Exercise Videos: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentFitBottomedGirls.com has by far the most comprehensive collection of workout and exercise DVDs and videos. Each video is tested by an editor and given an in-depth review. Videos and DVDs are rated on six criteria: instruction, long-term likability, music, fun factor, whether it meets expectations and overall. Each review also includes information about what watchers can expect and how the workout progresses. The site features hundreds of reviews dating back to 2008. The one drawback is that each video is only tested by one editor. Still, editors are industry experts and understand what features result in a top workout DVD.

Our AssessmentFitBottomedGirls.com provides the most in-depth data base of fitness video and DVD reviews. Here, the editors select their highest rated yoga and Pilates DVDs. Each DVD receives a very brief caption and a more detailed full review. IntenSati: Great Body, Great Life earns top billing, with editors saying that the workout "delivers results and makes you feel really good."

Our AssessmentIVillage.com writer Jessica Smith selects 18 top workout DVDs. Each description includes information about what the video is like, why the writer chose it, the necessary equipment and the expected fitness level of participants. DVDs are selected based on the type of workout provided, including toning, Pilates, kickboxing, aerobics and more. Reviews are brief but insightful. Several newer DVDs are included in this roundup. Unfortunately, it is unclear as to how these DVDs were tested and by what criteria they were selected.

Our AssessmentWoman's Day's Abigail L. Cuffey selects her favorite must-have exercise videos. The DVDs cover a wide range of categories, from dance to yoga to strength training. Cuffey has clearly tested each video, but her remarks are somewhat short and lack the detail of other review sites.

Our AssessmentEditors at CollageVideo.com call themselves the "exercise video specialists" -- reviewing and selling exercise videos since 1987. Included are 60-second clips of every video sold on the site -- helpful for catching a glimpse before you buy. The site explains that an ACE-certified instructor and a phone consultant test and select all 987 workout tapes (out of thousands they've seen). The criteria, however, are explained only in a general way. Video reviews rate level, impact, choreography and toning. We like that the site includes a quick review for every video listed. Customer reviews are also posted, but videos are not ranked (although they are rated from 1 to 5 stars). Patrick Goudeau's Lean Hot Body receives a perfect score from 60 reviewers and is a staff favorite.

Our AssessmentThis editor of the popular health and fitness website FitSugar.com shares her personal picks for the top fitness DVDs. The piece is more than two years old, but it does appear that the reviewer personally selected these DVDs. Unfortunately, it is unclear as to how many other DVDs were tested, making this review less credible than other sources. The review selects videos based on the type of video, including the best DVDs for toning, pregnancy, pre-wedding and more.

Our AssessmentWriter Danielle Braff gives brief but detailed summaries of five of the newer workout DVDs on the market, including Dance with Julianne: Cardio Ballroom and Exhale: Core Fusion Boot Camp. Braff includes information about the intensity of each workout and gives short takes on why she likes and dislikes each video.

Our AssessmentThis article selects 10 workout DVDs as the top picks for 2009. Each DVD was tested by real women, and the review includes feedback from these testers. Reviews also include the estimated number of calories burned and necessary equipment. The reviews are more credible than many other sources. Unfortunately, the article is more than two years old. Fitness magazine's Top 10 Workout DVDs of 2011 is a better source of more current workout DVDs.

Our AssessmentThe editors of this health and fitness website pick their top three DVDs and five runners-up. The Biggest Loser: Last Chance Workout, Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training and Jari Love: Get Extremely Ripped take the top spots. The information on each DVD is brief, giving only a basic rundown of what is to be expected. Additionally, there is no specific information regarding how the DVDs were tested or by which criteria they were selected.

Our AssessmentIn this article, reporter Jessica Belasco discusses three new workout DVDs, including Weight Loss Cardio Kick, Denise Austin: Best Buns & Leg Shapers, 10-Minute Solution: Hip Hop Dance Mix and HeavyWeight Yoga 2: Change the Image of Yoga. Belasco gives a decent overview of each DVD, but it doesn't appear that any of these DVDs were formally tested.

Our AssessmentIn this 2009 article, Los Angeles Times writer Melinda Fulmer suggests several more advanced workout videos. She urges caution when recommending these videos, suggesting that these workouts are not all appropriate for beginners. The trendy Physique 57 and Zumba workouts are recommended, as well as Step Pump and 10-Minute Solution: Knockout Body.

