When it comes to health and exercise, it’s always a good idea to keep an open mind — surprises keep you fit both physically and mentally. This past year was a prime example to “never say never” — although I swore I couldn’t see myself creating a Top Ten list containing a Denise Austin workout or a DVD with the word “Bikini” in title, you’ll find both below. And while I have an unspoken rule that to make this list, a DVD needed to have an already-published review here, this year’s all-around favorite (which I received in December) won’t have its review running until next week — it’s written, it just didn’t make the 2009 schedule. Publishing, whether for print or web, can be like that.
I’ve gone mostly traditional with this year’s lineup — you’ll find just one Pilates and one Yoga DVD, and they’re both beginner’s workouts. But the cardio and toning DVDs I’ve chosen are so creative and fun that’ll you’ll find this list anything but boring.
I’m going to start with my favorite DVD of 2009:
A couple of years ago, Dixon popped up on my radar as an up-and-coming DVD instructor. With this group of six 10-minute workouts, she’s more than realized her promise. Each segment focuses on a different area — toning for upper body, lower body and abs, cardio, Yoga, and an extra-fun “bonus” kettlebell workout — and Dixon makes every minute count with fresh moves that challenge your muscles in slightly different ways than classic exercises do. And that bonus workout — yes, you can use dumbbells, but I can almost guarantee you will want to go out and buy a kettlebell! If you have the budget for just one new exercise DVD this year, make it this one.
The next three DVDs are for those of you who are either beginning exercisers, or returning from an extended couch tour. 2009 saw a lot of good exercise DVDs for newbies, but I think these are the best of the bunch:
It’s rare to see a veteran fitness coach focus on making great beginner’s workouts — usually they’ve been pros for so long, they’ve forgotten what it’s like to barely be able to walk a few blocks (if they were ever that out-of-shape to begin with). That’s what makes Petra Kolber so special. She can certainly put together complicated choreography, and make you sweat and work hard, but she can also dial it down and make a newbie-friendly DVD like this one. Even if you’re really out of shape, you can do this workout, as long as your doctor gives you the go-ahead. Kolber keeps the steps simple, the impact very low, and the intensity just right for people who are starting an exercise program. If you’re a touch beyond the beginning stage, check out Kolber’s 10 Minute Solution DVD, Dance Off Belly Fat;
she adds more flair and raises the intensity for advanced beginning through intermediate exercisers.
she adds more flair and raises the intensity for advanced beginning through intermediate exercisers.
McGee’s MTV Pilates
has long been a staple in my workout library and I’ve been wondering why she hasn’t made more exercise DVDs. It was a pleasant surprise to see her again in 2009 with a couple of new discs (the other is the more advanced Weight Loss Pilates).
This may be the best Pilates DVD for beginners ever — McGee’s instructions are easy to understand, precise, and she’s got a friendly, supportive persona. Plus, there are several different routines here, each one a little more complex than the one before it, so it grows along with you.
has long been a staple in my workout library and I’ve been wondering why she hasn’t made more exercise DVDs. It was a pleasant surprise to see her again in 2009 with a couple of new discs (the other is the more advanced Weight Loss Pilates). This may be the best Pilates DVD for beginners ever — McGee’s instructions are easy to understand, precise, and she’s got a friendly, supportive persona. Plus, there are several different routines here, each one a little more complex than the one before it, so it grows along with you.
What can I say about Rodney Yee that hasn’t already been said? His approach to teaching Yoga is poetic, intuitive and inspiring, and now he and his wife, Colleen Saidman (whose style is slightly more grounded, but just as wonderful), have put together a fantastic DVD for people who are new to Yoga. With an excellent 40-minute tutorial and two mini routines, one for morning and the other for evening, this is a great, inexpensive investment for anyone who wants to develop a regular Yoga practice (and this means all of you, because there’s no better way than Yoga to keep your muscles, joints and spine supple).
Now for the two DVDs I thought you’d never see on a list of mine:
If you read my reviews with any regularity, you know I have a testy relationship with my Denise Austin DVDs. Her saccharine persona and poor cueing really get on my nerves, but more often than not, I wind up grudgingly admitting that she has put out a pretty good workout. This time around, she has something that’s more than “pretty good” — it’s great! There are two 20-minute workouts on this disc, plus a 6-minute “bonus” ab routine, and they are built for results! They are very time-effective; one workout is based on interval training for maximum calorie burn and the other uses kettlebell-inspired exercises (once again, no kettlebell is required, although I did use mine). I did not expect such sophisticated routines from Austin. As usual, you’d better have some exercise experience under your belt so you can keep on top of Austin’s cues, but you will not regret spending your workout time with her.
