It’s baaaack. Just when you thought your abs were safe, Linda LaRue has released her latest and greatest workout DVD, 3D Fat Burn Fusion, which promises to help you target and tone stubborn core muscles and smoke off your belly fat—fast.

This DVD consists of two workouts. The first workout is the 30-minute Fat Burn Fusion, which consists of both standing total-body ab work and core mat work that borrows moves from yoga and Pilates. The moves, combined with the CORE TRANSFORMER tubing method that Jenn reviewed, kicks the bad ass-ness way up. The standing work was hard…challenging enough, in fact, that I was looking forward to the mat work.

I shouldn’t have been so naive. The mat work about killed me! Especially the planks. YES! There are planks. My boyfriend trainer came into the room as I was doing this part and started drooling over the workouts. (Note: He ALWAYS hates DVD workouts. He never sees anything new…yada yada. Ms. LaRue impressed the stuffins out of him…let this be your warning.)

The second section is a bonus for your body. It’s a 15-minute high-intensity interval workout that about killed my butt (literally). It’s deja vu. I felt like I was back at the Nike compound in Vancouver working out with the ski team. Teri Ann Krefting leads you through a quick, grueling workout that will make you feel like a super athlete with super-sore muscles once you’re done. (No pain, no gain!)

And then there’s the Athletic Core Set-Up segment. I swear a day doesn’t go by that someone doesn’t stop me and ask me how they can tone up their midsection. I want to hand this DVD to them lovingly and tell them to make sure to watch the Athletic Core Set-Up. Linda breaks down how one targets the area and what that area is called (hallelujah for those who want to actually learn what they really need to work!). It’s one of those one-stone-ALL-THE-BIRDS! kind of workouts, too. Your bawd will scream out to you that you’ve gotten in a healthy dose of cardio, core, strength training and gooooood stretching by the time you’re done.

What I loved: I was so thankful the main workout was only 30 minutes because every time she said “Only 16 [reps]” I about died. You’re gonna feel the burn fast. The music got a thumbs up this time around, too. There was a bunch of world beats up in that piece that had me cracking me up! Most importantly, I loved that you’d actually get to witness Linda out of breath. Finally! We get a normal human being that actually sweats and breathes.

What I could have done without: The scary smiling of the two background gals. I know they’re supposed to be happy and all, but it was kind of creepy how big the smiles were…almost like they enjoyed the pain. Who enjoys the pain?! (Okay, Jenn might…) So if you’re down for grabbing your burn with a side of happy, then you can just ignore the grump and get on your pump!

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★1/2

Fit Bottom line: If you’re looking to shed some inches from your belly from the comfort of your own home, then the heavens have just parted for you. You and the sweet sixteens will be very happy.

Do you want to see if 16 is your lucky number? Leave a comment below for a chance to win one of three copies of the 3D Fat Burn Fusion DVD and your own CORE TRANSFORMER Resistance Band. U.S. residents only please! —Tish

I’m always a sucker for workouts where you get to hit something. Maybe it’s because I don’t have a correct outlet for my PMS or maybe I’m a little sadistic, but it’s definitely stress relieving. So when the creator of KnockOut Abs (you may have seen it in infomercials as it was originally marketed on TV), asked if we wanted to try his speedbag program, all I saw was a bullseye for my jabs, hooks and uppercuts.

And jab, hook and uppercut I did. This piece of fitness equipment that’s part-abs, part-speedbag, part-resistance band comes with a workout DVD and a ginormous poster detailing every possible move you could do with the mini-bench. While the piece of equipment itself is a little hokey and very infomercial-like (I can imagine it now: “Sit and jab for just three minutes a day and you’ll get six-pack abs for just three—no two!—easy payments of $29.95!”), the quality is decent and it’s unique. Even if you just sit and punch from a sit-up position (like the woman in the photo), you definitely feel the burn in your core. It takes timing to hit the speedbag, which works your coordination, and using your upper-body gets your heart rate slightly elevated.

