You can build strength and tone up in the comfort of your own home by investing in quality home gym equipment and a few strength-training workout DVDs. Workout videos are available for all levels of fitness and all types of exercises, including weight training and muscle toning. The top 10 workout videos should be effective, led by a knowledgeable instructor, not too time consuming, innovative and provide enough variety to keep the exerciser from becoming bored or fatigued too quickly.
KickButt 4-DVD Kit
This kit includes four complete aerobic/toning interval workouts, with traditional dumbbell toning, Pilates and yoga. "Strong Bear" elevates your heart rate during the first half, followed by nonstop toning during the second. "Fast Cheetah" is mostly fast-paced cardio. "Crunch Time" and "Floor Burn" include intense body sculpting.
Shape: Get Lean in 4 Weeks
This set also includes four compact, intense, complementary workouts for intermediate exercisers. Two are toning, one is aerobics/toning and one is all cardio. They all feature up-to-date exercises with clear cuing and a demo of modifications. The all-cardio workout blends classic aerobics with kickboxing. The all-toning program features an innovative no-crunch abdominal routine.
Mindy Mylrea's All Systems Go!
This DVD is unique in that the workout uses a weighted body bar. This interval program integrates both cardio and toning into all exercises to help you burn fat and sculpt your body simultaneously. The moves are sequenced such that you work alternating muscle groups to exhaustion.
The Firm Total Body: Body Sculpting Basics
This is the first in a series of truly unique workout videos. "The Firm" utilizes aerobic and anaerobic segments to create workouts that promote strength and stamina. The content is stellar, simple dance-style aerobic combinations and weight-lifting techniques, making it a classic.
Bikini Boot Camp
This is a tough, straightforward, athletic-style workout. It offers separate higher-impact cardio and toning "circuits" to blast calories and maximize variety. The toning section is total body. The exercises range from weight-room classics to yoga-based moves. Proper technique is emphasized throughout.
Boot Camp & Muscle Endurance
Cathe Friedrich leads these two challenging workouts (in one DVD) for advanced exercisers. "Boot Camp" includes eight cycles of high-impact floor aerobic/toning intervals. "Muscle Endurance" uses a high step and barbells to perform gym-style classics. You'll finish with an intense abdominal routine.
Lift Weights to Lose Weight Double
Kathy Smith's workout DVDs are well-taught, varied and friendly (nonintimidating). This workout DVD is loaded with variety. It features seven different workouts (seven to 26 minutes each), targeting every muscle group. Have a Swiss ball, dumbbells and a weight bench on hand.
Get Ripped: Slim & Lean with Jari Love
This workout DVD is all about total body sculpting. The instructor breaks down every move clearly and easily to ensure good form, which is important for injury prevention and effectiveness. The workout features 15 quick but intensive segments of squats, lunges, push-ups and more.
Gilad Total Body Sculpt Plus: Peak Performance
Gilad Janklowicz leads this ultramotivating workout DVD. It features two 45-minute workouts focused either on arms and legs or on shoulders, abs, butt and thighs for total body toning. It also includes combinations of calorie-torching plyometrics (such as jump lunges) to not only burn but firm.
Physique 57 Express 30 Minute Full Body Workout
While this workout tones all over, it hones in on your lower half. This video features an innovative new exercise technique for reshaping your butt, thighs and calves. You'll perform intense up and down pulsing movements while squeezing a ball (playground ball) between your legs for supereffective results.
References
- "National Academy of Sports Medicine Essentials of Personal Fitness Training," 3rd ed; Michael Clark, Scott Lucett and Rodney Corn; 2008
- Exercise Videos Reviews
- Fitnessmagazine.com: The Best Workout DVDs of 2009
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