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Post by Karla on Jul 31, 2023 16:30:00 GMT
Please leave reviews of weight training workouts here. Don't worry if your review is too short, or inadequate. This is meant to be fun! Some people give detailed breakdowns and others don't. Just letting people know if you like or dislike a workout helps :-)
You can use the search bar at the top of this thread to find specific instructors or workouts.
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Post by Karla on Aug 8, 2023 21:10:53 GMT
30 Minutes to Fitness: L.I.F.T.
Kelly Coffey-Meyer
Year Released: 2010
This DVD includes two 30 minute workouts - Olympic Lifting and Powersculpting. It also includes one very short workout called Body Refiner. This review is only for Powersculpting, since it's the only one I've done so far.
DVD Menu:
Introduction
Workout One - Olympic Lifting
Workout Two - Powersculpting
Quick Body Refiner
Credits
Music On/Off
Workout Two (Powersculpting) Menu Options -
Warmup
Workout
Core & Legs Mix (13 min)
Time Saver Mix (24 min) - one round of each exercise
Main Menu
Workout Two Breakdown - (Kelly uses 10 lb. and 7 lb. dumbbells)
Wide side to side steps, then add a dumbbell arc overhead (circle it overhead from hip to hip)
Zig zag side to side, holding dumbbell
Repeat wide side to side steps w/dumbbell arc
Upper cuts right and left, curtsy dip left and right w/sort of a half biceps curl at top
Straight leg lifts to front, reach hand to opposite toe holding dumbbells
Repeat upper cut/curtsy dip combo
Wide squats, then go down into plank and renegade row, walk feet up and stand
Standing, swing dumbbell fom hip to chest level and around to other hip, using hips
Repeat squat/renegade row combo
Side chamber knee, then add body block with arm (kinda a triceps kickback), holding dumbbells
Close pulsing squats
Repeat side chamber knee/body block combo
Alternating front lunges, touch dumbbells together under the leg at bottom, and then together at chest level at the top
Crescent kicks
Repeat front lunge/dumbbell touch combo
Double step touch side to side, push dumbbells front and then side
3 alternating side lunges side to side
Repeat double step touch/push combo
Alternating dips with hold w/overhead triceps extension during the hold
Touch toe out in front, deadlift down and shoulder fly, alternate
Repeat dips/triceps extension combo
Workout was about 27.5 minutes (not coungint WU/CD). When I first previewed this workout, I wasn't sure about it. I liked the music, but she said each move is done for a minute, and the moves are very simple, AND you repeat them, so I thought this might be pretty repetitive. I then did the workout, and although it is a bit repetitive, I actually didn't find it overly so. I think I am starting to like the idea of doing each move for a minute. Although it isn't going to be a party in a box, I think I could really stand to increase my endurance in that respect. I sometimes feel like weight workouts that move very quickly from one thing to another don't improve that part of my fitness. I also like how she works the arms without doing a ton of traditional isolation moves like biceps curls. Even if there are some in there, they don't feel like the norm.
Nyx Black
08/04/2010
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Post by Karla on Aug 9, 2023 13:42:12 GMT
30-Minute Breakthrough: Upper Body and Core
Keli Roberts
Breakthrough Upper Body and Core (“BUBC”) is a half-hour workout focusing on upper body and core strengthening. The moves have a functional fitness slant (in other words, not the same-old, same-old).
The set is the same one as Keli’s earlier stability ball and foam roller workouts (it appears they were all filmed at the same time, but for some reason the releases have been staggered). It’s a bit dark but that didn’t bother me. Music is generic but upbeat and does the job. There are two “back up babes” (as they are credited).
Keli does the entire routine with one set of dumbbells (looks like maybe 5 lbs.) and one medicine ball. She doesn’t suggest any poundage. For the dumbbells I started with 5 lbs., but quickly pulled out my 3 lb. and 8 lb. sets because 5 lbs. often felt too light or too heavy depending on the individual exercise. For the medicine ball I used my old 2 lb. Firm Ooof ball. I could have gone heavier, but a couple of the exercises require a med ball big enough rest both feet or both hands on, and my heavier balls are too small for this.
BUBC is very well chaptered as follows:
Warm-up (which I disliked but it is easily skipped).
Set One: bilateral bent-over row, push-up with ball under hand, med ball hand to foot pass.
Set Two: unilateral row sequences, push-up with med ball row hand to hand, med ball under feet plank/hip extension balance.
Set Three: clean and press, push-up both hands on med ball, V-sit med ball rotations with touch down.
Set Four: biceps curl with one leg balance, lateral raise, back extension with med ball.
Set Five: push-up and row, prone rhomboid lift, hands on ball plank.
Stretch (brief, but uses the ball nicely).
