Michelle Dozois and Tracy York Exercise DVDs

Michelle Dozois and Tracy York are a likeable team of exercise instructors. They are friendly and enthusiastic about their workouts. Their clear and straightforward cueing makes the exercises easy to follow.

As a team, Tracy and Michelle have released many fitness DVDs . Two of my favorites are Work it Off- Cardio Sculpt, and Breakthru Pilates. They keep their exercises fresh and interesting for the viewer by taking turns leading the show.

This DVD is really my go-to exercise DVD when I have not been working out for a while. It combines step aerobics with muscle sculpting in a fun cross training workout. It works like this: You do a warm up, then on to six circuits. Each circuit consists of  three minutes of step cardio, a minute long power burst where you really push yourself, then a minute of easier cardio to lower your heart rate. Pick up your weights for three minutes of sculpting, then repeat this series five more times. There is so much variety in this workout it keeps it fun and interesting.

Breakthru PIlates Sculpt is a good muscle strengthening and toning workout. It is an intermediate workoutbut they show beginner modifications.

You begin with a short warm up, then on to standing exercises. You will do a variety of tried and true leg straighteners combined with upper body exercises, squats and lunges with bicep curls for example. This is a bit of a cardio, my heart rate goes up a bit here. You will briefly stretch, then on to pilates-based floor work. A thorough workout, you will hit every muscle group with this DVD. I find that it really works your core from all angles and I feel leaner after I do this one.

Tracy and Michelle are good as a team. They are great on their own as well. Independently, Michelle has released more than ten workout DVDs, like 10 Minute Solution Carb and Calorie Burner, and Pilates for Dummies.

10 Minute Solution Carb and Calorie Burner is a fun cardio/ toning DVD. It follows the usual 10 Minute Solution format.It has five 10 minute segments and you can program up to six of them in any order you choose, for a 10-60 minute workout. Each workout has a short warm up and a quick stretch at the end. This works great because your heart rate won't come down too much between segments. The workouts are as follows:

• Slow and steady burn is a steady state workout. You will get your heart rate up and keep it there.
• Carb killer is a kickboxing inspired workout.
• Power blast features plyometric moves to blast away carbs.
• Interval burn is a boot camp inspired workout featuring tough moves like burpees and mountain climbers. Your heart rate will go up and down with these intervals. There is a little core work at the end.
• Metabolism booster has fast paced strength moves using weights. Burn calories and build strength at the same time.

I like to do this workout all the way through in the order shown, and add a bonus metabolism booster at the end (do it twice!). I feel like it gives me a complete cardio and muscle toning workout in one hour.

 Pilates for Dummies includes two workouts. The first clearly demonstrates 18 of your basic pilates moves (hundreds, roll ups etc.) It is perfect for someone wanting to get these precise movements down pat. The second one also has 18 moves but it is for intermediates. The exercises are slightly harder than the the first one and there is a little less instruction.

And Tracy has released a few exercise DVDs as well. My favorite of hers is Shaping Up with Weights for Dummies. It is perfect for anyone brand new to weight training. Her instructions are precise and detailed. You can learn the proper form to avoid injury.

This DVD is approximately 45 minutes long. Tracy will take you through 12 proven body sculptors, like lunges, bicep curls and crunches. You will work every major muscle group in your body.