Workouts to Go

By Jeremy Caplan

Hoping to get--or give yourself--an iPod, PC or DVD player this holiday season? Why not put those playthings to work? Keeping New Year's resolutions will be a little easier with these new tools designed to transform your high-tech toys into serious fitness equipment.

MP3 Motivation

Whether your exercise playlist leans toward Radiohead or Rocky, all songs eventually get tired. Now several new services promise to relieve the tedium with downloadable MP3 workouts. Among the best is iAmplify.com which puts a personal trainer in your iPod or other portable digital music player. Workout choices range from yoga and Pilates to cardio and strength training. Our pick: the Total Body Blitz. It's a 30-min. power-Pilates routine for $4.95 that's surprisingly challenging and doesn't require special gear. iAmplify plans to add video workouts in February. A good alternative site is Cardiocoach.com which offers sweat-inducing workouts geared to beginner, intermediate and advanced exercisers. Cardiocoach's five volumes are available on CDs or as MP3s for $14.95 each.

Workouts by Mail

You don't have to travel too far from your couch to get in shape. If you subscribe at Push.TV for $25 a month, you'll get a DVD with two routines tailored to your body type and exercise expertise, plus one extended cardio session. Each month you can update your fitness profile to make sure that your next disc will provide even more gain with minimal pain.

Learn like Lance

If you're ready to graduate from treadmill to triathlon, consider Carmichael Training Systems (CTS). Run by Chris Carmichael, Lance Armstrong's coach, CTS offers hard-core online regimens and personal coaching via phone and e-mail. First, the center's trainers assess your fitness level and goals, preferably in person. Then they provide nutritional advice and guide you remotely through every workout. Clients log in to trainright.com to track progress. This type of elite coaching doesn't come cheap. Depending on the level of supervision, the cost ranges from $39 to $1,500 a month.