it here or rent it through Netflix.

DVD Review: Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:00:00 -0800

In preparation for summer (yay!) I figured I'd check out a new DVD that was sent to me called, Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom with Minna Lessig ($12.99). You start with a very aerobics oriented warm-up, that I've got to say, was pretty vigorous. It was nice to get right into it, though I couldn't help but think what the actual workout was going to be like if this was just the warm up.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to workout DVDs so to find out what I thought

Move It at Home: Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:30:00 -0800

The DVD Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress ($14.99) is designed to wake up the dormant kundalini energy that lies in your fourth chakra. Once you wake up this energy, it will awaken your spirit, energize your body, and relax your mind. Too bad this DVD totally put me to sleep.

I did really like the calming all-white background and the melodic music Maya Feinnes (the instructor) made herself. The actual movement part was what didn't do it for me. She basically did 40 minutes of seated warm-up exercises to work the neck, spine, and hips. Forty minutes of sitting down! This is not at all like the butt-kicking yoga I'm used to. The movements were really repetitive, so it's great for beginners and if you're in the mood to move slowly, but really boring if you're expecting to move more.

She also says a lot of spiritual affirmations like "challenge yourself; release your old stagnant energy; your future is clear; don't give up; you're almost there," which are a little weird. The breathing and sound exercises really added to the whole snooze factor for me. This wasn't much of a workout at all, so it'd be perfect for someone who needed to release tension and stress.

Want to see a clip of this DVD to see what I mean? Then

Move It at Home: Viniyoga Therapy For the Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulders

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

If you suffer from pain or tightness in your back, neck, or shoulders, then you might really benefit from using the Viniyoga Therapy For the Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulders DVD. The first part of the video explains why so many people have these pains in the first place and how yoga can be integral in healing these areas. The second part breaks down some simple exercises and poses to warm up and stretch the spine, neck, and shoulders.

If learning about the causes of your discomfort and working on basic exercises is boring, and you want to get right to alleviating the pain, then skip to the third part where you are led through 20-, 30-, and 40-minute sessions of yoga. Just so you know, this video doesn't involve a whole lot of moving around. The three practices involve physical-therapy exercises based on yoga poses, and a lot of slow movements to stretch and strengthen weak and painful areas. This DVD will be perfect for you if you are injured or dealing with chronic pain in your neck, shoulders, or back. It's also a great video if you are a beginner yogi who wants to do a low-impact practice to reduce stress.

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Circle Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

It is always fun to mix some accessories into a Pilates workout, and the magic circle is one of my favorite Pilates props. Marni Winsor (caution: The Winsor web site has automatic video/audio) has a 20 Minute Circle Workout DVD. This workout is short and to the point. Adding leg squeezes to ab work just seems to make the abs work more deeply. Plus it is nice to work lazy inner thighs! This DVD contains exercises that work all body parts, with an emphasis on the abs; it is Pilates after all.

In this DVD there are options for different levels of students. One of the three demonstrators does beginner versions of all the exercises. These variations would also work if you are dealing with a neck injury. One odd thing about the DVD is that the three demonstrators are all so well behaved, polished and choreographed there is an air of "finishing school" about the workout.

The DVD also includes a basic aerobic workout with Pilates lingo added into the mix. The aerobics or "Accelerated Fat Burning Workout" is fine, but I'll stick to Jamie King dance routines – thank you very much.

You can find the DVD on Amazon either used ($15) or new ($2. The DVD is available at the Winsor Pilates website but only in packages with other DVDs.

Move It at Home: Ballet Conditioning by Element

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

If you are looking to move it at home, but can't stomach another loud, in your face, overly busy workout DVD, I suggest you try Ballet Conditioning produced by Element.

