Ab Exercise DVD

When picking out an ab exercise dvd, it's important to have your goals clear. There has been an explosion of exercise types and instructors all of which will claim to work your abdominal muscles (or "core strength" or some other buzzword). And they will. Really, everything the human body does from breathing to driving a car works those muscles to some extent. That doesn't mean, however, that they will all have the same effect, and if you are taking the time to purchase an ab exercise DVD, it is probably because you have a specific goal in mind.

One of the common phrases associated with the abdominal muscles is the "six-pack." That is the definition of large flat muscles seen outlined on "healthy" people in magazines, especially in icons of male athleticism. The fact is, everyone has a six-pack; it's simply how people are built. On most people, however, it is hidden by a layer of fat tissue. It is a common misconception that working just the abdominal muscles will reduce the fat in that area; fatty tissue is a systemic, not local, part of the body, and in order to reduce the fat in that area one must reduce the fat in all areas.

In fact, by targeting the abdominal muscles through an ab exercise dvd it is entirely possible to make your stomach larger, because the muscles will be growing bigger as all muscles do through exercise. This is not to say that it is a bad thing to work those muscles. In fact, like all muscles, working them will burn off more calories and therefore reduce fat, but if you are going for a specific appearance, picking the right workout deserves some attention.

A good example of the exercise fitting the goal comes from the website DVD Verdict, a review site that covers many different kinds of DVD content, not the least of which is exercise DVDs. In their review of Belly Dance for Body Shaping Abs they note that "belly dance is not the way to flatten the abs." They concede that the Russian belly dancer who teaches the video workout, Neon, has excellent musculature and tone, but like many belly dancers has a "distinctive belly dancer pooch." The review is very useful in that it makes that distinction and keeps people from ordering a DVD workout that will not meet their needs.

Review sites such as this are much more useful than simply googling "abdominal exercise dvd." That will garner a bunch of paid advertisements filled with claims of being the "ultimate workout." On the other hand, review sites such as DVD Talk provide well-rounded commentary not only about the goals of the DVD but also about the quality of the camera work, the congeniality of the hosts, and more. For example, DVD Talk reviewed the "Star Trainers: Ab Blast" and fully outlines the five 10-minute workouts, describing the different instructors, that the routines are easy to follow, and that the workouts are "generally fatiguing." They also describe the music and what exercise equipment, if any, is needed.

Here are some of the variables to take into consideration before selecting a workout DVD to target your abs:

• Does the instructor fit your own idea of what physically fit means?
• Is the music good enough that you won't mind hearing it over and over again?
• Is it part of a series? This can indicate both that it is a popular DVD and also that it can be part of a more comprehensive strength training and cardio workout regimen.
• Is it based on current health standards? Many exercises that were used in older workout routines have been proven to be potentials for injury.

Using review sites and the recommendations of others (including personal trainers at health clubs) finding the right DVD for your own core strength regimen is as easy as clicking a mouse.

• Pictures of People Exercising
• Women Fitness Models
• Male Fitness Model

• Breast Lifting Exercise
• Contour Abs
• Naked Exercise
• Naked Pilates
• Hula Hoop Exercises

• Lower Ab Workouts
• Stomach Toning Exercise
• Free Lower Ab Workout
• Free Exercises to Flatten Stomach
• Free Ab Workout