Ellen Barrett Live Fusion Floor Workout

THE WORKOUT: Ellen Barrett Live Fusion Floor Workout (Buff Girl Fitness, $15)

REVIEWED BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone—provided beginners don’t expect to complete all reps of all movements. It’s not as easy as you might imagine.

THE BREAKDOWN: Just because this entire workout is done on the floor doesn’t mean you won’t work hard. This is an extremely creative 40 minutes—even familiar stuff is given a twist. For example, instead of doing full pushups the regular way, you do them one arm/side at a time, keeping the other side low and working pecs, lats, deltoids and probably more. Moves all work multiple body parts and are flowing and repetitive; they stretch and strengthen simultaneously, and they feel good while they work you out.

Lots of these exercises are done leaning on one or both hands. Pay particular attention to Ellen’s instructions about distributing your weight across your entire hand so you don’t end up with wrist pain.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Keep up with Ellen—who is cheerful and friendly without being frenetic—and you should sweat.

BUT IS IT FUN? The novelty makes it fun.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You might be surprised by how well worked out you feel.

GEAR AND APPAREL: A mat.

FINAL WORD: Having adopted a standing desk about a year ago, I’m ready to sit down by the end of the day, when I usually work out. This DVD will probably get a lot of use.

A New Voice, A New Perspective on Ageless With Kathy Smith

My friend Kritter and I have a gold-star system working. I got the idea from my friends Nancy and Sarah. The deal is this: every day that we exercise at least 30 minutes, we get a gold star on our shared online calendar. (We live in different cities.)

That’s all. Just a gold star. No prize at the end, no goal other than seeing the calendar fill up with gold stars. This, oddly enough, is motivation enough.

Consequently, Krit and I talk about exercising a lot. I’ve been working out for decades, she’s just a couple of on-and-off years into having a fitness program. But she has embraced the life. She’s also the Queen of Google and so she’s always feeding me interesting health and fitness related tidbits. She’s one of my fitness buddies, and she knows her way around fitness DVDs.

I give Kritter DVDs I think she’d like, after I review them or if I think I won’t. I wasn’t impressed with the Ageless With Kathy Smith DVD, but Kritter said it sounded like she might like it. And, it turns out, she did. She begged to differ with my review and her emailed explanation makes so much sense, I asked to post it here. And, better yet, she has also agreed to write reviews for Suit Up and Show Up, freshening things up around here with a new perspective. Yay!

Counterpoint: Ageless With Kathy Smith

I got out the Kathy Smith Ageless DVD.  You would have thought I hadn't exercised in years.  I had no balance.  I had no ab/core tone.  I had no nothing.  I kept having to backtrack.   Things I could at least sorta do a couple weeks ago were out of my grasp.  And yet, I persevered.  And for that reason alone I get a gold star.

I'm still mulling why I like the DVD (particularly after today's poor performance).  I really think I'm the target audience.  Older, basically out of shape—but no, you couldn't do much with it having not exercised in 20 years and being 40 pounds overweight.  You're the right age, but you've consistently kept up the exercising, frequently with DVDs, so for you she's just preaching to the choir, same old same old.  But there are lots of women like me out there.

You know she has to keep that body at her age.  When she tells you to lift the weights and do the stretching, you realize she's telling herself the same thing EVERY FUCKING DAY.  Yeah, she likes the sweating and the physicality of working out more than I do and yeah, I know she's fit way beyond anything I'll ever achieve, but I don't think she's pushing unreasonably, nor is she threatening (a la Jillian).  She doesn't go too fast, so even if you're struggling with a move, you stand a chance to get enough repetitions in without starting the segment over.

Basically, I can do some of it fairly well and the rest gives me something to work towards.

Ageless With Kathy Smith: Staying Strong

THE WORKOUT: Ageless With Kathy Smith: Staying Strong

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS:  Note that it’s staying strong, not getting strong. Not for beginners.

THE BREAKDOWN: Holy cow, Kathy Smith is 60 years old?! She’s looking so good, I’ll forgive the Botox. Certainly her body looks better than mine does—or even did when I was half that age. And oh boy, she did stay strong…this is not a workout for weaklings.

I like Kathy Smith so I feel kinda bad that I don’t like this DVD.

Four 15 minute segments work arms, legs, glutes and core--hard. Weights, squats, lunges, leg lifts, some balance, some jumps. It’s mostly pretty standard stuff with lots of reps; even 15 little minutes get a little tedious. The 12-minute "Bonus Stretch"  is so lackluster I turned it off and freestyled.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Sweat and lots of it.

BUT IS IT FUN? Do you find broccoli fun? Then you’ll have fun.

WHEN IT'S OVER: Your muscles will tell you that it did the job, no doubt about it.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Light weights.

FINAL WORD: Not bad, just dull. Doubt I’ll do it again.

Note: Check out Kritter's counterpoint review--she likes this workout.