Shot in a lovely garden overlooking the ocean don't let the serene environment fool you because this workout will make your legs burn. It is what I would have called in my dance days a quad gripper. The fronts of my thighs got a serious workout. The video runs just a little under an hour and the workout is more like a very rudimentary ballet class than an aerobics class. It is structured like a technique class with bar work (using a chair), and center work where you are forced to balance on your own (good for your core), a jumping section (petite allegro for all the bun heads out there), some very dancey ab work, and finally some stretching.

The movements are all reasonably easy to do. Someone who has never danced might find it a little challenging on the first go around but would definitely pick up the graceful moves on the second or third go round. This is not the best workout for a day after a long run; I learned that the hard way. The workout is very leg intensive from the big toe all the way to the upper thighs and booty.

Buy it for $9 from Amazon. Or just add it to your Netflix queue.

Move It at Home: Better Sex Through Yoga - Volume 2

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:00:00 -0800

A while back I reviewed the beginner yoga DVD, Better Sex Through Yoga, Volume 1. Well, I decided it was time to get a little more advanced, or rather intermediate and try Volume 2 ($14.95), the Intermediate edition. This isn't an erotic video with explicit instructions of the Kama Sutra sex positions. It's just like any other yoga video, except this 46 minute workout focuses on opening your hips, hamstrings, and lower back.

Although I really did like the creative sequencing of postures, I must say I found the close up shots of the instructor's shorty shorts, not only unnecessary but unprofessional as well. I thought Volume 2 was a bit more cheesy than the first volume since it included the same annoying music and even more repetitions of the instruction to "Breathe deeply into your sexual core." It also has more of a hint of sexuality, which aggravated me since yoga isn't about sex (for me anyway). I think I might buy this for a yoga friend as a gag gift, or for newlyweds, but aside from that, I'd rather practice along with the many other better yoga videos out there.

Move It At Home: Billy Blanks Full Throttle Amped

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:00:00 -0800

Did you know that Billy Blanks is still kicking ol’ school? He just released a new series of DVDs and the other night I checked out Billy Blanks Amped ($17.99). I was impressed that the DVD wasn’t over produced and you could tell that the workout was shot in one take with many cameras, so the folks exercising on the DVD were working with you. Billy Blanks does not slow down. He has, however, lost the ability to count and has hired a young, cute but fierce, fitness professional to count on set for him. Together they make quite a team.

The workout is tough and when using the amplifier sculpting bar, an extendable hand weight, it gets even tougher. The amplifier weighs just a little over three pounds (according to my kitchen scale).The workout is shot with only half the class participants using the amplifiers, so if you don’t have one there is still plenty for you to do. The class goes through many kick boxing motions at different speeds, so you're working both your endurance and your speed, your slow muscle fibers as well as the quick twitch. Bouts of straight up kick boxing moves are thrown into the mix ensuring that your heart rate stays in the upper zone of moderate and the lower zone of intense. I wore my trusty heart rate monitor and burned well over 300 calories for my time investment of just under 60 minutes low impact.

I love that you can see everyone sweating. It inspires you to work hard. Blanks likes to get up close to the camera and tell you to push harder and not to give up. It is part Mr. T, part inspiring coach and oddly effective.

To see what the amplifier looks like, just

Move It at Home: Power to the Peaceful Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:00:00 -0800

If you're a fan of Jivamukti Yoga, or have always wanted to check out this style of yoga, here's a video for you to try called Power to Peaceful Yoga ($14.99). Sharon Gannon and David Life, the founders of this invigorating type of yoga, collaborated with musician Michael Franti (from Spearhead) to bring you this DVD. Jivamukti Yoga isn't limited to just stretching your body. It connects yoga with music, social justice, the practice of non-violence, vegetarianism and laughter for a more fulfilling practice. It's for people looking to deepen their self awareness, strengthen their relationships with others, and work towards a more peaceful world.

The practice opens with chanting and yogic breathing, and then moves right into Sun Salutations variations. Sharon and David give very specific directions and descriptions of the poses and movements, so even though this video moves quickly (which I love), it's easy to follow along. This flowing practice focuses on following the breath and opening the body, so you feel strong, calm, and centered.

