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Celeb Workout DVD Battle: Bethenny Frankel vs. Marisa Tomei

It’s interesting that so many celebrities are coming out with workout DVDs these days. It’s kind of like getting an inside peek on exactly how they get—and stay—so fit. Granted, they have more hours of the day to dedicate to looking good because their day jobs depend on it, but it’s fun nonetheless. Plus, since they’re not playing a role in the DVD, you get a peek at what they’re “really” like. Well, except for our first DVD review that features a reality TV star…

Regardless, today’s workout DVD head-to-head pits Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel up against “Mona Lisa Vito” Marisa Tomei to see who wins the title of Best Celebrity Workout DVD. Game on, ladies!

Body by BethennyBody by Bethenny

I could never really get into The Real Housewives of New York, but the Orange County version has long been a guilty pleasure, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t caught a couple of episodes from New Jersey, bizarro as they may be (that Danielle sure does have the crazy eyes). Despite this, I know who Bethenny Frankel is, and I’m familiar with her SkinnyGirl books and outlook on fitness, so I was curious to try her new workout DVD, Body by Bethenny.

First off, let me say that the DVD set was one of the coolest I’ve seen for a workout DVD. Very posh, yet flowy and open. It was like the giant living room you’ve always wanted to do yoga and drink Mai tais in (not at the same time, of course). Thankfully in the DVD, you get a 40-minute yoga session to fulfill that need. You have to do the drinks on your own.

The yoga session isgood for 40 minutes of beginner’s yoga—sun salutations, warrior poses, tree pose, nothing crazy. Well, except Bethenny, but I’m getting ahead of myself. The DVD also features a 10-minute sculpting segment that is a solid and quick upper-body workout for beginners, and a 5-minute Booty Bonus session that consists of a few moves that you can do anywhere.

Certified personal trainer and yogi Kristin McGee does much of the instructing, and she does a pretty good job of cuing the moves and explaining proper form, even when Ms. Frankel chimes in with rather, ahem, interesting remarks. “Boobs to thigh” comes to mind. As does, “I can touch easier than you because of my boobs,” and maybe my personal favorite “You don’t have boobs like me.” See a theme?

Nothing is overly intense in any of the segments, and if you’ve been working out regularly for a few months, you probably won’t break much of a sweat. Beginnersthough? It’s good stuff. And all boobie snarkiness aside, I really did like the yoga.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

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

Overall: ★★★

Best for: Bethenny Frankel fans who are just starting out on their workout journeys! (Note: If she annoys you at all, I highly recommend forgoing this purchase. Trust me.)

Marisa Tomei DVDMarisa Tomei: Core & Curves

I have loved Marisa Tomei ever since My Cousin Vinny. “Oh yeah, you blend.” Seriously a classic. And, over the years, Ms. Tomei has always seemed kinda tall and graceful to me—flexible yet goofy and normal. A little hippity-dippity, sure, but there’s wrong with that. When we were told that she had a workout DVD—Marisa Tomei: Core & Curvescoming out, the FBGs’ collective ears perked up. And we were not disappointed.

The DVD pairs Marisa with her fitness trainer, Key Son, for an entire 60-minutes of working out, broken down into Body Definition (20 minutes), Best Legs Workout (15 minutes), and Quick 10 (10 minutes). It looks like it was shot in an older urban yoga studio (just a guess), and the lighting is soft and warm, so it’s kinda relaxing and refreshing right from the get-go. Before each segment Marisa runs you through a quick warm-up on her own and takes you through a few stretches for a cool down after the workout.

The moves in all of the workouts aren’t ground-breaking but they’re definitely unique and very focused. There’s some trotting involved in parts (yes, trotting), skipping and baby lunges. The DVD comes with a small green toning band that you put around your ankles to make all of the moves more challenging and give them some resistance. Overall, it’s like a mix of Pilates and highly targeted, physical therapy-type moves (although maybe that’s just because I’ve been doing some of Key Son’s lateral walks with resistance for my running injury rehab). All of the workouts and moves get you to feel the burn some, but like Body By Bethenny, you won’t get your heart rate too high or get sweaty (for me, a good workout equals a little bit of sweat). However, at the end of the Body Definition section you will be AMAZED at what Marisa’s abs can do. She’s like the Energizer Bunny!

What I probably like most about the DVD though is its good instruction by Key Son, plus helpful yet non-interfering comments from Marisa. It’s almost like you are working out with a trainer and a good friend. Marisa wears a pair of regular-looking shorts (like cut-off sweat pants), a normal tank-top and her hair is a bit of a mess. WHICH IS SO REFRESHING! After all, you’re working out, not in a beauty pageant. So, obviously, big points there for me.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):

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

Overall: ★★★★

Best for: Beginners looking for something more than or different from Pilates. Also good for intermediate exercisers looking to increase their grace, flexibility and core strength!

FIT BOTTOMED LINE: SO WHO WINS THE HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPETITION? I GIVE THIS ONE TO MARISA TOMEI, ALTHOUGH BOTH ARE PRETTY GOOD PICKS FOR BEGINNERS OR THOSE LOOKING TO SWITCH THINGS UP, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A BRAVO TV FAN.

But don’t take our word for it! Leave us a comment in the next week and you could win one of these two workout DVDs! U.S. residents only, please. All winners will be randomly selected and contacted directly by email, so keep an eye on that email! —Jenn

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!