When it comes to fitness pledges, the new year usually means one of two things — joining a gym or working out at home with a celebrity fitness DVD. If you opt for the latter, can Jade Goody and other C-list stars really help you get in shape? Here, PETA BEE reviews this year’s celebrity offerings with the help of fitness coach and weight-loss consultant Peter Frost of the Marlow Club in Buckinghamshire.

JADE’S SHAPE CHALLENGE(£17.99) Big Brother’s Jade and her trainer Troy Duren employ a healthy dose of humour for this six-part workout with aerobic, resistance and core stability (midriff-strengthening)work.
DURATION: 90 mins (minimum 15 mins).
EXPERT’S VIEW: although Jade is reported to have used liposuction to get her look, this video is unexpectedly good. It includes a sensible weight-loss eating plan. I would say do some or all of the exercise sections three to four times a week, with other aerobic work.
BEST FOR:: those lacking motivation. Jade will enthuse you.

GAYNOR FAYE’S FIT FRIENDS WORKOUT (£15.99)
The Fat Friends actress works out with her Dancing On Ice skating partner Dan Whiston in five 10-minute sessions to tackle all body parts. Includes a disco session and “meltdown” to finish.
DURATION:
50 mins (minimum 10 mins).
EXPERT’S VIEW:< an average workout with some interesting approaches such as dancing with weights — which could be risky because controlling weights requires concentration. Advice is basic. Best used as an occasional workout.
BEST FOR: the time-poor — for whom Faye says just one or two sessions would be ideal.

KYM RYDER’S BURN AND FIRM WORKOUT (£16.99)
With personal trainer Paul Younane, the Corrie actress presents the food and living-room fitness plan that helped her lose 12lbs in four weeks. Six 10-min workouts.
DURATION: 90 minutes(minimum 10mins).
EXPERT’S VIEW: good, solid workout using food cans etc as weights. Three to four times a week should bring results.
BEST FOR: the cash-strapped — there’s no need to buy special equipment.

JENNIFER ELLISON’S WEST END WORKOUT (£17.99)
Three 30-minute dance-based workouts led by Ellison, who has starred in the West End production of Chicago. There is a warm-up, before high-energy sessions using moves taken from the shows.
DURATION: 90 mins (minimum 30 mins).
EXPERT’S VIEW: Ellison looks great and demonstrates well but is not the greatest motivator and assumes some prior dancing experience. Diving in at too high a standard can predispose people to injury. Dance can be a great cardiovascular workout but I felt this was lacking.

WOW! VICKY’S WEIGHT OFF WORKOUT (£14.99)
Vicky Entwistle (Coronation Street bigmouth Janice Battersby) is the new year’s unlikeliest exercise guru with this DVD revealing how she dropped from a size 16 to a size six. Working out with trainer Richard Callendar, the actress leads you through a sequence of six tough fat-burning, body-toning routines.
DURATION: 60 mins (minimum 10-15 mins).
EXPERT’S VIEW: this was my favourite. It was clearly explained. Good cardio and toning sections. Do this three to four times a week and you will get fit. But increase exercise intensity or duration to improve further.

MICHELLE McMANUS: THE LIFEPLAN WORKOUT (£16.99)
The Pop Idol star claims to have lost 10st in 18 months on this plan, though she still looks a little hefty. With personal trainer Dax Moy, she leads a six-part workout based on Moy’s “integrated movement training”, using either a weighted medicine ball or two-litre bottles of water in simple aerobic and resistance training.
DURATION: 90 mins (minimum 15 mins).
EXPERT’S VIEW: everything you need to lead a healthier life with a view to long-term weightloss, but cardio section could have been tougher.
BEST FOR: beginners needing clear, concise rules.

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