The secret to permanent fitness success depends heavily on your choice of exercise dvds. With thousands and thousands of them to choose from, how do you know which dvd is the best one for you?

The choices are endless and the variety of exercise dvds that are currently available can be somewhat overwhelming when trying to figure which program will give you the best results. There is a simple and logical process you can go through to help narrow down your choices and help you hand pick the exact exercise dvds that are most appropriate for your specific needs and goals.

To start, you must assess your exercise preferences. Do you want to join a health club? Would you rather workout in the privacy of your own home? Are you interested in using minimal equipment, if possible? Do you want to exercise with weights or would you prefer an exercise dvd that doesn't require weight training? Do you prefer to workout with music? Or would you rather be able to choose your own music? Do you want to watch one fitness professional on screen or do you want to see a group of people doing the exercise program?

Next, you should assess your starting point. Are you a 24 year old beginner? Are you a 39 year old exercise veteran looking for some variety? Are you a sixty-five year old 'starting all over again'? Are you extremely out of shape and overweight or do you just need to tone and firm up a bit in some of your trouble spots?

The most effective exercise dvds are structured to incorporate principles of gradual progression and ability specific exercise programming for all levels of fitness. These types of exercise dvds can take a beginner through various levels over time and can also provide plenty of intensity for someone who has been working out regularly but is looking for something to deliver better results - both short and long term.

Third, you should research the exercise professional behind the dvd or dvds you are interested in. While a lot of the big names occupy shelf space in Walmart, Target and similar stores, there are a good number of grass-roots exercise pros who are creating and marketing their own brands of unique, safe, efficient and extremely effective exercise dvds as an alternative to the mass marketed brands .

One secret way to do this is to find a fitness professional who interests you. Then run a search of their name on Google or Yahoo. See what kind of results you get and see what else you can find out about their exercise dvds and their background.

Fourth, make sure the exercise dvds you purchase come with at least a six month, or longer, return policy. A thirty day guarantee is worthless and most people don't really get into an exercise dvd until the first six to eight weeks from date of purchase. You want enough time to use the dvds and see if you are starting to feel the changes you are seeking. If the exercise dvds you have chosen are good ones, then you will see results much sooner and you will not want to return them anyway which is ultimately what you are after.

Fifth, (this one you may have to do after you have purchased your exercise dvds - and another reason you should look for a longer return/refund peiod) - if in doubt, take your dvds to your doctor and ask if they are appropriate for you, especially if you have specific injuries or conditions that may be affected by exercise. Even if you think a program is right for you - you should still get medical clearance to exercise if you've been sedentary, if you are uncertain about your medical status or if you are unsure of your readiness for exercise.