Besides the main workout, there is a “bonus block” with a segment from Keli’s upcoming lower body workout, plus behind the scenes and outtake footage (which looks like the same material from the two earlier Breakthroughs).
I am always looking for light weight, non-traditional, functional fitness upper body routines, and this one fills the bill. Keli designed the routine herself and her knowledge and experience really show. I especially appreciate the variety, and the emphasis on back strengthening and shoulder stabilization. Keli instructed well, with excellent form tips, and I enjoy her upbeat, informal personality (“I‘ll buy you a beer!” she crows when one of her background exercisers manages a difficult plank).
However, I already know BUBC won’t be a favorite. I hated the warm-up, mainly because it featured squats and impact moves which are problematic for my knees. There are way too many sets of push-ups IMHO (although at least the sets are short). A couple moves involving the med ball looked potentially unsafe, and no modifications for those was presented (Keli nearly slips during one of the push-up sets, and one background exerciser kept falling out of the second plank series). A couple of the dumbbell exercises were done too fast for me (the clean and press). As already noted, I found using only one set of weights didn’t properly challenge me through the routine. Mainly, though, the routine has a chaotic, thrown-together feel to it. We were constantly up and down, and sometimes Keli’s set-up took longer than I thought it should (especially when she took time out to joke with her background exercisers).
That being said, I would overall recommend BUBC since good functional fitness upper body workouts are fairly rare, and this one is widely available at a discounted price.
Instructor Comments:
If I ever had to vote for a single, all-time favorite video instructor, it would be Keli. Going all the way back to Cher’s 1992 tape, Keli has consistently demonstrated effective routines in a wide variety of formats and difficulty levels with intelligence and humor.
JustSandra
08/30/2007
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Post by Karla on Aug 9, 2023 13:56:19 GMT
All My Best Volumes 3 & 4
Margaret RichardThis DVD presents four total-body strength workouts (including warm-ups and cool-downs), each lasting about 30 minutes. All of the footage is drawn from previously-released workouts by Margaret Richard (see below). This DVD is a follow-up to her All My Best Volumes 1&2, which were originally released in 2001 on two VHS tapes, then later combined onto one DVD. Note that Volumes 3&4 are not available separately but are together on a single DVD. One nice advantage to All My Best Volumes 3&4 is the integrated main menu; on Volumes 1&2 the two menus are separate for each volume. All My Best Volumes 3&4 also contains footage from a couple of Margaret’s workouts released subsequent to Volumes 1&2. Footage on Volumes 3&4 is drawn from the following workouts: Body Electric (1990), Forty & Fabulous (1992), High Voltage (1993), Perfect 10 (1994), Sculpture (1995), Muscle & Grace (1996), Strong For Life (1997), Give Me Strength (1998), Beauty To the Bone(2000), Good N Strong (2005), and Triple Threat (2005). Margaret’s workouts feature a low-weight, high-rep approach. She concentrates on working a muscle to fatigue for a certain period of time (typically 3.5 minutes), rather than counting in sets and reps. She sticks mainly to classic weightlifting exercises, but is not afraid to tinker with them from time to time, especially in her later workouts. Margaret instructs live. Her form and instruction are always top-notch. You will need several sets of light dumbbells, a chair, and a mat for floor work. Leg/ankle weights are optional. In the segments from Muscle & Grace, a body bar and step are used but are optional. The four workouts break down as follows. Each workout is chaptered by warm-up, cool-down and individual exercise. I confess I seldom use Margaret’s warm-ups, which are more of an active stretch while I prefer a cardio-based warm-up. She stretches briefly after each exercise, but I prefer doing a more comprehensive stretch at the end of my workout. Volume 3, Part A: Warm-up – Body Electric Workout. Biceps – Front and side curls (GNS). Deltoids – A variety of standing shoulder presses, including some rotator cuff work (HV). Back – Standing “reaches” and flyes (P10). Calves – Heel lifts, several variations shown (M&G). Outer Thighs – Standing thigh work, similar to barre (BTTB). Inner Thighs – Supine, legs up at 90 degrees, move legs in and out (F&F). Cool-Down – Triple Threat. Volume 3, Part B: Warm-Up – Beauty To the Bone. Pectorals – Push-ups, sometimes alternating child’s pose (F&F). Triceps – Both French press and supine overhead lifts shown, then dips (M&G). Abdominals – Crunches, some done in a circular motion, and some with straight legs (GNS). Quadriceps – Upper body propped on elbows, one leg