This is one of the best yoga DVDs I've tried because it involves a challenging practice, but also brings in the spiritual aspect of yoga which can get lost in mainstream yoga videos. I recommend this to yoga newbies and experienced practitioners as well. You can buy it directly from Acacia.

Move It at Home: 10 Minute Solution: Slim and Sculpt Pilates

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:30:00 -0800

Looking for a new Pilates DVD to do at home?

I recently tried 10 Solution: Slim and Sculpt Pilates ($13.99), which consists of five dynamic Pilates workouts that are ten minutes each. The workouts work your entire body by using a band to mimic the resistance offered by traditional Pilates machines (like the Reformer and the Cadillac). You can split these routines into five separate workouts or do them all together (50 minutes) for the ultimate body, which is what I did. Not only does the DVD come with a free resistance band, but using the band is a fun way to add resistance to your workout without having to have a set of dumbbells at home.

I liked that they were divided into ten minute segments, but I was a little peeved that the cover of the DVD made it seem like the whole thing could be done in ten minutes. The five, ten-minute workouts included upper-, lower-, and total-body Pilates, Pilates for abs, and Pilates for flexibility (or stretching). The total-body Pilates portion was my favorite because it was especially challenging but a good, fun workout.

The instructor, Suzanne Bowman, did not rub me the wrong way, which is good (but not typical for fitness DVDs). Overall it was enjoyable and I'd definitely recommend it to others as well as do it again. Buy it here.

DVD Review: Back in Step

FitSugar — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

My back has been giving me a bit of trouble recently so I decided to check out a DVD I was sent for review called Back in Step: The Road to Recovery From Back Pain ($23.50).

If you can get past the dated graphics, cheesy acting, and long, wordy explanations, this DVD offers some great tips and tools for recovering from back pain and maintaining a healthy back. It's more of a, "so your back hurts, here is what to do in the future to prevent it," rather than ways to help a back that is already hurting. After watching the DVD, I did realize that I do certain things in a way that actually put a lot of strain on my back such as how I get out of bed, brush my teeth, and bend down to pick things up. So in an effort to prevent further strain on my back in the future, I have started trying to use the tips I learned from the video and I can already tell the difference. I know I will be using the tips daily, but I can't say I'll be revisiting the DVD anytime soon — it's not something I'll keep in my library like I do my favorite workout videos.

The tips in the DVD are valuable for anyone who is looking to avoid or stop back problems, but if you are already suffering from chronic back pain you should probably skip the DVD and see a doctor.

Source

DVD Review: Element Yoga for Beginners

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:45:00 -0800

Last night I convinced a good friend of mine to do a new DVD that I had to review with me. As it was called Element: Yoga for Beginners ($10.09) I knew she would give me some good feedback on what she thought about the DVD since she is a yoga newbie. Being an avid PopSugar fan, she was excited to learn that the Anusara instructor in the video, Elena Brower, had taught yoga to celebs like Christy Turlington, Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, and Eva Mendes.

Overall, the reviews from both of us were two thumbs up. The poses move slow enough that she was able to look up and figure out what the heck "opening her heart" meant, while fast enough that it was not too slow or boring. There is a strong focus on breathing technique and linking your breath to your movement. My friend loved that Brower was not too crunchy (part of why she's avoided yoga in the past), but she also was not some bubbly instructor only hired for her good looks — in other words, it was evident she was a reputable yoga instructor so it was a good balance. What's more? My friend called me this morning to tell me that she's sore and she's keeping the DVD for herself.

I am especially partial to promoting the sale of this DVD since for every four DVDs that are purchased, Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree in a national forest.

Move It At Home: Yoga Booty Ballet – Goddess Abs

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0700

The title of the DVD intrigued me more than anything – such an interesting mixture of concepts: yoga, booty and ballet. What more could a mother, who is trying to avoid the temptation of her daughters' Halloween goody bags, want?

