"The New York City Ballet Workout" (90 minutes; $14.95; 212-870-4232; www.nycballet.com), Reviewed by Linda Wallace, 40, of Seattle.

"It was fun to pretend to be a ballerina again," says Wallace, who took ballet lessons as a child, "and I prefer videos in which there is an actual discipline or form to work at perfecting, rather than the graceless flailing about that so many other videos have us do." Because the workout segment is 60 minutes, Wallace said she wouldn't use it if she was looking for a quick, sweaty aerobics session, but "I think it's a video worth having to alternate with the higher intensity, more aerobic tapes, because its emphasis is on strengthening, toning and posture. And, keeping your arms in second position for five minutes nonstop is harder than it looks." Featuring NYC Ballet dancers Heléne Alexopoulos, Albert Evans, Edwaard Liang and Deanna McBrearty and narrated by its ballet master in chief, Peter Martins, the workout is followed by 30 minutes on the dancers' daily lives. A DVD version ($24.95) offers personal-workout, music and language (French, German, Spanish and Japanese) programming options.

Fitness news you can use Reversing decline Six months of exercise can reverse the decline in physical condition associated with aging, researchers at the University of Texas reported after a 30-year follow-up to a 1966 study. They also found that three weeks of bed-rest deconditioning had a more profound impact on physical work capacity than 30 years of aging. "This study clearly provides evidence that even an older person who has failed to maintain fitness over time can benefit from an exercise program," said Dr. Benjamin Levine, associate professor of internal medicine. Roll on, Burke-Gilman The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has received a $10,000 grant from the bicycle industry group Bikes Belong Coalition to work toward completing the missing link in the Burke-Gilman trail. The new section, from 11th Avenue Northwest westward to the Ballard Locks, will make a seamless 50-mile path from Marymoor Park in Redmond to Golden Gardens Park on Elliott Bay. Ask Molly Questions on workouts, equipment or nutrition? Send them to Ask Molly, Pacific Northwest magazine, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111, or e-mail mmartin@seattletimes.com.

"Karen Voight/Body Reform: Core Essentials" (40 minutes, $19.95, 800-735-3315; www.karenvoight.com). Reviewed by Juli Ward, 41, of Seattle.

Though it's definitely low impact, with little or no bouncing around and most time spent on a mat, "That doesn't mean this is an easy video — it's not for beginners," says Ward. Even when doing a lower-body exercise such as squats, Voight also leads simultaneous arm movements, providing some cardio work. She demonstrates more challenging exercises without music but it's assumed viewers know basic moves. Some exercises require weighted balls, which Ward first did without the special equipment, but she liked the workout enough to purchase balls so she could increase intensity. "I have used a lot of different types of workout videos and would consider this essential as an overall toner. I'm still not able to fully complete the push-up section, but I'm getting better."

"Kathy Smith: Fat Burning Breakthrough" (50 minutes, $14.95; 800-433-6769; www.collagevideo.com). Reviewed by Jennifer Gettmann, 31, of Shoreline.

"This video was upbeat, fun and challenging," Gettmann says. She liked Smith's energy, the beautiful outdoor setting and the varying levels, which come in two 18-minute waves of increasing intensity and include cardio recovery and a short weights session (3- to 8-pound dumbbells required) for the upper body. "The workout flew by and the 50 minutes was over before you knew it. It is a video I would do over and over again without getting bored," though she might play her own music once she knew the routine. It can be done without a step but is designed with one and is aimed at folks familiar with step moves. "I would recommend the video for anyone looking for a different method of step (the waves) and any Kathy Smith fans. This is one of her best."

"Breakthru Cardio Dance with Tracy York and Michelle Dozois" (73 minutes, $19.95; 877-525-6655; www.breakthrufitness.com). Reviewed by Debbie Stout, 44, of Shelton.

"The cardio session is truly dance-inspired," says Stout. "Even though the moves start off basic, they end up being quite dance-y and complex." Collage Video rates this an advanced workout, but Stout considers it more intermediate. "Tracy and Michelle do such an excellent job breaking the steps down at half-tempo before taking it up to full tempo that even if you don't have any dance background, you'll be able to get these moves (Latin, jazz, classic cardio) pretty easily." They also offer options throughout for modifying intensity level and, despite all the turns and rhythm changes, Stout didn't have to change anything to compensate for working out on carpet. Though Stout considers herself a Pilates beginner, she wasn't intimidated by the mat work: "I loved this section and, to be honest, it alone is well worth the price of this tape."

Molly Martin is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine.

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