What’s your excuse for avoiding the gym? Whether you have an unpaid internship that just isn’t going to fund a gym membership or you hate running on treadmills altogether, we can all come up with a hundred reasons not to hit up the local sports complex.
So how do you get a bikini bod sans elliptical? Aerobics, weight training, yoga, pole dancing, Zumba, ballet—you name it, there’s a DVD for it. Workout DVDs allow you to try out the newest fitness trends without a huge time or cash commitment.
Best of all? You can do these workouts at home — and they’ll cost you no more than $30. Working out at home has many advantages, only the first of which is convenience. No need to worry about sweating too much in front of the cute guy at the next treadmill or about messing up the warrior pose in front of everyone else in your yoga class! Here are HC’s top 5 DVDs to help you achieve your ultimate bikini bod this summer!
1. For Intense Cardio, Try: Jillian Michaels: 30 Day Shred
Have you ever watched The Biggest Loser and wondered how the contestants can lose so much weight in such a short period of time? The answer is Jillian Michaels, the show’s physical trainer. In her 30 Day Shred, Jillian uses many of the same techniques to push you to your limit and get results. The DVD offers three difficulty levels; each workout cycles through aerobic and toning exercises with 3-5 lb. weights.
If you find that you’re too busy to go to the gym this summer, this workout might just be what you’re looking for. A full workout is less than half an hour — just get ready to work for every minute of it!
Available on Amazon for $8.69.
2. For a Full-Body Cardio/Weight Workout, Try: The Biggest Loser – The Workout
As long as we’re on the subject of “The Biggest Loser”, why not try this DVD, led by Bob Harper, another trainer on the show? Bob leads the exercises for a group of former contestants in a series of cardio, weights, boot camp and stretch segments. You can choose a pre-made routine or you can mix-and-match various segments to fit your workout needs and time schedule. Available on Amazon for $8.91.
3. For Long and Lean Muscles, Try: Physique 57 Express 30 Minute Full Workout
As the title suggests, Physique 57 delivers a heart-pumping workout in under 30 minutes. The program is offered at popular fitness studios in New York and L.A. Kelly Ripa and Christy Turlington are enthusiastic fans, and now you can get a celebrity workout without shelling out the big bucks.
The only pieces of equipment you will need are a rubber ball and a chair (to use as a ballet barre). With movements borrowed from ballet and pilates, the program uses interval training combined with a lot of stretching to create muscles that are long and lean. Available at Physique 57 for $24.95.
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4. For Relaxing Yoga, Try: Body By Bethenny with Bethenny Frankel
Going to a new yoga studio for the first time can be intimidating, especially if everybody around you is a pro! Body By Bethenny, which features former “Real Housewives of New York City” star Bethenny Frankel, allows you to practice in the privacy of your own home. Since Bethenny isn’t a certified workout instructor, the workout is led by a yoga instructor, Kristin McGee, who explains the poses while Bethenny follows along. Beginners and advanced yogis alike will learn moves and techniques from this comprehensive routine. The full workout takes an entire hour, with a yoga segment, a weight-training segment, and a bonus butt workout. Available on Amazon for $11.49.
5. For a Sexy Body, Try: Carmen Electra’s Aerobic Striptease
Who knew the girl at last weekend’s bachelorette party was getting such a good workout? Your guy will love this one — Carmen’s Aerobic Striptease offers a great workout for the entire body with a striptease and elements of dance and aerobics. Plus you really get a bang for your buck when you practice your moves beyond your workout sesh! Available on Amazon for $11.49. It’s summer and we all have a bit more free time to take care of ourselves and our bodies. Whether you decide to go to the gym or stay in front of your television, the sun shouldn’t be the only thing making you sweat this summer!
Do you love any other workout DVDs we missed? Leave a comment with your suggestion!