By Cherise Watts
Burn belly fat while indoors with these at-home
kickboxing and core techniques. We reviewed new workout DVDs that will keep you moving without having to step out into the cold.
Pick Your Levels: 'Weight Loss Pilates':
'Weight Loss Pilates,' from the Pick Your Level series, claimes to be appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced
Pilates practitioners. This is achieved by having three instructors on the screen at all times -- each doing a pose at varying degrees of difficulty. It seems like a good idea at first, and being a huge fan of Pilates, I assumed I'd be a fan of this DVD, but this was not to be. Not only can the video be hard to follow with each pose being explained three times, but it's far too easy even at the advanced level. The workout, which consists of three 10-minute routines, is over before you even start to feel the burn. The instructor does, however give you a taste of standing, side-lying and mat Pilates. For the novice, it may be a good start, but in no way would I describe this workout as "weight-loss" Pilates -- there would have to be a lot more heart-pumping cardio action to make good on that claim. You'd probably burn more
calories during the walk to Blockbuster to return the DVD.
Grade: C
'Samba Party Workout 2': Brazilian 'Carnaval' Grooves:
Due to recent viewings of "Dancing with the Stars," I was excited to try Samba Party, which was filmed on a colorfully lit outdoor set - - a nice change of pace from most workout DVDs. However, I couldn't get over the tacky day-glow costumes that the instructors were wearing. I know it had nothing to do with the actual workout, but I felt stupid enough doing the samba in my living room. Perhaps I would have been less distracted by the wardrobe if I was able to get all the fancy footwork down. I've never been particularly adept when it comes to choreography, so if you happened to enjoy the first Samba Party, then I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this one as well. Unfortunately, I think I could shake my booty to Samba Party everyday without it even coming close to transforming into that of Stacy Kiebler. I think I'll be putting this DVD on the shelf and signing-up for a ballroom dancing class.
Grade: D
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