You can’t really just hold that position for long though, which is where KnockOut Abs goes from one-trick pony to actual workout. Granted, some of the moves on the poster are a stretch—doing push-ups and mountain climbers with your hands on the slightly elevated bench isn’t changing it much. But others are good, and gosh knows there are more than enough exercises shown to hit every part of your body, large and small. Although you can’t tell from the photo, there’s an area on the bottom of the system to attach resistance bands. When you do that, this thing becomes a strength workout, too. So from tricep kickbacks, to bicep curls to traveling push-ups (one hand on the bench, one hand off—moving from side to side) to sit-ups and squats, it delivers.

Then there’s the KnockOut Abs workout DVD. With three different workouts— beginner, intermediate and advanced—this really shows you how to use the system. Taking inspiration from the boxing world (er, obviously, with a speedbag and the name KnockOut Abs), each 20-ish minute workout consists of rounds, which are basically like circuits of moves. Between each round you get a short break. The beginner workout goes four rounds, intermediate goes six, and advanced goes for 10. All the workouts (even the beginner one) feature pretty intense moves including burpees, squats and jacks. Really, the only difference between the different workouts is how quickly you go through all of the rounds. (And the advanced one does have harder moves on the whole, but the beginner one is still more challenging than I expected.) Pretty well led with good cuing and modifications, the instructor is a bit distracting in her overly revealing “boxing” outfit, but she knows her stuff. And could probably kick my ass.

KnockOut Abs is much more than just the workout DVD, but I’ll give it stars nonetheless. Just for fun.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★
Music: ★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★1/2

Fit Bottomed Line: KnockOut Abs—the workout DVD and the whole system—may look like a cheap infomercial product, but it’s really not. While you don’t need a system like this to get fit, if you’re someone who likes to box, this could be for you!

Do you like to box for workouts? Prefer punching something more substantial than the air? Tell us about it! —Jenn

I know, I know. You shouldn’t judge a book (or a DVD) by its cover. But I can’t help it—I feel like a workout DVD gives me a little clue as to what to expect with the photo it chooses for the front cover, and when the promo art for Rockin Models showed five remarkably thin (and gorgeous) women in jeggings, well, I had two thoughts. First, “Are they serious?” And second, “Oh, I’ve gotta try this.”

(Yes, I believe I’m walking that line between totally judgmental and very open-minded. Whatever, it seems to work.)

So, anyway, I began the workout ready to sweat a little and laugh a lot. Because, you know. Jeggings. Led by celebrity trainer Grace Lazenby, it’s a little over an hour long and is a mix of yoga, ballet and burlesque, and features music by Matt Goss, Greg Laswell and Cary Brothers (none of whom I had heard of, but they weren’t bad—a little bit of rock, a little indie vibe, and an interesting choice for the type of workout this provided).

The workout begins with a fast-paced flow yoga interval with pretty standard stuff—a lot of down dogs, a lot of warriors, you know the drill. It got my muscles warm, but didn’t talk much about form, which always concerns me with yoga because it’s so easy to do incorrectly when not done in a live class. But, if you know your downward dogs, you’ll be fine.

From there, it moves into a burlesque section that was a bit repetitive—but really tough. Like, legs-shaking tough. But it doesn’t last too long because you go back to yoga, but slower this time, and then back to “detailing” burlesque/ballet, followed by some solid if not groundbreaking work on the abs, glutes and legs with a lot of moves that felt very Pilates-y.

Now, I really have no beef with the workout itself—it was hard but manageable, there were modifications shown for many of the moves and Lazenby cues well. But I’ve got one major issue with it: The women doing the workout use two hats, a stick and ball, and the DVD cover or back makes no mention of any of this. Now, I guess one doesn’t really need the hat as a dance prop, but it would be nice to be given the heads up. The stick (for balance during the up-and-down burlesque moves) and ball (to be held between the legs during those moves) are necessary. I would’ve loved some warning—heck, even 10 seconds at the beginning of a section requiring a prop would’ve at least given me time to pause the darn thing and grab what I needed.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★1/2

Best for: Rockin Models is for gals who love the idea of getting a little sexy and having some fun during their workout. If you take yourself too seriously, you might not enjoy it the way you really should!

