Exercise is key to a healthier and happier lifestyle. We all know that a good workout program can burn fat, build muscle and improve coordination. Other, often overlooked benefits include an increase in self-esteem, relief from stress and a reduction in the risk of chronic disease.

Our friends at Vibram FiveFingers have developed this infographic illustrating the dos and don’ts of starting a new fitness routine. It includes valuable exercise tips and advice from professional trainers and fitness instructors to help you begin and continue a results-driven home exercise program.

Click to open image in new browser and again to zoom to full size

Courtesy of Vibram FiveFingers. View more health & exercise articles.

Online Personal Fitness Training
The manufacturer claims that CyberFit360 is based on time tested exercise philosophies backed by the in depth research, not the latest fads, and can deliver improvements in flexibility, posture, cardiovascular conditioning, strength, and aesthetics all at the same time. Developed by a former NBA Strength and Conditioning Coach, CyberFit360 offers a fresh approach to online and mobile fitness training based on the principles of conjugate periodization, which emphasizes improving multiple fitness components simultaneously.

Each CyberFit360 online personal fitness training program is separated into three blocks: athletic regeneration, resistance and metabolic conditioning. The first is a warm up, the second is weight training and the third is circuit style cardio. The workouts are customized to a user’s personal needs and, while they usually felt just right, there were a few times when they felt either too intense or too easy.

Unlike some personalized workout programs, where you can’t even think about taking a day off, the CyberFit360 personal training program allows you to do that. For example, if you have to work or if you just don’t have the energy one day, you can forgo your personal training until the next day.

While this feature does allow one to be lazy, chances of that are slim, as the program automatically schedules the training for the next day.

• Try For Free Now at CyberFit360.com

Real Trainers
With CyberFit 360 online personal training software, you don’t just have some virtual online personal trainer watch your progress; rather, there is a real trainer charting your progress. He or she will help customize your workout plans, and will step in should you encounter any performance- or motivation-related challenges.

Nutritional Program
Along with the online personal training program, CyberFit 360 provides a nutritional guide. This guide is created by registered dietitians, based on your caloric needs, allergies, and other problems or special requirements. The guide is designed to help you lose weight in a very short amount of time, and the foods pushed by the dietitians are sound and comprise many health staples.

However, there were a few problems with the guide. Obviously, starting any new diet is going to leave one feeling hungry, but the reviewer felt extremely hungry during this test. In addition, once it was started, the nutritional program did not seem as flexible as the work out schedule.

In this review we’ve uncovered how the CyberFit360 online personal training program and nutritional plan can help you shed pounds quickly. The one drawback to this system is that it can prove a bit difficult to alter the diet program, but this should not be much of an issue.

In general, the CyberFit360 program is impressively effective. It is much cheaper and offers more privacy than going to a gym and hiring a personal trainer. What’s more, you are given great advice during your weight loss journey. Give CyberFit360 a try; we’re confident you’ll be taking a step in the right direction.

More Info & Price Comparisons

• Try For Free Now at CyberFit360.com

After two years of research and development by leading fitness experts, this meticulously designed 90-day program is comprised of three phases, each focusing on a different aspect of your fitness: Foundation, Strength, and Performance.

At the heart of the P90X franchise is the idea and science of muscle confusion. Why is confusing the muscles so important? With most workout programs you see results almost every day — for the first few weeks. By the 3rd or 4th week, results may plateau or come to a complete halt. That’s where muscle confusion comes in. As you vary your routine, either in intensity, duration, or reps, the results return, usually more dramatically.

Ideal for P90X grads, the program is designed for maximum intensity with workouts so demanding, they’re limited to 5 days per week. P90X2 is difficult but efficient training that allows you to “earn” 2 full days off.

P90X2, the next wave in applied science for body transformation, is available in three versions: Base Kit, Deluxe Kit and Ultimate Kit.

