IN THE LATEST batch of new releases, our guest reviewers found a few prospects worth passing on to readers:

"Treadmill Conditioning" (55 minutes, $19.95, 800-433-6769; www.collagevideo.com). Reviewed by Dr. Steve Ryan, 44, of Renton.

"It is helpful to have a training and running coach assisting you with your posture, reminding you regarding cadence, pace and levels of intensity," said Ryan of this tape, which emphasizes interval training to improve running efficiency. Four levels of walkers/joggers/runners on treadmills are coached by Bobby Kelly, owner of Results Only, a club in Washington, D.C. Despite some quality problems (inconsistent sound, uninteresting background), Ryan said, the workout might be helpful for beginner to intermediate walkers and joggers, and perhaps short-distance runners. He suggests that users be somewhat familiar with their treadmills, have at least four to six weeks of gentle walking already under their belts, and start by fast-forwarding to the end of the tape to review tips on shoe position, posture, intensity, breathing and safety.

"The Masala Bhangra Workout" (36 minutes, $24.95, 877-4MASALA; www.masaladance.com). Reviewed by Deirdre O'Neill, 54, of Bellingham.

"I found that I work up more sweat eating curry than I did dancing to this workout," said O'Neill, who admittedly prefers videos that offer more vigorous exercises. "The dancing was nothing more than varied kicking and pumping your shoulders up and down," although at the very end when five models demonstrated the Bhangra - a traditional Indian village dance linked to wheat-harvest rituals - the movement was more spirited.

"Quickfix Legs and Arms Workout" (35 minutes, $9.98, 800-272-4214; www.peterpan.com). Reviewed by Grace Ichikawa, 63, of Seattle.

"The best thing about the tape was its short length," said Ichikawa. It contains three 10-minute segments, each with stretching and cool-down. She found instructions clear, though the three models showed the same level and intensity, and said the variety of exercises (3- to 8-pound dumbbells are required) and repetitions kept the tape from being boring. "The arm segments were OK for a beginner, but wouldn't offer enough challenges for anyone who's more serious," Ichikawa said. "I felt the exercises for legs relied way too much on deep lunges, plies and squats," which she skipped because of a bum knee, and she thought instructor Minna Lessig should have offered variations for those with restrictions or who might like a more taxing workout.

"Minna Lessig Optimizer Fat Eliminator" (30 minutes, $14.98, 800-272-4214; www.peterpan.com). Reviewed by Lynn Hultgrien, 37, of Federal Way.

Hultgrien liked the alternating circuits - low- to medium-impact aerobics and toning exercises with light hand weights: "The elements of skating and boxing (punching and kicks) were fun, since I have never done them before." But she thought beginners might need more help choosing weights, and she would have preferred seeing varied intensities. She might continue to do the main program occasionally for variety and the 15-minute bonus section more frequently, for its ab exercises. "The combination of strength and aerobics makes a great workout, and I would recommend this video for beginners and those getting back into shape."

"Minna Lessig Optimizer Strength & Grace" (45 minutes, $14.98, 800-272-4214; www.peterpan.com). Reviewed by Denise McAllister, 28, of Renton.

This was the best-received of the three videos led by Lessig. Here she spends about seven minutes each on warm-up, legwork, torso strengthening, core stability and abdominal exercises, focusing throughout on improving core strength and balance. McAllister liked the light pace and easy-to-follow mix of yoga and Pilates, Lessig's clear and motivating instruction, and demonstrations of modified versions for each exercise. Though McAllister had never done yoga, "I was actually able to pick up a couple of yoga poses and their names, such as Downward Dog and Warriors I and II." Her favorite part, though, was the stretching: "After each muscle is worked, Minna walks the viewer through a wonderful-feeling stretch of that muscle. In addition, she gives the viewer time to recover and regain normal breathing after a particularly challenging set of moves and stretches." Doing the workout four times over three weeks, McAllister said she noticed an improvement in her upper-body strength and flexibility.

Molly Martin is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine. She can be reached by calling 206-464-8243 or writing mmartin@seattletimes.com or The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98101.