[Elanajel]

Cardio--who do you like to use (BTW, I am not a Denise Austin fan--just too perky for me)

Free weights/strength

Any other categories--Stability Ball, Pilates, etc.

I work out at my Y 4-5 times/week but now that the weather is turning nasty I need to have some home options available. I have yoga mat/blocks, some free weights, resistance tube and a stability ball.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[DancingAngel]

I'm assuming if you regularly work out at the Y that you are at least an intermediate level exerciser.

For aerobics, you might enjoy Christi Taylor. Her choreography is pretty complex, but much fun once you get it. Turbo Jam also has some very fun workouts. If you've done kickboxing at all, start with the Maximum Results package. Prevention Magazine has some good dance workouts as well.

For strength, Gilad just released some new workouts that are lots of fun! They use weights and tubing. Also check out Tracie Long Training workouts. They combine cardio with strength work and also use a medicine ball and stability ball. There is one workout that is all on the stability ball. Tamilee Webb has new workouts that use the stability ball and medicine ball.

It really depends on your current fitness level and the kind of workout you enjoy. There is all sorts of variety out there! And you cannot beat the convenience of working out in your own home.

[LindaT]

Kathy Smith and Charlene Prickett are two of my favorites. If you have an aerobics step, I'd also recommend Gin Miller.

FYI if perky bothers you, I would stay away from Petra Kohlber (sp?) She is like Racheal Ray on speed! Nice lady but wayyy beyond energentic!

I use the PUSH DVD for strength training and I really like it. The new DVD every month keeps me from getting bored.

[septembersgoal]

Hi Elana!
I just got Turbo Jam and I love it. It's really fun!! It's great for the abs, I can feel it in my arms, and it is definitely cardio too.

[lorrizz]

Have you tried any of Leslie Sansone's walking workouts for cardio? No complex coreography to learn with her dvd's and she has a variety to choose from.
For weights I cannot say enough good things about Jari Love's Get Ripped. This is just a great workout, keep your weights low to start with and build up.

[nomorefatpants]

I have to agree about Jari Love for weights. I too would love any non-perky recomendations for cardio that don't involve complicated choreography b/c I always end up getting flustered and give up. I was running outside but it's way too cold for that now.

[Remotely]

You can't go wrong with any of the FIRM series for weights and cardio.

But first check out collagevideo.com. They have 30-second clips that you can watch. Also check rent some tapes from netflix or get them at the library and see what you like.