P90X2 Base Kit Workouts

• X2 Core. Works your core using instability. Master this routine for overall improved movement.
• Plyocide. Explosive movements combined with mind and coordination drills for super speed/endurance.
• X2 Recovery + Mobility. Realign your body with a foam-rolling technique and complete stretching routine.
• X2 Total Body. Push your body to use the correct muscles and proper form to handle resistance and instability challenges.
• X2 Yoga. Increase your isometric power and range of motion, and build stabilizer muscle strength.
• X2 Balance + Power. Push your limits through strength and explosive movements while improving alignment.
• Chest + Back + Balance. Achieve superior strength gains over those achieved through traditional weight training by working on unstable platforms.
• X2 Shoulders + Arms. Keep your shoulders and arms strong and in balance to help minimize your risk of injury.
• Base + Back. Give your two largest muscle groups a super workover with a pull-up and plyo extravaganza.
• P.A.P. Lower. Give your lower body a cutting-edge workout with four-round complexes that boost performance.
• P.A.P. Upper. Regain your youth with Post-Activation Potentiation training for your upper body.
• X2 Ab Ripper. Upgrade your concept of what an ab workout should be with a series of demanding core movements.

The Deluxe Kit includes everything in the base kit plus: V Sculp (an amazing pump while blasting your back and biceps) and X2 Chest, Shoulders and Triceps, 2 medicine balls, 1 stability ball and 1 high quality foam roller.

The Ultimate Kit comes with everything in the base and deluxe kits plus 2 P90X Power Stands.

As always, Beachbody has developed and included a bunch of great extras:

• Fitness Guide. Get all the facts and tools you need to maximize your P90X2 results.
• Nutrition Guide. The diet has evolved along with the exercise program. Now in addition to traditional high-performance food choices, you can customize your plan with grain-free and vegan options.
• How to Bring It Again Video. Get a quick overview of the complete P90X2 training system.
• 90-Day Workout Calendar. Set P90X2 workout goals each day, and schedule your recovery week when you need it.
• Online Support. You’ll have access to Tony Horton and a panel of Beachbody experts as well as peer support from other people doing P90X2.
• 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee

FREE SHIPPING AND HANDLING during the Pre-Order period.

P90X2 Pre-Orders Available NOW

• P90X2 Base Kit
• P90X2 Deluxe Kit
• P90X2 Ultimate Kit

Update 8/24/11: It’s official. P90X2 will be available for pre-orders on September 1, only through TeamBeachbody.com. The first pre-orders will arrive by December 25, 2011 and all will include Free Shipping. Credit cards will be used for pre-orders, but will not be charged until the item ships.
———
Update 8/16/11: CEO Carl Daikeler announced today that concerns over inventory availability to meet high demand and the complexity of the P90X2 package have delayed pre-orders until late September. We admire a company that provides honest updates to their customers and coaches.
———
Speculation about a sequel to P90X, the best-selling workout from Beachbody and Tony Horton, has been rampant for well over a year. Finally, details about P90X2 were announced last week at the annual Team Beachbody Coach Summit held in downtown Los Angeles.

• Originally called P90X: MC2 (Power 90 eXtreme: Muscle Confusion 2), the sequel is now officially titled P90X2. P90X2 will be released in Fall 2011.

The P90X2 workouts are designed for maximum intensity and efficiency. The all new 90-day program features progressive routines so intense, the number of training days will be reduced to 5 per week, to allow adequate time for recovery. With P90X2, less is more. You’ll need (and earn) your rest.

The principle concept behind P90X and P90X2 is “Muscle confusion” — constantly varying workout routines to confuse your muscles and never allow your fitness progression to plateau. The intense movements, sets, supersets, and complexes in P90X2 will baffle your muscles more than ever. “It’s gonna blow your mind, that’s for sure,” Tony Horton said at the Coach Summit.

P90X2 will include 14 workouts in 3 phases: Foundation, Strength and Performance. You’ll begin by improving your Foundation, addressing fitness instability. Then you’ll build Strength and, finally, power, which all translates to improved Performance.

Beachbody enlisted the services of Dr. Marcus Elliot, a renowned sports trainer, to infuse groundbreaking training techniques into P90X2 that had previously only been available to world-class athletes.

P90X2 will include a new and improved nutrition guide that incorporates the Shakeology ultra-premium nutritional shake.