Personal Training With Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training

THE WORKOUT: Personal Training With Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training

WHO CAN DO THIS: You'll need to know proper form for using light weights.

THE BREAKDOWN: I am not generally Xtreme anything, except maybe hungry, and I tend to be shy about trying DVDs with a seriously ripped trainer on the cover. But despite the Xtremity and Jackie Warner’s intimidating six-pack, I decided that 30 tough minutes might be just the jolt my increasingly complacent workout needed.

Compound moves work the upper and lower body and core simultaneously, which also elevates the heart rate to the fat-burning zone. Each move is done for one minute, and when I say “is done” I mean Warner and her oh-so-fit cohorts Madison and Jericho do it for one minute. I manage 30 seconds before pausing to gasp for a while before gamely trying to rejoin--with varying success.

I used three-pound weights the first time I tried this and had to put them down halfway through each exercise and finish the reps with no weights (as Jericho demonstrates in the modifications). The next time, I used the one-pound weight gloves from 10 Minute Solution Knockout Body! and those worked great. Love those gloves.

Warner is the kind of trainer who exults in making you hate her, which is fine. I prefer that to a trainer who pretends everyone is having fun. The workout is just the right level of tough, for when you want to kick your own ass a little. I particularly like that although it includes lots (and lots and lots and lots) of the dreaded lunges, everything is done at a moderate pace. This gives me time to set up my lunges properly (protecting my wonky knees), and allows me to control my weights rather than flailing.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Very sweaty.

BUT IS IT FUN? Not fun, exactly, but quick and satisfying.

WHEN IT'S OVER: Endorphins, a sense of accomplishment, and wobbly legs.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Light weights, some floor space, and a mat. Warner wears silly, baggy, low-slung shorts, but I don’t think those are necessary.

FINAL WORD: Very nice; a keeper.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Step-by-Step Strength Training with Petra Kolber

THE WORKOUT:Step By Step Strength Training with Petra Kolber

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Beginners can do it but, with the right weights and attitude, intermediates will find it useful too.

THE BREAKDOWN: So much going for this DVD. It has four strength and toning workouts: two 20-minute full-body workouts; a ten-minute upper body; a ten-minute lower body, and a bonus five minutes for abs. It's just enough to be effective but short enough to not be as incredibly boring as strength training can be. Plus, I always like Petra Kolber’s workouts. Every one I've tried has been snappy, efficient, and creative.

One full-body workout combines upper and lower body moves—your basic lifts and squats. The other adds balance challenges, which is a useful novelty. Balance is increasingly important as we age, and it can be improved with practice. Here, Kolber has you stand on one and foot and then the other as you lift and squat, and adds some diagonal moves that further challenge balance. Very smart.

The 10-minute segments are nothing earth shaking, but Petra is chipper and helpful and it all goes by quickly and pleasantly. Five-minutes for abs is not a lot, but at least you can feel good about yourself if you tack it on to whatever else you do. Sort of.
THE SWEAT FACTOR: The more segments you do, the more you sweat, of course, But one 20-minute segment, if you really try, can give you a good glow.

BUT IS IT FUN? Fun enough. It’s not not fun.

WHEN IT'S OVER: If you’re hit-or-miss about strength training, as I tend to be, you might feel your muscles for the rest of the day.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Light weights (I used five pounds), a chair, and a mat. And you don’t even really need the chair if your balance is good. Or the mat, actually, if your floor is carpeted.

FINAL WORD: Yay.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Keeping Fit in Your 50s

THE WORKOUT: Keeping Fit in Your 50s - Aerobics, Keeping Fit in Your 50s - Strength, Keeping Fit in Your 50s - Flexibility

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone

THE BREAKDOWN: I was excited to hear about this three-DVD collection. Like many people in their 50s, I've been working out since the 1980s, when Ken Cooper coined the term “aerobics” and Jane Fonda first put on legwarmers. But, also like many of my peers, I find that programs aimed at people half my age can be rough on some parts of my anatomy--in my case, my knees, which have been doing their job for a long time and are wearing out. So I thought this program would factor in our changing bodies to help us keep active ("Keeping Fit...") while not hurting ourselves.

Well, no. The name for this series should be “Getting Fit in Your 50s,” since it is basic, basic, basic, presented in a Romper Room voice by exercise physiologist Robyn Stuhr. Model Cindy Joseph also demonstrates, but she looks awfully fit. She probably isn't starting from scratch, either.

The workouts, backed by throbbing porn-movie music, are repetitive and tedious. I managed to go into a Zen state during the strength training with weights, but I had to push myself through the aerobics and the flexibility program was so drab, I gave up. If they're trying to inspire couch potatoes, who might benefit from this basic training, shouldn't they have made the workouts a little bit fun? Shouting “Woo!” and “Yeehaw!” doesn't help. And for me, advanced add-ons weren't enough to salvage the workouts.

