Strength/Toning Videos

Pilates, yoga and weigh-training videos

Studies have shown that there is a great benefit to strength and toning workouts that include some kind of apparatus for resistance (such as hand weights or rubber bands), or use your own body weight as resistance. These types of videos don't raise your heart rate as much as aerobics/cardio videos, but they do provide some aerobic benefit. The focus is on building muscle tone, improving balance and strengthening "core" muscle groups, including abs and back.

"Winsor Pilates (*Est. $40 to $80, depending on set)" combines strength training with cardio. With the included fat burning DVD, Pilates moves are cardio-infused to burn more calories. You may have seen this DVD subscription series advertised on television infomercials, but experts say that unlike some celebrity exercise videos, these DVDs are the real thing. Designed for all fitness levels, the basic "Winsor Pilates: Super Sculpting (*Est. $40)" comes with one 20-minute workout, an accelerated fat burning workout, one 10-minute sculpting workout along with a fat burning cookbook and exercise planner. "Winsor Pilates: Targeted Training" (*est. $60) adds lower-body and abs workouts. The full package "Winsor Pilates: Best Value" (*est. $80) adds upper-body sculpting and a back workout. You can only get these items through the Winsor Pilates website or through the television infomercial.

If you like the idea of no-impact Pilates, which uses your own body's weight to build strength, toning and balance, "Denise Austin - Mat Workout Based on the Work of J.H. Pilates ((*est. $15))" is a reader favorite in Self magazine's survey of over 1,000 subscribers. This DVD includes two 20-minute workouts plus a 10-minute lower-body workout. Reviewers say Austin is easy to follow, and experts at Fitness magazine say this workout is both challenging and relaxing. Austin also has several more recent Pilates videos. "Denise Austin - Pilates for Every Body (*Est. $15)" has one 50-minute workout instead of two shorter workouts. It also uses a separately purchased resistance band (*est. $7). "Denise Austin - Hit the Spot Pilates (*Est. $15)" has a series of 10-minute workouts designed to target specific areas of the body, such as abs, waistline, hips, thighs and buns.

As yoga continues to grow in popularity, more and more videos are released. Although a few get two votes in the ConsumerSearch Consensus Report, none appears as the predominant favorite as with the Tae Bo videos for cardio workouts.

Yoga Zone offers a series of videos that are well received by experts and users. "Yoga Zone Conditioning and Stress Release (*Est. $15)" is a favorite with consumers. The Instructor, Alan Finger, has over 30 years experience as a yoga teacher. This yoga DVD focuses on the mind-body connection and deep breathing. He offers modifications for the positions that are "more flexible" and "less flexible" to accommodate a range of fitness levels. "Yoga Zone Introduction to Yoga ((*est. $15))" is a staff favorite at CollageVideo.com and users writing reviews also rave about it. Many owners comment that the instructor does an excellent job of describing each pose and has a soothing voice, and that the workout has a good pace. "Yoga Zone Flexibility and Stress Release (*Est. $15)" is also a staff favorite at CollageVideo.com. Amazon.com readers also like other Yoga Zone videos, with most getting 4.5 stars (out of five). The many user reviews have comments similar to those at CollageVideo.com.

"Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies (*Est. $15)" is an "excellent workout" according to Paula Z. This easy-to-follow video provides detailed instruction on 12 basic poses. While this video is an introduction to yoga, intermediate level students will also find it useful. Customers at CollageVideo.com and Amazon.com give this video great overall ratings and agree that it is a good choice for those new to yoga or for those who want a relaxed pace. A combined set called "Yoga & Pilates Workouts for Dummies (*Est. $20)" includes the complete "Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies" and the complete "Pilates Workout for Dummies" on one DVD.

A top yoga video chosen by Shape magazine is "On the Ball Yoga Workout for Beginners with Sara Ivanhoe (*Est. $10)". This workout uses a stability ball. The ball helps to make more difficult positions easier to do. The instruction offers thorough explanations on how to do each pose and the routine is easy to follow. Users at Amazon.com generally like this video, with every reviewer giving it four or five stars. People found this workout both relaxing and challenging.

Working with weights is an excellent way to achieve muscle tone, and since you can choose progressively heavier weights, you can keep your workout challenging. Keep in mind that you'll need to invest in at least one set of dumbbells to start. Several reviewers like "Kathy Smith Timesaver: Lift Weights to Lose Weight Vol. 2 ((*est. $15))". For beginner, intermediate and advanced exercisers, it's an 80-minute DVD released in 2003. It wins Health magazine's 2005 award for best weight-training DVD. Prevention magazine calls it "a great toning routine with a dual-track format that lets you go at your own pace and level." The manufacturer touts that this follow-up DVD incorporates core strengthening found in Pilates and balancing techniques practiced in yoga, resulting in a great total body workout.

Other videos by Kathy Smith are suggested as well. These include cardio picks like "Flex Appeal: A Belly Dance Workout (*Est. $10)", "Step Workout (*Est. $10)" and "Strong, Sleek and Slim (*Est. $15)". Collage Video lists "Kathy Smith's Peel Off the Pounds Pilates (*Est. $15)" as one of their top ten bestsellers of early 2008. It uses Pilates for both cardio and toning.

Experts say that Pilates-based videos are a good prenatal choice. Since you are working to strengthen abdominal and back muscles, some fitness pros say a Pilates regimen will help mothers-to-be in labor. Editors at Real Simple magazine recommend "Prenatal Pilates with Sarah Picot (*Est. $25)", which offers workouts for each trimester.