Maybe you’re feeling less than chipper as you gulp your coffee and grope for a bottle of Tylenol this morning. We won’t lecture you about how much food and drink you’ve consumed during the holiday season, or how many times you’ve vegetated on the couch in the last 12 months. But to dredge up an old cliche, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” So give yourself a break today, while resolving to work toward a healthier tomorrow.
To set you on the right path, we’ve rounded up some recent releases in the fitness video genre. Our list is by no means all-inclusive and we wouldn’t dream of telling you which program is ideal for you. If possible, rent a few selections before purchasing any. That’s the best way to determine whether a program is too hard, too easy or just right for your level (or lack) of fitness.
Some workout tapes also offer advice on nutrition and/or stress management. Take note of each instructor’s personality and the style of music used in each program; what one viewer finds invigorating, another may find annoying. Last but not least, be sure to check with your doctor if you’re pregnant, have any health problems, haven’t exercised in a very long time or have any questions about the safety of the program you’ve chosen.
Unless otherwise specified, most of the following are suitable for women (or men) of any age and are available wherever videos are sold; all prices are “suggested retail.”
For the second year in a row, Cher has come up with this writer’s favorite workout: “CherFitness: Body Confidence” (CBS/Fox Video, $19.98). Like its million-selling predecessor “CherFitness: A New Attitude,” the program begins with a down-to-earth pep talk from Cher.
The aerobic segment called “Hot Dance” is just what you’d expect from a flamboyant singer/actress/Las Vegas diva such as the program’s hostess. Choreographed by Dori Sanchez (who stages all of Cher’s live performances), it features a thoroughly fun “go-go girl” style of dancing set to hard-driving rock music. (Granted, the music and dance steps might not appeal to everyone, but the combinations are easy enough for non-dancers to follow-and as previously suggested, selecting the right video is very much a matter of personal taste.)
Next, there’s a resistance training routine to sculpt and tone the body. It utilizes heavy-duty rubber bands (packaged with the video) and imparts “all the benefits of a full weight workout without a million weights,” Cher proclaims.
Long-popular fitness mavens Kathy Smith and Jane Fonda each offer great step workouts: “Kathy Smith’s Step Workout” (Media Home Entertainment, distributed by FoxVideo, $19.98) and “Jane Fonda’s Step Aerobic and Abdominal Workout” (A+Vision, $24.99).
Either can be adapted to beginning, intermediate or advanced levels depending on whether you work with a low step, higher step or even no step at all. Both are enjoyable, include lots of tips on proper technique and should appeal equally to men and women since the movements are more athletic than “dancey.”
If you’ve never tried stepping before, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that you really can get quick results with a low step. It’s just like climbing stairs and you know what that feels like-do it long enough and you’re sure to burn more than a few calories as well as tightening your lower body in particular.
We were prepared to dislike “Marla Maples’ Journey to Fitness” (LIVE Home Video, $19.98; call 800-288-LIVE) but after giving it a chance, learned not to judge a book by its cover. Maples’ comprehensive, non-impact toning, shaping and muscle conditioning workout (as designed by UCLA dance kinesiologist and former Shape Magazine fitness editor Judy Gantz) is well-presented, set to smooth jazz music and can be adapted to various levels of intensity.
It’s a fine choice for anyone who dislikes aerobics since it begins with limbering exercises but eschews the traditional “jump around to burn calories” portion-and for anyone who likes to see an exercise instructor doing her thing in a Florida mansion as opposed to a stinky school gym.
On the other hand, we could have done without the hokey “girl talk” at the end of the tape, in which a blissfully smiling Maples relates “some of the things that have helped me accomplish my goals” (being Donald Trump’s girlfriend isn’t on her list) and describes how visualization has enhanced her figure: “I saw myself . . . (running down the beach) . . . as a lean and fit person!” Ahhhhh….if only that worked for the rest of us!
Royalty watchers might be intrigued by the British-made “Legs, Buns and Tums” starring Lydia Campbell (Strand Home Video, $19.98; also available in three abbreviated volumes called “Leaner Legs,” “Beautiful Buns” and “Tighter Tums” at $9.98 each); as well as “Balletcise: Beginners” and “Balletcise: Advanced” (Strand, $9.98 each) featuring former Royal Ballet dancer Marguerite Porter.
Campbell of “Legs, Buns and Tums” is a sleek mother of four who is famous in Europe for her “common sense” approach to fitness. The program combines an aerobic fat-burning routine (adaptable to different levels of fitness) and lower-body “trouble spot” toners such as squats and lunges; you can also work the arm muscles by adding light weights (“Baked bean cans will do,” says Campbell). Music is peppy and disco-flavored.
And the “Balletcise” videos offer soothing classical music and graceful stretching exercises created from basic ballet movements. You needn’t have formal dance training to follow along, although some familiarity with the terminology might help. Emphasis is on improved posture, flexibility and muscle tone rather than weight loss.
“Jennie Garth’s Body in Progress” (Strand, $19.98) is excellent for its target audience, teen and pre-teen girls. Garth (who stars in the TV series “Beverly Hills 90210”) emphatically states that “thin’s out-healthy’s in!” as she discusses the dangers of anorexia, bulimia and obsessive exercising.
Her workout combines an aerobic segment (set to bluesy music), standing leg work such as lunges and squats and floor work such as leg lifts and sit-ups. As the program concludes, Garth briefly reviews the basic food groups and low-fat food options and reminds her admirers that young achievers such as herself can’t possibly maintain their looks or busy lifestyles without proper nutrition.
“Dance! Workout With Barbie” (Buena Vista Home Video, $19.99), which purports to be aimed at 7- to-11-year-olds, might actually be too bizarre even for that age group. Through Will Vinton’s “Claymation” process (think of the California Raisins), the world’s favorite fashion doll leads humans through a “street and jam” aerobic routine.
We tested this program on our 5-year-old daughter and her 6-year-old cousin (big Barbie fans) and even they seemed bored after one or two whirls. All in all, this seems more like a “sell toys!” gimmick than a legitimate aid for out-of-shape kids.
Moving on to a more mature audience, “Dixie Carter’s Unworkout” (MCA/Universal Home Video, $19.98, closed-captioned) is being promoted as “a sane way to a sensational body.” The “Designing Women” star hates to exercise but wants and needs to stay supple in order to remain competitive in her line of work-and to avoid osteoporosis, which runs in her family.
Carter’s program relies on the stretching, strengthening and breathing techniques of traditional yoga. Soft harp and violin music accompany the workout to nurture and calm the inner-self.
“The Good Housekeeping Fat Burning Workout for Beginners” (Maier Group, $19.95 plus $3.50 shipping and handling; call 800-331-6839 to order) is an option for mature women who want to drop some weight and look and feel stronger.
Amy Esterhay (of PBS’ “Homestretch” series) is the able-bodied instructor; she’s a cheerful, “suburban mom” type. And one of the ladies in her exercise group is a little on the plump side, which may be comforting to viewers who are sick and tired of trying to emulate “too sexy” 20-year-old models.
“Aromatherapy and Massage” (Strand, $14.98) introduces viewers to the sensuous and fragrant world of essential oils, Swedish massage, Shiatsu, Reflexology and other techniques designed to relieve both mental and physical tension.