Do you prefer your workouts with a side of sex appeal, or would you rather bring your sexy back after the post-workout shower? —Kristen

As a general rule, I’m not one for lots of gadgets and gizmos when it comes to workout equipment. I like my ol’ dumbbells, stability ball and my own body weight just fine. And when I’m feeling particularly crazy, I’ll spend some time on the TRX or will safely (with totally proper form) throw a kettlebell around. But extra items that just take up space in my home gym? Not so much. I say all this as proper disclosure for what I’m about to preach: If you want to get fit you don’t need anything but yourself, a good attitude and some good footwear. (And even that isn’t always necessary!) However, other things can help—if you actually use them. That’s a big “if,” especially for many products that promise dramatic results in a short amount of time—and for those buying them thinking they can get get killer abs and thighs in just 10 minutes, three times a week. Like the EasySculpt does.

This little purple pillow thingie (which got my husband really excited when it first came in the mail because he thought I was testing something else) is meant to support you and put you in better position (saying “position” didn’t help my case with the hubs, by the way) as you do different ab and Pilates exercises. For example, you rest your head in the cradle while doing crunches and other traditional ab matwork, hold it in your hands for proper form when doing oblique twists from a V-sit position, place it between your knees during bridges, and lie on your side in it as you do leg circles and other inner- and outer-thigh moves. And it really does work in that it makes it easier for a beginner or a home exerciser to have proper form when doing some harder or more complicated Pilates moves that require perfect form to really work the targeted muscles. It also is great for those who always feel strain in their neck when they do crunches and other ab work.

But I don’t think the product alone will get you fit. It comes with two DVDs, each with a 10-minute workout. Come on, guys, could we have not saved some packaging and put them on one DVD? Celeb trainer Jennifer Galardi leads both of the workouts (one for the core and one for the buns, thighs and abs), and does a great job of cuing and instructing, and she’s totally likable, but the production quality is less than what we typically see in most workout DVDs. Plus, to be honest, the moves are pretty repetitive for a 10-minute workout, and I imagine after a few days of doing this I’d be yawning. The exercises aren’t easy and you will feel the burn, but 10 minutes of leg lifts and crunches three times a week does not a fit body make.

Oh, and I’m not sure what’s up with the little Zebra on the packaging and what it has to do with fitness, but I like it.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★
Music: ★★
Fun Factor: ★★
Meets Expectations: ★★

Overall: ★★1/2

Fit Bottomed Line: This is a good piece of equipment for newbies starting their exercise journeys  who want to try Pilates or do abwork and are willing to round out their fitness plan with cardio on their own time.

—Jenn

We love how many functional core workout DVDs are on the market these days. But with so many to choose from, how do you know what’s good and what’s whack? We try them out so you can find your true workout DVD BFF!

Jillian Michaels: 6 Week Six-Pack

Between all of her different projects, I don’t know when Jillian Michaels sleeps, but I do know one thing: God bless her for putting out so many good workout DVDs. If you left me alone on a deserted island with only her DVDs, a TV and a DVD player, I’m pretty sure I’d be in ridiculous shape. And Jillian Michaels’ 6 Week Six-Pack would certainly be my go-to core workout.

Set up similar to the 30 Day Shred DVD, you get an easier Level One 35-minute workout (the DVD says 30 minutes, but it’s really closer to 35) and a darn near impossible Level Two workout of the same length. In both levels, after a short—and intense warm-up (only Jillian does high-knees to begin a workout)—you get straight into a brutal circuit of functional core exercises and high-intensity cardio moves. From mountain climbers to spider planks to plyometrics to jack knifes to side plank back-leg kicks (the soreness these caused me was incredible), you work hard. In Level One, you go through the circuit first slowly, then again at a much faster pace for a killer workout. And in Level Two? You take what you did in Level One and add more intensity with weights, jumping and new torturous positions. And you power through the circuit even faster than in Level One. Again, brutal.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★1/2

Best for: Jillian really gets what getting a six-pack is about: burning calories, shedding fat and developing overall core strength. And this DVD does all that and more.

