Emy,
Do you have Cathe 4DS? I dont have it. But I still recommend it as something to consider. It will help get back into advanced fitness as it can be broken up into intense but short workouts. It does have one 30 min Kick Box included, though.
My favorites in the past year or so:
a. Cardio Coach - If you like machine cardio (treadmill, elliptical, stairmaster, stationary bike, spinning), I rate Cardio Coach as must-try. People also use it for rebounding or running/walking outdoors. It is audio only. You can play it by CD or take it with you on your iPod or mp3 player to the gym. Cardio Coach has 8 volumes of interval training coaching by the wonderful Sean O Malley. The music is sensational. The workouts are versatile because you can use them at a relatively low fitness level and continue to use them as your fitness improves. I developed my speed and cardio endurance using these workouts and I cannot say enough about how wonderful they are. I lose myself in Cardio Coach Land and before I know it I have completed a superb, sweaty workout.
b. iTrain - iTrain also has audio only workouts. They have specifc workouts for treadmill, outdoor walking, cycyling, swimming, elliptical, yoga, ballet-type work and strength training. They have fun workouts that altrnate 5 min intervals on a cardio machine with weight work. I like their interval and cardio workouts best.
c. Tracey Staehle Walking Strong - This is one of my favorite video workouts in recent times. If you have access to a treadmill, Walking Strong is a one hour cadrio workout which is tough even though it is all-low imact. You walk, do walking lunges, walk with weights and walk up inclines - all on a treadmill. The cast seem like they are having a wonderful time and there is nice banter between them as they workout. That never fails to get me caught up in the mood.
All my recommendations so far have been machine cardio, because since Cardio Coach, I have turned into a machine cardio fiend. I no longer enjoy hi-lo or step.
My other favorites:
Kelly Coffey Meyer - 30 Minutes to Fitness Weights. I suggest this because you can do it as a two day split of weight training (each session is 30 minutes) or use one of the several premixes including total body options. So it will have room to grow as you get back to your old fitness levels. You can also do both 30 min workouts back to back for a one hour total body workout. Kelly does not waste a second. Between sets you have one minute active-rest. There are multiple active-rest options - low-impact, floor abs, standing abs. Kelly's standing ab work is really good. I also like her Cardio Kick Step Boxing (I make an excepton for Kelly when it comes to Step) and NYC (New You Coming - A high-rep, low weight workout). Kelly is considered advanced.
Tracey Staehle - Circuit Zone. I love the lower body premix on this DVD. Her Core Blast is one of my favs too. It is not killer tough, so it may be a good choice for working your way It can be broken down into short workouts based on the time you have to work your abs. It has standing, floor, step, stability ball segments.
Patrick G, Mindy have both had recent releases which were popular. I enjoy Patrick's Hard Work Conditioning and have my eye on Hard Work Conditioning 2. Both are cardio-weight circuit workouts. Patricks weight work is functional fitness oriented.
Another person to check out is Amy Bento. I dont like choreographed cardio anymore, but she is immensely popular with those who do. She has a great personality, uses good music and is innovative. She is considered one of the best choices for advanced hi/lo. Her step workouts ar very popular too for those who like challenging choreography. I like her Slo-Mo Challenge and Rumble (which may not be something you care for since it is Kick Box). Her other Kick Box are more hi/lo than Kick Box drills, so you should look at the clips even if you dont like Kick Box.
Kelly has a presale for two new workouts - 30 min to Fitness Kickbox and 30 Minutes to Fitness Bootcamp. The presale ends tomorrow. The clip of the bootcamp is available at her forum. There is a thread here that talks about the workout and reactions to the clip. The bootcamp could be something to consider. The dvd has two 30 minute workouts and a one hour option, plus premixes. It is expected to ship by the 2nd week of Dec.
The coolest folk
are into kettlebell workouts. I dont have access to kettlebells in India, or I would be swinging away too. I have tried kettlebell exercises with dumbbells and they feel like a whole different way to workout. Fun and challenging. I am waiting for k-bells to make their way to my part of the world.
