FitSugar

3 Dance-Focused Workout DVDs Worth Trying

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:05:00 PDT

Inspired by the dancer bodies from Dancing With the Stars and Black Swan? If you're home and want a solid workout that's fun and pumps you into a cardio zone, try a dance DVD. Here are three DVD workouts FitSugar staffers have tested and reviewed that will deliver passionate, sweat-inducing moves and make you groove.

Julianne Hough's Cardio Ballroom ($10). Right from the start, Julianne's upbeat personality gets you excited about the warmups and choreography, and before you know it, you're doing the cha-cha, the jive, and paso doble. This is also the perfect workout video to do with some girlfriends.
Bar Method Dancer's Body Advanced Workout DVD ($20). Led by cheery and pretty-to-look-at-while-you-are-sweating Bar Method teacher and actress Marnie Alton, the DVD offers a variety of the method's staple moves. Like the class, it starts off slow with leg lifts and light arm exercises (it's recommended you use two- to four-pound weights) and then jumps into the method's secret sauce: intense leg work at the barre.
Tracy Anderson's Cardio Dance Workout DVD ($30). Anderson believes that dance cardio is the perfect aerobic workout for creating long, lean muscles and a feminine, toned physique. This workout is high-energy dancing full of hopping, jumping, high kicks, and even the '60s dance step the Pony. The eight combinations that make up the workout are like a jazzy version of petite allegro (the jumping section of a dance class).

Do You Still Rent DVDs?

GeekSugar — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:20:49 PDT

The ill-fated one-time video rental superstar Blockbuster is in court today dealing with bankruptcy proceedings and could face a complete closure of all retail locations. Until then, though, Blockbuster is operating kiosks that will rent you a DVD for just $1 per day with the option to keep it for an unlimited amount of time (probably not the best option for someone prone to losing things, as that could get expensive!).

Even with a Netflix subscription, I'm partial to streaming movies or purchasing them on iTunes as opposed to waiting on a DVD arrival or even walking to the video store to pick up a DVD. In fact, after renting a physical DVD about a week ago I realized I hadn't done that in months. Do you still rent DVDs?

4 Ab-Focused Workout DVDs Worth Trying

Angelica Marden — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 02:00:22 PST

If you only have a short window of time to spare but want a solid workout, a DVD concentrated on strong and sculpted abs is a smart pick. You don't need a lot of space, you won't get terribly sweaty, and if you do it just right, ab work can be an incredibly effective workout. Here are four DVD workouts FitSugar staffers have tested and reviewed and will deliver moves to strengthen your core.

Fit in 5 Total Body Tone ($15): If the core is what you have in store, the abs workout by Fred DeVito and Elisabeth (Liz) Halfpapp will surely meet your needs. The core fusion workouts (there are two separate 10-minute routines) require nothing more than a mat and a wall. You will push your way through 45-degree sit-up positions, participate in roll downs (similar to Pilates), and crunch the 20 minutes away.
Shiva Rea - Creative Core Abs ($10): The sequencing is very fluid and dance-like, so the time goes by really quickly. It definitely doesn't feel like yoga. Shiva encourages you to explore your range of motion, and even though this video was focused on the abs, the movements strengthened and stretched my upper and lower back, hips, quads, shoulders, and neck too.

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DVD Review: Element Pilates Weight Loss For Beginners

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:30:00 PDT

Although I shy away from DVDs with "weight loss" in the title, this one looked so appealing, I couldn't resist giving it a try. Element: Pilates Weight Loss For Beginners ($15) did not disappoint. Hosted by Brooke Siler of Re:Ab Pilates studio in New York, this 51-minute video splits its time between Pilates mat work and "cardio" moves, all filmed soothingly by the seashore.

Rather than explain the moves in the moment, Siler delivers directions via a voiceover. But I can't complain, since the voiceover is one of the most detailed and helpful I've ever heard. You could pretty much follow the entire workout without ever looking at the screen, allowing you to focus on maximizing the moves. She offers constant reminders - at just the right times - for what you should be pulling in, tightening, or thinking about, yet the reminders never feel repetitive.

For details on the workouts,

I prefer to start with the prep and mat workout, which is fairly low-impact yet lively and varied. It really is a perfect introduction for beginners, but veterans won't be bored, especially if you use the workout to ease into the day. The different variations on the rollup move were particularly challenging.

The "cardio" portion isn't cardio the way you'd think; rather than get your heart rate pumping, you're working on midtempo moves mostly from a standing position. But for Pilates, it does feel like a moderately high calorie burn, and it's a great way to get moving after the more focused mat work. I've done both portions a number of times and will definitely keep this one around. Interested? You can get the DVD on Amazon for $7.49.

