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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:34:44 GMT
Walking For Fitness Kit Kathy Smith Year Released: 2009
I bought this kit with the idea that I would use the 1.5 pound hand weights for Trudie Styler's Pure Sculpt and keep the walking workout as a backup for days I didn't feel like doing much of a workout. I suppose I thought this was Kathy's version of a light Leslie Sansone workout. Boy, was I wrong!
The workout has simple marches, side to side steps, mambos, v-steps and even box steps but Kathy's understated enthusiasm, mercifully free of Timesaver WOO HOOing, encourages you to bounce a little more and step a little higher. While she starts out uncharacteristically telling you how many calories you'll burn and chattering about how she has walking parties with her friends, the workout quickly moves along to good cuing and intermediate level moves.
Unlike the Leslie walking workouts I'd tried, Kathy puts your upper body to work with lateral raises, bicep curls, tricep kickbacks and a nice barre-like section including Ws, open closes and front raises with elbows bent, reminiscent of Squeeze without the pain. Adding upper body work boosts the workout, in my opinion, from a simple walking workout to a total body boost, especially since she adds squats to section changes and crunchless abs and twists at the end. I do wish there had been a few more minutes to transition from walking to stretching, but the workout clocks in at 30 minutes and a few seconds, so I'm guessing she was keeping to a strict time limit.
The music is a nice instrumental with a beat to keep you marching and just bland enough to fade into the background. Like most workouts these days, the set is hardwood floors with a light background and some exercise props, reminiscent of PowerFit Harmony.
I purchased my kit from Amazon.com for $15.99 as a 'Warehouse Deal' because the outer box was slightly smooshed. Being a vidiot, I added another workout to the purchase to take advantage of free shipping. So I got 1.5 pound hand weights, a workout DVD and a pedometer to keep my toddler busy while I got moving for 30 minutes. I wouldn't have a problem doing this workout every day.
I give this an A for surprising me and for bringing back the Kathy I started working out with in 1988.
Instructor Comments: Kathy was warm, encouraging and low key just like she was in Weight Loss Workout and the other goodies from the late 80s.
f1mom
02/16/2011
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:35:27 GMT
Walking Fit Kit Madeleine Lewis Year Released: 2004
I finally found the Gaiam Walking Fit Kit at Ross. For $8.99! Even with the *$%^%!%!! CA sales tax it was still a steal.
The instructor is Madeline Lewis. Who has done several workouts for Gaiam, including a stretch and a walking video. Madeline is not annoying in any way, has a nice voice and cues well!!!
The Kit contains:
* 2 x 3lb rather pretty handweights * Walking CD * VHS with a strength and a stretch workout * stretch strap with closed loop ends
I did the walking CD on my elliptical. It is 60-minutes. It has options to make a longer or shorter workout by repeating some of the sections. Madeline gives some pointers, but doesn't talk endlessly. The muic is a light jazz/world with some vocals. A good beat, and you can walk to it. Much like the music in her walking video. The workout has brisker sections, but not real intervals.
This is not an advanced workout. Despite being fond of our two favorite handsome sadists (with the word "Coach" in front of their names), sometimes I don't want to kill myself in a workout!
The VHS has a 23-minute strength routine using the hand weights. And a 23-minute stretch using the strap. Both were very nice and good for a lower energy day.
This is a great deal, even if you don't like all the components. It was on sale at Gaiam recently. But with Gaiam's #(&^$^$*#^%^# shipping costs, I don't know if it would be as good a deal.
Instructor Comments: Please see review.
Alta
09/16/2005
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:36:21 GMT
WalkFit Indoors Denise Austin
I hated it! While it got my heart rate up, I felt like a fool doing a number of the moves (especially bouncing and shooting an invisible basketball). I'm a beginner, and I much prefer the simplicity and intensity of Leslie Sansone's indoor walking tapes.
Instructor Comments: I usually like Denise Austin, but in this video, she was really irritating...a little too perky and corny.
Dani
03/01/1999
I tried to like this video, but sorry to say, I don't. I primarily got as a beginner tape with my husband in mind, since he's even more uncoordinated than usual. The problem is Denise misses a lot of cues & uses a lot of strange steps. I did think the rear look (where we get to see what the steps look like from behind) was a good idea.
What my husband didn't like was that Denise assumes that only women are watching, so she says a lot of things that only women would like to hear, so that turned him off completely.
What turned me off completely was the gimmicky stuff she threw in, like the basketball & bowling stuff. What is that? Half the time I was trying to keep up with what she was doing, the rest of the time I was annoyed at what I had to do.
The toning stuff at the end of the tape is decent, but too short.
One other thing: one of the two women with her doesn't even try to smile, except briefly. Although I don't expect an instructor or those with her to have smiles plastered on their faces (too fake), I do like to see people smiling and laughing, because it's telling me they're enjoying it.
In short, it's too gimmicky, too many missed cues, too much of that Denise perkiness. This is a good tape only if you're a beginner who needs a holding hand or gimmicks to work out. Personally, I think a beginner would be better with a Kathy Smith tape.
I wish I'd known about this site before I threw out this tape. (It was taking up too much room.) I give this a D.
Instructor Comments: Her usual perky self. Too perky in fact. She doesn't come off as warm, in fact she comes off a bit ditzy. (Sorry Denise Austin fans.)
NanB
09/04/1998
The cheoreography is very basic and good for the beginner. All moves are walk based and low impact. It is a perfect workout for me on the days that I can't get outside and walk.
Instructor Comments: Denise Austin is bubbly and perky as usual. She is very motivating and peppy. I appreciate her upbeat personality. But, I think that she gets a head of herself sometimes. In this video in particular, she doesn't cue soon enough and miscues a couple of times. The more you do this video and get used to it, the better off you'll be, but it is very confusing at first. For example, she'll say now switch foots, and you will do two or three more on the same foot. Or she will say switch foots after she has already switched.
Shawna W
02/23/1998
WalkFit is a good low-impact workout, especially for beginners. If you enjoy walking, but can't keep it up because of winter or rainy climates, then this may be a video for you. Denise breaks the workout into either a 1, 1 1/2 or 2 mile workout. The music is upbeat, and there are a variety of moves. The walking pace is equal to a 15 minute mile, keeping your heart beat elevated. I enjoy doing this workout on a day which I choose to do a lower-impact workout, or don't have the time to workout for an hour.
Denise follows the aerobic sections with a trimming section. She starts out with lunges, which I hate, but she tries to make them a little more interesting by changing direction. The sit up section is fairly basic, and the leg-work sections is pretty short.