The two ladies behind Yoga Booty Ballet have put together an effective abdominal routine that is just shy of 20 minutes. They call this mixture of yoga and Pilates "Goddess Abs" and it is fun to do since these gals certainly keep you going. Much of the work is done using a small squishy ball (which I guess comes with the fitness package of DVD and diet info you can buy from the Beach Body web site). However, the work is quite effective without the prop.

The workout moves quite briskly, and suggestions for beginners are only offered a handful of times, but many pseudo yogic inspirational phrases are repeated often while you crunch your abs to oblivion. I enjoyed the workout, however, I did not enjoy the coy instructors leading the DVD and their pearls of wisdom. If you are looking to spice up your ab routine, I would add the DVD to your NetFlix queue. It is certainly worth a rental and comes paired with the "AM Latte" invigorating morning workout. You can also find the DVD set for $18 from Amazon.

Move It at Home: Better Sex Through Yoga - Volume 1

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:30:00 -0700

The title of this DVD both intrigued me and made me shake my head with disbelief. Putting the "sex" in a title will certainly grab a shopper's attention. That being said, the connection does make sense since yoga can help in other areas of your life, including sex. Yoga not only benefits the body, but the mind as well. It gives you a stronger sense of self, gets you in touch with your feelings, heightens your awareness of the important things in life, and makes you feel more connected to your world and the people around you. Doing yoga makes you feel good about yourself, which can only enhance your relationships with others.

Better Sex Through Yoga is a 3-part DVD series. I checked out Volume 1 for Beginners. This 35-minute DVD is a lot like taking a regular vinyasa class, except that the poses and movements focus on opening the hips, hip flexors, hamstrings, and chest.

The woman leading the sequence of postures had a sweet and happy energy, and gave great instructions as to what your body should be doing. I liked how she stayed in each pose for a few breaths, but changed it up so it wasn't boring at all. The "class" included many of my favorite poses because hip openers are my fave. She wasn't cheesy at all, but the music sure was; so I was tempted to lower the volume on the DVD and pump up some of my favorite chanting music.

There was one little weird thing about this DVD. Want to know what it was? Then

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates Back Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:00:00 -0700

I am going to say this on record - nothing beats going to an actual Pilates mat class. An hour long class works every bit of your body, while stretching and lengthening you as well. Plus, the instructor is right there providing feedback and giving corrections, as well as discussing the subtleties of the Pilates method.

Now if you can't make it to a class, there are DVDs, but good Pilates DVDs are hard to find. The Winsor Pilates DVDs are broken up into 20 minute targeted workouts, and The Back Workout is no exception. However, this DVD is different since it was created to alleviate back tightness and pain. Winsor even warns at the beginning of the workout that if you suffer from chronic back pain, you should consult with your physician first. This DVD is definitely meant to help folks with tight weak backs get stronger so they can take regular Pilates classes.

The series begins with stretches for hip and thigh muscles and a spine warm up. Classic Pilates exercises are taught in very modified variations that are perfect for beginners since they are accompanied by considerably more details than many of the workout videos by Winsor. However, if you are not dealing with a bad back, this is less of a workout and more like a warm up or cool down with gentle ab work. I feel following this DVD would be a great way to prepare for a long run, or help you chill out at the end of a long day. If you do have back problems this series could be very beneficial for you, but like Mari said, you should consult with your physician or physical therapist before trying the DVD.

The Back Workout DVD is included in the Best Value package (which also includes 8 DVDs, a sculpting circle, exercise planner and cookbook) on the Winsor Pilates website for $79.80. You can also find individual copies for as low as $7.50 on Amazon.

Move It at Home: Gaiam YogaKids 2: ABC's

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:30:00 -0700

When my girls get antsy and we can't play outside because either the weather is not cooperating or it is too dang early to disturb our neighbors, I like to pop in a yoga DVD. I pull out the yoga mats and we do the poses together.

