Ten best workout DVDs

Ruben Martinez

If you want to transform your body but don't want to spend money on an expensive gym membership or personal trainer, the good news is you don't have to — as workout DVDs mean you can exercise from the comfort of your home.

What's even more appealing, many of these workouts don't require you to purchase pricey equipment to work up a sweat.

From the ones that will have you sore for days to the workouts guaranteed to give you results, these are the best workout DVDs available.

P90X

P90X is probably the most popular at-home workout in the world. Simply put, it works. P90X concentrates on overall fitness.

That means resistance training, strength, cardio. That means push-ups, pull-ups, and dynamic movement.

The workouts are around 60 minutes, and the programme is 90 days.

The body sculpt with this workout will be that of a fitness trainer, good muscle build and decent fat burn. It’s tough, but the results are real.

You will need a pull-up bar and some weights/resistance bands.

Insanity

Cardio, cardio, cardio! Insanity is touted as the hardest workout ever put on DVD, and honestly, it probably is.

The name of the game here is fat burn. No additional equipment needed, just bring all the motivation you can muster.

Max interval training means long workouts with very small amounts of rest time.

It’s hard, but Shaun T is extremely motivating and will get you through those 45 minutes of hell!

After 60 days you will have burned insane amounts of fat and will look like a sprinter.

GSP Rush Fit

Rush Fit is something in-between P90X and Insanity. More cardio than P90X and more resistance training than Insanity.

There is added value here because of the type of training.

Georges St-Pierre put his name to this, which ensures there will be loads of functional MMA training.

Get in shape and spend 60 days getting a taste of martial arts.

Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Jillian Michaels is famous for her ability to transform people’s bodies. Her programmes are proven, no nonsense, tough, and well-planned.

She takes some of the best workouts used by top athletes to sculpt a long, lean muscular body.

Her workouts are only 30 minutes, but as a result, there is no rest time.

You push play and go! Overall health and looking great, that’s what Jillian is all about.

Pound Rockout

Sometimes workouts can be a drag. Sometimes they all look and feel the same. Not here!

You’ll literally get in shape with drum sticks, not chicken, but actual drum…sticks!

Pound is fun, unique, and it’s so easy to get lost in the music.

The results aren’t as drastic, but there will still be decent calorie burn and it’ll be so fun!

Many of the workouts in the DVD’s don't require you to purchase pricey equipment to work up a sweat. Ardis/TNS

Zumba Exhilarate Body Shaping System

Dancing has been a way to get in shape as long as humans have roamed the earth, and Zumba is a worldwide craze.

Learn step-by-step dance moves and follow the nutrition plan to give yourself that dancers’ body you’ve always fantasised about.

Zumba is fun, electric, and it has a giant active community full of great people.

You could start out getting in shape and end up engulfed in a movement.

Chalene Johnson PiYo

Yoga and pilates have been great ways to get in shape for a very long time, but who has the time to do both?

I just wish there was a way to gain the core strength of yoga, and the muscle sculpting of pilates. Luckily, PiYo fills that void!

The workouts are low impact and unlike normal yoga there isn’t much standing around in the same pose.

Lie down your mat and explore two of the biggest fitness trends to ever hit America.

XTFMax

It is a proven fact that the best way to get in shape fast is to vary your workouts to constantly keep your body guessing and working hard.

XTFMax seeks to do exactly that. From lifting home weights, yoga, single-legged hops, and so much more.

From exercise to exercise your body will not get comfortable and will build all kinds of muscle and shred those pounds!

Beach Body 3-Week Yoga retreat

Are you interested in yoga but don’t have the time or the money to go into a class and work out with a bunch of people you don’t know?

Here is the solution. This is yoga for beginners. The poses won’t be too intense, but if you’ve never done yoga it will work you out.

Low impact and perfect for the injured or for people who just aren’t in shape.

P90

P90 sounds like a lesser P90X. Yes, that’s exactly what it is.

The problem with P90X is simply how intense and daunting it is, and if you’re old or injured or just unmotivated it isn’t very friendly.

The workouts here are only 30 minutes long and not so crazy, but if you put in the work you will get worked.

This is for those who can’t muster up some of the more intense DVDs.

As you get healthier and stronger your motivation will climb and eventually you can try the more intense stuff.

Make no mistake, P90 maybe for beginners, but you will get results.

Verdict: Best workout DVDs

For a workout that will give you results, give P90X a try. In addition to toning and losing weight, you will also learn a lot. 

The Independent