The most disapointing part of this tape is there is basically no warm up and the cool down begins by standing in place and doing side bends. She finishes the workout with a very short stretch.
I give it a C.
Julianne J
11/30/-0001
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:37:17 GMT
Walk with Joyce Joyce Vedral Year Released: 2008
Joyce shot the workout with Christi Taylor so the set is nice and airy.
A low impact, beginner walk at home program, Joyce takes the participant through approximately 50 minutes of cardio walking. (25 minutes of Latin music, 25 minutes of Big Band) The total workout time is approximately 62 minutes. The chapters offer ways to split up the segments or you can choose to play them all.
Joyce is alone in the workout. The 2nd session (Big Band) incorporates more upper body involvement for additional toning benefits. Joyce keeps everything light, demonstrating the moves she'll use in the main portion of the workout in her warmup. Meringue, cha-cha, samba and mambo are used. (if you are a stickler for instructors being on beat then Joyce may not be for you as she is sometimes off the beat) She often counts out her moves. I'd recommend this for older participants who may find other workouts hard to follow since Joyce's workout isn't really "choreographed". (many times she suggests doing your own thing)
Joyce is very talkative throughout (making funny comments so you'll need a sense of humor!). She often speeds up the moves to increase the challenge, but it is still not difficult to follow. This workout offers out of shape beginners or elderly individuals a chance to work their cardiovascular system in a "light-hearted" way to enjoyable tunes!
Instructor Comments: DeniseR
02/02/2008
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:38:04 GMT
Walk-a-Dobics Oxy Walk John Abdo Year Released: 2005
There is no walking in this video. It is a 16-minute breathing and stretching routine. You start out sitting in a chair, concentrating on your breathing and then do some stretching. Then you stand up and do more stretching. Then you sit back down. That about sums it up. I guess it could be a useful warm up if you were going to do some walking afterward. :-)
Instructor Comments: This is the man who invented the Ab-DOer. He seems pleasant enough.
Suzette
09/02/2005
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:39:05 GMT
Walk on to Total Fitness P.J. O'Clair, Moira Stott Merrithew Year Released: 2005
Iām reviewing this workout after doing it once.
General workout breakdown: This DVD contains one 33-min. walking workout which PJ says equates to about 2 miles (if you were to walk forward at the pace established in the workout). Moira leads the introductory segment (4 min.), which is done standing still. You breathe, drop your shoulders away from your ears, do scapular protraction and rotraction, mobilize the shoulders with shoulder rolls, bent slightly forward to engage abdominals and then do mini cat stretch, before rolling up to standing for stretching the neck. The workout itself (29 min.) begins with simple marching in place with feet together and then slightly wider, pumping the arms forward and back. This is done for about 5-6 minutes and serves as the moving warm-up. Other moves include a heel dig with arm pull back, lunge back with arm push, cross kick with arm swing, knee lift with arm reach up, step touch with arm reach out, and squat. PJ focuses almost exclusively on squats and walking for about 8 minutes toward the end of the workout. The cool-down lasts only about 2-3 minutes, doing the moves a little smaller and ending with some little pulses. The ending stretches just cover the hamstrings and glutes / hips; with all of that marching I definitely needed to add on some stretches for the hip flexors, quadriceps, and calves. There is no choreography here; you march in place until PJ counts you down to a move change, and you only do one move at a time before going back to walking. The workout is done at a steady pace. I couldnāt really tell from the music if there was any change in pace, but if there is itās very subtle, as I felt the change in intensity during the warm-up and cool-down came more from gradually increasing or decreasing the range of motion.
Level: Stott rates this a 1 out of 5 (with 1 being appropriate for beginners and 5 the most advanced), and Iād agree. Iād recommend this to beginners through intermediates. Beginners may be a bit overwhelmed by the amount of form instruction at first, but there are some good tips here that are not given as clearly and specifically in other walking workouts, especially for moves like the squat. Intermediates can boost the intensity by exaggerating moves, adding impact (e.g. doing squat jumps instead of stepping in and out of the squat), wearing a weighted vest or belt, or holding light hand weights (1-2, maybe 3, pounds in each hand). I consider myself an intermediate / advanced exerciser, and I was surprised that my average heart rate made it up to the low end of my lower target heart rate (you know, the bottem edge of the mythical āfat burning zoneā), since the dance workouts I had been doing earlier in the week had failed to reach even that. I suspect I could nudge it up a bit more by adding weights, but even then this isnāt going to be as intense for me as some of other walking workouts I have.
Class: 3 women and 1 man join PJ and Moira, who instruct live.
Music: bland piano which is pleasant and upbeat but not the energetic tunes one would expect or need for this type of workout. The music is quieter than PJ and Moiraās voices, too.
Set: bright interior set of wood and white, with white gauzy curtains over windows looking onto nothing. Furniture, including a table with a bowl of fruit and a pitcher of water, and fitness props are artfully arranged around the sides.
Production: very clear picture and sound, helpful camera angles, and smooth editing.
Equipment: just sneakers.
Space Requirements: This is very compact. If you can take one big step to each side and one small step forward and back you have enough room.
DVD Notes: I have one of the dual language DVDs, which adds an extra step to getting this silly DVD to play the workout. First you have to choose your language (English or French), then you have to wait for the initial warning screen to come and go, and then you have to agree to the disclaimer. Once youāve done that, thereās a commercial for Stott products, which you can skip, and the standard Stott intro, which you canāt. Finally you get to the main menu, where your options are Getting Started (What Youāll Need, DVD Tips, and Warnings / Cautions), Audio Options (Instruction On or Instruction Off ā This DVD really, really needs an instruction only option so you can play your own music), Workout Principles (Breathing, Pelvic Placement, Rib Cage Placement, Scapular Movement & Stabilization, Head & Cervical Placement, and Play All), The Workout, Chapter Selections (Moiraās Intro, Warm-Up, and Walking Pilates Cardio Workout), and Special Features (Bonus! Try the Next Level, which here is Walk on to Weight Loss; Stott Pilates equipment, Meet the instructor, Get in touch, Stott Pilates education, and Other Stott Pilates video titles).
Comments: I donāt have the next one in the series, Walk on to Weight Loss, so I canāt do a direct comparison of the two, although from reading reviews (including Sandraās great one here at VF) and watching the preview clip on the DVD and on Stott Pilatesā website I can say that Weight Loss is longer and has a few more moves, including a few designed to be a little more intense. It is rated a 2 out of 5.
