Exercise videos make working out at home convenient. You can fit the workouts into your schedule instead of having to adjust your schedule to find an exercise class. The drawback to videos is you do not have a fitness professional there to observe your exercise form and correct your mistakes. The better your form, the more effective your exercises will be in tightening your abs. Once you learn basic form though, videos are great.
Latin Dance Videos
Latin dance videos help you burn calories and work your core muscles. Together, this will help shrink your stomach better than just doing cardio or core work alone. The Core Rhythms Exercise Program has DVDs that help you work your abs doing standing crunches and oblique exercises while dancing. You also can change the camera angle and slow down the video to see the proper form of the exercises. You can also buy an ab-specific DVD and a nutritional guide. Exercise can only do so much, and should be combined with a proper diet if you want to see the results in your waistline.
Zumba also offers Latin-based exercise DVDs based on its popular classes. Cheryl Burke and Maksim Chmerkovsky of the popular show "Dancing with the Stars" have Latin Cardio Dance DVD that is appropriate for beginners looking to shed pounds and tone their core.
Pilates DVDs
Pilates DVDs are good for people who don't like crunches or weights but still want to get a core workout. Mat Pilates DVDs do not need any special equipment. You can buy easy or intermediate-level DVDs and there is a ton of variety. Both Gaiam and Stott Pilates sell popular series of DVDs for all levels. You may wish to take a few classes first to learn how to do the exercises from a live instructor and get feedback on your form, and then do the DVDs . Pilates will also build lean muscle throughout your body and improve your flexibility. It is not a very challenging cardiovascular exercise, so plan on doing another activity like swimming or walking for cardio.
Strength and Core Training
If you are the kind of person that likes crunches, weights gyms and traditional exercises get DVDs targeted at your core or abs. You can also find DVDs that combine core exercises with cardio. Or, you can just get an ab-sculpting DVD. Many of them have similar exercises, so focus more on finding an instructor that motivates you. You may prefer a male, female, high-energy or instructional host. Finding an instructor you like will make you more motivated to use the video. See the Resource section for a list of exercise DVDs and reviews for a place to start.
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