Valerie Bertinelli is a total inspiration. She worked hard, lost weight, and looks amazing. And now, she has a fitness DVD -- "Valerie Bertinelli: Losing it and Keeping Fit."

The DVD is divided into three sections: a 20-minute Level 1 workout, a 40-minute Level 2 workout, and then Bonus Features. Both workouts feature Bertinelli with celebrity personal trainer Christopher Ross Lane, who was instrumental in helping the actress sculpt her new body.

Obviously, the workouts worked for Bertinelli. But is this DVD right for you? I tested out both workouts to find out.

You know the cardio dance class at your gym that you love going to, but never feel like you can really get into it because there are people watching? You know what I mean -- you don't shake your booty as much as you could, or you feel foolish when you don't get the steps down after the first try.

10 Minute Solution: Hip Hop Dance Mix is a way to get that sort of workout in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home. The moves are fun, and not cheesy, and in the 50-minute workout, you learn loads of different moves and routines.

Kristin Jacobs, the video's instructor, is fit and fun to follow -- you can tell she's having a good time, but even she gets a little out of breath at times. And hey, if the instructor is getting a workout, you'd better believe that the five segments (Hip Hop Basics, Fat Burning Funk, Edgy Grooves, Body Re-Mix and Cardio Street Heat) will work you out, too!

Photo: pulseyoga.com | tightcurves.net

When you're looking to shape up, you want to use every weapon in your arsenal. Why rely on one tool when you can have two or three at your disposal?

Photo: banglz.com

This week, we're holding a triple fit giveaway. One lucky That's Fit reader will receive a Pulse Yoga DVD, which puts together some of the best parts of yoga, Pilates and weight training; a set of two Banglz, stylish and comfortable weighted bracelets that help you burn extra calories all day long; and a pack of TightCurves protein powder, a lactose-free, vegetarian soy powder made specifically for women.

As always, entering to win is a breeze!

• To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us about your fitness goals.
• The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, October 9, 2009.
• You may enter only once.
• One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
• One winner will receive a Pulse Yoga DVD, a set of two Banglz and a pack of TightCurves protein powder (valued at $99.93).
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
• Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so make sure to check next week to find out if you've won!

Photo: amazon.com

Pilates is something that's always been on the easier end of the exercise spectrum for me. I might not be super fast or wildly flexible, but core strength? That, I have.

Add to that my mentality that I can do anything for 10 minutes, and you'll understand why I expected to breeze through the 10 Minute Solution Quick Sculpt Pilates.

I was wrong.

Each of the five sections (Total Body Toner, Buns & Thigh Sculptor, Strength & Flexibility Pilates, Core Conditioning and Standing Pilates Sculpt) offered different challenges. I did them in order, and by the time I got to the end, I was taking more breaks than I care to admit. (There might have also been a few "Are you nuts?" glances at the screen, too.)

Photo: truepoweryoga.com

If a workout has a lot of celebrity endorsements, sometimes, I'm a bit skeptical (still interested, of course, but skeptical). However, when celebrities and professional athletes alike tout the same program, you'd better believe I get my game face on before I begin!

Mark Blanchard's True Power Yoga ($59.95) includes four workouts on three discs -- True Flow Workout (90 minutes), which is geared toward athletes (in fact, NFL receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh participates); True Strength Workout (90 minutes), a flowing class filled with inversions and arm balances; True Core Workout (45 minutes), which, unsurprisingly, works your back and abdominal muscles; and Hip Opener Workout (50 minutes), a class that is actually led by Mark's wife and aims to relieve stress, both physical and emotional.

In addition to Houshmandzadeh (who says, "It's like lifting weights and stretching at the same time,"), NBA star Steve Smith, and actors Drew Barrymore and Mario Lopez are fans.

Gwyneth Paltrow has always kept a slim, trim figure, and soon you might have a chance to train with the cool blonde -- without gym equipment!

A source recently told The Sun, a British newspaper, that Gwyneth might be releasing a workout DVD, on which she'll "show what she does each day to stay slim -- mostly Pilates, yoga, and resistance training."

The only catch? Gwynnie is rumored to work out for two hours a day, and while I know I'd love to go through a workout with her, I also know I can't commit that kind of time each day to an exercise video. Whether Gwyneth actually puts out a video or not, there are plenty of celebs who have videos out there -- you might be surprised at some of the names out there!

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Without a gym membership or an in-home treadmill, I depend on my DVD player all winter to help me keep in shape. If you're looking for a low-cost, low-tech way to workout, fitness DVDs are the way to go to maintain or spice up your workout routine. A yoga or Pilates DVD can add flexibility training to your cardio workout. A strength training DVD can help you build muscle. DVDs can be a rainy day option (or like me, a seasonal option), or you can use them to learn something new.

Choosing a DVD can be tricky sometimes, and I've been burned more than once. Reading reviews before you buy is definitely recommended. The people from Fitness magazine and Collage Video recently chose their current favorites, so if you're in the market for a new fitness DVD, you might want to take a look!

• 10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!
• Bell Express 15 Minute Cardio Fitness Kit
• Billy Blanks Tae Bo Amped
• Get Ripped & Chisled With Jari Love
• Jennifer Kries New Body Pilates
• Ellen Barrett Fat Burning Fusion
• Rockin' Body Cardio Jam by Michelle Dozois
• Element: Yoga for Beginners
• Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer 21 Day Total Body Circuit Workout

What's your favorite fitness DVD?

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"The Biggest Loser" TV show is full of hard-earned and truly inspirational success stories, so whether you're into workout DVDs or not you've got to agree that The Biggest Loser Workout, Volume 2 must be doing something right. A plan responsible for that many hundreds and even thousands of pounds lost can't be complete hype, right?

A general run-down of what to expect includes a short warm up followed by low intensity cardio, then high intensity cardio (both suited for men and women specifically), a power sculpt session for the women, 15 minutes of boot camp, some functional flexibility training, and then a cool down. I'll be honest and admit that I haven't seen it myself, but this review makes it sound pretty good. The idea of real people working out with me, grunting and groaning and generally NOT making it look so easy, is a big selling point as far as I'm concerned.

Does anybody have this DVD right now? What do you think?

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