I have to admit that I didnāt expect much from this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. The obvious drawbacks are the uninspiring music and the boredom factor of alternating between squats and walking for almost 10 minutes, but on the plus side I felt the deliberate arm movements coordinated with the lower body movements and the emphasis on moving with precision added surprising intensity.
How does this compare with Leslie Sansone? Well, Iām not a Leslie expert as Iāve only tried 21 of hers, give or take a few (remember she has well over 100 titles!), and I only use walking videos from time to time rather than as a regular part of my routine. But I think Iām familiar enough with her style to do a comparisonā¦ Thereās not a world of difference between the two. Leslie would be a better choice if you need some enthusiasm, especially if you donāt mind a little silliness now and then, and Leslieās tune selection, although not as diverse as it could or should be, is an improvement over Stottās snore-inducing Nordstromās pianist soundtrack. Leslie also provides a little more real world encouragement by featuring actual people whoāve lost weight on her programs and a range of shapes and sizes and ages. PJ, on the other hand, is a better cuer, as sheās more consistent with her cues and more precise with her form instruction. I like PJās controlled, precise arm movements better than Leslieās sometimes āHey, letās do this!ā type of arms, and the organizer in me likes having specific arms matched up with specific foot patterns. Leslie has her own āPilates walkā out now: 3 Mile Slim & Sleek Walk, which is just under 45 minutes and meant to serve as the equivalent of 3 miles. Leslieās Pilates walk feels like it has a greater variety of moves, including some jogging, because she alternates between them more often, plus she does have an extra ~15 min. Leslie also incorporates some lower body strengthening via squats, although she throws in some leg lifts for good measure, too. Believe it or not, itās Leslie who talks about Pilates during the walk; Moira and PJ incorporate Pilates principles but otherwise focus on the walking, whereas Leslie talks about how her style of walking owes something to her Pilates teacher training. Even though I like PJās demeanor and style, if I had to choose between the two Iād take the Leslie without much hesitation, as itās easily more intense and adaptable for me, especially since it has chapters for the individual āmiles.ā
Instructor Comments: PJ is the main instructor; Moira just leads the opening segment (which she cues for her right and left, not the viewerās) and makes a few comments here and there in the workout itself. Both instructors have positive, professional yet approachable, and pleasant personalities; itās safe to say theyāre pretty low key, too. PJ focuses almost exclusively on cuing the workout, counting you down to move changes (usually she goes from 4), providing form tips and reminders, and giving encouragement. She also talks about the benefits of exercise, although I take her claims as a guidelines rather than absolute truths for everyone (such as burning 100 calories / mile ā so many variables go into this that each individual is going to have different numbers, even the same person on different days). How does PJ compare to other walking instructors? Well, sheās less excitable and chatty than Leslie Sansone plus a better cuer, sheās more athletic (i.e. no talk about energy into the universe) and natural in her speech than Debbie Rocker, and sheās not quite having the grand olā time Petra Kolber and George Foreman are. If you need some spark or spunk to motivate you, she may not be your first choice. But if you need a break from the others, sheās a good option.
KathAL79
02/15/2010
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:39:46 GMT
Walk On to Weight Loss P.J. O'Clair, Moira Stott Merrithew Year Released: 2005
Iām reviewing this workout after doing it once.
General workout breakdown: Sandra has already written a great review of this, and I agree with what sheās written. But Iāll add a few more details here and there, just for grins.
Moira leads the introductory segment (about 4 min.), which is done standing still. You breathe, drop your shoulders away from your ears, do scapular protraction and rotraction, mobilize the shoulders with shoulder rolls, bent slightly forward to engage abdominals and then do mini cat stretch, before rolling up to standing for stretching the neck. The warm-up (about 5 min.) isnāt the most exciting: you march in place the entire time, although sometimes youāll march with your feet a little wider. Ooh, the excitement. PJ then introduces many of the other steps that youāll do, leaving out the arms at this point in time. During the bulk of the workout PJ prefers to do longer series of one or two moves rather than rotate through all of them in random order (as Leslie Sansone does ā PJ definitely has a much clearer game plan than Leslie, whoās more spontaneous). Unlike Walk on to Total Fitness, where a particular arm movement was paired with a particular lower body movement, PJ mixes and matches here; in fact, sometimes youāll alternate between different arm movements while you keep going with the same step. And the moves with a little more oomph, or the optional impact (not particularly high or jarring impact), only come in the last āmile.ā There is no choreography here: you do a step until PJ says to switch or return to walking / marching in place. PJ does do a few combinations of moves, where you do one thing for a count of 4 and another for another count of 4, then back to the first for another 4 count, and so on, but thatās as fancy as things get. You do get a cool-down, where the moves become a little smaller, ending with some mini squats with the legs together. A few quick stretches for the inner thighs, hamstrings, outer hips / glutes, and side torso finish out the workout. (Why do so few walking workouts include stretches for the quadriceps and hip flexors - that is, the muscles along the front of the leg?)
Level: Iād recommend this to beginners through intermediates. While the length may be a bit much for absolute beginners to exercise ā and this workout, in addition to lacking chapters along the āmile zones,ā is without obvious places to break up the routine into more manageable shorter bits ā the focus on form and technique would be most helpful to beginners. More intermediate exercises could find ways to boost the intensity, such as adding in the impact from the start, using light hand weights (1-3 lbs., depending upon experience), taking this to equipment like a rebounder, etc. I consider myself an intermediate / advanced exerciser. My heart rate stayed low during this; I never even got it to the level it reached when I paused the DVD to run up and down the stairs to close the windows during a sudden thunderstorm. For whatever reason I had better luck getting a workout out of the shorter and supposedly easier Walk on to Total Fitness. Either Iāve become more fit in the few months since I did the other, which is a possibility, or I put some extra oomph into Total Fitness that I just didnāt with Weight Loss (which I did as shown).
Class: 1 man and 3 women join PJ and Moira, who instruct live. Everyone does the same thing; no one sticks with the suggested modifications. I agree with Sandra that some group interaction would have been nice, especially since PJ talks about how great it is to walk with friends, how exercising in a group can boost the energy. Since this group only gets to follow along with a big smile, that doesnāt reinforce her point very well.
Set: bright interior set of wood and white, with white gauzy curtains over windows looking onto nothing. Furniture, including a table with a bowl of fruit and a pitcher of water, and fitness props are artfully arranged around the sides.
