Libby Norris on finding the right fitness video for you

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Libby Norris on finding the right fitness video for you

Lara Benusis conducts the Winter Wonderbody exercise class at the Equinox gym Friday, Dec. 14, 2007 in New York. (AP / Mary Altaffer)

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Libby Norris, Canada AM fitness expert

Date: Monday Jan. 24, 2011 5:24 PM ET

Can fitness at home really workout?

With countless fitness infomericals on-air at the moment, there is obviously a market for home workout DVD programs. They come in all styles and sizes from single workouts to programs that will carry you through 90-day cycles of training.

The two main reasons to consider home DVD fitness programs - they keep you moving and motivated

Whether you're at home or at the gym, it can be confusing to figure out what exercise to do or how to put them together effectively. Did you know that during the average gym workout, less than 50 per cent of the time is spent doing actual work? DVD's give you structure and keep you moving with no time to chat at the water fountain between sets! I do this for a living and have access to all kinds of equipment and facilities, but when I workout at home, I get a much better workout when I follow a DVD!

With so many to programs out there, how do you decide? Here are 5 Fit Tips to help you narrow down the list to find the right fit:

Choose the right intensity level

I should note the intensity or target on the DVD program -- beginner, intermediate or advanced. Some are designed very well by fitness professionals and can appeal to all levels, but that's rare.

For example: Jillian Michaels has a great beginner series; Shawn Torsquo's "Insanity" is definitely advanced; Turbo Jam does a great job of incorporating all levels.

Find the right mood and style

Are you looking for something more serious or entertaining; boot camp style or dance? They'll all get you moving, but you want to choose the style of instructor and workout that you will actually look forward to seeing several times a week!

For example with mood: P90X is more serious where Turbo Jam focuses on fun combined with fitness.

Be conscious of time

This is a huge factor. Even if you enjoy the resistance training of P90X, you may not be able to fit in the longer workouts. Check the run time of the workouts and if the program includes a variety of workouts and times so that you have options.

Insanity workouts range from 16-60 minutes; P90X has longer workouts, but his 10-Minute Trainer fits everything into 15-20 minutes (you have to add in the transition time between exercises so it's a bit of a misnomer!)

Consider logistics -- space and equipment

Make sure you have the space and equipment you need for the program. Some programs do require weights, bands or anchoring the equipment onto a door or doorframe. You want to be conscious of how this impacts your budget and your space.

Check credibility

When you're working out at home, you want to make sure the program is safe. Check to see if it's designed by a fitness professional as this will have a huge impact on the safety and the quality of the content. Celebrity workouts can be tempting, but you wouldn't go to a celebrity dentist, would you?

The best celebrity workouts have coupled on-camera people with fitness professionals who design and/or lead the workout. Although older examples, Richard Simmons and Cher had Dr. Len Kravitz and Kelli Roberts, respectively, working behind the scenes -- both highly respected fitness professionals.

Here's a summary review of some of the current fitness DVD programs on the market.

Rating (out of 5)

P90X: 4
Insanity: 3.5
HipHop Abs: 3.5
Turbo Jam/Turbo Fire: 4.5
Jillian Michaels - Beginner Series: 4
The Situation Workout: 3
Core Rhythms: 2.5
Slim in 6: 4
10 Minute Trainer: 4.5

If at all possible, solicit feedback before you buy. Ask around to see if you can find someone that has the program you're considering or search online (be sure you check the sources when online so that it's unbiased). Get feedback, but keep in mind their needs and preferences may be different. Find out if people enjoy it, but also answers to specific questions regarding time and intensity to get facts about how it fits for you.

To see the full reviews with more descriptions of each workout, check out our DVD review posted here or at http://www.libbynorris.com