And perhaps most misguided are all those lunges. Lunges! Even Jane Fonda in her legwarmer days hated those, and here they go on and on and on and on … oy, my aging knees. Of all the standard exercises, that's the one for which I most need a substitute. Besides, after all these years working out, haven’t we earned something less odious?

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Yes, I got sweaty.

BUT IS IT FUN? No, I didn't have fun.

WHEN IT'S OVER: I was pretty sore for a couple of days after all those lunges, lunges, lunges. I have no doubt these workouts would do their job if I ever did them again.

GEAR AND APPAREL: The strength workout requires weights, a strap or towel, a chair.

FINAL WORD: I still think a series tailored to people in their 50s is a great idea.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Give a Gift of Fitness '09

By Sophia

First, my standing disclaimer when it comes to buying fitness videos as gifts: Be sure the recipient actually, actively wants a fitness DVD. Otherwise, it’s just an ugly hint.

That said, here’s a gift list of DVDs that I’ve tried this year (or that I tried too late to put on last year’s list) and would recommend. And since a good workout never goes out of style (not so the fashions), check out last year’s list as well.

Just starting out

Nobody cues better than Petra Colber which makes Cardio for Beginners that much better for beginners. Broken into two ten-minute segments (one dance, one “athletic”) and two 20-minute segments (ditto), the workout is fun and useful.

Hemalayaa is one of the more appealing fitness pros out there and her Bollywood Booty is just a silly fun way to get the heart going.

Dance Off the Inches Dance it off Ballroom also makes the workout more frolic than work for the dance-friendly.

Needs new motivation

I love Ten Minute Solution Knockout Body. You get to punch out some aggression, the weighted gloves are a fun gizmo, and it’s a good upper body workout. Because the gloves are included, this is a gift with a little extra flash.

Fat Burning Fusion is an interesting Pilates flow that melds strength, stretch and cardio. Familiarity with Pilates and yoga are a plus.

I don’t know about you but, for me, lifting weights is tedious. But brisk and efficient Kathy Smith: Total Body Lift makes the job less onerous.

Only the strong survive


Jeanette Jenkins will charm the pants off you while kicking your butt. Jeanette Jenkins Sexy Arms, Abs & Legs is a full hour of smiling through the pain. “How do you think Madonna got so hot?” Jeanette taunts amiably.

I can’t finish all the reps of anything in the excruciatingly subtle Core Fusion Pure Abs and Arms, but I keep trying. This is not only a tough workout, but you need to know how your muscles work to do it justice.

Element: Yoga for Weight Loss is not my favorite-ever yoga DVD, but it’s a sensible, brisk flow that would surely live up to its promise if you stick to the program.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Exhale: Core Fusion - Pure Abs & Arms

THE WORKOUT: Exhale: Core Fusion - Pure Abs & Arms

REVIEW BY: Sophia


WHO CAN DO THIS: Not a rank beginner. An aspiring intermediate, certainly. An insane hardbody, yes, you too.

THE BREAKDOWN: This is all so low-key and quiet; no jumping around, no flailing, just voiceover instructions and lots of little bitty intense moves that … oh my, they hurt. I have yet to complete all the reps in any one of the ten-minute segments. That’s right. I can’t complete ten minutes. Core Fusion creators Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp very gently and genteely kick my ass.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m always in the market for upper-body workouts and the chapters in this one are Upper Body Weights; Upper Body; Abdominals; Abdominal Curl with Leg Variations (that even sounds hard); Upper Body, Back, and Hip Stretches. The workout is done barefoot (they’re wearing socks—maybe the studio is cold) with light hand weights and a resistance band, which comes with the DVD.

I’m a big fan of the band. For some reason, I find it much less tedious than hand weights. Still, I can hang with their weight segment—even if I don’t agree that moves working more than one set of muscles are “double the fun,” as Fred claims. For him, maybe; I just keep my eye on the prize and push through.

The second upper body segment uses the resistance band. As with the first segment, there’s nothing tricky to most of the moves; you gotcher hammer curls, yer rows, yer flies, yer triceps (“one of the defining moments of the section,” Fred says).

Exercises in the abdominals segments, which also use the resistance band, are more unusual. Some of the moves barely move—they’re about “strength and stillness.” The second abs section ups the exertion. Even Fred admits to “burning.” Reminders about form are helpful, as are variations for the weaker or stronger. The final stretch is nothing fancy, just pleasant.

Sit and watch this DVD and it looks like these two aren’t doing much. Try it and you realize that every little bit hurts.The presentation is pretty but I could live without the tedious porn-soundtrack music.

By the way, Core Fusion is a proprietary class of the Exhale Spa, so if you have one near you, you can try these moves in a class setting.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Who would think moving so little could make you sweat? It’s the sweat of exertion.

BUT IS IT FUN? Not fun like dance aerobics but not tedious.

WHEN IT'S OVER: Ooh. Ouch. Eek. Can’t wait to do it again.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Light hand weights; resistance band (included); mat (optional); towel or yoga block.