Production: very clear picture and sound, mostly helpful camera angles (I could do without the artsy one from behind the bowl of fruit, but at least you could still see most of the exercisers), and smooth editing (although there was one point when PJ and crew were doing squats in one direction, then there was a quick cut to the fruit bowl shot, where they were doing squats in the opposite direction, then a quick cut back to the original shot and original direction). The music is soft relative to PJ and Moiraās voices. Given that itās so snooze-inducing I donāt mind not hearing it, but Iād rather have it louder so there was a beat to move to and then with an option to do this workout without it at all, so you could play motivating tunes with a beat.
Space Requirements: You donāt need tons of space for this. If you can take two big steps to the front and two big steps to the side, you have enough room.
DVD Notes: I have one of the dual language DVDs, which adds an extra step to getting this silly DVD to play the workout. First you have to choose your language (English or French), then you have to wait for the initial warning screen to come and go, and then you have to agree to the disclaimer. Once youāve done that, thereās a commercial for Stott products, which you can skip, and the standard Stott intro, which you canāt. Finally you get to the main menu, where your options are Getting Started (What Youāll Need, DVD Tips, and Warnings / Cautions), Audio Options (Instruction On or Instruction Off ā This DVD really, really needs an Instruction Only option so you can play your own music), Workout Principles (Breathing, Pelvic Placement, Rib Cage Placement, Scapular Movement & Stabilization, Head & Cervical Placement, and Play All), The Workout, Chapter Selections (Moiraās Intro, Warm-Up, and Walking Pilates Cardio Workout ā no, there are no chapter points within the walking portion itself, which is annoying if you have a power outage in the middle of your workout!), and Special Features (Bonus! Try the Next Level, which here is Walk on to Total Fitness; Stott Pilates equipment, Meet the instructor, Get in touch, Stott Pilates education, and Other Stott Pilates video titles).
Comments: While this is a perfectly nice and well done walking workout, I have to agree with Sandra that this one lacks the excitement factor. This would be a great one for relative beginners to exercise, for folks who need a break from or alternative to Leslie Sansone, and for those who have to stick with low impact move exclusively. But as someone who uses walking videos occasionally rather than regularly and who has too big of a collection already, in my current purging mode Iām having a hard time justifying keeping this one in place of the 3-mile / approximately 45-min. Leslie Sansones that Iāve kept: 3 Mile Slim & Sleek Walk, 3 Mile Weight Loss Walk, and Walk Slim 3 Fast Miles. (Even 5K with a Twist, which I recently weeded because I felt it overlapped too much with 5 Mile Fat Burning Walk, appeals to me a little more than this one, but then I like Leslieās āboosted walkingā workouts.) Like Sandra, I find PJās personality a plus. But, while I like how organized PJ is, the fact that this workout is so predictable will make this one lose what interest it has for me more quickly.
Instructor Comments: Iāll echo Sandra on PJ and Moira being great instructors who donāt shine here as they normally do, although Iāll still take PJ and Moira on an off day over some other folks... Both are positive and encouraging without being perky and excitable. (Iām another who, as much as I like Leslie Sansone, finds her a bit chatty and loopy for me at times, so I tend to prefer the lone Leslies, and PJ with a group is even calmer and more focused than Leslie by herself.) PJ cues fairly consistently, although there are a few spots where she might not cue a move change, but theyāre usually when youāre doing a series, so as long as you watch her and follow the pattern youāll be fine. She gives you plenty of advance notice of a change in moves, almost always counting down from 4 before the change. Sheās a bit vague on her description of some of the arm movements, but again theyāre simple enough and easy enough to pick up just by watching. Moira does not mirror cue (only an issue once, really), but PJ does. (In other words, when she says āright,ā she means the viewerās right, but when Moira says āright,ā she means her own right).
KathAL79
06/03/2010
Walk On to Weight Loss is a 45-minute āwalkingā style cardio workout and is part of the Stott Pilates Walking Pilates Series.
Stott Pilates rates all of its workouts on an intensity scale of 1 (easiest) to 5 (hardest). Walk On to Weight Loss is rated a 2. Unlike some of the other Walking Pilates titles (The Secret to Weight Loss 1 and 2) there is no toning session in Walk On to Weight Loss.
The only equipment needed are proper shoes.
Moira Stott begins the workout with a few minutes of gentle alignment exercises, then turns it over to P.J. OāClair, who leads the actual cardio workout. They are accompanied by four background exercisers. P.J. uses several of the same moves as Leslie Sansone (marching in place, side steps, knee-ups, walking up-two, back-two), and tweaks others (kicks done across the body). P.J. also uses a lot of heel digs, which Leslie did in her older videos but seldom does now. An optional hop is incorporated into some of those sets. Simple arm movements are sometimes added in to increase intensity. Toward the end of the workout are a series of side-to-side squats. The workout ends with a cool down and stretch.
Any āwalkingā workout must inevitably be compared to Leslie, who is the undisputed queen of this type of cardio. The Stott series, while it has its positive points, doesnāt quite measure up IMHO. One positive is P.J., who has a warm, caring demeanor (and who is certainly less hyper than Leslie). P.J. cues better than Leslie, and uses a few different steps and shows some optional impact moves. Unfortunately the negatives outweigh these positives. The music, while brisk, is uninspired, too soft, and keeps an unvarying pace (Leslie changes tunes and gradually increases then decreases the pace throughout the workout). There are a few vague references to mileage (weāre told this workout equals about three miles), but there are no announcements or graphics in order to judge where we are during the actual workout. Finally, even though the entire cast is miked, no one says anything except for an occasional comment from Moira. Basically P.J. simply talks non-stop. Some group interaction would have helped the time go by.
Low impact āwalkingā workouts are my cardio mainstay, and as much as I love Leslie I do appreciate variety. However, except for Leslie and the collection by George Foreman and Petra Kolber, other instructors seem to have trouble creating walking workouts that are simple and low impact yet still offer interest and challenge.
Iāve done VF reviews of The Secret to Weight Loss 1 and 2. If you are interested in the Stott Pilates take on walking workouts, try one of those DVDs. Unfortunately, Walk On to Weight Loss, while the longest of the Walking Pilates Series, is also its most boring.
Instructor Comments: Both Moira and P.J. are excellent instructors, but this particular DVD doesn't do them justice.
JustSandra
12/11/2008
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:40:36 GMT
Walk On: Tone Your Trouble Zones Jessica Smith Year Released: 2014
This DVD features two 32-minute walking routines led by popular fitness instructor Jessica Smith. Smith originally offered these workouts online only and then, as per the wishes of her fan base, released them on DVD as well. For both routines, she instructs live on a dockside setting with a marina in the background (too bad the day is a bit overcast). She has two background exercisers: her friend, Lisa, and her mom, Debbie, who shows modifications for some of the higher impact moves. I have provided general breakdowns for each of the two workouts below.
