HOME ENTERTAINMENT : ‘Buns of Steel’ Sales Heat Up for Summer

Every year there’s a surge of interest in fitness tapes in January, as people try to follow through on New Year’s resolutions to shed those holiday pounds, and in late spring, during the rush to tone up for swimsuit season.

That’s where “Buns of Steel” comes in. According to some home-video retailers, this WarnerVision series has been especially popular in the last two months. It quietly has become the bestseller in the fitness tape business, cornering 60% of the market, according to Video Scan.

Total sales since the first tape came out in 1987: more than 13 million units.

Though it’s called “Buns of Steel,” firming up the backside is just a small part of this series. The secret of its success is its target-toning approach, with each tape focusing on a specific area--including abs, arms, thighs, chest and legs.

“Nobody else was stressing that approach before this series,” explained Melissa Berman, WarnerVision’s marketing director. “It’s the one thing that has helped to separate these tapes from the competition.”

Another reason for its success is price. Though videos involving aerobics sell for $15, “Buns” tapes sell for $10 and are sometimes discounted as low as $7.

Berman said the series also has benefited by making tapes “for people at all different levels of fitness” and by avoiding celebrities as hosts. Celebrity tapes are limited in that they appeal only to that person’s fans. The focus here is on “the exercises rather than the personality,” Berman said.

This series continues to grow. By the end of the year, Berman said, there will be 10 new titles, bringing the total to 45 in six categories. Among the new tapes will be a new line for beginners in August--three half-hour workouts in aerobics, toning and stretching.

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Music Videos: When the Police--Sting’s former group--split up about 10 years ago, it was a loss for rock fans. Watching the collection of concert and TV performances in the 90-minute tape “Outlandos to Synchronicities,” you remember just how good this group was. But what makes this a must for Police fans is a no-holds-barred look, including some startling footage of fights, at what drove the musicians apart. From PolyGram at $20.

Whatever you think of Michael Jackson, he really does make great videos. His tape “Greatest Video Hits--HIStory” is packed with thrilling videos, including two of the all-time best: “Billie Jean” and the 14-minute “Thriller,” directed by John Landis. From Epic at $20.

“INXS: The Great Video Experience” is a collection of clips and behind-the-scenes footage covering the career of this pop-rock group, which features sex symbol Michael Hutchence. It’s a bore for anyone but the staunchest INXS fan. From PolyGram at $20. . . . Another anthology of videos and assorted film clips, R.E.M.’s “Parallel” is also disappointing. The visuals aren’t close to the quality of the music. From Warner Reprise at $20.

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Special Interest: Though paralyzed in a mountain-climbing accident, Mark Wellman is still an active outdoorsman. In “No Barriers: The Mark Wellman Story,” you see him kayaking and pursuing other activities that are supposedly off-limits to disabled people. Well-made and incredibly inspirational. From Eric Perlman at $30, (800) 726-7003.

A hot how-to video is “Learn to Make Slipcovers.” Host Claire Driscoll clearly knows her craft but, for novices, her explanations are confusing at times because they’re too fast. Be prepared to use the rewind button frequently. From Patria Gardens at $30, (408) 622-9441.

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What’s New on Video: “Nell” (FoxVideo): A young girl (Jodie Foster) who grew up totally alone in the woods of North Carolina, with no social skills and her own odd language, struggles to deal with the outside world. Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson play scientists who fall in love while studying her.

“I.Q.” (Paramount): Back in the 1950s, Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau in a wild white wig) plays matchmaker, putting his brainy niece (Meg Ryan) with a mechanic (Tim Robbins). Fair romantic comedy.

“Death and the Maiden” (New Line): Convinced a guest (Ben Kingsley) in her beach house raped and tortured her during a political upheaval years ago, a woman (Sigourney Weaver) imprisons him and sets out for revenge. Though initially taut, this drama, set in an unidentified South American country and based on a three-character play, seems stagy and claustrophobic after a while and becomes a labor to watch. Directed by Roman Polanski and co-starring Stuart Wilson as the heroine’s husband.

“Houseguest” (Hollywood): A con artist (Sinbad), hiding from hoods, scams his way into a weekend in suburbia as the house guest of a lawyer (Phil Hartman) and his family. Pretty lame. “Immortal Beloved” (Columbia TriStar): Who was Beethoven’s secret true love? After his death, through flashbacks from the perspective of three women, the movie tackles the mystery. This overwrought melodrama is only mildly entertaining. Gary Oldman overacts as Beethoven and Isabella Rossellini co-stars as a countess. The music, however, is beautiful.