We all enjoy YogaKids 2: ABC by Gaiam. There are 26 kid-style yoga poses and games inspired by nature and other familiar icons kids love. Imitating butterflies and alligators is certainly a good time for the entire family, and the DVD provides a nice introduction to yoga philosophy. It is a wonderful and physical way to hang out with your kids. Plus it provides a nice pre-run warm up. It is challenging for the little ones, but they are usually game for anything. It is also cool to see their yoga practice evolve as they get more coordinated.

Suggested age for children watching this DVD is ages 3-6. My 2 year old does manage to follow along for the first 8 letters of the alphabet, but then she sits and watches calmly as her older sister and I work our bodies all the way to the letter "Z."

Buy it for $10.99 from Amazon.

Move it at Home: Dance of the Kama Sutra

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:30:00 -0700

If you think Dance of the Kama Sutra is NOT the kind of DVD you pop in with your kids or parents around, you're right. What is this dance? It's all about slow, sensual movements that put you in touch with your body and your heart. It's meant to help you celebrate your mischievous, loving, laughter-filled nature. It's a playful dance that opens your hips, back, shoulders, and chest to release any blocks that may be inhibiting you from embracing yourself and your sexuality. The sacred dance instills confidence, joy, and poise.

The instructor Hemalayaa is truly spiritual and inspirational. In the beginning of this DVD, she leads you through a short invocation, to help you bring your awareness inward, and help you to shut out any distractions or walls that may block you from experiencing love for yourself. This beginning meditation helps you to be completely present so that you can fully experience whatever feelings come up, so that you can learn more about yourself.

If you want to get right to the movements, skip to Chapter 2. It starts off really slow with neck and eye exercises, and then moves into swaying torso and spine movements. Then she adds the arms, legs, and the importance of the gaze. She encourages you to be spontaneous and move your body any way it wants to move.

I have to say that this is unlike any video I've ever seen. Dance of the Kama Sutra (14.99) teaches you how to use your body as an offering to your beloved. Practicing these fluid and sensual movements will make you feel more comfortable in your body, and make you feel more free and open to experience love. There's no wrong way to do this dance - it's the mood of this dance, not the moves that count. Since our sexuality is so important to our well-being, this DVD is sure to put a smile on your face and your lover's.

If you are interested in other types of Indian dance check out The Bollywood Dance Workout!

Move It at Home: Kung Fu Kickboxing

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Interested in practicing your bob and weave while floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee? This Kung Fu Kickboxing exercise DVD from Acacia will help give you the eye of the tiger. The workout lead by Tiffany and Max Chen, both champion fighters, is shot on location in a boxing ring, which adds a great touch of authenticity.

Although the stretching and warm up sections are both a little too brief for my taste, this workout is seriously fun and has the potential to make you seriously sweaty. The instruction is fairly sparse, so this is not a great way to learn the basics of kickboxing. It is, however, a great way to get your heart rate up in the privacy of your own home.

The workout is divided into 3, twenty-ish minute sections, with each section increasing in level of difficulty. The workout breaks down like this:

Workout 1: The Basics -- Four sets of three-minute rounds containing two to three 30-second combat-oriented exercises
Workout 2: The Kicker -- A series of 30-second standing and floor calisthenics, 4 rounds of 4 exercises each done for 30 seconds
Workout 3: The Killer -- Repetitive cycles of challenging, explosive movements done in 4 rounds of 4 exercises, also done in descending numbers of reps starting with 10 ending in 1 (and you will be glad it is just one rep by the end!)

Since the workout is broken into sections you can customize your plan of attack and squeeze in 20 minutes, if that's all you have time for. Through the voice over, Tiffany encourages you to work at your own pace, but you find yourself compelled to throw your punches as quickly as the Chens. Although Max is barefoot for the workout, I encourage you to wear shoes like Tiffany since the repetitive jumping moves feel fairly high impact on the knees, hips and ankles.

