It’s a great time of year to start exercising, and we have reviewed a fabulous collection of DVDs. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to exercising, but we hope you will find something here that suits everyone. If you are not sure which one will suit you best, you may want to hire them first.

From Madonna & Gwyneth’s Personal Trainer - The Tracy Anderson Method: Dance Cardio Workout

Synopsis

“Tracy Anderson’s Method has proven to be the best exercise program for my body”
Madonna

ITV DVD presents Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow’s personal trainer to the UK for the release of her much anticipated DVD – the Tracy Anderson Method: Dance Cardio Workout. Tracy’s unique method and unparalleled results have caught the attention of countless women, including Madonna and Gwyneth who have been working exclusively with her for almost two years.

After ten years of extensive research, Tracy has revolutionised workouts for women of all shapes and sizes. She has proved that women from any genetic background can achieve the body of their dreams, by adhering to the correct training.

Tracy said: “If you want a runner’s butt, then run. If you want a dancer’s body, dance. If you want to fight age and skin elasticity issues and problem areas, you have to design your muscular structure to help you accomplish that. Your muscles are manipulative and your body will react to what you put in it and how you use it.”

The Dance Cardio Workout DVD includes an exclusive testimonial from Gwyneth Paltrow who praises the wonders of Tracy’s method.

“Truly is a miracle. Never did I imagine that in my 30’s, after two children, I would be able to change my body to the degree to which I have. Tracy’s method works! … you will see the results you never thought possible”
Gwyneth Paltrow

>> www.amazon.co.uk/Madonna-Gwyneths-Personal-Trainer-Anderson

Hot Brands Verdict

This is a very professionally produced DVD with celebrity endorsement. At the start Tracy takes you though her rationale for the DVD and explains the importance of learning the choreography first. One of the features that we really liked on this DVD was the option to view the demonstration from the front, or the back. This is really helpful when both learning the choreography and when performing the dance moves as you can follow Tracy as you might if you were in a class. The workouts are uplifting and if you prefer to exercise without a commentary this is an inspiring dance cardio workout.

Coleen Nolan’s Disco Burn

Synopsis

“I lost 3 stone last year with my first DVD, but like most people I know how hard it is to keep the pounds off for good. The key to long term weight loss success is motivation and with my new DVD work-out I’ve lost another 2 stone and now am slimmer than I’ve ever been ! I was determined not just to slim down further but to achieve the body I’ve always dreamt of and by teaming up with my trainer, Mikey, we’ve devised the ultimate dance-workout for any age that will help give you the toned and honed results it’s given me. Packed with the following disco work-out sections it also includes a fantastic sound track that will have you up and burning those pounds in no time.

It includes:

Disco Warm Up
Disco Aerobics-Lo heat-low impact aerobics
Discos Aerobics Inferno-high intensity aerobics for fat burning
DiscoTone- Conditioning Burn-Upper and Lower body conditioning
DiscoTone- Condition and Balance- Overall body conditioning
Disco-Core-Floor Moves-Abdominal and back toning
Disco Cool Down

>> www.amazon.co.uk/Coleen-Nolans-DiscoBurn

Hot Brands Verdict
Colleen, currently appearing on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, has a very honest and down to earth approach and this comes through in the DVD. Working with her personal trainer you get taken through a range of dance moves and toning activities and some healthy eating advice. We have to admit we loved the section which included exercising with a chair! However, although you think you are having a rest the exercises are surprisingly effective. The tracks include I’m in the Mood for Dancing, I will survive, Yes Sir I can Boogie, Celebration and Disco Inferno. If you are looking for a way back to fitness this is a great way to start.

The Lose Weight Workout with Mikyla Dodd

Synopsis

‘Hi, I used to be known as the ‘fat girl in Hollyoaks’ and more recently I was on TV’s Celebrity Fit Club. Despite having successfully lost 7 stone, I was still not at my ideal weight. Well now I am ! This year I have lost over 3 stone and more than 40 inches so welcome to The Lose Weight Workout which gives you the exercise and eating plan that has made it all possible. I really hope this DVD fives you as much as it has to me. It’s hard work, but stick with it, and I’m sure you’ll get the results you want!’