BUNS & THIGHS WALK Smith begins this walk with an approximately 4-5 minute warm-up. The moves here are fairly traditional, including marches, side taps, hamstring curls, and knee raises. Following the warm-up, Smith immediately starts to increase the heart rate with a wide-legged tire run, although her mother always keeps things lower impact. She adds many little twists to classic moves to increase the focus on the lower body: for example, during a march forward and back, the walk back becomes a squat; a step up walk/walk back becomes step up/rear leg raise; etc. There are also some unique lower body exercises such as stationary skaters and "Oompa Loompas" (low side-to-side squats). In addition, Smith constantly adds arm movements to many familiar moves, including knee raises, toe taps, and grapevines. The one thing I didn't like about this routine is that at 17 minutes, Smith spends a few minutes on some toning-only moves for the lower body, which result in the heart rate decreasing. For the last few minutes of the walk, she gradually slows down the pace and offers a few quick stretches.
ABS WALK Smith again starts right in with a warm-up (4 mins.) that includes marches, side steps, and hamstring curls with a twist to begin targeting the abs. She raises the heart rate with a higher impact "twist and shout" move. Similarly, Smith adds twisting moves throughout the routine to increase the core work: some examples are a twisting cha-cha, a skater's twist, and a heel did and twist. She also includes punching arm movements to both keep the heart rate elevated and focus on the abdominal area at the same time. As with the first workout, there is a brief period of non-cardio toning (at the 11-minute mark) when Smith engages in a hinge move. At 26 minutes, Smith starts to slow down the pace of the cardio just a bit, although she continues the focus on the abs by including a squat with twist and hamstring curl with core work. She performs a few minutes of static stretches to conclude this routine.
I thought that Smith did an excellent job with both of these workouts. I was impressed that each routine actually did target the intended "zone" and yet still provided a good cardio effect, an issue that I've sometimes had with walking workouts. I preferred the ABS WALK a bit more, as I think it did an even better job of targeting the core and was a bit more fun overall, but both workouts were very good. I would definitely recommend this DVD to anyone looking for fun and effective walking programs.
Instructor Comments: I know Jessica Smith is a favorite of many, and I think she does are really nice job here. As noted above, she she definitely makes these routines target the intended areas. She is also pleasant and low-key.
Beth C (aka toaster)
07/03/2014
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:41:19 GMT
Walk On: 21 Day Weight Loss Plan Jessica Smith Year Released: 2015
In general, I have liked Jesica's YouTube videos better than her DVD workouts. There is casual and fun vibe to her online workouts that I just haven't found in her DVD workouts - which have seemed more formal and stiff. For awhile now, she has been trying to capture the online vibe in her DVD workouts and I think she finally may have done it with this set. I wasn't going to get it until I saw it on sale at Amazon for $10 off - and then I just HAD to have it! (And, I'm glad I decided to go ahead and get it.)
I'm 52 years old, have been exercising regularly for about 13 year, but in the past year lost a lot of fitness capacity after having a knee replacment and taking care of my husband after he had major surgery. I've spend 2015 coming back and doing progressively harder and/or longer workouts as I've gone. I started with 15 minutes and am up to about 30-35 minutes. This set was a great one for me to spend some time with earlier this year when I was trying to build up my cardio capacity with cardio workouts. It gave me enough variety that I felt like it helped me in my efforts to improve.
The workouts are generally the same pattern - except for the stretch workout, that one is more different. There are three exercisers, all of whom do a different level of effort - easier (Debbie, Jessica's mom), medium (Jessica), and harder/higher impact (Beth, Jessica's friend). None of them seem to be phoning it in; they all seem to work appropriately hard at their level. And, there seemed to be a high level of comraderie among the three throughout the workouts. These workouts are set in a pretty site - some outdoors, some inside with windows overlooking the scenery outside.
These workouts include:
Cardio Core Walk, a steady state workout with a focus on the core.
Low Impact HIIT Walk has five rounds - three minutes of steady-state cardio and two minutes of HIIT. This timing worked for me to get in a good round of aerobics and then my heartrate would go up and I'd be breathless by the end of the HIIT. For those that like true high-intensity on an advanced level, this workout might not be for you.
Tread and Shred, strength work combined with cardio. You can't go too heavy since you're always moving; it's more of an AWT workout (aerobic weight training).
Stride, Stretch and Relax, 15 minutes of walking moves followed by a 10-minute segment comprised of active stretching, first standing (with a chair for balance) and then sitting on the chair. It ends with a 5-mnute segment of relaxation.
I really enjoyed this DVD, as much as I do some of her YouTube workouts. Jessica is fun and engaging and encouraging. As I see online a lot, she just seems so nice, like a friend you would like to have. I highly recommend this set of workouts, especially if you are looking for a bit more structure with your walking workouts.
Instructor Comments: See above. She is just so engaging in these workout. I feel like she and I have been friends for years.
Laura S.
06/10/2015
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:42:09 GMT
Walk it Off with George! Champion Walk & Sweat Petra Kolber, George Foreman Year Released: 2004
Iām reviewing this workout after previewing and doing it once each.
General workout breakdown: This walking video lasts about 33 minutes. The base steps include walking (or marching), side steps, step with a heel in front, the āForeman shuffleā (three steps and a tap), step knee, heel curl, wide march, out out in in, and lunge (more of a tap out to the side or back). The video ends with a cool down and stretches for the calf, hip flexor, and hamstring. Joannaās right in assessing these videos: thereās not much in the way of arms, which isnāt a bad thing if youāre brand new to exercise since thereās less to concentrate on. The pace is along the lines of what I would consider a moderately quick stroll, so itās not too fast.
Level: Iād recommend this to beginners. Exercisers at the beginner / intermediate crossover point through low intermediate could exaggerate their moves and add light hand weights to make this a decent workout for them, too. I consider myself at least at the high intermediate stage with respect to floor aerobics, and this video is too easy for me, but it was just right when I was sick and wanted to get off the couch.
Class: 2 men and 7 women join George and Petra. Three of the exercisers are of a plus size frame and are featured prominently here, but what I love is that the āthinā background exercisers all look realistically fit, not the type of skinny that you only get with genetics. The background exercisers demonstrate variations when there are some. Petra will preview some new moves, and she and George generally will stay with the basic moves when there are options to increase the intensity.