Buy it for $14.99 directly from Acacia. Or try it before you buy and put it on your Netflix queue.

Move it at Home: Yoga to the Rescue

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I love exercise DVDs from Acacia, and I recently checked out a new one called Yoga to the Rescue with Desiree Rumbaugh. This is a gentle yoga practice, specifically designed for people with injuries or physical ailments, hence the rescuing.

If you ever have pain in your neck, back, shoulder, knees, or wrists, this DVD will show you simple yoga techniques to work with those areas to find relief. I'm not saying that medical treatment isn't necessary, but often giving the painful area the attention it needs, will help in the healing process.

Desiree shows you exercises to stretch and strengthen your neck if you have pain from daily activities such as driving and staring at a computer. She'll also teach you shoulder stretches to promote healing in shoulder injuries like rotator cuff tears, relieve tightness from stress, and shift imbalances due to overuse of your dominant hand. Since lower back pain is so common, she also focuses on yoga poses to strengthen your abdominals and stretch the muscles by the spine that tend to become super tight.

This DVD is all about teaching you techniques to alleviate pain - not to cause it. All the poses focus on bringing attention and healing energy to your neck, shoulders, back, wrists, hips, and knees.

Desiree's energy is bright and enthusiastic. She teaches all the poses with calmness and awareness of your total body. I definitely recommend this DVD for beginners or those with common aches and pains. Buy it through Acacia for $14.99.

DVD Review: XFLOWSION

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Want to get in on the new workout that's recently been discovered by Jessica Biel, Elisha Cuthbert, Shannon Elizabeth and Randy Spelling?

XFLOWSION DVD Series ($59.85) is the latest and greatest in working out. The hybrid blend of yoga, martial arts, and dance, not to mention the live band on set makes XFLOWSION a unique way to exercise. It is fun, energetic, very effective way for shaping, toning and weight loss, and it also leaves a sense of calm and peace (thanks to the yoga). Students are guided and inspired by instructor Eric Paskel, a rebel turned fitness guru, whose mantra is “We do this for our sanity, not our vanity.” The DVD series is sold in a package (this includes 4 DVDs and lots of other info), which is why it's a little more pricey. Sounds like fun? Then buy it from xflowsion.com.

Source

Move It at Home: Pilates Intermediate Mat Workout by Gaiam

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:15:00 -0700

For those times when you can't make it to class a DVD at home is better than nothing at all. While nothing can really replace the touch of a live teacher, the Pilates Intermediate Mat Workout by Gaiam is a pretty good substitute.

As you can surely tell by the name, this DVD is not meant for the beginner. This is a solidly intermediate workout that builds on the material taught in the Pilates Beginning DVD. Ana Caban teaches the class and she provides clear instructions and cues throughout the exercise. Modifications are shown by another "exerciser" although not as with much frequency as the beginning level DVD.

These intermediate variations are more intense and the pace a bit more challenging. Geared to the intermediate level student the exercises flow into one another and are not bogged down with a lot of instruction (another reason why this is not a good DVD for beginners). The workout runs about 40 minutes, with a 13 minute bonus Energy Boost Workout which is short but intense and targets the abs in a great way. The scenery alone will energize you - it is filmed on location at a tropical beach.

Buy the DVD for $12.99 from Amazon.

Move It at Home: Rock Your Body with Jamie King

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Want to dance like Madonna, Britney and Rhiana? Want to get a workout while you do learn their cool moves? With the new DVD Rock Your Body with Jamie King you can learn hip hop in the comfort and safety of your own home. And you will have fun doing it! I certainly did.

The DVD runs about an hour and keeps you moving at a comfortable pace for the entire 60 minutes. The workout is broken down into six main sections: a warm-up, rehearsal 1, rehearsal 2, dress rehearsal (where you put the moves in from rehearsal 1 and rehearsal together slowly), the performance (where you put the two sections together more quickly in front of an "audience"), and a brief cool down.