Dancin’ Abs by Jazzercise

I know that Jazzercise can provide a good workout in person, but in DVD form? Believe it or not, this is our first time reviewing a Jazzercise workout DVD! About time, I know. And this DVD was no let-down. Sure, it’s not quite as fun or exciting as being in a real class with real people and loud, pumping music (personally, my fave part), but it’s a great one to add in your dance workout DVD rotation. Just like the live classes, the moves are fun and timed to specific songs, you get your heart rate up, and the DVD just has that jazz-hands aerobics feel. Which I’m totally a sucker for.

You get two workouts in the DVD: a full 60-minute class and an express 30-minute workout (which is a collaboration of songs from the full hour workout). Both have a warm-up and a cool down and feature choreographed dance moves that work the core, along with specific standing ab work. You may think that because there are no crunches or mat work that you’re not working the core, but you’d be mistaken. I can personally vouch that the moves really work your abs because I did this DVD the day after Jillian’s and holy goodness was I sore, thereby feeling every single ab contraction.

The cuing in this DVD is fabulous with instructors Shanna and Young pumping you up, showing modifications and giving excellent alignment cues. The hour-long workout was a bit long and got a little boring in my opinion, but the 30-minute workout was—as Goldilocks says—just right. And the hip-hop song that you pump your fists and pop your chest to at the end of both workouts? SO. FUN.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★1/2

Best for: If you like Jazzercise, Zumba or other dance-based workouts, this is your perfect core workout DVD!

Gorgeous Core with Suzanne Bowen

I love the name of this core DVD. There’s no mention of fat or six-pack or thinness—just that you’re going to get your core gorgeous. Dahling. With six different quick segments, you get a little bit of everything in this DVD from Pilates to traditional core work to challenging plank series. You even get some leg and butt toning to go along with it.

Instructor Suzanne starts it off pretty easy in the 12-minute sections of Lean, Long & Strong, and Class Abwork with Pilates moves that all have modifications for beginners. Then she takes it up a notch in the segment Sleek Physique that is a solid 12-minutes of planks, T-stands, side planks and other variations on this get-you-shakin’ move (my fave section!). Metabolism Bootcamp is the most cardio of the segments with 12-minutes of squats, mountain climbers and standing balance work to engage the core (my second fave section). Then to round out the DVD there’s the shorter 5- to 7-minute segments of ABsolute Challenge! and Total Core Fast Blast that are a nice quick mix of Pilates (think V-sits and single-leg stretches) and traditional abs.

Suzanne is quite likable in the DVD and cues form beautifully, although I have to say that I was expecting this DVD to be more traditional strength than it was. This is definitely a more Pilates and dance-based workout reminiscent of these DVDs we just reviewed!

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★1/2

Best for: If you’re a Pilates fan and are looking for a quick workout that focuses on the entire core, Suzanne is your gal!

FIT BOTTOMED LINE: IF YOU LIKE JILLIAN’S NO-HOLDS-BAR STYLE, GET HER SIX WEEK 6-PACK DVD. IF DANCING IS MORE YOUR STYLE, TRY JAZZERCISE TO WORK THE MIDDLE. PILATES DEVOTEE? SUZANNE HAS YOU COVERED!

Do you do workouts specifically to strengthen your core? Tell us about it! —Jenn

We’re all trying to do more in less time—work, family, driving, BlackBerrying, all of it. And I’m all for having more free time and less “to-do” time for sure. Which is why Linda LaRue’s latest workout DVD the Core Transformer pretty much rocks my world. Or entire planetary system.

