Get into shape the easy way

GET INTO SHAPE THE EASY WAY

Keeping fit and getting into shape needn’t be all blood, sweat and tears. It doesn’t have to mean a trek to the gym every morning, or a run round the park in the pouring rain

In fact one of the best ways of fitting in a regular fitness regime into your daily routine is to invest in a fitness DVD – it’s quick and easy, all you need to do is stick the disc in your machine, slip on a pair of tracksuit bottoms and trainers, and hey presto! No nasty weather to contend with, no precious minutes wasted getting to the gym and back – you’re ready to go!
So which one will give you the best workout? Which one will be best for you? We took a look at some of the most popular workout DVDs on the market to help you through the minefield.

Best for . . mixing and matching
Davina – my Three 30 minute workouts, £13.98, Amazon.co.uk, (RRP £17.99)

The idea of this workout is you do each of the three 30-minute sections once a week – so 90 minutes in total. Being divided into 30-minute sections is great if you don’t have much time to spare – a whole hour can feel a bit daunting and you’re less likely to start it in the first place.
The three sections include a cardio section with boxing moves, a core stability section and a ‘bodypump’ section. Previous reviewers have found it quite easy, but it’s a great choice if you’re just getting back into fitness.

Best for . . .getting fit quick
Billy Blanks Tae-Bo Cardio 1, £12.99, amazon.

Release date: 10 September
He might cheesy, but his short, sharp workouts are renowned for being great cardio boosts. Using a mixture of boxing moves and cardio workouts, he’ll get you fit quick – and at just 36 minutes from start to finish, there’s no excuse!

Best for . . .dropping a dress size
Rosemary Conley’s GI Jeans Weight-Loss Workout, £17.99, amazon

The queen of weight-loss claims you can drop a jean size with a mixture of cardio workouts and salsa moves as well as toning exercises. Although quite a gentle workout, there are three sections to choose from so you don’t have to do the whole thing in one go – perfect if you don’t have much time to spare!

Best for . . . trimming the waist
Heart Hulaerobics, £17.99

You get a good cardio workout, as well as learning to use the hula hoop as part of your routine, which really aims to trim your waist and give you your abs back. Reviewers found it fun – and by teaching you to hula, you can do it in your own time afterwards whenever you get a moment.

Best for . . . all-round fitness
Nell McAndrew’s Ultimate Challenge – Ultimate Fitness, £5.99 play.com (RRP£17.99)

This one has been on the market for a couple of years, but for all-round fitness it still hasn’t been beaten. Super-fit Nell is like your own personal fitness trainer, and her workouts are divided into sections so you can pick and choose – or stop when you feel exhausted! Because it includes plenty or cardio as well as decent toning sections as well, it’s perfect if you want a really thorough workout.

Best for . . . fast toning
10 minute solution – pilates, £7.99, (RRP £9.99), amazon

Pilates is great for toning and sculpting the body – and this DVD proves it doesn’t have to take forever to do. If you’re really pressed for time, you can choose just one of the five 10-minute sections – or you can do the whole thing in one go. Add on the two minutes it takes to get changed and get your mat out, and there really is no excuse not to at least have a go!

Best for . . . feeling like Christina Aguilera
Jennifer Ellison’s west end workout, £12.96, asda-entertainment.com (RRP £17.99).

Want to learn a few fancy moves while also getting fit? Then this is the DVD for you. It’s divided into three sections: a high energy dance section, core stability, and a leg-toning section, as well as decent warm-up and cool-down section, so plenty to chosse from if you can only spare half an hour.

Best for . . . inspiration
Charlie Brooks – Before and After workout, £13.99, play.com (RRP £17.99).

If you’re feeling more jelly belly than bikini bod, then you need inspiration. And who better to give it to you than someone who has lost two stone, and is happy to be weighed in front of the world? Charlie looks great now, and it really does give you the encouragement you need. The DVD includes a high impact cardio section, as well as toning and pilates cool down.