FINAL WORD: A big YES for this one.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

10 Minute Solution KnockOut Body!

THE WORKOUT: 10 Minute Solution: Knockout Body Workout Kit w/Weighted Gloves

WHO CAN DO THIS: Intermediate exercisers. If you’ve taken boxing or kickboxing fitness classes, even at the beginner level, you’ll be OK, but this is not for newbies to exercise. No instruction on form is provided and getting the most out of the workout requires knowing how to use your muscles safely and effectively. On the other hand, hardbodies are not likely to find this challenging enough.

THE BREAKDOWN: I promise that my next few reviews will be anything but 10 Minute Solutions. I know I review a lot of these, but this is a new favorite.

First of all, the weighted gloves are a fun new gizmo. They get a little sweaty, but it’s otherwise a pretty comfortable way to add a little extra effort to any activity. I wore them cleaning house the other day.

Also, I’m always looking for good upper-body workouts, since most DVDs tend to focus on the more commonly griped-about (by women) lower body. But I’m never wearing a miniskirt or short-shorts again, so I’d rather feel comfortable showing my arms. Though this DVD is designed to provide a whole-body workout, the arms get a little extra with all that punching in weighted gloves.

I’ve never taken any kind of boxing cardio class and didn’t think I would like it, but these little 10-minute routines—two aerobic segments, an upper-body segment, a kickboxing/cross-training segment and an interesting abs segment—are fun and a refreshing new style for me.

Jessica Smith’s hit-or-miss cuing is a little frustrating—some counts with the jab-cross-uppercut-hook combos would have been very useful, but you can supply your own. Fortunately, moves are easy enough to learn after a couple of times through the workout.

If, like me, you’re new to boxing, start with the first segment, Knockout Body Blast, which kinda sorta breaks things down.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I work up a sheen doing one, a sweat doing more. I can see that the real muscle workout is in learning to control the punches rather than just flinging those weighted gloves around. It’s a decent cardio workout, too, though some of the bobbing was hard on my knees.

BUT IS IT FUN? Yep, it is. And yes, I did imagine punching people. I’ll never tell who.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You’ll be invigorated and probably feel your arms and back.

GEAR AND APPAREL: You don’t need tons of space, although the kickboxing segment has you kick side and front, so watch the bric-a-brac. The gloves are entirely optional, of course.

FINAL WORD: Today I did the upper body segment before my 40-minute-ish power walk (with hills). It was a perfect medium-exertion workout. I like it. A keeper and a doer.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

10 Minute Solution Dance Your Body Thin

10 Minute Solution: Dance Your Body Thin Kit w/Weighted Dance Belt

WHO CAN DO THIS: The coordinated and fluid hipped.


REVIEW BY: Sophia

THE BREAKDOWN: The gimmick here is that the DVD comes with a two-pound weighted belt that rests around your hips to engage core muscles and give the workout extra oomph.

Dance Your Body Thin! is standard format for the series—five 10-minute segments than can be programmed to do individually or in any combination or sequence. Regular readers here know that 10 Minute Solutions is among my favorite workout series.

I’m spoiled from doing a lot of DVDs. If baby can’t nail the moves pretty quickly, baby gets sulky. With some DVDs, I feel like I’m dancing the first time through, even if I don’t have the steps exactly right. But the first time through this one (one or two segments at a time), I mostly felt awkward.

While tiny dancer Andrea Leigh Rogers’ arms were sinuous, mine just flailed. The footwork is simple, but moves rely heavily on hip action. That didn’t go well, either. Compounding my problem, Rogers’ cueing is a little off—some counts would have been helpful and she tends to announce changes just a speck late. Everything slows down for the ballet sculpt segment, which is interesting and definitely challenging, though tough on my hinky old knees.

The workout is designed to work well with the weighted belt (hence all the hip action) and that is a plus. The belt is not a finely crafted piece of workout equipment, but I like it and plan to use it with some of my other DVDs. And the dance workout is not bad, it’s just not me. Maybe it’s you.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I definitely worked up a sweat, but it was partly frustration.

BUT IS IT FUN? It could be for anyone who masters it. I probably won't put in the effort.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You may feel it in your abs if you wore the belt. Not a ton, but nice.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Enough space for about four steps forward and side to side. I wore aerobic shoes.

FINAL WORD: I might choose one of the chapters to master and use as a core workout. (That’s the great thing about these 10-minute workouts—you can mix and match.) It might not be able to compete with other dance DVDs I enjoy more, though. The belt’s a keeper.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Jeanette Jenkins Sexy Arms, Abs & Legs

THE WORKOUT: Jeanette Jenkins Sexy Arms, Abs & Legs

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: This isn’t suitable for beginners. It’s a taxing workout and requires good form and balance.