Music: upbeat music with a good beat: some of itās pop music (recognizable, but nothing I could name), some of itās standard exercise video stuff.
Set: interior studio space with muted lighting. A big sign in the back proclaims this is āGeorgeās Gym,ā and there are various pieces of boxing equipment, lockers, etc., lining the walls.
Production: good picture and sound. The camera shots were more or less helpful, but I wish the camera wouldnāt do so many close ups of peopleās upper bodies, since this is a walking video, and I think itās best if the camera always shows the instructor when thereās a new move.
Equipment: sneakers.
Space Requirements: Ideally you should be able to take two medium-sized steps to each side and forwards and backwards, but if you have less space, just stay in place.
DVD Notes: There are no chapters on this DVD, so have your remote handy to fast forward through the Warnings, GoodTimes logo, Walk it off with George! intro, and Georgeās description.
Conclusion: This is intended to be the second video in the Walk it Off with George! infomercial set, and Iād agree that itās the second easiest in terms of intensity and complexity. Iāll pass this along to someone whoād use it more, as there are other videos that suit my current level of fitness and interest in choreography better.
Instructor Comments: Petra leads the workout. She cues decently, usually given you enough notice of move changes, and mirror cues (i.e. when she says āleft,ā she means your left). Sheāll preview the more complicated moves (like step with a heel), but then sheāll show the less intense variation of a move, too. Her British accent is easy to understand. Sheās a bit over the top here in her enthusiasm and constantly reminds you that youāre walking it out with George. George is primarily here for encouragement, although he occasionally offers tips on posture or cues a move. George also throws in a joke or two about his days as a boxer, picks on some of the background exercisers, and banters back and forth with Petra. For someone who showed such amazing dexterity in the boxing ring, heās not the most graceful when it comes to the dancier moves, but thatās part of whatās endearing about him.
KathAL79
03/17/2006
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:42:50 GMT
Walk it Off with George! Express Walk Petra Kolber, George Foreman Year Released: 2004
The video is filmed in "George's Gym." The gym has a wood floor, trophies, lockers in the background.
Goerge wears a polo shirt and sweat pants. The rest are in individual exercise clothes (not matching.)
The moves are very basic, marching, side step, up and back-sometimes with marching at the top and back sometimes without. Very few arm movements are included so this would be good for very beginners who need to get their feet right before adding on. They do go sideways on the 3 steps and tap more than Leslie.
All the exercisers seem to be enjoying themsleves. They are various sizes. None are super skinny. The ages appear to range from the 20s-40s with one grandma looking lady.
This would be good for very beginners or as an easy day for intermediates and above. While I liked it, I wish it had more arm movements.
Instructor Comments: While the title says "Walk it Off with George", Petra is the leader. George is more for encouragement.George rarely does the the modifications to up the intensity with the background exercisers. Both are encouraging.
J'Ann
04/18/2006
Setting - "George's Gym", a large airy space with wooden floors, punching bags, etc.
Petra leads a group of diverse exercisers. George chimes in with motivation and humor. They have a genuinely nice rapport.
This is a simple, 30-minute, low-impact walking workout similar to Leslie Sansone's workouts. Side steps, up and back, marches - the most advanced step is a "knee up".
If you like low-impact walking workouts that actually contain walking steps (unlike some that are more like traditional aerobics videos) you'll like George's workouts. The music is great and he is very motivating.
Instructor Comments: Petra cues very well and looks like she is really having fun in this workout.
Suzette
04/01/2006
Iām reviewing this workout after previewing and doing it once each.
General workout breakdown: This walking video lasts about 27 minutes. Steps include walking (or marching), side steps, step with a heel in front, the āForeman shuffleā (three steps and a tap), step knee, and wide march. The video ends with a cool down and stretches for the calf and hamstring. Joannaās right in assessing these videos: thereās not much in the way of arms, which isnāt a bad thing if youāre brand new to exercise since thereās less to concentrate on. The pace is along the lines of what I would consider a stroll, so itās not too fast.
Level: Iād recommend this to beginners. Exercisers at the beginner / intermediate crossover point through low intermediate could exaggerate their moves and add light hand weights to make this a decent workout for them, too. I consider myself at least at the high intermediate stage with respect to floor aerobics, and this video is too easy for me, but it was just right when I was sick and wanted to get off the couch.
Class: 1 man and 8 women join George and Petra. One of the exercisers is older, and one is of a plus size frame, but what I love is that the āthinā background exercisers all look realistically fit, not the type of skinny that you only get with genetics. The background exercisers demonstrate variations when there are some. Petra will preview some new moves, and she and George generally will stay with the basic moves when there are options to increase the intensity.
Music: upbeat music with a good beat: some of itās pop music (recognizable, but nothing I could name), some of itās standard exercise video stuff.
Set: interior studio space with muted lighting. A big sign in the back proclaims this is āGeorgeās Gym,ā and there are various pieces of boxing equipment, lockers, etc., lining the walls.
Production: good picture and sound. The camera shots were more or less helpful, but I wish the camera wouldnāt do so many close ups of peopleās upper bodies, since this is a walking video, and I think itās best if the camera always shows the instructor when thereās a new move.
Equipment: sneakers.
Space Requirements: Ideally you should be able to take two medium-sized steps to each side and forwards and backwards, but if you have less space, just stay in place.
DVD Notes: There are no chapters on this DVD, so have your remote handy to fast forward through the Warnings, GoodTimes logo, Walk it off with George! intro, and Georgeās description.
Conclusion: This is intended to be the starter video in the Walk it Off with George! infomercial set, and Iād agree that itās the easiest in terms of intensity and complexity. Iāll pass this along to someone whoād use it more, as there are other videos that suit my current level of fitness and interest in choreography better.
Instructor Comments: Petra leads the workout. She cues decently, usually given you enough notice of move changes, and mirror cues (i.e. when she says āleft,ā she means your left). Sheāll preview the more complicated moves (like step with a heel), but then sheāll show the less intense variation of a move, too. Her British accent is easy to understand. Sheās a bit over the top here in her enthusiasm, but since this is the video aimed at true beginners to exercise her constant encouragement is appropriate. She does remind you that youāre walking it out with George a lot. (Gee, really? I forgot who that big guy standing next to you was in the last two minutes.) George is primarily here for encouragement, although he occasionally offers tips on posture or cues a move. George also throws in a joke or two about his days as a boxer, picks on some of the background exercisers, and banters back and forth with Petra. For someone who showed such amazing dexterity in the boxing ring, heās not the most graceful when it comes to the dancier moves, but thatās part of whatās endearing about him.
