So Which Celebrity Workouts Are Fit to Follow?

WHEN it comes to fitness pledges, the new year usually means one of two things – joining a gym or working out at home with a celebrity fitness DVD. If you opt for the latter, can Jade Goody and other C-list stars really help you get in shape? Here, PETA BEE reviews this year’s celebrity offerings with the help of fitness coach and weight-loss consultant Peter Frost of the Marlow Club in Buckinghamshire.

GAYNOR FAYE’S FIT FRIENDS WORKOUT (Pounds 15.99) …..

THE Fat Friends actress works out with her Dancing On Ice skating partner Dan Whiston in five 10-minute sessions to tackle all body parts. Includes a disco session and "meltdown" to finish.

DURATION: 50 mins (minimum 10 mins).

EXPERT’S VIEW: an average workout with some interesting approaches such as dancing with weights – which could be risky because controlling weights requires concentration. Advice is basic. Best used as an occasional workout.

BEST FOR: the time-poor – for whom Faye says just one or two sessions would be ideal.

JADE’S SHAPE CHALLENGE (Pounds 17.99) …..

BIG BROTHER’S Jade and her trainer Troy Duren employ a healthy dose of humour for this six-part workout with aerobic, resistance and core stability (midriff-strengthening) work.

DURATION: 90 mins (minimum 15 mins).

EXPERT’S VIEW: although Jade is reported to have used liposuction to get her look, this video is unexpectedly good. It includes a sensible weight-loss eating plan. I would say do some or all of the exercise sections three to four times a week, with other aerobic work.

BEST FOR: those lacking motivation. Jade will enthuse you.

JENNIFER ELLISON’S WEST END WORKOUT (Pounds 17.99) …..

THREE 30-minute dance-based workouts led by Ellison, who has starred in the West End production of Chicago. There is a warm-up, before high-energy sessions using moves taken from the shows.

DURATION: 90 mins (minimum 30 mins).

EXPERT’S VIEW: Ellison looks great and demonstrates well but is not the greatest motivator and assumes some prior dancing experience. Diving in at too high a standard can predispose people to injury. Dance can be a great cardiovascular workout but I felt this was lacking.

KYM RYDER’S BURN AND FIRM WORKOUT (Pounds 16.99) …..

WITH personal trainer Paul Younane, the Corrie actress presents the food and living-room fitness plan that helped her lose 12lbs in four weeks. Six 10-min workouts.

DURATION: 90 minutes (minimum 10mins).

EXPERT’S VIEW: good, solid workout using food cans etc as weights.

Three to four times a week should bring results.

BEST FOR: the cash-strapped – there’s no need to buy special equipment.

AREN’T A FAT LOT OF GOOD MICHELLE McMANUS: THE LIFEPLAN WORKOUT (Pounds 16.99) …..

THE Pop Idol star claims to have lost 10st in 18 months on this plan, though she still looks a little hefty. With personal trainer Dax Moy, she leads a six-part workout based on Moy’s "integrated movement training", using either a weighted medicine ball or two- litre bottles of water in simple aerobic and resistance training.

DURATION: 90 mins (minimum 15 mins).

EXPERT’S VIEW: everything you need to lead a healthier life with a view to long-term weight loss, but cardio section could have been tougher.

BEST FOR: beginners needing clear, concise rules.

WOW! VICKY’S WEIGHT OFF WORKOUT (Pounds 14.99) …..

VICKY ENTWISTLE (Coronation Street bigmouth Janice Battersby) is the new year’s unlikeliest exercise guru with this DVD revealing how she dropped from a size 16 to a size six. Working out with trainer Richard Callendar, the actress leads you through a sequence of six tough fat-burning, body-toning routines.

DURATION: 60 mins (minimum 10-15 mins).

EXPERT’S VIEW: this was my favourite. It was clearly explained. Good cardio and toning sections. Do this three to four times a week and you will get fit. But increase exercise intensity or duration to improve further.

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