It's just a matter of looking

American Fitness, Sept-Oct, 2004

With the plethora of fitness videos on the market, you are sure to find one that suits your fitness needs. The following list offers a selection of recent releases from both new kids on the block and some tried-and-true teachers.

Punk Rock Aerobics

If you find traditional aerobics classes boring or the music unbearable, check out Punk Rock Aerobics, rockers-turned-AFAA-certified-aerobics-instructors, Hilken Mancini and Maura Jasper have developed a punk-rock aerobics class they teach in Boston and New York City and share with us in their book Punk Rock Aerobics: 75 Killer Moves ... 50 Punk Classics ... and 25 Reasons to Get Off Your Ass and Exercise! (Da Capo Press; $17.95).

Written with a sense of humor, Punk Rock Aerobics is filled not only with dance moves inspired by pogoing and air guitars, but punk trivia and interviews with favorites from the punk-rock music scene. For instance, Thurston Moore, singer and guitarist for Sonic Youth, weighs in on Natalie Merchant's interpretive dance, his weird eyeball and dodge ball.

Prevention Fitness Systems: Walk Your Way Slim and Prevention Fitness Systems: Flatten Your Belly with Pilates

From the publishers of Prevention magazine, Walk Your Way Slim's easy-to-follow cardio moves burn fat, strengthen and tone your body. Mat Pilates engages the body's powerhouse, strengthening the abdominals, waist and buttocks, in Flatten Your Belly with Pilates. A Fat to Firm Meal Plan booklet packed with each video includes weight-loss tips, including 25 ways to cut 100 calories, recipes and easy-to-prepare mix 'n' match meals.

Both videos are available wherever fitness videos are sold for $12.98 VHS and $14.98 DVD. However if you want to let your fingers do the shopping, call (800) 546-1949 or visit www.collagevideo.com/preventionvideos.> Street Jazz! and Body Sculpt & Strength

Keeping up with the times, Jazzercise has produced two new DVDs: Street Jazz!, featuring the latest funk and hip-hop dance moves, and Body Sculpt & Strength, a muscle-toning workout with weights and tubes. There has been a growing demand among our participants in recent years to provide updated videos to challenge them outside of their Jazzercise classes," says Judi Sheppard Misset, Jazzercise founder and instructor in the Body Sculpt & Strength workout.

Both DVDs cost $24.95 each.

Pilates Complete for Weight Loss and Yoga Complete for Weight Loss

Pilates Complete for Weight Loss (Body Wisdom Media; $19.95) offers over 15 workouts that help you strengthen core muscles, increase metabolism and lose weight. Yoga Complete for Weight Loss (Body Wisdom Media; $19.95) features over 25 workouts that utilize select yoga sequences and repetitions to help students strengthen muscles, increase their metabolism and burn fat. The DVD also emphasizes the mind/body connection by focusing on the breath.

Both DVDs are available are available at major retail outlets nationwide and at www.bodywisdommedia.com.

Breakthru Pilates Sculpt

Pilates is a wonderful way to strengthen and firm one's core or mid-section, but what about the rest of the body? "Having taught Pilates for many years, I've reached the conclusion that mat Pilates alone is not enough for most people," says veteran fitness instructor Michelle Dozois. "If you want to reshape and sculpt your whole body, the combination of mat Pilates and hand weights will make the difference."

Tracy York and Dozois' new video Breakthru Pilates Sculpt (Anchor Bay Entertainment; $9.99 VHS and $14.98 DVD), combines the best of mat Pilates with innovative strength and; sculpting moves that utilize hand weights.

Both videos can be ordered at (800) 546-1949 or www.collagevideo.com.