THE BREAKDOWN: The hour-long workout is sort of broken into eight chapters. You can do segments one at a time, although starts and endings are a little abrupt that way because they’re designed to do together. There’s a little bit of dance, lots and lots and lots of squats and lunges, some weights, some yoga, some pushups, some leg lifts. The resting segments, interspersed with sculpting segments, are an easy little anyone-can dance.

It’s a little bit of a lot of things that add up to a challenging workout.

"Sexy Sculpt Part 1” starts with a full body workout: weights for the arms and shoulders, lunges for the lower body, rotations for the midsection—all at once. Getting through the segment is a goal rather than a given for me. “Sexy Sculpt Part 2” starts with a leg kick/lift/twist move that combines cardio, strength and balance, then moves onto squats, rotations and shoulder presses. Even the yoga segment is unusually challenging. (“Why do you think Madonna’s so hot?” Jenkins asks.) The floor work includes 16 tough pushups (down to a two-count followed by two quick down ups, then reverse the pattern). And I can only dream of completing the abs workout someday.

If you’re experienced enough to do this workout, you also know that the high-speed stretch at the end is inadequate. Turn it off and take a leisurely stretch. You earned it.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I predict sweat even if you’re in moderately good shape.

BUT IS IT FUN? It’s not fun-fun but it’s challenging without being grim. I like Jeanette Jenkins—she’s fun and giggly and personable. She’s helped out here by a typical crowd of cuties. The music…not so much. I thought the generic rock guitar was irritating, then they pull out the harmonica, which doesn’t improve matters.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You will limp and groan with pride.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Room to move about four steps side to side, mat and light weights

FINAL WORD: I’ll keep this around, along with Jenkins’ circuit-training workout, for days when I need my butt kicked.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Kathy Smith Total Body Lift

THE WORKOUT: Kathy Smith: Total Body Lift

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: This isn’t suitable for rank beginners not only because it’s fairly strenuous, but also because a level of body awareness is required to do the moves effectively and avoid injury. (For example, when Kathy cautions against “taking it in the back,” you should know exactly what she’s talking about.)

THE BREAKDOWN: Well, Kathy Smith, as I live and breathe. Where you been, girlfriend? Long time no see.

Kathy is old school like Tamilee Webb, minus the cocky machisma. While Tamilee is boastful about her feats of lifting, Kathy acts like starting the arms segment with 20 slow pushups (done in sets of five) is no big deal. She’s pleasant and friendly but never perky or even chipper.

Even the dance-inspired warm-up gets warm real fast. Kathy doesn’t candy coat these five strength segments—warm-up, upper body, leg, butt and abs—which range from about 12 to 15 minutes each. There’s nothing flashy here, but keeping up requires concentration and discipline. You gotta want it. Kathy uses just two-pound weights for biceps, shoulders, pecs and triceps but the segment is long with few breaks and I felt the burn using just one-pounders. (The upper body segment is the only one that uses weights.) Butt and legs segments use lifts, lunges and isometrics. The abs segment includes crunches with Pilates-ish exercises. Your muscles will like the attention even if your fun buttons aren’t pushed.

Kathy’s patter is mostly instructional with just a little bit of motivation here and there. She makes her fitness chicks do much of the work while she stands by, explaining form.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: You will generate heat.

BUT IS IT FUN? Strength training is never terribly fun to me but it’s a necessary aspect of fitness. This is a broccoli sort of workout—I like it because it’s good for me.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You may feel proud of yourself.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Mat, chair, towel (optional).

FINAL WORD: A solid workout and a keeper, though I probably won't do it as often as I should.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Denise Austin: Boot Camp-Total Body Blast

THE WORKOUT: Denise Austin: Boot Camp -- Total Body Blast


REVIEW BY: Sophia


WHO CAN DO THIS: Because Denise spends no time explaining form or technique here, this workout isn’t for beginners.

THE BREAKDOWN: I’ve mostly avoided the whole “boot camp” workout fad because the term brings to mind millions of push-ups, bellowing, sweating and grunting…ugh. I prefer workouts that have words like “cupcakes” and “pink daisies” and “lavender unicorns.” I’m just not boot campy. I’m Richard Simmons campy.

But, in the interest of hard-hitting journalism, I figured I should give some boot camp workouts a shot. Besides, I’ve always liked Denise Austin. She's been around forever doing her thing. She strikes me as very slightly, and delightfully, insane. She’s loud, she has a wild look in her eyes, she can’t count, she’s happy beyond all rationality. Plus, she knows her stuff. Her workouts work. What’s not to like?

This DVD includes two solid 20-minute interval workouts, one focusing on cardio, the other on strength. The workouts—which include some easily-eliminated high-impact moves—are similar except that one uses light hand weights and the other doesn’t. Moves include lots and lots of squats and lunges, jump rope-free rope jumping, jabs and uppercuts, some basketball jumps, karate kicks and just a few push-ups, all done in front of an exposed brick wall crisscrossed with pipes. Macho. Both workouts end with abdominal strengtheners, both unusual and classic. Denise loves her some crunches.