The DVD promises a lot: A three-dimensional two-in-one cardio core and constant resistance lean sculpting tubing workout. I’m not even fully sure what all that even means, but I want it. It also promises a burn of 1,000 calories if you do the whole 60-minute workout. I know—a pretty tall order. I was skeptical at first, but after about 10 minutes, I was a believer. A transformed Core Transformer devotee, if you will.

The kit is straightforward, using only a simple resistance tubing that you Velcro around your feet. You have the option to power through a 20-, 40- or 60-minute workout, plus a warm-up and cool down. But don’t be fooled by the “simple” resistance tubing’s benign look—it is the source of much muscle burning and grunting, believe me. In each workout you use the tubing as resistance when you squat, twist, kick, lunge, press, jump (the plyometrics kill!) curl and—generally—burn, baby, burn. You feel every move EVERYWHERE. Your arms. Your legs. Your abs. Your lower back. Oh, lordy, lordy, the burning. I somehow managed to complete the 60-minute workout all the way through (even Linda confessed to me while discussing Brussels sprouts that it was ridiculous for anyone to start with the hour-long workout—so don’t do what I did!) and was S-O-R-E the next day, especially in my glutes (hooray!) and my lower back (but in a good way).

All three of the workouts truly are cardio, core and strength sessions all in one. So you’re really, really saving time. And you’re seriously working your body in a way I promise you never have before unless you’ve been trained as a professional athlete. It’s super awesome. Not to mention that the instructor Raneir Pollard is extremely encouraging, funny and not the least bit overly perky or annoying. He’s also not hard to look at. Can’t beat that.

The only downside to this core workout DVD is that some of the moves are a little repetitive and the music is oddly quiet at times. But those things are really minor considering how different and revolutionary this workout really is. It delivers, people! It really delivers!

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★

Fit Bottom line: If you want a workout DVD that will challenge your whole body in new ways, get this! One of the coolest and most unique workouts we’ve tried in years!

Want to try the Core Transformer Kit yourself? Leave a comment on why you’d like to try the workout, and we’ll select two U.S. readers to win the awesome core-working kit AND a free 30-minute one-on-one phone session with the core guru herself, Linda LaRue! You can’t beat that! Full giveaway rules here. Winners will be selected in a week and contacted via email, so get to pleading your core case in the comments before time runs out! —Jenn

I’ve always been a fan of DVDs that translate like a trainer in the gym. I need my workouts to mess with muscles I’m not used to working. Usually after home workouts, I feel nothing. Yeah, I’m a bit sweaty, but after 10 minutes of rest I feel like I haven’t done anything. That’s a big ole boo, Captain.

Michele Olson’s Fitness Prescription: Perfect Legs, Glutes & Abs was awesome in terms of its ability to work me out while keeping it fun. The whole workout was a challenge. The Russian Twist she does in the abs section made me scream like a banshee. You see her legs shaking during some of the lunge moves, and you know your legs are dead meat. She even has a moment where she struggles and grunts trying to do a hardcore chair move. She tries once and almost topples over. She then continues the routine without the risky move. It’s endearing as heck to see her diesel body experience something human. Dr. Olson definitely keeps the focus on working through the pain of a serious cardio-weight program.

There are four sections for the three targeted body areas:  a warm-up, a cool down, and two sections called Mega Moves and Master Moves, which work all three targeted areas. You will use your weights quite a bit, but don’t let the iron fool you. This is just as much a cardio workout as it is a strenth one, which rocks for toning your bawd. After completing the entire DVD you’ve gotten in an intense hour’s worth of workout. Her instruction is flawless. She tells you not only how to do it, but why you’re doing it that way. I heart it when people correctly educate us about fitness!  Make sure to pay attention. She’s got a Ph.D. in this after all!

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★

Best for: Intermediate exercisers who aren’t afraid of pain from a little pulse action.