bent, raise extended leg (BTTB). Gluteals – Supine seat tucks (BE). Hamstrings – Standing hamstring work (P10). Cool-Down – High Voltage. Volume 4, Part A: Warm-Up – Muscle & Grace. Pectorals – Supine pec flyes and overhead presses (GNS). Triceps – French press, kickbacks, and a seldom-seen behind-the-back move (HV), Back – Prone upper and lower body lifts (TT). Abdominals – Crunches with feet on a chair seat (Sculpture). Outer Thighs – Side-lying leg lifts (GNS). Inner Thighs – Side-lying leg lifts (BTTB). Cool-Down – Muscle & Grace. Volume 4, Part B: Warm-Up – Give Me Strength. Biceps – Standing curls, including forearm curls (Sculpture). Deltoids – A variety of standing shoulder presses, including some rotator cuff work (BTTB). Obliques – Unweighted rib cage isolations (TT). Quadriceps – Squats and stationary lunges (HV). Gluteals – Supine seat tucks (SFL). Hamstrings – Table Work (SFL). Cool-Down – Beauty To the Bone. Bottom Line: This compilation is a nice introduction to Margaret and her work. It is fun to see how hair and fashions have changed through the years. I like the versatility of the DVD layout, which sets out four different 30-minute strength work, but which are also easily combined into more comprehensive one hour workouts. As of the date of this review, All My Best Volumes 3&4 is available from Margaret’s website, www.bodyelectrictv.com, as well as Collage Video. Instructor Comments: Margaret Richard has been making exercise videos for over 20 years now. To my mind, All My Best, which shows Margaret in action over a 15-year period, is proof of the healthful benefits of lifelong exercise. JustSandra 10/30/2011
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Post by Karla on Aug 10, 2023 0:00:50 GMT
Body Bar: Deep Definition
Rob Glick
This is a one-hour total body functional strength workout using a body bar (volume 20 of the Body Bar series). It is led by Rob Glick (who designed the workout with Aileen Sheron). Clare Dunphy and Violet Zaki are the background exercisers.
The set is pleasant and well lit. I've seen it in other Body Bar productions. I enjoyed the music, provided by Musicflex.
I would rate the workout as intermediate. As a comparison, I find it a little less intense than Equanimity or Ripple (two other Body Bar productions). Of course, the intensity can be adjusted by the body bar poundage.
I own the VHS version of this workout, so I can't comment on any DVD features.
The equipment list is refreshingly short: exactly one body bar. I believe Rob uses a 12-lb. bar, and Clare and Violet 9-lb. bars. My 8-lb. Firm Sculpting Stick worked well for me. Unlike other workouts I could name (cough, cough -- Core Secrets -- cough, cough), I found the exercises in Deep Definition remained consistently effective using just the one weight. You do need a body bar, as most of the moves don't translate well (or at all) to dumbbells. For floor work a 4-lb. mini-bar is used, but Rob notes you can substitute a light dumbbell or just use your own body weight. I disassembled my Sculpting Stick and it worked fine.
This workout is designed to increase functional strength as opposed to muscle size. Per the box: "The focus is on core strength, functional training, balance, flexibility, and symmetry." I found this an accurate description. The exercises often have a balance/stabilization element, like doing biceps curls while standing on one leg, or overhead presses with one arm (holding the bar in the middle). Rotational moves are incorporated into some of the exercises. I especially appreciated how Rob hit some body areas usually overlooked in strength videos, such as wrists, shins, and the rotator cuff.
The workout includes some squats and rear lunges (dips), but no forward lunges. It is pretty easy to modify almost all of the squats and dips to keep them unweighted. For example, instead of holding the body bar to the chest during dips, I planted it beside me on the floor (a la The Firm dowel). Rob actually suggests this modification on occasion. I have rather sensitive knees, but they weren't complaining after this workout.
As is usual in Body Bar workouts, the two background exercisers demonstrate modifications. Clare and Violet did so here, but not always. I would have definitely appreciated if one of them could have consistently shown an unweighted modification for dips and squats. However, as noted, it wasn't hard to make this adjustment on my own. (Besides, Rob is so friendly and encouraging, I just get the feeling he wouldn't mind me doing my own modifications!)
Overall I like this video a lot and plan to use it regularly. I recommend it to anyone interested in adding a functional fitness component to their workouts. It is also a nice choice for folks who just want to get more use out of their Firm Sculpting Stick!
Instructor Comments:
This is my first video with Rob, and I liked him a lot. He's cheery and unpretentious, and has nice rapport with Violet and Clare. He explained the exercises well.