Taught like a hip hop class, the moves are presented in 8 count segments and broken down step by step. You then have a chance to perfect the moves working at half tempo (half as quick as the bear of the music) before repeating the moves at tempo 4 times. Changing from half-time to tempo can be a bit challenging, but it keeps you thoroughly engaged in the workout and time flies.

I found that dancing without a mirror (who has a huge mirror in TV room?), it was easy to imagine that I looked as hot as Jamie and his back dancers while attempting the hip hop inspired moves. There is no need to prefect the steps on the first go around, since you can use the DVD over and over again without getting bored. Jamie King is also really encouraging, without being sappy, that you look forward to working out with him. Madonna is lucky she has such a cool choreographer to work with.

Now, if you do not like dance workouts, this DVD is not for you. It is all dance moves - no crunches or push-ups tacked on at the end. I did burn just over 300 calories (yes, I wore my heart rate monitor) and was able to dance the moves in my tiny living room. I had fun.

You can pick up a copy of "Rock Your Body" for $17.99 from Amazon.
Or add the DVD to your Netflix queue.

Move it at Home: Power Yoga - Total Body

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Yoga DVDs are a great option when you can't make it to a class. They're great to do anytime of the day, and you really can't have enough in your home library. I am always on the lookout for good ones, especially from well-known instructors.

I came across this video from Gaiam featuring Rodney Yee called Power Yoga - Total Body. The introduction was sweet and inspirational - it talked about the purpose of your yoga practice, and how to make it as spiritual as it is physical.

The workout part of the video is 60 minutes long, so you can do as much as you have time for. The actual practice starts off slow and steady, focusing on matching your inhales and exhales with your movements. As the practice continues, Rodney begins with basic poses and gradually builds to make the practice deeper. His voice is so deep and calming, that I never felt rushed, and the gorgeous Hawaiian coastline left me feeling light and happy.

This video is in Vinyasa format, so it includes a lovely sequence of yoga postures that flow into one another, like a dance. The class incorporates a beautiful balance of forward bends, backbends, twists and arm balancing poses for a total body workout.

It's really easy to follow along because it's just him on a gorgeous mountain, with no other distractions. His instructions are simple, so this video is great for beginners. It's also great for people who have been practicing yoga a while, because if you can't make it to a class, this video will work your entire body, leaving your muscles stretched and your mind calm. Get it through Amazon for only $8.99.

Move It at Home: Crunch Bikini Body - DVD

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

After my outside jog last night, I tried out the Bikini Body DVD ($12.99) from Crunch that promises sleek abs, toned thighs and a firm bikini butt.

Let me just preface this review by saying I am a hard sell when it comes to home workouts. The DVD is broken up into 4 parts, the whole workout (30 mins), just the abs (10 mins), just the thighs (10 mins) and just the butt (10 mins). I like that you can navigate directly to certain spots if you want to train just one body part using the video, or if you only have 10 minutes to squeeze in a quick workout. I started with the full workout and was a bit turned off with the busy camera work in the intro, but luckily all that stopped as the workout began.

The music was typical Crunch style, high energy and a little cheesy but it does pump you up. The workouts are done as if you're learning a dance routine -- You start with the first exercise and add on as you go along to complete a set of 5-6 exercises, all the way through, in the end. All you need to complete the workout is yourself and a DVD player, so no worries if you don't have dumbbells or exercise balls at home. The actual moves, if you can get past the added "sexiness" you're asked to bring to simple moves like squats and lunges, were good and challenging and I did feel like I got a decent workout. My heart rate was up most of the time, which I appreciated.

My husband has a blast watching (and laughing at) me do this one, so if you're looking to add a little sex pot to your routine, this bikini workout is for you. Me personally, I just felt ridiculous, but I will say that I had fun for the entire 30 minutes. Would I do it everyday? No way José, but I would definitely consider doing it every once in a while. To check it out for yourself, buy it from Amazon.com.