A 10-minute flexibility segment is unusual in that Denise uses “active isolated stretches” instead of static stretches—that is, instead of holding a stretch, she has you hold and release, hold and release. Interesting.

Denise chatters incessantly through the workout and her cuing, as usual, is haphazard. That’s just the way she rolls.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: You should sweat like a big smelly soldierman.

BUT IS IT FUN? Define “fun.”

WHEN IT'S OVER: Your heart and muscles will know you care.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Supportive shoes, mat, light hand weights (heavier than five pounds might be hard to control), a decent amount of space, preferably on an uncarpeted floor, and a mat.

FINAL WORD: Not bad, but I’ll stick with cupcakes and unicorns.

And, by the way, Denise was airbrushed to the point of unrecognizable on the DVD box. Heaven forbid she should look her age--an astonishing 51.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer, 21 Day Total Body Circuit Workout

THE WORKOUT: Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer, 21 Day Total Body Circuit

WHO CAN DO THIS: Minimal coordination is required, although balance is necessary. This DVD is simple but not "easy cheesy." (I got that from Ms. Jenkins. "I don't know where I got that easy cheesy from," she giggles after blurting it during warm-up.) Modifications for beginners are to primarily use lighter weights and do 15 reps instead of 25.

THE BREAKDOWN: Ms. Jenkins, who has trained Queen Latifah, Carmen Electra and Christina Applegate, among others, is bubbly and extremely likable. She laughs, she sings, she says cute things. "Yeah, I have a love-hate relationship with these tens," she says, picking up a pair of 10-pound weights for bicep curls.

The DVD contains two circuit workouts that alternate cardio and strength training, each ending with abs and a quick stretch. Basic, basic, basic stuff, but energetic and effective. The cardio segments are anyone-can moves such as marching in place, knee lifts, step-touch. You'll be able to keep up no matter how many left feet you're burdened with. Strength moves are similarly basic and effective: You've got your squats and lunges, your flies and rows and overhead presses. Easy cheesy. Some of the standing leg exercises are unusual and definitely challenge the balance, which is not a bad thing. Be extra careful on that single-leg reach, though, which requires standing on one leg, bending forward and touching the floor while lifting the free leg.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Looks easy, feels hard. Unless you're already buff, you will sweat, gasp and probably end up with some sore muscles the first few times. And that's a good thing, right?

THE ENERGY LEVEL: Though there's no jumping or dancing, you'll need plenty of energy to get through 30 minutes of nonstop movement. Consider this: Circuit A starts with 25 push-ups. Get the picture?

BUT IS IT FUN?: That depends on your definition of fun. Ms. Jenkins keeps the mood light and the workout goes by quickly, but it's not like being a dancing diva with Richard Simmons or anything.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You'll feel well worked-out.

GEAR AND APPAREL: 3-, 5, or 10-pound dumbbells, 1- to 5-pound ankle weights, a mat and any old workout wear and shoes

FINAL WORD: This is a keeper and Jenkins is one of my new fave fitness pros.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

The Best of Tamilee: Buns, Abs & Arms Workout

THE WORKOUT: The Best of Tamilee Buns, Abs & Arms Workout. $19.95 at Amazon 

REVIEW BY: Sophia


WHO CAN DO THIS: The question is: who can do all of this? Anyone can try, but when you can keep up with Tamilee, you can feel yourself fit.

THE BREAKDOWN: Tamilee “Buns of Steel” Webb is old school—I’ve been working out with her videos since the early 1990s. “Buns of Steel” has worked its way into our pop culture lexicon. Giggle if you must, but while fads and fitness cupcakes come and go, ageless Tamilee can still crank out a solid workout.

This compilation of exercises from Buns of Steel, Abs of Steel and Arms of Steel videos are quickie workouts that actually burn. Using a step and three-pound weights, I didn’t manage to make it through the 15 minutes of buns exercises without a couple of breaks and some gasping. Same with the abs, which is a variety of crunches that go on and on and on. I did make it straight through the arms segment but it hurt. It hurt so good.

Even better, the arms workout includes butt, legs and core strengthening and the butt workout uses some arms, which means that each 15 minutes goes a long way. I also appreciate that Tamilee points out the contribution genes play in her six-pack abs—she won’t promise that if you do the deliciously sadistic segment you’ll have abs of steel like hers, only that you’ll get stronger. Tamilee, the truth-teller.

Along with a brief warm-up and stretch, Tamilee plugs a yoga DVD by including a 15-minute strengthening yoga workout with Stacy McCarthy. Sundry up and down dogs, warriors and triangles require familiarity with yoga, but the sample is a nice little quickie workout and provides a promising glimpse of the full DVD, Stacey McCarthy: Yoga Body - Lean and Strong. (Learn more at Stacy McCarthy’s website, yoganamastacy.com – wacka wacka.)