What do you look for in a fitness DVD? Do you like the fact that a celebrity is suffering alongside you or do you prefer an expert’s prescription?—Tish

Days later I’m still scratching my head wondering how an innocent green ball could cause so much pain. I’m sure, by now, you’ve seen the commercials advertising that lovely little workout tool known as the Bender Ball. In all honesty, I really didn’t give the little green guy much credit. Before I began the DVD workout that comes with the ball, I was playing around, and trying different workouts on it that I’d normally try on a regular stability ball. Big mistake!!! It’s small. There’s not a lot of back support. (You would think I would have been smart enough to understand that.) Don’t be your own gym class hero. No, no, no…Let Leslee Bender, creator and workout leader extraordinaire, lead the way.

I warn you because one of my gal pals saw the ball sitting in my living room and shrieked at it. Apparently her doctor isn’t a fan of the little guy and said it’s not the best friend folks with back issues should have in their lives. This raised a couple of red flags, but after finishing the DVD I concluded that if you follow the instructions you’re golden. You rarely have the ball in your lower back region and when you doc, you’re never doing anything dangerously wonky.

The workouts are subtle. Very slow, calculated movements that left my abs shaking. At one point, Leslee even mentions the earthquake-like shakes, which made me feel somewhat more normal. If you’ve been working toward strong abs, then this may be a good routine to incorporate into your existing workouts. It will definitely give your obliques a new jolt of OMGs. Just remember, it doesn’t matter how many abs you’re crunching, twisting and jolting, if you’re not making healthy eating choices, all this stuff is just a waste of cash.

As for the little green ball that could, I give him, and the workout that comes with him, an 8. I definitely liked how simple and small the movements were she asked us to do. I also loved that the same small movements I did caused the good kind of  post-workout soreness I love. The muscles were worked! I didn’t have to make a lot of room in my living room, which rocks considering I live in L.A. where a small box can cost you an arm, a leg and a shoe. I did have a problem putting air in the little fellow, though. I didn’t know if I was putting enough and then when I had it done at my gym, I felt like it was too much air. Damn ball thinks it’s Goldilocks!

The bender ball’s ability to produce earthquake belly shakes made me a fan. Especially when I figured out I couldn’t even do some of the workouts. Try the exercise where you lie flat on your back and balance your feet on the ball while lifting your pelvis up. Sound easy? Hmph! Try it and let me know how well you fared.—Tish

We love Bob Harper. And after somewhat objectively reviewing his DVDs (we tried to remove our googly eyes, but it’s hard!), we’ve decided we love his workouts, too. He’s just so darn cute. And sweet. And holy crap he works you out in new ways!

Pure Burn Super Strength

When Bob says “Pure Burn” he means it. This strength DVD has two workouts: one hour-long full-body workout that works every body part and will make you cry uncle and an easier 25- minute strength workout for beginners. Both workouts use weights, and both will most likely leave you sore the next day, although they aren’t impossible.

You need dumbbells for both workouts. I used 5-pound weights and was challenged, as was my hubs, who used 10 pounders. Bob runs you through a gamut of moves including killer combos like weighted plank rows, matrix lunges (forward, side and back lunges) and bicep curls to shoulder presses. Ouchie ouch ouch! If you thought Jillian’s strength moves were tough, it’s time to take on Bob, too.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★

Best for: Those who want solid long and short strength workouts that will challenge ya!

Cardio Conditioning

Now I have a slight qualm with this “cardio” DVD—it has A LOT of strength in it! And if you’re someone like me who lifts regularly and never works the same muscle group two days in a row, working this DVD in as your cardio is a bit misleading. Sure, you get your heart rate up (oh, do you), but you use dumbbells and do enough push-ups and deadlifts to consider it a strength workout.

With that said, I still love the DVD. Both of the DVD’s workouts are EXTREMELY challenging. The first, an intense hour of crazy-arse moves, left me dripping and the second, well, it was 25 minutes of lower-body and standing core work that had my muscles talking (read: screaming). From mountain climbers to squat jumps to scorpion push-ups (from a push-up position, you lift one leg up high, shift it toward the opposite side and then do a push-up—yeowsers!), Bob takes you to a new level of crazy.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★★

Best for: Those wanting a seriously challenging workout that gets you both your cardio and your strength in one session.

