Exercise at home: the best DVDs

It's the New Year and it seems anyone with even the limpest grip on celebrity status has a workout video sweating it out on the shelves. For those who loathe the gym but want to firm up, slipping in a DVD and into something more comfortable may prove worthy for as long as the vim lasts. No longer a vestige of the leotard-clad 1980s, the exercise video has toned its gaudy pinks down to khaki greens, its aerobics to 'workouts' and, in short, has grown up.

Geri Body Yoga ****

Geri has succeeded in doing for yoga what she didn't do for the United Nations. It seems unlikely that her dramatic transformation from woman to child can be solely attributed to the exercise, but she has nevertheless made it widely accessible.

For the uninitiated this is not a bad place to start. In a skimpy top and hot pants, Geri is put through her paces by teacher Katy Appleton. The class draws on all major yoga disciplines - Ashtanga, Iyengar and Sivananda - and includes a useful session on breathing.

The emphasis is on relaxation and fun as postures are interjected with comments a la Geri: 'It really works out the cheeks on your bum, this one.'

Antonia Kidman Yoga ****

Purists won't be disappointed with a dynamic Ashtanga yoga workout with Antonia Kidman, sister of Nicole and a TV presenter in her native Oz.

Shot against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the class uses Antonia as an example of an advanced level, with two other participants working at beginner and intermediate.

You are guided by the pace set by teacher Kate Agnew. It's fairly intense, but she is quick to suggest simpler modifications of postures.

This would cement the basics of Ashtanga to enable you to attend self-practice classes. It provides a clear and challenging workout if you can overcome Kidman and Agnew veering on the nauseatingly perfect.

Dancercise with Lucy Benjamin **

Since being 'let go' from EastEnders, Lucy proves she is far from reposed with this dance programme that will let you 'boogie while you burn the calories'. Girls who just wanna have fun will enjoy sashaying with Lucy and her personal trainer Fitz.

The horror of working out is cleverly disguised by a series of choreographed moves that improve cardiovascular fitness while you are busy concentrating on the next move. Lucy even gets her unfit mates to run through a sequence at the end to prove that anyone can do it.

Jade's Dance Workout ***

If you were wondering how Jade dropped two dress sizes, it's because she doesn't eat chocolate any more and goes to the gym three to five times a week (she admits this in the DVD interview).

However, for those who hate the gym, Jade 'gets down with the boys' and leads, in her dulcet South London tones, an R&B inspired dance workout.

The set is a somewhat bizarre disused warehouse, but the choreography by Fame Academy's Kevin Adams makes some effort towards urban cool to remixes of Get Your Freak On, Buggin' and Am To Pm.

Fighting Fit, Fighting Fat with Harvey Walden ***

Those with masochistic tendencies will be delighted with Harvey Walden IV's regime. He of 'Fat Club' fame hollers at his fit team throughout a punishing 45 minutes of circuit training.

You will gasp through three progressive circuits (beginner, intermediate and advanced) of 15 minutes and 15 exercises each before a 'company cool down'.

'Your aim is to finish all three circuits as your fitness improves. The exercises themselves are humdrum without exception: jacks, press-ups, bicycling; but you can almost see those calories evaporating. Strictly for those who find a whistle and a verbal lashing big motivators.