JustSandra
08/21/2005
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Post by Karla on Aug 10, 2023 0:02:03 GMT
Body Electric Unplugged: Series 1900, Volume 1
Margaret RichardThis DVD presents eight total body strength workouts. Each workout runs about 25 minutes and includes a warm-up and cool-down. All of the workouts are led by Margaret Richard, who instructs live. The setting is her backyard – a pretty deck near a brook with lots of trees and plants. Sometimes Margaret is solo, and other times she is joined by a second exerciser. These workouts are episodes from Margaret’s Body Electric TV series, which has run for many years on PBS stations (although, alas, not on my local affiliate). The TV shows feature an eclectic selection of music by many well-known artists. However, due to licensing issues, on the DVDs the music is replaced by nature sounds (hence the “Unplugged” appellation), which gives the workouts a pleasant, low-key ambiance. (For those who are interested, on her website Margaret provides a list of the music used.) Margaret’s workouts feature a low-weight, high-rep weights approach, so you will want several sets of light dumbbells. Instead of sets or reps, she works a muscle for a certain period of time (usually 3.5 minutes). For exercises like side-lying leg lifts, don’t expect Margaret to duplicate the moves on each side exactly – she is more focused on working the muscle to fatigue. She sticks mostly to classic weightlifting exercises, but isn’t afraid to tweak them from time to time. Besides dumbbells, you will also need a mat for floor work. Optional equipment includes leg weights, a small unweighted play ball, and a body bar. A breakdown of the workouts on Volume 1 follows. Each workout begins with a warm-up (Margaret’s usual flowing moves). Margaret then leads 4-5 strength exercises, stretching very briefly after each. After the exercises is a short “Food For Thought” commentary by Margaret (it makes a nice break for putting away equipment), followed by a cool-down. The DVD is well-chaptered by warm-up, cool-down, and individual exercise. Margaret advises that if a particular exercise isn’t for you, to feel free to substitute another one which works the same body part (I do this occasionally, substituting pec flyes for push-ups, for example). The excellent chaptering makes this pretty easy. Episode 1901: Biceps – curls. Triceps – French press. Obliques – standing side bends. Inner Thighs – supine, legs elevated to 90 degrees, move legs apart then together. Hamstrings – supine lifts. Episode 1902: Deltoids – overhead presses. Back – standing “reaches.” Glutes – supine seat tucks. Outer Thighs – side-lying leg lifts. Episode 1903: Pecs – supine flyes. Triceps – supine overhead extension. Abs – circular crunches. Quads – plies. Calves – standing heel raises. Episode 1904: Biceps – concentration curls. Obliques – seated side bends. Glutes – supine seat tucks. Hamstrings – Supine leg lifts with ball tucked under knee. Episode 1905: Triceps – dips. Deltoids – rotator cuff work. Abs – leg lowers holding ball between ankles. Inner Thighs – side-lying leg lifts. Episode 1906: Pecs – supine flyes. Back – table work (more like a stretch). Quads – on floor, propped up on elbows, leg raises. Outer Thighs – side-lying leg lifts. Episode 1907: Biceps – curls and “reaches.” Triceps – French press. Hamstrings – an exercise I believe is unique to Margaret, a kind of static lunge done in a low crouch. Inner Thighs -- supine, legs elevated to 90 degrees, move legs apart then together. Episode 1908: Pecs – supine flyes. Deltoids – side-lying on floor. Back – prone lifts (using an optional body bar). Glutes – supine seat tucks. Abs – done with an optional body bar underneath knees. Bottom Line: The Unplugged DVDs are really versatile! The individual episodes are ideal for beginning exercisers, particularly since Margaret offers excellent form instruction as well as caring encouragement. The single episodes are also nice for folks resuming exercise after illness or injury, or those who just plain have limited workout time. More experienced exercisers can string several episodes together for a longer, more complete strength workout (all major body parts are generally covered over the course of three episodes, and the DVD chaptering makes it easy to skip over the extra warm-ups and cool-downs). The Unplugged episodes also combine well with other types of exercise (my personal favorite combo is an Unplugged episode followed by a Classical Stretch TV episode). Two seasons of Body Electric are on DVD – 1900 and 2000. Each season consists of 26 episodes on four DVDs. In each season Volume 1 has eight episodes, and Volumes 2, 3 and 4 have six episodes each. Please see the VF review by KathAL79 of Volume 2 of the 1900 series. The Body Electric Unplugged DVDs can be purchased at Margaret’s website, www.bodyelectrictv.com. Margaret’s DVDs aren’t inexpensive, but they do contain a lot of material, and Margaret offers frequent sales. Instructor Comments: Margaret Richard has appeared in exercise DVDs for over 20 years, and her experience shows. She presents in a relaxed, gently humorous manner, but always gives excellent form instruction and encourages home exercisers to challenge themselves. In the 1900 series Margaret is in her late 50’s and looks wonderful – a great example of the benefit of lifelong exercise. JustSandra 10/23/2011
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Post by Karla on Aug 10, 2023 0:13:49 GMT
Crunch: Master Class Sculpt
Nancy Popp
Mandy Lee gave a good breakdown of the video, so I'll just add a few comments. Hey guys, a beginner/intermediate strength video that I actually like! I used my barbell for the squats and lunges, although Nancy uses no weights. She does a few things that I'm not sure add to the effectiveness of the exercise, like doing a squat and then sweeping one leg across in front of you to work the inner thigh. Does stuff like that really do anything? I suppose it works something or she wouldn't be doing it.