P90X2 will utilize optional new equipment but each workout will include a modifier so there’s a version for everyone. Surprisingly, P90X2 will include no purely cardiovascular routines.

• P90X Pre-Orders Available NOW
• P90X2 Sneak Peek Video

Over the past decade Zumba Fitness has grown to become the world’s largest and most successful dance-fitness program distributors with more than 10 million units sold. If you’ve been curious about all they hype surrounding Zumba, give this new system a look. It’s motivating, addictive and the vibrant colors, well-designed routines and energetic instructors provide a fun, dance party experience.

The collection includes seven multisensory total-body DVD workouts utilizing varying levels of intensity. Production quality has been improved and many consumer gripes about the original have been addressed in this new package.

The DVD set includes easy-to-follow choreography and steps for more than 30 rhythms, including merengue, salsa, reggaeton, calypso, cumbia, hip-hop, and belly dance. The two-in-one DVD feature lets you listen to verbal cueing or music only.

The package comes with maraca-like Zumba Toning Sticks for more effective body sculpting routines.

Zumba Exhilarate is being compared to P90X, Turbo Fire and INSANITY: The Asylum. While Zumba Exhilarate does not match the intensity of those programs, it surpasses them in sheer fun and excitement.

Zumba Exhilarate DVDS:

• STEP BY STEP: A guide to break down the basic steps and rhythms
• ACTIVATE: 45-minute, easy-to-follow routine building on the previous DVD
• RUSH: 20-minute high intensity workout for when you’re short on time
• RIPPED: 60-minute body sculpting workout featuring Zumba Toning and Zumba Sentao programs
• EXHILARATE: 60-minute full-length danc-fitness party experience
• MIX: A cultural journey with rhythms from around the world
• FITNESS-CONCERT: 60-minute workout party with thousands of other Zumba enthusiasts

More Info & Price Comparisons

• New Zumba Fitness Exhilarate: The Ultimate Experience DVD Set
• Compare to Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set

The “hardest workout ever put on DVD” was not enough. Released yesterday, Shaun T.’s INSANITY: The Asylum takes the madness to a new level.

The all new 30-day DVD workout program consists of a brutal series of routines designed to break through plateaus, build strength and reduce body fat by guiding you to extremes you never thought possible.

Unlike the original INSANITY which required no equipment, The Asylum incorporates a jump rope and agility ladder (included). Instead of the original 60 day program length, this one is a 30 day butt kicking.

INSANITY: The Asylum incorporates speed, agility, plyometric, core, strength and balance exercises with a series of progressions that build on each move. As with the original INSANITY, The Asylum uses MAX Interval training in a sports specific application.

If 30 days isn’t enough, this program includes Hybrid Calendars (Asylum/Insanity), (Asylum/P90X) that let you take on a fresh new challenge every month.

INSANITY: The Asylum consists of seven workouts (under 60 minutes each):

• Speed & Agility
• Vertical Plyo
• Relief
• Strength
• Game Day
• Overtime
• Back to Core

Also included:

• Athletic Assessment
• 30 Day Hybrid Calendars
• Agility Ladder
• Speed Rope
• Playbook Training Guide
• 14 Day Get Shredded Nutrition Guide

INSANITY: The Asylum is not for beginners! It’s ideal for graduates of the INSANITY, P90X, or TurboFire.

AVAILABLE NOW (From Team Beachbody – BEST Price)
(FREE Team Beachbody account includes access to online workout tools and community support)

• INSANITY: THE ASYLUM Base Kit
• INSANITY: THE ASYLUM Deluxe Kit
• Read our review of the original INSANITY
  

The 2 DVD set Volume 1 features Lauren Brooks teaching proper kettlebell form and the benefits of bodyweight exercises for complete body conditioning. Geared toward women and men of all ages, fitness levels and athletic backgrounds, the program includes a Demonstration section, two Follow Along Workout sections, and a Joint Mobility section.