Trainer Steve Rich and nutritionist Graeme Marsh have devised an easy to follow workout and food plan that will give you results like Mikyla. The workout is broken down into 4 Express sections so you can mix and match dependent on how much time you have available and the food plan gives you guidelines to incorporate into your life.

It includes:
Warm Up
Express Workout 1 -Cardiovascular
Express Workour 2 – Boxing
Express Workout 3- Circuit
Express Workout 4- Core
Cool Down
Nutritional section with ‘The Rules’ and food plan
Behind the scenes
Exercise Instructional

>> www.amazon.co.uk/Lose-Weight-Workout-Mikyla-Dodd

Hot Brands Verdict
This is a great all round product, as well as the Workout section there is a helpful nutritional advice section where Mikyla and her nutritionist Graeme Marsh illustrate and talk through ‘The Rules’ and the food plan. What we liked about this DVD was the variety and the depth of the activities, as with many of the DVD’s there were advanced and more basic moves with Mikyla and her trainer Steve Rich alternating the demonstrations. We also liked the way the trainer tells you in advance what you are going to do next. If you are looking for a hard working structured workout this is a great example.

Denise Van Outen Pure Dance Workout

Synopsis

‘The idea for my DVD came about because I needed some routines that would help me tone up any specific areas of my body that get out of shape sometimes-like my tum, legs, bum, hips and arms. I wanted to have fun whilst getting fit which could only mean one thing-it has to be based on some really good dance moves.

So I’ve got together a real dance blast with superb routines to some of my favourite music including Leona Lewis, Girls Aloud, Salt n’ Pepa, Amy Winehouse and Gabriella Cilmi. There’s a whole variety of moves giving you a great all over workout and really targeting those out-of-shape bits that we all want to lose. We’ve got four totally fantastic and completely different routines: Funky Pop- tightening, toning and firming those bums and legs, Hip Hop that’ll get your heart really pumping and shifting the pounds; Lyrical Jazz to tone and flatten your abs and Voguing with some brilliant moves to work your upper arms and sort out those bingo wings.

You might find it a little tough at the beginning-try getting the boyfriend, a mate or your mum to join you-but soon you’ll be loving it and it won’t be long before you really start to see the results!’

>> www.amazon.co.uk/Denise-Van-Outen-Dance-Workout

Hot Brands Verdict
Denise has a very natural relaxed style and this DVD incorporates Denise’s favourite music with contemporary dance moves. Its almost fitness clubbing. Denise’s team of experts explain the areas targeted and illustrate the required moves, and then Denise leads the moves. There is a relaxed approach to both the dress and exercise, we liked the Lyrical Jazz section, and that there were advanced and easier versions. Denise is very encouraging, and as she suggests, the best way to learn the routines is to follow their moves. This is a fresh and fun approach to fitness.

Strictly Come Dancing-The Workout with Kelly & Flavia

Synopsis

Get into shape with the hottest dances from Strictly Come Dancing. Kelly Brook and Flavia Cacace from Strictly Come Dancing, have teamed up to bring you an amazing new dance workout with all the excitement, energy and enjoyment of the hit show.

Kelly and Flavia will get you moving, dancing and into great shape with four vibrant and fun routines based around the most popular and energetic dances from the show- the Salsa, Jive, Quickstep and Tango.

With step-by-step instructions the dances are perfect for all ages and levels and will have you moving, getting fit and toning up in no time.

Complete with a warm-up and a cool down, a fantastic soundtrack, including Shakira, Gnarls Barkley and Survivor and easy-to-follow directions-the workout has all you need to recreate your favourite moves from Strictly Come Dancing.

It includes Warm Up, Salsa, Tango, Quickstep, Slow Jive, Fast Jive and Cool Down.

>> www.amazon.co.uk/strictlycomedancingworkout

Hot Brands Verdict
As long time fans of Strictly Come Dancing we were delighted when this DVD arrived for review, and it didn’t disappoint. We were impressed with the detail in Flavia’s demonstrations and the step-by-step instructions to help you learn the dance followed by the up tempo versions of the dance led by either Flavia, or Kelly. As well as the more well known dances we were delighted to find that the Tango included moves from Flavia’s celebrated Argentine Tango, working with a chair. If you have always wanted to dance but lacked a partner, this DVD is a great substitute, and Strictly fans will love it.