The upper body section is a series of combo moves that go too fast to change weights. For example, military presses that work right into tricep french presses with both arms. I can't possibly do those with the 10-12# dumbells I usually use for military presses! So I just use 5-8# for the whole video and consider it a low weight, heavy rep tape. The ab section is interesting and seems effective.
One more thing that bugs me, although won't keep me from doing the video, is that she takes so much time to explain each new movement and show it in slow motion. Hey, it's not that tough. Let's just get to it! I suppose it's good for first-timers though.
This is a fun, lively, short video for those days when I can't handle the FIRM or MIS. I do it every couple of weeks.
Instructor Comments:
Nancy gives lots of form pointers and cues well. She's lively, but a little more toned down than some of those overly-exuberant Crunch instructors. I'm not quite sure about the dominatrix get-up she's wearing though!
Joni O
07/14/1998
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Post by Karla on Aug 10, 2023 0:25:41 GMT
Time Saver: Lift Weights to Lose Weight
Kathy Smith
I'm neutral on this one. With some modifications, depending on your goals, this could be an okay addition to a strength video collection. I was disappointed that there was no warm-up, and I think the title "Timesaver" comes from rushing through some of the exercises at breakneck speed. For example, Kathy uses 10 pound weights for bicep curls and I don't see how see how she can go so fast at that weight. Also, she doesn't count down many of the exercises, and I found myself still going long after she was done.
This seems to be a pretty thorough total body workout. I don't care for a lot of the lower body stuff. Holding onto a chair and doing back leg lifts reminds me of my Elaine Powers Figure Salon days. I did the squats, lunges, plie squats and bridgework and fast-forwarded through the rest.
I'm not sure if I'll do this video on a regular basis, but will surely do it occasionally.
Instructor Comments:
Anyone who gets excited enough doing tricep dips to whoop and howl like a banshee worries me. I think Kathy slugged quite a bit of caffeine before this workout.
Joni O
02/16/1999
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Post by Karla on Aug 11, 2023 18:40:41 GMT
Your Personal Best
Karen Voight
This is just a great little workout! It's definitely not for the advanced, but it's a good, solid aerobic/toning video. It's 56 minutes long, with three basic aerobic segments and three toning segments presented in a circuit style. As with Karen's other videos, you use light weights and high repetitions. Using ankle weights for the lower body toning is a must for more advanced exercisers. The last aerobic segment uses basic jumping rope, skating, swimming, basketball and football moves. It's a lot of fun. I recommend it for beginner and intermediate exercisers. I like it as a nice, easy workout when I don't have the energy for Energy Sprint or when I need a rest in between heavier Firm workouts.
The set is gorgeous. I wish I really could do quad raises with the Hawaiian surf crashing behind me or sit-ups on a big rock in the ocean.
Don't let Elle McPherson's name in the title fool you. This is another great Karen Voight production all the way. Next to Karen, Elle looks like a skinny kid trying to keep up. She does interject some astounding words of wisdom such as, "I find that if I point my toe, my hamstring works a little harder", and "I really like this exercise; it really works the backs of my arms." It's probably targeted to a younger audience -- aspiring model-types. Nonetheless, as I said, it's just a great little workout!
Joni O
11/30/-0001
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Post by Karla on Aug 14, 2023 14:47:27 GMT
Muscle & Grace
Margaret Richard
Workout Type: Muscle Sculpting (Upper and Lower body)
Workout Length: Upper Body Sculpting : Warm up - 3.15min., Upper Body Weightwork - 19 min., cooldown - 2.30min. = 28min. Lower Body Sculpting : Warmup - 3min., Abwork - 3.15 min. Lower Body Weightwork - 19min. Stretches - 3 min. = 28min. Total time between both - 56min.
Fitness Level: This tape is tough enough for advanced, since you just add more weights, and perfect for beginners due to all the form pointers.
Equipment: all optional depending on your level - Hand Weights, or Body Bar, Leg weights, mat, towel, chair or bench if you want to sit during upper body work.
Set: 3 large French windows with louvers, 4 groups of 3 large potted plants. (soothing look, not too busy looking)
Effectiveness: will depend on how much weight you use. I am sore all over after this workout.
Music: Jazzy style, smooth and soothing for warmups and cooldowns , it is upbeat for the warmup in the 2nd one .
Presentation: Personally, I found this tape challenging. Time seems to fly and sets seem to go by quickly.
Attire: 1st. half - all outfits made of Lycra, Margaret has orange top and purple pants, Donna purple top with orange bike shorts. Jean(man) black tank top with purple bike shorts.
2nd half - Margaret - lime color top and blue pants, Donna pink top and pink bike shorts, Jean(man) Red tank top and blue bike shorts.