Workout routines include the Fat Blast Workout (Low to Medium Intensity. 12-14 minutes), Sculpt and Conditioning Workout (Medium to High Intensity. 40 minutes) and a Joint Mobility section for warm up and cool down

Some users will find Lauren Brooks dull or uninspiring when compared to other high-profile trainers. But she knows her stuff and presents it well, providing clear instructions and excellent form in a straight forward, laid back but effective style.

The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells DVD with Lauren Brooks Volume 1 is designed to strengthen and sculpt the entire body and demonstrates how to properly incorporate kettlebells into your lifestyle.

The recently released Volume 2 features some of the familiar basic exercises from Volume 1 but adds many all new and challenging routines, including The Grind, The Smoker, and The Finisher. The DVD package also includes a joint mobility warm-up, a tough ab section, a short cool-down and a comprehensive instruction section.

More Info & Price Comparisons

• The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells DVD with Lauren Brooks
• The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells DVD Volume 2, with Lauren Brooks
• Compare to other bestselling Kettlebell workout DVDs

Originally published in December 2009, the book became an instant bestseller and is now available on Amazon Kindle.

This 480-page workout bible includes 619 expertly demonstrated exercises with beautiful color photographs, countless fitness tips, pitfalls to avoid and the latest findings in exercise science. It truly has something for everyone with a training plan for any fitness goal.

The content on cardio and nutrition is lacking — but this book is about how to perform body part targeted exercises using proper form. You will never again wonder how to progress from one version of an exercise to the next. Each chapter opens with a focused anatomical drawing pointing out the muscles to be targeted.

There’s also a Men’s version that’s very similar to the Women’s edition. There’s no need to buy both.

Adam Campbell is the fitness director for Women’s Health and a National Magazine Award-winning writer. The included Get-Your-Body-Back (Fast!) Guide was designed by Joe Dowdell, who trains models, athletes, and celebrities, including Anne Hathaway, Claire Danes, Molly Sims, and Kate Hudson, and Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated swimsuit models.

The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises Workout Plans

• The Get Your Body Back Workout
• The Best Workouts for a Crowded Gym
• The Skinny Jeans Workout
• The Bikini Ready Workout
• The Wedding Workout
• The Hard Body Workout
• The Lose the Last 10 Pounds Workout
• The Best Sports Workout
• The Best Three Exercise Workouts
• The Prenatal Workout
• The Time Saving Couples Workout
• The Best Body-Weight Workouts
• The Best 15 Minute Workouts
• The Spartacus Workout
• The Get-Your-Body-Back (Fast!) Guide

More Info & Price Comparisons

• (Paperback) The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises
• (Kindle) The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises
• See other Fitness Books available for Kindle

Known for You on a Diet Workout and You: The Owner’s Manual Workout, Joel Harper comes off as a regular guy who really knows his stuff, and is passionate about sharing his secrets and techniques.

Firming After 50 includes three easy to follow workouts — upper body, lower body and abdominals. It’s a good combination of muscle building without weights, cardio exercise, and stretching.

Men over 50 need to be aware of their balance and posture, something that Joel addresses in this the video.

Firming After 50 is actually appropriate for people of any age range who want a straight forward, low-impact workout that doesn’t require much space or any additional investment in exercise equipment.

Firming After 50 aims to make working out as simple and efficient as possible and is worth a look for baby boomers or younger people who have gotten away from physical activity.

More Info & Price Comparisons

• Find Joel Harper’s Firming After 50 on Amazon
• See all Joel Harper Fitness Books and DVDs

Over the years the FIRM workouts have evolved and expanded. The workouts in this set incorporate new variations on well-know moves that keep the heart rate elevated, help burn fat and build muscle efficiently and quickly.

The package includes a 4 pound textured power ball, The FIRM Slim and Trim DVD with 3 workout options, a 20 minute express workout and a bonus 8 minute twisting abdominal routine.

Some of the unique moves like side squats and twisting should be done with caution and built up gradually to avoid strain or injuries.

Based on the FIRM’s reputation for mostly excellent home workout systems, this set is worth a look.

More Info & Price Comparisons

• Find The FIRM Power Ball Kit with Slim and Trim DVD
• See all FIRM DVDs and fitness products