5 Step Fat Attack with Claire Richards from Steps

Synopsis

Hi I am Claire Richards from Steps. Last year I looked in the mirror and at over 15 stone I didn’t recognise myself. It was a far cry from my days in Steps when I was a size 10. Like most women, changes in my life led to me putting weight on and before I knew it I looked a completely different person, I was fat, uncomfortable and miserable-things had to change-so I made that change.

Thanks to my great new workout ‘5 Step Fat Attack’ I’ve lost 5 stone and am now back to looking like me again-now you can do it too!

This work-out includes great fat busting exercises that will have you
losing the pounds and having fun with easy to follow routines to some of Steps’ biggest hits. So make that change today and take the right steps back to looking like yourself again-it’s never too late to get back to the woman you were. Workout to some of your favourite Steps hits including Tragedy, Better the Devil You Know, The Last Thing on My Mind, Stomp, 5678, and many more.

The five sections include:
Engage Your Body and Warm Up
Fat Assault Aerobic
Combat Manoeuvres
Target and Tone
At Ease Cool Down

>> www.amazon.co.uk/Step-Attack-Claire-Richards-Steps

Hot Brands Verdict
Claire is supported by an instructor and three other men in combat uniform, which gives it an army boot camp feel, but it is great fun as well as hard work. We loved the energetic 5678 routine, which is irresistible as an activity, however tired you are feeling, this has a great ‘feel-good’ factor and energises you to keep going. Hot Cook came through as we were testing this one, and just couldn’t see the need to have the three men stripping down in the background ! We, meanwhile, were so focused on the exercises that we didn’t notice, but somehow we are not sure he believed us. Overall an energetic approach to fitness, whether you were a Steps fan or not, the music helps move the activities along at a pace, and it is a very enjoyable workout

Dancing on Ice Dancercise

Synopsis

Working with a trainer, Dancing on Ice professionals, Kristina Lenko and Maria Filipovv take you through a fitness programme involving some of the training that the professionals and celebrities use on Dancing on Ice. It includes the following:

Warm-Up
Cardio
Body Sculpt
Abs
Stretch

>> www.amazon.co.uk/Dancing-Ice-Dancercise

Hot Brands Verdict
We liked the way this programme was structured and demonstrated by the trainer and performed by Kristina and Maria. The trainer has a reassuring approach and takes you through a structured programme, preparing you for what is coming next, and there is a mix of dance moves and floor activity.

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, A really Great Workout

Synopsis

You love the songs and now it’s time to take a chance on the first ever exercise regime set to Bjorn Again performing the celebrated music of Abba from a live gig at The Royal Albert Hall. This high energy dance aerobics DVD is designed to soon have you in super trouper mode and shedding the pounds to Bjorn Again’s most infectious performances including… Dancing Queen, Take a Chance, Mamma Mia, Money,Money,Money, Super Trouper, Waterloo, and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme.

With adrenalin fuelled routines led by professional dance and aerobics instructor Mila Lazar from Germany, Gimme, Gimme ,Gimme A Really Great Workout is the perfect way for dancing queen to sweat those calories away and sing your hearts out.

>> www.amazon.co.uk/Gimme-Really-Great-Workout

Hot Brands Verdict
Divided into sections, routines are built around Abba songs, this is perfect for Abba fans, there is less variety than some of the other DVDs, but great for a fun dance workout.

Special Note
Most DVDs have a health warning at the beginning which needs to be read, covering the normal advice about exercise videos, including not exercising after a meal, if you are on certain medications, after consuming alcohol, or have suffered a recent injury, and you may need to consult your Doctor before undertaking exercise. In addition if you are pregnant, the advice is that these exercises have not been designed with a pregnant women in mind. Everyone also strongly recommends the importance of warming up before exercising and cooling down afterwards to prevent injury. The Synopsis details are supplied to us by the production companies, or the agencies acting on their behalf, the opinions stated are personal views.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.