UnderReview: 10-Minute DVD Head-to-Head (& Giveaways!)
April 8, 2010 by Jenn
As we already know, small bits of exercise really do add up! But if you’re someone who would rather lift weights or do yoga than scrub the bathroom for a workout, then we have the answer for you: DVDs with 10-minute workouts! The latest trend in workout DVDs is titles filled with a bunch of mini workouts. Add them up for a longer workout or squeeze 10 minutes in here and there for a quick and workout-A.D.D.-proof exercise session! Find your perfect 10-minute workout DVD below!
Amy Dixon: Give Me 10!
The best part about these types of DVDs is the mix of activities they provide in just one DVD. And Amy Dixon’s Give Me 10! is no different. In this DVD, Amy gives you Fat Blasting Cardio, Upper-Body Sculpt, Lower-Body Firmer, Core Makeover, Yoga Stretch and Flex, and a Bonus KettleBell Tone Up. Something for everyone, for sure. And enough to push everyone to try something new, fo shizzle.
I was a particular fan of the upper-body sculpt (holy burning shoulder exercises) and the cardio sessions. Also, the yoga works well as a longer cool down, as it’s more stretching than yoga really (so skip that one if you really want a workout in your 10 minutes).
The production quality is a little low, but Amy Dixon is a seasoned instructor with excellent (and non-annoying) cues that more than makes up for it. She’s upbeat without being overly perky, and the sessions make you feel like you’re less in Hollywood and more in your local health club. The music isn’t great, but again, the workout more than makes up for it.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
Best for: FBGs who work out a few times a week and need a solid, no-frills DVD to put in their workout mix when they’re short on time!
10 Minute Solution: 5 Day Get Fit Mix
We like most of the 10-Minute Solution DVDs that we’ve reviewed. They’re always just solid, good workout DVDs. Nothing too fancy or special but always reliable for a good workout. And you can add this DVD to that sentiment, too. Instructor Amy Bento is likeable and totally down to earth. She also looks like she could bench me a few times, which a compliment, in my eyes.
In the DVD, you also get a good mix of 10-minute workouts. The DVD is designed for you to do one a day for five days, but I mixed three together for a fun and exciting 30-minute workout. You can choose from Cardio Kickboxing (fun kicks and punches), Fat Blasting Intervals (cardio and strength for maximum calorie burn and time savings), Power Yoga (not a lot of strength-based moves here, but a decent yoga session), Belly Fat Burner (and it does burn) and Lean Body Sculpt (works the upper- and lower-body at the same time—woo woo).
Although the exercises in this DVD are as moderately challenging as Amy Dixon’s DVD above, I feel like this title is more suited to beginners because this Amy is a little friendlier and more newbie-oriented and encouraging. The music is eh, but the 10 minutes just fly by!
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
Best for: Beginners looking for a bit of challenge or intermediate exercisers wanting to shake up their workouts with a friendly and encouraging instructor.
The Spark: Fit, Firm & Fired Up in 10 Minutes a Day
Full disclosure: I may not be able to be subjective on this DVD, as I write for SparkPeople and the instructor, Nicole Nichols, is my editor. With that said, I really, really liked this DVD. It is one of the best beginner workout DVDs we’ve reviewed. You get seven 10-minute strength and toning workouts (including a section with crunchless abs—which I loved), training tips and a bonus 15-minute cardio workout. If you’re a newbie, this DVD alone could get you started for at least a few months, especially if you could get outside and walk for extra cardio.
The whole SparkPeople enterprise really gets how to motivate people in a realistic, doable way. Coach Nicole is super likeable and refreshingly normal. And she encourages small changes to get fit, instead of a huge overhaul of your lifestyle. Love that. The production quality on this DVD leaves much to be desired, but what’s in the DVD is so good that you really don’t notice. The moves are effective, and the instruction is dead-on.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ 1/2
Best for: Beginners who are ready to make a lifestyle change.
FIT BOTTOMED LINE: ALL OF THE ABOVE DVDS ARE SOLID. IF YOU’RE MORE ADVANCED, GO WITH AMY DIXON’S DVD. IF YOU’RE INTERMEDIATE OR A BEGINNER LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGE, INVEST IN THE 10-MINUTE SOLUTION DVD. AND, IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT, SPARK IT UP!
Want to win any of the above titles? Of course you do! Leave a comment below, and we’ll pick three lucky readers to win a DVD in a week! U.S. residents only, please. G’ luck! —Jenn
I have the Fit, Firm and Fired Up DVD. It is awesome! I also do the videos on sparkpeople but I like having dvds, that way I can take them with me and do them on vacation/traveling on my portable dvd player. Go Sparkpeople!!!!!
I’ve been using Sparkpeople.com for the past month and have already lost 10 lbs. and have increased my activity per day from nothing to over an hour of brisk walking, no matter the weather. I would love to get Coach Nicole’s DVD. I’ve watched some of her workouts on the website and think they are great.
I have never exercised with a 10 minute video. I want a 10 minute video really bad.
This would be a great add on when I don’t have much time to fit in a long workout.
I think 10 minute workouts sound great. I am just starting to workout and I need to start somewhere.
I’ve been a member of sparkpeople for a couple years now – after loosing a bunch of weight I’ve been on a plateau for a year
(
I got the fit, firm and fired up by sparkpeople and am now off my plateau – I’ve learned that I definitely have to keep changing up my routine to keep loosing another DVD would be so very helpful.