KathAL79
03/17/2006
This is one of my favorite dvds that George and Petra put out(also love circuit walk) but I've only tried 4 total so far. I wish it were about 5 minutes longer to make a full 30 minutes of good cardio but I usually keep moving through the cooldown and credits to do 30 minutes total. One note: I do this one on my urban rebounder for added intensity. If they do more than one step front or side I do a lunge type move or multiple side to side singles. Anways, without the rebounder this would be a truly beginner workout. I also have to add a lot of arm movements. You could do this on the floor but not sure an intermediate would get much out of it that way,e ven with the arms due to the length and simple steps. This workout has no lunges or squats that I can remember (some of his other ones do brief segments of these). It's just walking and the formean shuffle and some side to side stuff..mabye some knee lifts but nothing fancy or overly difficult and you can always go back to walking with George. I like the music on these workouts and I like the fact that he has all shapes and sizes and ages working out with him and is so motivating. He also 'talks' to the people behind him from time to time and talks to 'you' while you're working out. I reach for this and my rebounder on those days/nights I want to do some cardio but just don't feel like doing anything else.
Instructor Comments: I put Petra as the instructor because she's the one doing all the 'work' really! George mostly talks and acts silly and encouraging while Petra shows what's coming up and does all the cues. Petra laughs but is the more 'serious' of the two showing the 'fitness' version.
Suanna
11/30/-0001
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:45:07 GMT
Walk it Off with George! Fat Blasting Walk Petra Kolber, George Foreman Year Released: 2004
George Foreman Walk It Off with Petra Kolber
This is a retro review. I got this in a trade probably six months ago, right before a Wii binge, so I am weaning off the Wii and reached for this.
What a fun, basic workout. I would recommend it for any beginner/restarter/looking for fun and no mental angst-er.
Very basic boxing gym setup. Obviously a little chilly on the set. Lots of backgrounders. George is encouraging and funny and not necessarily the best with the cue cards. I think he was one set ahead for the entire workout. Petra is Petra. Lets George do his thing, and then picks up with where they really are in the workout. Having only done this once, I donāt know if this will get annoying or not.
Very basic. Walking/marching in place, then side steps and then the āintense interval,ā meaning a faster walking in place.
I did write down all the steps, but really, I donāt think you need a play by play. You do side steps and mini lunges/tap steps and āForeman shuffleā interspersed with the faster walking. There is no boosted walking ala Leslie. It is literally just lifting the legs faster.
There are knee ups and forward and back side steps.
And then at the end, she puts them all together and then you go to the cool down.
Thatās it. I got about 3,000 steps. No mile call outs like Leslie does. Just the workout and you are done. Come back and see us sometime. Instructor Comments: George is warm and bumbling and enthusiastic and Petra is warm and enthusiastic.
paideiamom
07/27/2010
General workout breakdown: This walking video lasts about 32 minutes and includes four short intervals where you walk at a significantly faster pace. The base steps include walking (or marching), side steps, step with a heel in front, the āForeman shuffleā (three steps and a tap), step knee, heel curl, and lunge (more of a tap out to the side or back); there are some combinations where you do one step for a few counts, then another for a few counts, and so on. The video ends with a cool down and stretches for the calf, hip flexor, and hamstring. The background exercisers demonstrate arms for almost every move, unlike other videos in this series. The pace is along the lines of what I would consider a moderately quick stroll, with the faster paced interval at more of a power or speed walk, so itās not too fast.
Level: Iād recommend this to beginners with a little bit of experience. More intermediate exercisers could exaggerate the movements, jog instead of walk during the intervals, and use light hand weights to get a good workout. I consider myself at least at the high intermediate stage with respect to floor aerobics, and this video is on the easy side for me, but sometimes I want a workout that doesnāt involve going all out.
Class: 1 man and 8 women join George and Petra. Two of the exercisers are of a plus size frame and two are of ānormalā sizes, but what I love is that the āthinā background exercisers all look realistically fit, not the type of skinny that you only get with genetics. The background exercisers demonstrate variations when there are some. Petra will preview some new moves, and she and George generally will stay with the basic moves when there are options to increase the intensity.
Music: upbeat music with a good beat: some of itās pop music (recognizable, but nothing I could name), some of itās standard exercise video stuff.
Set: interior studio space with muted lighting. A big sign in the back proclaims this is āGeorgeās Gym,ā and there are various pieces of boxing equipment, lockers, etc., lining the walls.
Production: good picture and sound. The camera shots were more or less helpful, but I wish the camera wouldnāt do so many close ups of peopleās upper bodies, since this is a walking video, and I think itās best if the camera always shows the instructor when thereās a new move.
Equipment: sneakers.
Space Requirements: Ideally you should be able to take two medium-sized steps to each side and forwards and backwards, but if you have less space, just stay in place.
DVD Notes: There are no chapters on this DVD, so have your remote handy to fast forward through the Warnings, GoodTimes logo, Walk it off with George! intro, and Georgeās description.
Conclusion: This is intended to be the third video in the Walk it Off with George! infomercial set, and Iād agree that itās a step up in intensity and complexity from the first two (Express Walk and Champion Walk & Sweat). Iām keeping this one for several reasons: itās one of the most varied / least repetitive of the workouts, itās got intervals, and Petraās not over the top. If you were to jog, this would still be a step down in intensity from Leslie Sansoneās Walk & Jog, which has a faster pace overall and longer intervals. That said, Leslieās Walk & Jog would be a next logical step (pun intended!) once you feel this workout is too easy for you.
Instructor Comments: Petra leads the workout. She cues decently, usually given you enough notice of move changes, although I wish she would make the start and stop of the intervals clearer, and she mirror cues (i.e. when she says āleft,ā she means your left). Sheāll preview the more complicated moves (like step with a heel), but then sheāll show the less intense variation of a move, too. Her British accent is easy to understand. Her enthusiasm and plugging for walking it off with George is toned down here in comparison to other videos from this series, and I find that I like her personality here. George is primarily here for encouragement, although he occasionally offers tips on posture or cues a move. George also throws in a joke or two about his days as a boxer, picks on some of the background exercisers, and banters back and forth with Petra. For someone who showed such amazing dexterity in the boxing ring, heās not the most graceful when it comes to the dancier moves, but thatās part of whatās endearing about him.