A DVD Turns a Drab TV Screen Into a Fab Light Installation

GeekSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:33:33 PDT

I still get a kick out of those virtual flames fireplace DVDs, so when I saw the Colorlight DVD on Chip Chick I instantly thought - how great for a dinner/cocktail party! Once you pop in the DVD (which costs $25), eight different colors will slowly rotate and set the mood for your little soiree (or romantic nightcap). I've been in elevators (London), airports (Frankfurt), and in airplanes (Virgin America) that have all used this color rotation technique to enhance moods, so put it to use in your living room, and you may get rave reviews!

DVD Review: 10 Minute Solution Quick Tummy Toners

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:00:00 PST

I have rarely met a 10 Minute Solution video I didn't like. Lately I can't get enough of Pilates Perfect Body, but I decided to mix up my routine with 10 Minute Solution Quick Tummy Toners. The video promises five 10-minute workouts that all focus on slimming your waist and strengthening your core. Rather than sticking strictly to Pilates or yoga, the video uses both, in addition to a cardio segment.

I expected (and hoped) that a 50-minute ab workout would leave my core muscles pleasantly sore - so I could really feel it working. But in this sense, I was disappointed. I wasn't really sore the next day at all, but I wanted to be. While I enjoyed the workout and found it easy to follow, I felt like it should have worked my abs harder. The yoga abs portion was compelling and would be tough for beginners, but it wasn't as focused on tummy toning as I would have liked. I also really liked the cardio interlude - it was tough but fun - but it lacked core concentration.

Though the segments stressed the idea of whittling away the waist, that idea seemed more symbolic than strenuous. While I'll keep this DVD on hand to mix up my routine, I'm going to keep looking for the ultimate ab workout.

Learn How to Polish Like a Pro With This DVD

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:00:16 PST

The other day, I told you about the Bring It Home Beauty DVDs, which were produced by a professionally licensed mother-and-daughter team. The premise? To help you save money by teaching you how to do beauty services at home, with the help of their instructional videos, of course.

Much like the Hair Edition Volume 1 DVD ($24.95), the Natural Nail Care DVD ($24.95), has a low-budget feel. However, the hour-long video is quite comprehensive, covering everything from basic (and spa) manicures/pedicures, a men's manicure, a French manicure, polishing, and repairing broken nails.

Is it glamorous? Uh, no. Super close-ups on toes and heel shavings might make you squeamish, but who said beauty is always easy on the eyes, anyway? For me, I suppose the drier nature of the material is somewhat like watching paint dry - literally. While I prefer their hair video much for its content and better overall value, I'd recommend this natural nail care DVD for anyone who really enjoys doing manicures and pedicures on yourself or others, or for anyone who wants a basic grasp on nail care.

Channel Your Inner Stylist With the Bring It Home Beauty DVD

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:34 PST

Watching your beauty budget due to the rough economy? Didn't have time for that root touch-up appointment? Or maybe you've been thinking about becoming a licensed cosmetologist, and you want to get in a little practice first.

Whatever the case, the licensed professionals over at Bring It Home Beauty have put together a step-by-step instruction video that's easy to follow, with parts filmed in slow motion, so that you can better follow along to recreate salon looks at home. Their Hair Edition Volume 1 ($24.95) is like a crash course in cosmetology, without the weekly blue-hairs or state board tests, of course. To see what I thought of the DVD,

Created by a mother and daughter duo, Angela and Becky Harris, the DVD includes comprehensive chapters on sanitation/safety; styles (French braid, casual/formal updos, blow-drying, and curling); suts (how-to use clippers and shears to cut hair); and color (highlighting and root touch-up). "We believe every woman can look chic for less," they say.

While some techniques are easy to do on yourself (French braid, bang trims), others (like highlighting) are best performed on your guinea pigs. . . er, at-home clients. Although the video itself doesn't have quite a polished feel, with its dated graphics, elevator-style music, and prom-style updos - that's all easy to look past. The ladies dispense great advice on how to DIY at home, particularly when it comes to cutting hair. And for just under $25, you'll get many uses out of their product. And these days, can one even get a decent haircut around that price range?

Work It at Home With 8 Great DVDs

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:36:26 PST

One thing I love about my job is getting to review all of the best (and worst) fitness DVDs out there. Since many of us are moving our workouts inside for wintertime, I've rounded up some of my recent faves. Whether you're getting ready for a wedding, getting into yoga, or just getting in shape, here are eight great fitness DVDs to check out.

Now on DVD: Mamma Mia! The Movie

Sponsor — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:45:00 PST

Own Mamma Mia! The Movie Now on two-disc DVD and Blu-ray. Get the DVD worth singing about. Join in the fun with the sing-along bonus feature! Watch the trailer below.