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FitSugar Readers' Top 8 Favorite Fitness DVDs

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:48:00 -0700

Every week I tell you about new exercise DVDs I've tried and would either recommend or throw to the curb. It's nice to get other people's opinions though, so recently I asked FitSugar readers to share their favorite Fitness DVDs. Check out the list below if you're looking for something new to try at home.

Self: Bikini Ready Fast: Ellen Barrett ($10) - If you want a "full body workout," urban chic 101 recommends this Self magazine video.
The Firm: Hard Core Fusion ($14) - An anonymous FitSugar reader is a fan of this Hard Core Fusion DVD, made by The Firm, and Flexrx is a fan of The Wave DVDs, also made by The Firm.
Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred ($9) - mng355 recommended this DVD along with many other Fitsugar readers.

To see the five other favorites, read more.

Exhale Spa: Core Fusion ($15) - Both Body Sculpt and Pilates Plus were recommended by Fawness because the core moves are effective and if you stick with them, you'll definitely see results over time. I'm a fan of them too.
Hemalayaa: Bollywood Booty ($15) - This upbeat video by Hemalayaa was recommended by a few FitSugar readers such as kedson and tamaradulva because it's a fun way to burn calories. I'm also a fan of Beautiful Belly and Bollywood Burn.
The Tracy Anderson Method Presents Mat Workout ($25) - FitSugar reader TA junkie who says, " I love the little-to-no cueing and the workouts are very effective."
Billy Blanks Cardio Bootcamp ($6) - SunnyMutt and a few other FitSugar readers are fans of Billy Blank's Tae Bo workout DVDs. He has many to choose from and they're all great because he's so energetic and encouraging. You get a great workout.
Workout: One-On-One Training with Jackie ($9) Many FitSugar readers including nikolem2 and witchbaby love Jackie Warner. They think it a great workout and clasen5 said, "Jackie's workout gets everything in - lower body, upper body and core. It is a great, make me really sweaty, workout. Give it a try."

Back OFF! - Ways to Tone Your Back

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 08:30:00 -0800

There has been a serious amount of requests for back exercises. So allow me to introduce you to - Back OFF! Fit's ongoing series of exercises targeting the back. These moves will be great for toning and strengthening your back, and they'll help with your posture too.

You do need an exercise ball for this exercise, so hopefully you or your gym has one. These balls are really great for working out and stretching.

Keep reading for more Back OFF! videos coming your way soon.

Starter Arms: Exercise Video

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:00:00 -0800

Here is the third installment of the Test Case series: Starter Arms. This video is all about toning the upper arms to get you ready for springtime tank tops.

You will need a set of 5 to 8 pound dumbbells. If you don't have weights experiment with soup cans or full water bottles. Try to do this every other day for 2 weeks and see if your arm tone changes. Consider it an experiment or a challenge.

Some of the exercises are done with just one weight, but experiment and see if you can handle using both. Feel free to repeat the series once or twice.

Why not print this chart out to take these moves to the gym.

Exercise Video: The Clam Series

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Having a shapely tush is always in fashion and that is why the Clam Series of exercises is a perennial favorite. In this efficient, short series you will be working your upper outer thigh and your low glutes - I call this the panty line muscle group.

So lie on your side and get ready for the Clam!

Get Flash to see this player.

Fit's Tip: Make sure to stretch your low glutes after doing the Clam with the figure 4 stretch. Work the muscles, and then stretch them so they become firm but stay flexible.

ExerciseTV: Squat With Side Bend and Overhead Press

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:05:01 -0800

In a time crunch, you need to find exercises that work many body parts with one exercise. That is why I am loving this variation on squats I found over at ExerciseTV. It incorporates side bending as well as an overhead press into your basic squat. This means you are not only working your hamstring, quads and glutes (aka your legs and bum), but your obliques (side of your torso) and shoulders as well. Talk about a three for one bonus deal!

The folks at ExerciseTV are so generous for sharing their videos; they even sponsored this post. So grab some hand weights, any style will do. I would start with five pound weights and work up to using eight and then ten pound weights.

You should definitely check out the extensive video library at ExerciseTV. There is no reason to ever be bored with your workout again!

Exercise Video: Work Your Core - Dying Bug

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:17:47 -0800

Here's a great exercise for you to try on a foam roller. It is named the Dying Bug. Why? you ask. Well, you kind of look like a dying bug when you do it since you are lying on your back with your limbs moving this way and that.

Watch it and try it. Let me know what you think.

Fit's tip: You can always try it on the floor if you don't have access to a roller or the exercise feels too difficult. The roller, because it is unstable, makes the exercise harder.

Tone Your Love Handles: Exercise Video

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 04:00:00 -0800

This video is all about toning up your love handles. Yep - just in time for Valentine's Day. While you may not be able to pick and choose the body parts where you lose fat, you can spot tone an area. To lose weight at your waist you need to commit to a cardio workout plan which will help you lose fat all over. Toning up the muscles under those love handles will both strengthen your core and give you a firmer look through your waist.

So give a little love to your love handles; I am sure they will enjoy the attention. There is now a printer friendly version of the love handle workout so you can take it with you to the gym.

ExerciseTV: Tricep Push Ups With a Chair

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Did you know that a regular old chair is a great exercise prop? Not only are they great for squats and the more difficult single leg squats, but you can also use it to work your triceps. Yep, the back of your upper arm that can unfortunately get flabby with age. This exercise puts a new twist on the standard tricep push up, and I am pleased that my friends over at ExerciseTV were generous enough to share this video and to sponsor this post.

So grab a chair and get working!

You should definitely check out the extensive video library at ExerciseTV. There is no reason to ever be bored with your workout again!

Exercise Video: Mini Boot Camp

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Looking for some moves to add to your workout? Moves that don't require any props or accessories, just a healthy "can do" attitude?

Well here's 6 minutes worth of moves that work your legs, arms, and abs. These are whole body, multitasking moves. You get some serious bang for your buck here. Add this workout into your routine and use it to split up time on a cardio equipment, or after your run. So the routine would go something like this: 10 minutes on the treadmill, mini boot camp, 10 minutes on elliptical, mini boot camp . . . you get the idea. Try it out and let me know what you think.

There is an isometric crab at the end of the video, if you feel you heart rate is still high you should hold off since the abrupt stop in motion is not the best for your heart.

There are a few tips, to see them just read more

Boot Strappers:
If you have tight hamstrings, straighten your knees only as far as is comfortable, but DO keep your hands on the ground.
Don't jam your knees to a hyper-extended position. Straighten them using your muscles not, brute force and momentum.
Exhale as you straighten your knees and really engage your abs while you do this by pulling your belly button to your spine.
Push Ups:
Try to do full body push ups, but move to your knees when your arms feel like they are about to give out.
Plank with Leg Lifts
Just hold steady and really keep your center engaged.
Squats
Go as low as you can to really work your back side.
Alternating Side Lunges
Take this move easy if you have tight inner thighs - stretch them like this.

Here's the Take It to the Gym printer friendly version of the Mini Boot Camp. Seriously, you should print it out and take it with you to the gym!!!

Nutty Japanese Exercise Video

GiggleSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 02:02:00 -0800

You'd think that "How much is this?" or "Which way to McDonald's?" would be useful phrases for the ESL student. But according to the folks who made this video, you'd be wrong. You'll fare better in America with "Take anything you want!" and "Spare me my life!" This video must be seen to be believed. I mean, would you believe me if I said it included a robber with what looks like a bra on his head and Japanese women dancing in spandex aerobics gear? I didn't think so.