Bob’s Workout

I know it’s ridiculous how I keep saying these workouts are hard, but this Bob DVD takes the cake in the insanely difficult department. In fact, this one is so hard that the fitness models in the DVDs even struggle doing it. And by “struggle” I don’t just mean they sweat or take a short break—they darn near can’t finish it! Which, believe me, makes you feel so much better about almost dying during it.

There are, again, two workouts on this DVD. Each are 30 minutes of circuit training: one more upper-body focused and one more lower-body focused. Both are killer, but the upper-body one is slightly more intense in my mind (mainly because the fitness model doesn’t take as many breaks and keeps you moving NONSTOP—told you it was hard!). From explosive plyometric moves like jumping lunges and burpees to push-ups done every way imaginable, you NEVER rest. I guarantee it’ll be the hardest 30-minute workout you’ve ever done.

Oh, and if you do both workouts back to back, that’s actually the workout that Bob regularly does. Boy works hard for his body. Impossibly—and awesomely—hard.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★1/2

Best for: The fitness insane.

Yoga for the Warrior

Okay, I’m not saying the two workouts on this yoga DVD are easy, but compared to the others, it’s by far the most friendly and least intense. It’s also the one that leaves you feeling totally rejuvenated (the others make you feel more proud of surviving the workout, which is also a good feeling, just a different one).

The full hour yoga session with Bob is seriously heaven. You’re challenged, but nothing is impossible for intermediate exercisers, and since the pace is slower, you have more time to appreciate the finer things in life. Like Bob.

Then there’s the 15-minute workout that focuses solely on the abs. Again, it’s not easy, but with a few times practice you can do most of it without cussing up a storm. I like it so much, I actually do it two to three times a week after my runs. It’s not really yoga, but it sure does work every single part of your abs. Plus you don’t wear shoes during it. Yay for going barefoot!

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★★

Best for: Anyone who likes to do yoga, wishes they liked to do yoga or wants to do yoga. Or those wanting the perfect quick ab workout. Five stars, baby!

Have you tried these DVDs? If not, go get them! They’re definitely in heavy rotation at FBG headquarters! —Jenn

I thought I was an ab guru. Master Shin–a grandmaster in martial arts–would tell you otherwise, though. He’d probably tell you I bowed down to him like a little defeated chump. I think the universe laughed at me for declaring such a thing and that’s why it served me up a big scoop of Master Shin’s Don’t Cheat Yourself DVD  humble pie in the mail.

I can’t lie. The quality of the tape is a little on the low-budget side. At times I could see parts of the set flopping around, but you’ll quickly forget how corny it is once you start doing what the master asks of you. The guy is in his 70s and had me (and a curious friend from the gym) sweating and straining.

The workouts are a little hard to follow. Master Shin counts super duper fast, plus he rarely shares the finer points of modifications with the audience. When he tells you to take it easy, you think, “Finally, he takes pity!” but then not even a second later he’s yelling and pointing at the TV saying, “DON’T CHEAT YOURSELF!” which brings on the massive feelings of guilt and fear. I swear I thought he might pop out of the TV and kick my arse. Don’t be fooled by the ”ab focus” on the front cover, either. While the 30-minute DVD says it’s an ab workout, he still manages to throw some push-ups in the mix. (My least favorite exercise in the whole wide world, FYI.) I did EVERY workout… It hurt to sneeze the next day. Aches are kind of my thing. It’s how I know I’m working new muscles and (dramatic music) not cheating myself.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★

Overall: ★★1/2

Fit Bottomed Line: Those who need a new ab challenge—and aren’t bothered by low-quality production.

What about you? Do you need some discipline to feel a new burn? If you like that kind of pain then Shin’s the master for you!—Tish