I hate the whole “bikini body” workout idea — to me, it implies a girly workout that will probably only produce middling results. Well, Dominique Hall apparently didn’t get that memo, because she’s created a really challenging workout that is geared towards getting you a serious bikini body. She takes an interval-training approach and slows it down to a moderate pace, which ironically makes the exercises harder (no momentum moves allowed here!). Then she adds a couple of sculpting routines and finishes you off (literally and figuratively) with an athletic, full-body cardio session. Fitting your body into a bikini takes effort, if you want to turn heads. Get started now with this DVD and you’ll have the best bod on the beach.
Got 10 minutes? Two 10 Minute Solution DVDs made it to my Top Ten:
Amy Bento is a super pro instructor with a cheerful (NOT cheerleader-ly) attitude, and I love her, but sometimes she makes me nuts because she makes really difficult moves look so darn easy! That woman is just too fit for her own good. Each of these 10-minute workouts is completely different from the others on this disc. You want cardio kickboxing? Sculpting? An ab routine that doesn’t bore you to death with crunches? Bento has ‘em, and more. And she makes every last minute fun (no matter how much you’re sweating). This is an excellent DVD for Bento to rest on her laurels for a while; at the moment she is right on the verge of giving birth (if she hasn’t already by the time you read this). How much do you want to bet she bounces back right away? After all, she is the closest thing the fitness world has to Superwoman.
This year, the 10 Minute Solution people have come out with a number of DVD “kits,” which include a simple piece of equipment to ramp up the workouts. I’ve enjoyed all of them so far, but this one spent the most time in my DVD player. It gives you both cardio and some sculpting, and Jessica Smith’s energetic, upbeat instruction keeps you engaged. The equipment you get here is a pair of weighted gloves, each weighing about 12 ounces. The gloves are probably a great addition to many other cardio workouts out there (think Leslie Sansone’s walking routines,
for example), but every time I slip them on, I also wind up reaching for Smith’s DVD because I have so much fun with it, and it really gives me a workout.
for example), but every time I slip them on, I also wind up reaching for Smith’s DVD because I have so much fun with it, and it really gives me a workout.My final two favorite DVDs couldn’t be more opposite if they tried — which means they’re great to do in the same week! Talk about keeping your body guessing.
A number of fun cardio dance workouts came out in 2009, but this one sticks out for me because it keeps a good pace all the way through, while sporting some pretty nifty moves. This is thanks to the 17-minute step guide that’s separate from the workout. You can practice the 10 key moves here (flashy as they are, they’re really not all that complicated, but there is a small learning curve). This way, the actual workout doesn’t have to slow down while you trip over your feet for a few passes — it’s full speed ahead! Plus I love Bethany Lyons’ energy. If she taught classes near me, I’d be there in a flash!
I’m not sure why I never reviewed Jackie Warner’s One on One Training With Jackie DVD.
I remember doing it and thinking that Warner was a good, solid instructor with a good, solid workout. I just wasn’t all that excited by it. But there was no way I could forget to review her Power Circuit Training DVD — it kept me coming back for more, even though a couple of moves are murderous (hello, Arnold Presses! My shoulders aren’t accustomed to your brute power!). If you’ve been doing sculpting DVDs for a long time and are getting bored with the same, tired moves, Warner has some pleasant surprises for you. Well, you may not think they’re pleasant at first but trust me, they will grow on you. Even those confounded Arnold presses! And even if you go for one of the 15-minute quickie workouts instead of the full 42-minute Monty, you will feel like you did something fantastic for your body.
I remember doing it and thinking that Warner was a good, solid instructor with a good, solid workout. I just wasn’t all that excited by it. But there was no way I could forget to review her Power Circuit Training DVD — it kept me coming back for more, even though a couple of moves are murderous (hello, Arnold Presses! My shoulders aren’t accustomed to your brute power!). If you’ve been doing sculpting DVDs for a long time and are getting bored with the same, tired moves, Warner has some pleasant surprises for you. Well, you may not think they’re pleasant at first but trust me, they will grow on you. Even those confounded Arnold presses! And even if you go for one of the 15-minute quickie workouts instead of the full 42-minute Monty, you will feel like you did something fantastic for your body.I’ve given you my 10 best — now get to work!
