Home exercises videos feature a wide variety of training philosophies and techniques. While early programs emphasized mainly cardiovascular activities designed to burn fat and help participants lose weight, today's routines are much more comprehensive and seek to produce fitness across the entire body. The aerobics of the 1980s have been replaced in many cases with intense plyometrics and martial arts training routines. Resistance, circuit, free weight and interval training are also included in most modern regimens for both men and women.
P90X
P90X is a popular exercise program that is ubiquitous on late-night infomercial slots across many markets in the United States. Trainer Tony Horton leads you on a 90-day mission towards achieving top physical condition via a program of 12 distinct routines. What sets P90X apart from most other workout DVDs is that it is very comprehensive and includes a nutrition plan plus exercises from varied disciplines such as Yoga, Kenpo karate, weightlifting, plyometrics, and others. It requires very little equipment besides some light barbells, a yoga mat, and optional fitness bands or door frame pull-up bars. The program is intense, and the makers recommend you be in relatively good shape before attempting it.
BOSU Balance Trainer
The BOSU, or "Both Sides Up" Balance Trainer, is a device used in exercise routines, usually by stepping or bouncing on it while performing other motions with the body. It resembles a large Pilates ball cut in half with a base affixed to the bottom. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences recommends the product and its exercise DVDs as a way to build muscular strength, burn fat, improve conditioning, and improve balance.
Jillian Michaels
Fitness trainer Jillian Michaels' line of workout videos is very popular, especially with women. The editors of "Fitness Magazine" recommend "Jillian Michaels: The Complete Workout for Beginners" thanks to its light equipment requirements and the easy instruction style. This two-DVD circuit training workout covers many basics geared for those just starting to get into a fitness regimen with cardio and strength exercises. Advanced exercisers can also us the videos and increase the intensity to match their level of fitness.
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