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Lots of sweating and gasping and even some cussing as I tried to keep up with Tamilee.

THE ENERGY LEVEL: Lots of energy required even with no jumping or dancing.

BUT IS IT FUN? It’s fun knowing that you are getting a proper workout in such a short time.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You might be wobbly and sore. You might also look forward to the next time.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Hand weights (you decide how strong you’re feeling), optional step and mat.

FINAL WORD: I have lots of DVDs I could be talked out of. This one is a keeper and a do-er. I love it. Right on, right on Tamilee. (P.S. I just sneezed and felt it in my abs.)

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Abs Diet for Women Workout

THE WORKOUT: The Abs Diet for Women Workout $12.99 at Amazon

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: You’ll want workout experience since no time is spent on proper form-—an oversight especially noticeable in the pilates and yoga chapters.

THE BREAKDOWN: This peculiar but likable DVD does a little bit of a lot of things—it may be just a teaser lure you into the online interactive Abs Diet program, which presumably is more in-depth.

Exquisitely taut-bodied Jessica, Kat and Madison lead us through the quick menu of workouts. Jessica leads the workout, blond ponytail a-bobbing, and she's low key and pleasant.

The first of two five-minute abs segments is traditional crunches, the second is more challenging and creative, using weights and balance. Both wisely include back strengthening.

The 20-minute cardio interval segment is straightforward almost to a fault, with intervals of easy jogging alternating with intervals of increasing (up to 90 seconds) and then decreasing durations of jumping jacks, high-knee runs, jumping jack squats and other no-brainer but heart-pumping moves. (Bring on the cast-iron sports bra for this one.) It’s not a gripping workout but it’s definitely effective, with no learning curve.

The 16-minute strength segment is my favorite. I find weight lifting tedious and am always happy to find a quick, efficient program. The combo moves here work all body parts in a short time.

The four-and-a-half minute pilates segment is hard work for the core, although because I don’t practice pilates I can’t judge whether I’m doing the moves effectively. The yoga segment is a big honkin' waste of four minutes. If you practice yoga, it’s unsatisfying and if you don’t, you won’t know what to do. Skip it.

The final segment touches on the "diet" part of the abs diet, and any diet that recommends peanut butter is OK by me.

A quibble: Why did they tag the warm-up on to several segments? If you do more than one segment, you only need the warm-up once. You can skip it with the push of a button, but it’s annoying.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: The cardio interval and strength segments should get you glowing, at the very least. The others, not so much, although the abs workouts definitely burned.

BUT IS IT FUN? Not exactly fun. But not grueling, either. Let’s call it “benign.”

WHEN IT'S OVER: Depending on what and how many segments you’ve done, you’ll either be sore and sweaty or ready to move on to another DVD to complete your workout. Or kidding yourself. Five minutes doth not a workout make.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Mat, aerobic shoes and hand weights.

FINAL WORD: I’ll probably never do the cardio interval, pilates or yoga segments again, but the others will enter my rotation.

3-in-1 Total Body Fitness

THE WORKOUT: 3-in-1 Total Body Fitness with Desi Bartlett ($12.99 at Amazon)

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: This isn’t for beginners. The workout moves fast, cueing is sloppy--which can make for flustered, frustrated moments—and no time is wasted on discussion of form or safe handling of weights.

On the other hand, the audio track is in English, Spanish and Spanglish, so it is a multicultural workout.

THE BREAKDOWN: My first thought after pressing play: Wow, that’s colorful. The workout is done on bright fuchsia, purple and blue cubes set on a beach decorated with potted cacti and against an unnaturally blue sky.

My second thought was: My goodness, that music is fast. There’s no slow build here—the workout starts full speed ahead.

My third thought was: Holy cow, that’s some major boobage! Desi Bartlett is stacked.

But that’s neither here nor there.

The DVD has three 20-minute chapters: cardio, strength and flexibility. Choreography is very simple but everything moves fast and off-screen cuing is kind of a mess—by the time the voiceover tells you to prepare for a change, the three women on screen have already changed moves. Catching up isn’t difficult with such easy moves but if you’re easily frustrated, you will get frustrated. The workout is mostly low-impact with lots of emphasis on squats, lunges and plies. There are a few small jumps here and there but they’re easily left out if you choose. It’s not exactly a gripping workout, but the 20 minutes goes by surprisingly fast, which is a plus.

The strength section also is fast-paced. I’m not a big fan of fast lifting because maintaining good form is difficult and if you’re inexperienced, conking yourself with the weights is a risk. Still, this workout packs a lot into 20 minutes, combining squats, lunges and balances with curls, lifts and rows. There’s no time to change weights between moves, which was also a little frustrating. I found five-pounders a tad heavy for some moves (I have trouble with lateral lifts) but three-pounders would be too light for all the others. Mention is made at one point of modifying a move but no mention as to whether it’s modified to be harder or easier, who is demonstrating, and what the modification is. (Possibly lighter weights, since I noticed one demo chick holding weights of a different color.)

