Lately, home workout Videos have been all the rage. Home fitness companies such as Beach Body offer multiple month to three month-long programs designed to get you in the best shape in the shortest amount of time. With so many options out there, it is hard to know which tape is the most, difficult, fun and practical. I tried some of the hottest on the market to help you choose the tape that is right for you. From strength training to cardio training, these workout programs offer it all. For those of you who are looking for maximum results in the least amount of time, each video provides a suggested diet plan. While I did not try the diet plans (regular food is just too good) according to the videos, conforming to a strict diet improves results. With the holiday season coming up just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start working out in order to make room for all those holiday goodies that come with this time of year.

POWER 90x

I come home from school, throw my bag down and make my way to the TV. Popping in the P90x DVD, I begin my day’s workout. Each day, there is an hour to an hour and a half long disk that works a different part of your body. Be warned though, while P90x is a great way to increase your strength, the active tapes are not enough to keep you in good cardiovascular shape. As you exercise, Tony Horton, the class instructor explains the exercises and throws in quirky sayings such as “I can’t believe it’s almost over, makes me sad.” P90x is a great starting place for those who are looking to improve their health, but are not looking for the agony of Insanity, another home workout program. As Tony would say, “Do your best and forget the rest.”

INSANITY

It takes all of my willpower to finish the last 20 squat jumps as sweat drips down my forehead and into my eyes, temporarily blinding me. I glance at the screen hoping my torture is near its end, and then I remember: it is only the warm-up. Insanity is a 60-day home fitness program that combines cardio and strength training. It is more convenient than other programs, as the workouts are relatively short and do not require extra equipment. A time bar across the bottom of the screen lets you know how much time you have left in a given exercise, a helpful feature in pacing yourself. While the main instructor, Shawn, does not have as many entertaining catch phrases as Tony, the P90x instructor, Shawn forces you to “dig deeper” by insisting you can do it.

30 DAY SHRED

Jillian Michaels, a profession trainer, is all about deception. Her false claims draw you in and when you finally realize your mistake, it is too late. She advertises her video as only 20 minutes, when in all actuality, it is 27 minutes, which is really closer to half an hour. Her workout seems even longer than the clock dictates because she actively discourages you from feeling good about working out. She will remind you multiple times that her workout is the toughest on TV, or suggest that you should return to a lower level, which is not the best way to motivate an already reluctant exerciser. With that said, she runs a pretty effective workout. She milks out as much as she can from the 27 minute workout, alternating between strength, abs and cardio.

THE BIGGEST LOSER: CARDIO MAX

Based on the NBC Hit show “The Biggest Loser,” Biggest Loser – Cardio Max is the home edition of the show with contestants from previous seasons. Throughout the video, there are few breaks to catch your breath, so be prepared for your heart rate to soar, especially in later videos, as the tapes get progressively harder. Bob Harper, the male trainer, gives modifications to prevent injury,  and encourages you to try your best. However, he is not as engaging as Tony or Shawn. Jillian, who also appears on this tape as well, comes out of left field again when she never stops encouraging the contestants, a stark contrast to her personality in 30 Day Shred. She did a complete 180 from her 30 Day Shred video where she always seemed unsatisfied with your level of work.