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By Self.com Staff
Metamorphosis
Photo: Lucas VisserTempted by infomercials with products that guarantee miracles? Here's how seven of them rate.
1. Metamorphosis
The claim: "You will transform your body, defy your genetics and create the body you never thought possible."
The gist: Identify your shape from four options based on how different women gain and store weight. Then, over nine DVDs, Tracy Anderson leads you through equipment-free cardio and strength exercises. Do one hour-long workout six days a week for 90 days. The extremely low-calorie diet is strict—hardly any grains or dairy—and falls very short on calcium. (SELF recommends 1,000 milligrams of calcium from foods like lowfat dairy.)
$90; TracyAndersonMethod.com
More from self.com:
Yoga Moves for Flat Abs
12 Ways to Think Yourself Slim
Insanity
Photo: Lucas Visser2. Insanity
The claim: "The hardest fitness program ever put on DVD" promises to burn up to 1,000 calories per hour for "the most insane body in 60 days."
The gist: The cardio-conditioning program includes 10 DVDs of no-equipment drills. Six days a week for two months, you perform an hour or less of intense exercise. It also includes a balanced, low-glycemic meal plan.
$120; BeachBody.com
3-Minute Legs
Photo: Lucas Visser3. 3-Minute Legs
The claim: "It's a three-minute miracle! Your jeans will be too loose within two weeks."
The gist: Sit on this crazy contraption, which is meant to hold your form while you squat and lunge so you don't put pressure on joints, and follow the three-minute DVD routine five or six days a week for four weeks. It also comes with a walking program and a 1,200- to 1,400-calorie meal plan.
$114; Thane.com
Ab Circle Pro
Photo: Lucas Visser4. Ab Circle Pro
The claim: A "treadmill for your abs!" It will help you "lose your love handles" in just two weeks, for a "rock hard body."
The gist: Kneel on this machine and swivel from side to side. Follow the routine on the 30-minute DVD, or if you're in a hurry, pop in the three-minute quickie version. It also includes a 10-day meal plan that encourages eating more often.
$150; AbCirclePro.com
10-Minute Trainer
Photo: Lucas Visser5. 10-Minute Trainer
The claim: Clock all of your cardio and strength training in only 10 minutes a day for "amazing results in record time."
The gist: Tony Horton, the guru behind celeb favorite P90X, created this intense workout. Do at least one of the five 10-minute DVDs daily for a month. You get a mix of cardio drills, such as side shuffling, a resistance band for sculpting moves and a meal plan of 10-minute dishes (a low 1,200 calories—SELF suggests a minimum of 1,400 for weight loss).
$80; BeachBody.com
PT 24/7
Photo: Lucas Visser6. PT 24/7
The claim: "You get double the workout in half the time," for results "in only seven days."
The gist: He's back! Our former Tae Bo crush, Billy Blanks, guides you through 30-minute workouts on seven DVDs. Tackle cardio and strength at once with boxing gloves and a resistance band that attaches to hands and feet. Do DVDs five days a week for a month. You also get a meal plan high in fiber and lean protein.
$90; BillyBlanksPT247.com
Bender Ball
Photo: Lucas Visser7. Bender Ball
The claim: "The Bender Ball gives you a workout that's up to 408 percent more effective than ordinary crunches!"
The gist: Position the inflatable 8-inch ball under your lower back, and follow the DVD's 15-minute medley of souped-up tummy toners. Use it on your lower body, too: A butt and thigh routine is included. There's a low-calorie meal plan online, but it falls short of healthy fats (which you need to absorb certain vitamins).
$13; BenderBall.com
MetamorphosisPhoto: Lucas VisserTempted by infomercials with products that guarantee miracles? Here's how seven of them rate.
1. Metamorphosis
The claim: "You will transform your body, defy your genetics and create the body you never thought possible."
The gist: Identify your shape from four options based on how different women gain and store weight. Then, over nine DVDs, Tracy Anderson leads you through equipment-free cardio and strength exercises. Do one hour-long workout six days a week for 90 days. The extremely low-calorie diet is strict—hardly any grains or dairy—and falls very short on calcium. (SELF recommends 1,000 milligrams of calcium from foods like lowfat dairy.)
$90; TracyAndersonMethod.com
More from self.com:
Yoga Moves for Flat Abs
12 Ways to Think Yourself Slim
InsanityPhoto: Lucas Visser2. Insanity
The claim: "The hardest fitness program ever put on DVD" promises to burn up to 1,000 calories per hour for "the most insane body in 60 days."
The gist: The cardio-conditioning program includes 10 DVDs of no-equipment drills. Six days a week for two months, you perform an hour or less of intense exercise. It also includes a balanced, low-glycemic meal plan.
$120; BeachBody.com
3-Minute LegsPhoto: Lucas Visser3. 3-Minute Legs
The claim: "It's a three-minute miracle! Your jeans will be too loose within two weeks."
The gist: Sit on this crazy contraption, which is meant to hold your form while you squat and lunge so you don't put pressure on joints, and follow the three-minute DVD routine five or six days a week for four weeks. It also comes with a walking program and a 1,200- to 1,400-calorie meal plan.
$114; Thane.com
Ab Circle ProPhoto: Lucas Visser4. Ab Circle Pro
The claim: A "treadmill for your abs!" It will help you "lose your love handles" in just two weeks, for a "rock hard body."
The gist: Kneel on this machine and swivel from side to side. Follow the routine on the 30-minute DVD, or if you're in a hurry, pop in the three-minute quickie version. It also includes a 10-day meal plan that encourages eating more often.
$150; AbCirclePro.com
10-Minute TrainerPhoto: Lucas Visser5. 10-Minute Trainer
The claim: Clock all of your cardio and strength training in only 10 minutes a day for "amazing results in record time."
The gist: Tony Horton, the guru behind celeb favorite P90X, created this intense workout. Do at least one of the five 10-minute DVDs daily for a month. You get a mix of cardio drills, such as side shuffling, a resistance band for sculpting moves and a meal plan of 10-minute dishes (a low 1,200 calories—SELF suggests a minimum of 1,400 for weight loss).
$80; BeachBody.com
PT 24/7Photo: Lucas Visser6. PT 24/7
The claim: "You get double the workout in half the time," for results "in only seven days."
The gist: He's back! Our former Tae Bo crush, Billy Blanks, guides you through 30-minute workouts on seven DVDs. Tackle cardio and strength at once with boxing gloves and a resistance band that attaches to hands and feet. Do DVDs five days a week for a month. You also get a meal plan high in fiber and lean protein.
$90; BillyBlanksPT247.com
Bender BallPhoto: Lucas Visser7. Bender Ball
The claim: "The Bender Ball gives you a workout that's up to 408 percent more effective than ordinary crunches!"
The gist: Position the inflatable 8-inch ball under your lower back, and follow the DVD's 15-minute medley of souped-up tummy toners. Use it on your lower body, too: A butt and thigh routine is included. There's a low-calorie meal plan online, but it falls short of healthy fats (which you need to absorb certain vitamins).
$13; BenderBall.com