KathAL79
03/17/2006
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:46:00 GMT
Walk it Off with George! Walk Box & Burn Petra Kolber, George Foreman Year Released: 2004 Iām reviewing this workout after previewing and doing it once each.
General workout breakdown: This walking video, which includes some boxing moves, lasts almost 47 minutes. The base steps include walking (or marching), side steps, wide march, out out in in, and the āForeman shuffleā (three steps and a tap); the base boxing moves include bob and weave, cross, upper cut, hook, jab, boxerās shuffle, and quick shuffle. The video begins with some shoulder rolls and a chest stretch and ends with a cool down, more shoulder rolls and another chest stretch, and stretches for the calf, hip flexor, and hamstring. The pace is what I would consider a moderately quick stroll.
Level: Iād recommend this to beginners with a little bit of experience since this is a longer video and since there isnāt a ton of form instruction on the punches. More intermediate exercisers could exaggerate the movements, particularly with respect to the legs, and use light hand weights to get a good workout. I consider myself at least at the high intermediate stage with respect to floor aerobics, and this video is on the easy side for me, but sometimes I want a workout that doesnāt involve going all out.
Class: 1 man and 6 women join George and Petra. One of the exercisers is of a plus size frame and three are of ānormalā size, but what I love is that the āthinā background exercisers all look realistically fit, not the type of skinny that you only get with genetics. The background exercisers demonstrate variations when there are some.
Music: upbeat music with a good beat.
Set: interior studio space with muted lighting. A big sign in the back proclaims this is āGeorgeās Gym,ā and there are various pieces of boxing equipment, lockers, etc., lining the walls.
Production: good picture and sound. The camera shots were more or less helpful, but I think itās best if the camera always shows the instructor when thereās a new move.
Equipment: sneakers.
Space Requirements: Ideally you should be able to take two medium-sized steps to each side and forwards and backwards, but if you have less space, just stay in place. (George says you can do this in a phone booth; thatās a slight exaggeration, but you donāt need a ton of space.)
DVD Notes: There are no chapters on this DVD, so have your remote handy to fast forward through the Warnings, GoodTimes logo, Walk it off with George! intro, and Georgeās description.
Conclusion: This is the fourth video in the Walk it Off with George! infomercial set; itās the longest one and the only one with boxing moves. The first half is about the same intensity as the Fat Blasting Walk (minus the intervals), but last 15 minute or so of the workout proper is as intense as the Fat Blasting Walk intervals. This will probably be the toughest video in the set for those new to exercise because of its length and the fact that the more intense moves come towards the end. At first I didnāt think Iād keep this one because Iād rather do something with intervals, like Walk & Box, but after doing it I think I will keep it for easier days because I like the last half of the workout. Also, I like the fact that Petraās toned down here and George isnāt quite so repetitive in his comments. This is a slight notch down in intensity from Leslie Sansoneās Walk & Kick. Leslieās walking pace is a little quicker, she includes kicks, and she doesnāt take as much time to build up the punches. In other words, Walk & Kick would be a logical next step (pun intended!).
Instructor Comments: Petra leads the workout. She cues decently, usually given you enough notice of move changes, and mirror cues (i.e. when she says āleft,ā she means your left). Sheāll preview the more complicated moves (like bob and weave), and she builds up to the punches, first by getting the feet moving, then adding hip rotation, then the shoulder, and finally the punch. Her British accent is easy to understand. Her enthusiasm and plugging for walking it off with George is toned down here in comparison to other videos from this series, and I find that I like her personality here. George is primarily here for encouragement, although he occasionally offers tips on posture, demonstrates a punch, or cues a move. George also throws in a joke or two about his days as a boxer, picks on some of the background exercisers, and banters back and forth with Petra. Here he seems the most comfortable and least forced in front of the camera in comparison with all of the other Walk it Off with George! videos.
KathAL79
03/18/2006
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Post by Karla on Dec 27, 2023 16:46:45 GMT
Walk it Off With George: Walk And Groove Petra Kolber, George Foreman Year Released: 2004
This workout is part of the "Walk with George" set. It is sold as part of a two-disk add-on to the infomercial and retail sets available at Collage. I already had the retail set and did not want to shell out for the infomercial, so the two-disk add-on set seemed like a good bet for me.
A little background on me, I am a choreography klutz with two left feet, so walking-type workouts, with their simpler choreography, are a staple of my cardio routine. I have many Leslie Sansone workouts and find that I can still get high intensity workouts from them by modifying up.
I found that this George workout did not suit my needs as well as the Leslie did. I loved Petra and found her to be a wonderful instructor, but the workout was just not that intense for me. I think the extra emphasis on arm movement in Leslie's tapes really helps keep the intensity high. Walk & Groove on the other hand had no arm movements. A few of thr background exercisers halfheartedly pump their arms a bit, but Petra does not cue or comment on this (other than a few vague enjoinders to make the moves [our] own) and George never moves his arms at all.
I did appreciate having some extra moves though. In addition to the usual walking staples of marches, side steps and such this workout adds grapevines, toe taps and a few other like moves. There is also a lot of directional work: taking the moves forward, backward, to the side etc. That was really nice and I think worked the body a little differently. On the minus, these new moves were introduced using the much-maligned "take it from the top" technique whereby a sequence is taught, then a new move is added and the whole thing repeated, then a new move taught, then the whole thing repeated etc. I never minded TIFTT in the past because I am a klutz and it helped me learn the moves, but in this case where the moves were so simple (marching in place, marching in place to the front, to the side etc.) I really get now why so many Vfers hate this technique.
My overall verdict? I do like walking workouts, and I do need a break for Leslie sometimes, so in spite of the lower intensity I am not sorry I bought these. But I don't think I will buy further workouts in the series. They are just too light for me, and not as amenable to modifying up.
Instructor Comments: I really like Petra. She is friendly, cues well and smiles a lot. She has a great personality.
Joanna
08/17/2005
I really love this workout. It is 40 minutes long. Very simple dance moves, I don't think even someone who was choreographically challenged would have a problem with this. This is not a hard, heart-pumping exhausting cardio workout (I have plenty of those), but something to do on a light day, coming back from injury, an add on, or just because you feel like moving. I like this workout so much, I did it 8 times the first week I got it. It is very easy to modify to make it a little harder if you want (more arm movements, etc) I have used this workout on days when I just didn't feel like working out because it is so much fun with no dread factor. The music is nice, it goes well with the moves. Did I mention I really love this workout?
Instructor Comments: Petra cues great and is easy to follow. George mainly lets Petra lead this and adds some motivational pointers.
Terri P
07/08/2005
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