The flexibility chapter requires a certain level of flexibility already—what little mention is made of modifications just make the ultra-stretchy moves very stretchy instead. Still, a 20 minute stretch is always good to have around the house.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Much sweating occurred, but I didn’t have the a/c on in my garage/gym. Still, the fast pace will probably bring at least a glow to even people more fit than I.

BUT IS IT FUN? So-so, no matter how many times Desi tells us that it’s FUN! and we should SMILE! It’s not a misery, but it’s no party.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You’ll feel worked out.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Supportive shoes, little bit of room, light hand weights, a towel for the flexibility chapter.

FINAL WORD: I’m conflicted. While I’m not terribly impressed, any cardio workout that ends before I realize 20 minutes have passed must have something going for it. I may have to do it one more time to decide if it’s a keeper.

Pick Your Level: Fat to Firm Fast

THE WORKOUT: Pick Your Level: Fat to Firm Fast $12.99 at Amazon

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS:With three levels of difficulty to choose from, this workout is for anybody. Really.

THE BREAKDOWN: This DVD gets a special gold star because the woman who demonstrates Level 1 actually looks like a level one. She carries a few extra pounds and wears a loose t-shirt and full-length loose workout pants. Level 2 is demonstrated by instructor Michelle Dozois, who wears tighter Capri-length pants, and Level 3 is demonstrated by a taut, gorgeous Amazon in tight shorts.

The full-body workout consists of warm-up, four circuits combining strength and cardio, and a short stretch. Each circuit has a little of this and a little of that—some weights, some mat work, some cardio. The workout really does go quickly, with creative combined weight and cardio moves, short, simple and pain-free cardio blips and no fancy footwork. Level 1 stays low impact and easy, Level 2 uses more arms, more or heavier weights and occasional high-impact, Level 3 uses the heaviest weights and includes lots of high impact and balancing.

Switching among levels is easy. So far, I’m sticking mostly to Level 2—hinky knees preclude much jumping around—but manage a few Level 3s here and there, especially in the mat work.

Of course squats and lunges play a part here—nothing beats ‘em for the butt—but they are done slowly, which makes them easier on aforementioned hinky old knees than the quick-switch lunges many workouts require. Those make me hurt.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: If you don’t cheat and goof around with too low a level, you can work up a sweat.

BUT IS IT FUN? It’s not a rollicking workout but it goes quickly and feels effective and that's a good substitute for fun. Dozois, with her early Florence Henderson hair, is pleasant enough. Music is a repetitive drone and almost unnecessary except for the beat it provides.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You’ll feel worked out but not worn out.

GEAR AND APPAREL: This can be done in a small space--the demo chicks are on round raised platforms. You’ll need two sets of hand weights.

LAST WORD: This has entered my rotation as I work myself back into shape.

10 Minute Solutions Fitness Ball Workouts

THE WORKOUT: 10 Minute Solution Fitness Ball Workout ($9.99 at Amazon)

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone with a fitness ball and a modicum of fitness. And if you’re not fit, you’ll get fit doing it and isn’t that the point?

THE BREAKDOWN: The DVD is the best thing to happen to the home workout since the VCR and the 10-minute workout is the best thing to happen to the DVD workout because it allows so much programming flexibility. Do one, two, or all five 10-minute segments or mix segments up with workouts from other favorite DVDs.

The program features the fitness ball in segments targeting upper body, lower body, abs, cardio and flexibility.

The arms and shoulders workout is perfectly good but least creative; for much of it you sit on the ball and lift light weights—curls, rows, presses. You’ve done it all before, although likable instructor Kimberly Spreen points out that balancing on the ball engages core muscles while you lift, making it a value-added upper body workout.

Other workouts use the ball in more interesting ways. The lower body workout some challenging leg lifts for the glutes, done face-down with the ball under your hips, and the flexibility segment uses the ball as balance to help deepen your lunges. Coordination does come into play here, especially in the cardio sections. Dancing with a giant rubber ball is not as easy as you might think or as Ms. Spreen makes it appear—even keeping it still when you need to can be frustrating. A few safety tips wouldn’t have been out of place.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: This DVD manages to fit plenty of muscle burn into each 10-minute workout.

THE ENERGY LEVEL: The mood is fairly mellow. Ms. Spreen loves her workout but she’s low-key about it. The music, such as it is, won’t compel anyone to get up and boogie.

BUT IS IT FUN? Yes, in that if you enjoy exercising it’s fun and if you don’t enjoy exercising, it’s quick. Except for the ho-hum upper body section, moves are interesting enough to keep you engaged.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You’ll feel it. Today and possibly in days to come.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Light hand weights, a fitness ball and enough space to wave it around--which is a lot of space. Keep in mind, too, that if the ball gets away from you, things can happen.

FINAL WORD: This one made it into frequent rotation.