For the amount of chocolate I consume, it is paramount that I exercise. The problem in this however, is that I have a very short attention span and get bored of doing the same exercise day in day out. So a little jaded by my gym and swimming sessions, I thought I'd branch out into the world of fitness dvds, which is when I stumbled across 10 Minute Solution: Kick Box Bootcamp.

The Kick Box Bootcamp is one of a range of 10 Minute Solution workouts. Other titles include pilates, carb and calorie burner, target toning, blast off belly fat, yoga and fat blasting Latin mix. Each DVD contains five ten minute segments presented by a professional instructor. This is a brilliant idea; on a busy day you can easily fit in just a couple of segments to get a good, quick workout, but equally, if you have a lot of time to hand, the whole workout is varied enough to keep your concentration.

I was always a little apprehensive over fitness DVDs because I was uncomfortable with the fact that whilst you're sweating away at home looking a complete mess in your most unattractive exercise clothes, there are these pristine women doing the same exercise as you, without a hair out of place. There was just something not quite right there... This is what makes the Kick Box Bootcamp DVD so refreshing. Keli Roberts, the instructor, whilst still having extremely neat hair throughout, gets out of breath with you! And in my personal opinion, that's not just because she's unfit - one look at her and it tells you otherwise. Seriously though, she's brilliant. She explains each move well, is motivational and generally an all round good instructor.

~~~ BASIC TRAINING ~~~

This is the first ten minute section of the DVD. As the blurb on the back of the DVD box says, "this focused 'get-you-going' segment really lays the groundwork for your total-body fitness goals". This is true…your heart-rate really gets going just doing this. This section introduces basic punches such as a jab and an upper cut. It also introduces some kicks. This is all combined in a high energy routine which has you jumping around. One word of warning though, if you get a little too enthusiastic like me with your jumps, things do tend to fall of shelves in your room…

~~~ ULTIMATE BUNS AND THIGHS ~~~

This section gives a great work out for your lower body. A combination of lunges and kicks all rolled into another high pace routine really gets you working. One word of warning though, this section does require hand weights, which I didn't happen to have lying around at home…I don't know if Bake Bean cans really have the same effect…

~~~ ARM AND SHOULDER SCULPTER ~~~

In my opinion, this section has the least high energy routine compared to the other sections although it definitely is still enjoyable. After a series of different workouts using those hand weights (or bake bean tins) once again, you work onto perfecting some punches. This is great fun though - you can really relieve some stress doing this. Although perhaps not so intense as the other segments, I have found that I can definitely feel this one the morning after, so I think it is doing some good.

~~~ WASHBOARD ABS ~~~

One word describes this section perfectly…OUCH! My stomach and me have always had issues…we don't get on. I hate sit-ups, it hates my love of sweet foods, hence a completely undesirable belly mid-drift. However the prospect of having to don a bikini on the beach this year was weighing on my mind, and this segment has definitely helped. This is a really varied workout for the abs and really gets those muscles working. If you stand outside my door whilst doing this you can hear the screams and swearings of pain (and it takes a lot to make me curse!). However, I do think it is paying off. Whilst there is still a distinct rotundness to my belly, there is definitely some muscle coming through - not a washboard yet, but you never know what will happen with time…

~~~ FAT BURNING BLAST ~~~

This segment should come with a health warning. It kind of does. Keli says at the beginning 'do you want you can'. Gosh is it hard work. It's really really intense: it lures you in with some gentle lunges, however it soon has you leaping from ground to floor, with press ups, leg lifts and jogging all combined. It then has a series of hops, kicks, runs and punches. It is great fun though and it really works. You just feel like collapsing in a heap with a choccie biscuit afterwards - perhaps not the desired outcome…

~~~ EXTRAS ~~~

My DVD came with a 7-day bootcamp meal plan. I haven't tried this (I'm having diet issues as it is) but it does look nice without causing starvation. Food includes chicken salad, stir fries, salmon, smoothies and snack ideas. It also comes with a handy food tip list with ideas such as drink more water and don't eat two-three hours before bed. Although obviously not essential to the DVD, it's still a nice extra.

~~~ DETAILS ~~~

Running time is 55 minutes. A five minute introduction and five ten minute sections. There is a handy menu at the front where you can either play the whole section or choose which one you want to do.

~~~ PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ~~~

I paid £4.97 for this DVD from Amazon plus p&p, though it is available for their free delivery offer. Amazon market place sells it from £3.98 as of this review being written. Play (www.play.com) also sells it for £4.99 plus free postage. It is available from the HMV website for £5.99 plus free delivery. It is worth checking out ebay as well. Good value for money I believe.

~~~ CONCLUSION ~~~

I would definitely recommend the 10 minute solution Kick Box Bootcamp DVD to anyone looking for a good work out. The exercise is varied to keep you entertained and is taught well and is really easy to pick up. Though you won't become an expert in kickboxing through this, you get a great work out whilst grasping some of the basics. This is definitely working - I can feel muscles I didn't even know existed the next day. It's also great value for money. I'll be looking into buying more of the series. A word of warning though, you do need hand weights (or food tins) for this DVD which wasn't clear when you buy it. Very sneaky. But still a great routine to get your heart going whilst keeping you entertained - brilliant.