Options: She emphasizes options. She says this is "so you can grow". In almost every muscle group one person is using a body bar, while the other two use hand weights, she is encouraging use hand weights or body bar or barbell, use chair or step or stand, just about every time she does a different muscle group, she offers different ways to work the muscle.
Warmup: 3.15 min.
The Upper Body workout: 19min.
Pushups - 28x then 4 with back stretch in between.
Pec Flies - 8x then 22 with pulses
Triceps - 20 reps then 8 2-count then 6 pulses.
Triceps Dips - 24x
Bicep Curls - 24 full range
then top to middle 8x
then Concentration Curls 16x first arm 12x second arm... (yes, a mistake!)
then both arms 5x with pulse at top.
Frontal lifts - 8x
Uprights alternating with Frontals 4x
Upright lifts then elbows out 4x then
bent over Rows or butterflies 7x
sit up tall then pull arms from front to back 16x then angle change then low military bend
Cooldown: 2.30 min.
2nd half:
Warmup : 3 min.
The Lower Body workout: 19min.
Abwork - Donna has body bar behind knees, Jean has feet on step, Margaret on floor.
Outer thighs - leg weights above knees, Donna uses body bar, Jean doesn't use anything.
Inner Thighs - Donna puts non-working leg on step, Jean puts non-working leg on towel.
Bridgework - Margaret puts weight on stomach, Donna uses chair at feet.
Squats - holding Body bar in front or holding chair in front, (I put body bar on shoulders)
Calf Pumps - either using chair for balance, or standing off step, or while sitting just lift heels.
later combine with toe lifts.
Stretches: 3min.
Total Rating: Excellent Body Sculpting it is what it advertises itself to be, it does not suggest cardio, for what it is, it achieves its goal. my opinion it's a 10 out of possible 10 points. I really like Margaret. It is also a flexible video because you can do upper body one day and lower on another since each section is complete.
Instructor Comments:
Instruction: Calm and soothing form pointers throughout. Margaret continually emphasizes form, form, form. She encourages you to "heavy up" at one point tells you "if you are using heavier weights then slow down the movement." Many times she smiles happily, you can see she is enjoying herself, and it is contagious.
Lucy aka Sunshine
07/07/2002
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Post by Karla on Aug 16, 2023 19:40:48 GMT
Bottoms Up Gold
Joyce Vedral
Well here it is 13 years later. I've used it on and off over the year and I'm using this workout consistently right now. This was my first Joyce workout and it's my favorite. I think my original review only addressed lower body and back. The upper body workout has a similar format - super setting between body parts. She does four super sets for chest and shoulder. She then does four super sets for biceps and triceps. Then adds on 2 extra tricep exercises. For all there is a 15 second rest between super sets. I'm not sure what it is about this workout but it helps me drop inches and pounds - only JV and TA can do that for my consistently. It's not terribly difficulty - but works for rebuilding strength (I recently broke a scapula). Glad I kept this one in all my fitness workout purges.
Instructor Comments:
Joyce works out with her daughter Marthe. I enjoy Joyce's slight wackiness. Others have trashed her form but I think it is acceptable on this one.
eventmom
02/22/2016
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Post by Karla on Aug 24, 2023 20:18:34 GMT
15 Minute Workouts for Dummies
Gay Gasper
Year Released: 2003
I did this one this morning. Very easy to follow although the warmups are a little choreographed and take a little thought. The warm ups have a slight cardio feel to them and include a small stretch. There is a stretch after each workout also. My only wish is that the ab section had less crunches (which are most of this section). The plank work at the end is very short. Did this one without shoes and it worked well. Good total body workout, relaxing for the mind, doesn't have to be for the body. The timing is slow enough to heavy up.
Instructor Comments:
Gay seems really sweet and not overly perky.
buffmama
08/19/2012
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Post by Karla on Aug 31, 2023 19:54:11 GMT
30 Minutes to Fitness: Your Best Body
Kelly Coffey-Meyer
Year Released: 2011
I have been a fan of instructor Kelly Coffey-Meyer's workouts for a long time now. When this workout was released about a year ago, I was just getting into kettlebells, and I didn't think I really needed another more traditional weights DVD at that time. I am so happy to have acquired this DVD now, however, as it has quickly become a new favorite! Like all of the previous releases in her 30 Minutes to Fitness series (see also 30 Minutes To Fitness: Kickboxing, 30 Minutes To Fitness: Circuit Burn, 30-Minutes to Fitness Start Here, etc.), this DVD offers two main workouts, each about 30 minutes in length, plus plenty of Premix options--all in all, you get a huge bang for your buck with this series!
