Cardio or resistance training? Many workout DVD collections are focused on increasing strength and improving muscle tone, while others are designed to elevate your heart rate and burn off excess calories. Decide what your fitness goals are so you know which type of DVD to invest in; if you're looking for strength training, you'll need to steer clear of "fat-burning" workouts and look for sculpting and toning exercises that challenge your muscles.

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If you want to lose body fat and get in shape, you'll need to focus on high-cardio, high-impact routines that will get your heart pumping. Many dance workouts and kickboxing routines fall into the fat-burning category.

Determine the level of difficulty. Many workout DVD collections are broken up into beginner, intermediate and advanced DVDs so that you can work your way through each fitness level. It's a good idea to begin with a beginner-level DVD to gauge your current fitness level and learn the basic moves.