Somebody snuck 10 extra pounds on me while I was sleeping, and they’re going to pay. Despite giving up my expensive gym membership in favour of a mortgage (potato, potawtoe—oui?), I still need to work out, and I need to do it cheaply and conveniently. Seeing as my TV is my Best Friend, I decide it’s her job to help me win the battle, if not the war. After a month of exhausting research—and I do mean exhausting—here’s a roundup of some of my favourite workout DVDs.
Cardio
I know Billy Blanks started his life on an infomercial, but even though I’ve spent years on the treadmill and the elliptical trainer, I was ready to die after a mere 36 minutes of his Tae Bo Cardio Circuit 1. In fact, I died at about 17, 28 and 36 minutes, respectively. Using Tae Bo (i.e., boxing) moves, this low-impact workout packs a shocking amount of aerobic punch, combining upper-body, lower-body and ab circuits. I didn’t even attempt Tae Bo Cardio Circuit 2, which is almost double the time, but one day, when I am thin as a whippet and strong as an ox, I will. $33 for both, at billyblanks.com.
Fusion
The oh-so-2000s shtick is to cross-train in a single workout, hence endless variations of yoga/Pilates, spin/stretch and even cardio/Pilates. But the best DVD I tried was the one-hour full-body-circuit workout from Kathy Smith’s Project: You! The three-disc set has eight workouts on it—some centred on cardio, one with Pilates and yoga, and one focused on the upper body, lower body and abs—which makes it perfect for mixing and matching depending on what kind of workout you want on any given day. The full-body circuit requires a couple of light hand weights and a chair, and alternates between old-school aerobics moves (grapevine, anyone?) with strength training. $77, at beachbody.com.
Pilates
Call me a puritan, but even though Stott Pilates (a Canadian school that is one of the pre-eminent training spots in the world) puts out almost 70 titles, I still prefer the classic 45- to 60-minute Pilates Matwork series, which comes in beginner, intermediate and advanced versions. But for those just starting their workout regimen, I would also suggest the Total Body Toning workout, which takes you through arm and full-body circuits with a one-, two- or three-pound toning ball (not as easy as it sounds!), and Total Body Sculpting, which uses a Flex-band. From $15, at stottpilates.com.
Yoga
Again, I am going to come down on the side of the puritans and go with the Richard Freeman series of Ashtanga yoga DVDs. Probably the most intense form of yoga, Ashtanga is best for people with some yoga background and an already-decent fitness level. $50, at ashtanga.com.
For beginners, Stott puts out a title called Body & Soul. They call it “Pilates-infused yoga,” but essentially it’s a truncated basic yoga series followed by a shortened Pilates series. $20, at stottpilates.com.
Verdict
Surprisingly, once I got into the habit, I found working out in my living room had several advantages over schlepping to the gym. For one thing, there were no excuses. Even if I was tired or if it was late or if I had only 40 minutes free, with a decent enough selection of workout DVDs, I could just choose a short one, and then at least I did something. Best of all? I didn’t have to shave my legs.
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