The Main Menu for Your Best Body is as follows:
*Introduction
*Warm Up
*Workout One
*Workout Two
*Yoga/Stretch
*Premixes
*Chapters
*Credits
Kelly works out on her usual set (windows in the background) and is joined by her usual background exercisers Sam, Lori, and Lauren showing modifications. For the two main workouts, the general format is that Kelly alternates supersets (between 3 and 5 sets) of two upper body exercises (for the same body part), then does a lower body move, the does a "rest" move, generally a standing move to work the core (although she also throws in just a couple of planks). Kelly recommends having three sets of dumbbells for these workouts (light, medium, and heavy). I have provided details for each segment below.
WARM UP (4 minutes)
This has got to be one of my favorite warm-ups of Kelly's, both because it is quick and because it has fun moves that are not repeated--i.e., she runs through the sequence only once. The exercises include side-to-side squat with circle knee, low jacks, pushing up and to the front, marches with kicks to the front, puddle jumps (fun!), side-to-side reaches alternating with heel taps front/wrap arms, jump rope, and step front with triple knee. Kelly concludes with a few very brief stretches for the upper body.
WORKOUT ONE (30.5)
I really enjoyed this workout! Here are the exercises:
*back: row with reverse grip/reverse pec deck, 5 sets
*legs: deadlift to Russian squat
*core: genie squat and twist
*shoulders: reverse grip lateral raise/alternating front raise, 3 sets
*legs: single leg squat with moving leg
*core: stationary lunge with reach and pull
*biceps: half curls/alternating hammer curls, 5 sets
*legs: pull through plie
*core: plank with knee pull
*triceps: triceps kickbacks/lift and click, 4 sets
*legs: moving side lunges, double then single
*core: twist with knee lift
*chest: alternating chest cross/elbow squeeze pec dec, 5 sets
*legs: wide plie with tempo changes
That's it! One thing that I found a little disappointing is that there is NO stretch included in this workout; Kelly usually does at least a quick stretch (as she does in Workout Two on this disc), but here she just notes that you can move on to the Yoga/Stretch portion.
WORKOUT TWO (33.5 minutes)
I didn't find this workout quite as fun as the first, but it was still enjoyable. Here's the breakdown:
*back: back v-row/high pull, 5 sets
*core: front lunge with static lunge
*core: rib shift, bobbing up and down
*shoulders: cheer press/lateral raise with palms up, 5 sets
*legs: single leg deadlift
*core: static lunge with crunch
*biceps: alternating long curl/side curl, 3 sets
*legs: squats
*core: plank with side leg extension
*triceps: overhead extension/alternating kickbakcs, 4 sets
*leg: curtsey with reverse lunge
*core: broomstick twist
(lying on floor)
*chest: alternating flys/chest press, 5 sets
*single leg bridge
*supermans
For this workout, Kelly does end with just a few minutes of quick seated stretches.
YOGA/STRETCH (7 minutes)
One (minor) beef that I've had with Kelly in the past is that when she has offered "yoga" segments on her DVDs, she has always done them in shoes--unfortunately, yoga in shoes is a pet peeve of mine! Therefore, I was glad to see that she actually addressed this issue here, stating that yoga usually IS done barefoot but admitting "I'm not a barefoot kind of girl." So, this time, she has Sam joining her, with Sam doing the stretch barefoot. I thought this was a nice little flowing segment. Kelly starts in chair pose, moving back through plank, down dog, one-legged down dog, knee-to-nose, lunge twist, and high lunge. She then comes back to chair and repeats the entire series on the other side.
Here are the Premixes as Kelly has them listed on the Premix menu; she notes that they all include a Warm-Up and a Cool-Down:
*Workout One with Cardio Rests (37:18)
*Workout Two with Cardio Rests (39:38)
*Workout One with No Rests (30:04)
*Workout Two with No Rests (32:49)
*Workout One - No Legs (27:09)
*Workout Two - No Legs (27:50)
*All Legs and Core (34:55)
*Cardio and Legs (37:13)
*Cardio and Upper Body (56:15)
*Core and Yoga (21:51)
Although most of the Premixes are variations on the main workouts (One & Two) cardio that is included in Premixes #1, 2, 8, and 9 is all new footage. Each cardio move is performed for about a minute or so; some of the exercises are high impact, but Lauren always shows a low-impact option. Here's the list of cardio sequences:
*jogs alternating with puddle jumps
*side jacks/side kicks
*straight jumps to straddle jumps/alternating squats
*triple to single knees with a jog in-between
*jump rope, adding heels and tempo variations
*alternating crescent kicks/frog jumps forward and back
*split jump forward and back/side-to-side skaters
*four jacks/four power quarter turns (a plyo-like move)
Again, I really loved this DVD overall! I especially loved the lower body work, as it seems like sometimes Kelly puts a greater emphasis on the upper body in her workouts, and I thought that the core movements were excellent (as opposed to the standing abs rests in her 30 Minutes To Fitness: Weights Workout, which put a little bit of a strain on my back). I had only a few very minor quibbles with this DVD as follows: 1) as noted above, I wish there had been at least some brief stretches at the end of Workout #1, 2) I wish Kelly would give you a heads up about the number of sets BEFORE so that you can appropriately choose your weights (but now I know!), and 3) since this IS the 30 Minutes to Fitness series, I wish that the actual total time of the main workouts (meaning the workout PLUS the warm-up and stretch) was closer to 30 minutes.