Our AssessmentThis roundup of yoga and Pilates exercise videos includes 16 different selections. Unfortunately, there are no details regarding how these videos were selected or tested. Plus, it is unclear as to whether there is a ranking system or if selections are simply organized randomly. Three of the selections come from the Exhale line of Pilates videos. Another five videos come from the collection led by Shiva Rea. Information on the individual videos is limited, though reviewer Marianne Magno does provide a brief description of each video.This roundup of yoga and Pilates exercise videos includes 16 different selections. Unfortunately, there are no details regarding how these videos were selected or tested. Plus, it is unclear as to whether there is a ranking system or if selections are simply organized randomly. Three of the selections come from the Exhale line of Pilates videos. Another five videos come from the collection led by Shiva Rea. Information on the individual videos is limited, though reviewer Marianne Magno does provide a brief description of each video.

Our AssessmentMichele Bender tries two different Bollywood-style dance workout DVDs -- The Bollywood Dance Workout with Hemalayaa and Hemalayaa: Bollywood Booty. The article gives a good sense of what it is like to do either video. The writer concludes that both DVDs provide a stellar workout and notes that the workouts are a lot of fun, due to the likability of instructor Hemalayaa.

Our AssessmentSelf magazine writer Erin Kurdyla selects her personal top three boot camp-style workout DVDs as a post on Self magazine's Fit Like Us blog. Barry's Boot Camp Complete Workout System is the reviewer's primary selection. Unfortunately, it is unclear as to how many other boot camp-style videos were tested, significantly decreasing the credibility of this roundup.

Our AssessmentReviewer Emily V. Gordon interviewed some of her exercise DVD-enthusiast friends to compile this casual list of the best workout DVDs. Each DVD review includes information as to why the reviewer is so fond of the DVD and what type of workout it provides. Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down With Neena and Veena earns the top spot, with Gordon noting that the workout is "fun, makes you feel sexy, and will make you sweat."

Our AssessmentProvidence Journal reporter Pamela Reinsel Cotter provides detailed reviews for seven relatively current workout videos. Videos are not rated, making it difficult to compare the various workout DVDs. Still, the reviews provide a decent general overview of the workouts.

Our AssessmentThe editors of Fitness magazine "tried and tested countless at-home workouts" and created a list of the best exercise videos in several categories. Also included is a brief reason why the video was chosen, comments from someone who tried the video, estimated calories burned and a clip of the video. However, we don't know how many videos didn't make the cut, which damages credibility. For strength training, the pick is Jeanette Jenkins: 21 Day Total Body Circuit Workout. For aerobics, the choice is Billy Blanks's Tae Bo Amped. For all-over body fitness, try the Bell Express 15 Cardio Fitness Kit. For "instant calm," try the YogaFit Ultra. If you don't have much time to exercise, the 10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones! is recommended. For advanced exercisers, the Get Ripped & Chiseled with Jari Love is a good choice, say editors.

Our AssessmentEditors of Health magazine suggest seven various dance workout DVDs. Each video suggestion includes a very short description of what can be expected from the workout, but it is unclear as to how or if these videos were tested. Additionally, the review is more than three years old.

Our AssessmentPaula Z. is a personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) who reviews and rates hundreds of workout videos. When we visited, dozens of videos were archived alphabetically, rated from 2 to 5 stars and identified by workout type and fitness level. Although the individual reviews are very thorough, they are not ranked, you can't sort by ratings and you need to click on each title before you know how Paula rates it. This site is a good place to visit once you've narrowed down your choices. There is also a list of the 12 best videos of 2007, including Prevention's Drop It in 30 and Pump Party, but these are not ranked either. Perhaps the most useful list is the Best DVD Workouts, which ranks 11 various workouts. A.M. & P.M. Stretch with Madeline Lewis comes in as the leader. Unfortunately, it is unclear as to when this list was last updated.

Our AssessmentThis article appears in the National Education Association magazine and includes reviews of three fitness videos. The Biggest Loser: The Workout, Volume 1 is for beginners. The routine is led by Bob Harper, the trainer for the TV show, and "real people sweat and strain" in the video. Dancing with the Stars Cardio Dance lets you dance your way to fitness. Three dancers teach the samba and cha-cha, sometimes too quickly, but with this video you will feel like you are dancing, not exercising. Crunch: Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp has "four levels of exertion for each move," and the instructor carefully teaches each move. We are not told how these videos were chosen or if they were tried out.

Our AssessmentLike Amazon.com, Epinions.com asks users to submit their opinions and rate exercise videos on a 5-star scale. Thousands of videos are listed, few with more than one or two user ratings; hence the relatively low ranking for this site in our chart. Several videos rated here include Yoga Zone Conditioning and Stress Release, Karen Voight's Great Weighted Workout and Richard Simmons's Sweatin' to the Oldies.