I’ve been a member of sparkpeople for a couple years now – after loosing a bunch of weight I’ve been on a plateau for a year
I got the fit, firm and fired up by sparkpeople and am now off my plateau – I’ve learned that I definitely have to keep changing up my routine to keep loosing another DVD would be so very helpful.
I would love to win any one of these!
I’ve enjoyed the 10 minute workouts from Spark People for the first time just this week. I did the kickboxing and the jumproping, then did the kickboxing again. They went by soooo fast, it was easy to decide to do another 10 minutes.
Love 10 minute workouts. Seems that’s the only way I can work exercise into my schedule. Any of the above DVDs would be a great addition to my exercise collection. Thanks for the reviews.
I would love to be able to change up my workout routine and I have been wanting to try the new Coach Nicole workouts but do not have at home. I do not think they would appreciate me getting my sweat in my office. It would be a sight to see though!
I stumbled on your website looking for something else, I think it was the fitbottom part that caught my attention (lol). It’s been a while since I’ve tried an exercise tape, as the parent of two kids and working full time, it’s getting harder and harder to get in a quality workout in a short amount of time. Looks like you’ve given a couple of suggestions I can really work on.
I can find 10 min a day to workout. I’m a big fan of Sparkpeople!!
Interesting! I just started working out on a regular basis so I needed some more dvds. I’ll be sure to check these out! :]
I’m a couple of months new again to exercise so to speak, and have been walking and using Coach Nicole’s spark videos (dumbbell and resistance band) and can move through all 10 minutes of the kickboxing bootcamp although I can’t do all the moves yet. But we will!
Thanks for the reviews of the DVD’s and for your website.
I love finding more places to bookmark for motivation!
I would love to try all 3. I love different workouts and am willing to try anything once. Good Luck to everyone. keep up the good work.
Winning one of these would be great!
All three look so good! So hope to win one, it would help so much!
I don’t have any short workout videos like these. I’d love to try some of them.
I’ve been a member of SparkPeople about a year and love it. I have purchased the Fit Firm and Fired Up video and loved it too. I would love winning a video.
I’ve been a member of SparkPeople for about and year and love it. I have purchased the SparkPeople Fit Firm and Fired Up video and loved it. I’d love to win a video.
I love the idea of a 10- minute workout dvd. I find it easy to take 10-minute power walks during the day, but if I try to work out for 30 minutes or more at a time I get bored no matter what music I play or how hard I try to trick myself. I can see myself doing a 10-minute workout in the morning, and another at night, and maybe building up from there.
Awesome! Ive done some of coach nicole’s online workouts on sparkpeople and love them! Im always looking for fun, new workout dvd’s!
woohoo! workout dvds!
I really like ten miniut workouts. If I have more time I will put 2 or 3 of them together for a longer workout and, I don’t get bored that way. I think I would like the Amy Dixon one. Although I LOVE Sparkpeople!!!
As a FT working mother of 2 sometimes 10 is all I can scrap together!
I’ve never even considered a 10 min work-out as a work-out. Generally it takes about that just to warm-up. I am a cynic, but would love to try this and see if it works.
I need to get motivated and moving! These DVDs sound like just what I need!
I have to say, I really enjoy Nicole’s workouts on the Sparkpeople website. She is a great example of finding seemingly simple movements and working them until they kick your butt. I am still working up to all ten minutes of her jump start workout.
A short, ten minute workout is a great way to get in shape AND keep you motivated!
Would love any of these as this is the type of work out I need! Quick and something I can fit in in the no time I have… I would be up for the Fit, Firm and Fired Up or the Give Me 10 most. Thanks!
Oh my goodness, all of these sound great! I’ve been doing Jillian Michaels’s 30 Day Shred, & I really like it, but I’d like to try something new & different. I’ll have to see if I can find some of these.
I’d love to try one of these out as a substitute for cross training as I ramp-up for my second half marathon this season. Thanks for you work on the site — especially love your music finds.
I’ve recently started checking out workout DVDs since an actual gym is about 30 min. away and way out of my budget. These look like they are something I could do!
Great workouts for those like myself who find it hard to stay in shape and have only snipets of time in their day to commit to. I’m a mommy to five and dvds are definitely my favorite way to exercise and to find motivation. Thank You FBG if you choose me!!!
I could definitely use a (shorter) routine switch up form my usual rotation of Jillian Michaels-these all look great!
Would LOVE to see how the 10 minutes videos work! Always looking for ways to fit in fitness being a single mom of six! Time is of essence
I have the 10 Minute Cardio Blast DVD from SparkPeople. Love it! I also do the videos on sparkpeople but I like having dvds, that way I can take them with me. Go Sparkpeople!!!!!
I am also a Sparker. I also do not always have half an hour or more to exercise. Any of these would prove helpful.
I would love to win Amy Dixon: Give me 10! I don’t own any of these fitness dvd’s and would just be thrilled to get one! THANK YOU FBG for the chance to win one of these fitness dvd’s!
With as insane a schedule that I keep — besides the two one hour Pilates reformer sessions I go to each week (which I get to because I do them as a duet with my son who is rehabbing a back injury) it is hard to fit in a long workout. 10 minutes can be fit in easily!
I would love to win any of these DVD’s.