Regardless, I definitely LOVED this DVD, and it's already one of my new favorites. Highly recommended!
Instructor Comments:
As noted, Kelly is one of my favorite--if not my very favorite--instructor. I just really click with her down-to-earth style; I find her motivating and fun without being annoying or over-the-top. In addition, her DVDs work very well for my mid-to-advanced intermediate level. Kelly provides mirrored cuing, and I have never had any problems following her in any of her workouts.
Beth C (aka toaster)
10/28/2012
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Post by Karla on Aug 31, 2023 19:57:14 GMT
Beauty to the Bone 1
Margaret Richard
Year Released: 2000Workout Type: Muscle Sculpting (Upper and Lower body) Workout Length: Upper Body Sculpting : warm up - 3. 30 min. Upper body 18 min. Abs 3min. Lower Body Sculpting: 25min. then standing stretches - 3 min. then more stretches - 3min. Total Length: 56.30min. Fitness Level: This tape is tough enough for advanced, since you just add more weights, and perfect for beginners because she even has Tanya (her student) demonstrate a couple of moves before doing them.. She reminds you of form pointers. Equipment: all optional depending on your level - Hand Weights, Leg weights (if desired), mat, towel Set: 2 Large modern Art paintings, some material draped behind them. Effectiveness: I found it to be very effective, my muscles felt it. Music: Jazzy style, smooth and soothing for warmups and cooldowns. Presentation: Time flew by for me.. The Cast: Margaret and Tanya (a beautiful thin black girl wearing a long pony tail) Attire: Margaret wears a black shirt with black pants, Tanya wears a red shirt with black pants.
Warmup : 3.30 min
fluid movements and stretches, balance moves,
neck, shin, back, inner thigh, etc. stretches.
Upper Body Workout: 18.30 min. (I used 12lb hand weights but I think she used 5 or 8lb)
Pec flies: Tanya demonstrates move while Margaret explains.
5 Full then 8 2-count pulse
Margaret joins Tanya - 5 Full then 8 2-count pulse
then 2 Full then 3 pulses quick stretch.
Triceps: (I used 7lbs.)
lie on back arms extend over head, bend and straighten arms.
28x then 2 2-count pulse
Triceps Dips - on mat! lift and lower ... she gives 3 versions of this move, one is legs extended.
4x then 3x then 4x
back to triceps with weights - 6x quick stretch
Biceps: (I began with 12lbs and had to pyramid down as low as 7lbs 'cause it gets Tough!!!!)
Tanya demonstrates 4x hammer curls and 4 bicep curls
then Margaret joins her -
5 curls
8 stop in middle face palms down, lift and lower hand only (Ouch!)
4 curls with palms still facing down.
4 2-count curls turn palms up
4 Delt Flies (face back of hand to sides open arms to sides, elbows at waist)
then 8 3-count pulse at top.
4 hammer curls
4 reg.
4 3-count pulse
Rotator Cuff: (description - while standing brings arms in front wrist to elbow parallel to floor then opens
to sides and brings together)
8x
then 8x from bent military position bring only rotate elbows so hands go up and down. (tough!)
then straight arm Delt flies
8x hold arms out with palms up and pulse,
full delt flies,
then a couple of each. quick stretch.
Back - lie on stomach, lift torso up and down.
8x then 8x while rolling body bar or weights forward and back under hands.
8x just leg lifts.
then lift legs open and close quick stretch.
at 21.30 Abs - 3 min. then quick stretch.
Lower Body: 29 min.
outer thigh: 14 lifts then 8 2-count
then extend forward and back 6x in circular motion
8 straight pulses then 4 then 4 then 4 then 4 of each move.
Inner thigh: (Music - dancing machine!)
16x extend and straighten leg
4 bend knee foot in
12 pulses with leg straight
12 extend and straighten leg
4 bend knee foot in
12 pulses with leg straight quick stretch after each leg is worked.
Bridgework: at 41.30 min.
Quadriceps:
laying on back, extend legs in front,
6 full then 12 up and down halfway
then pulse then lift one leg up.
at 49.30 stand , no weights, stretch body side to side oblique work.
at 53.30 stretches.
at 56.30 End.
Total Rating: Excellent Body Sculpting it is what it advertises itself to be, it does not suggest cardio, for what it is, it achieves it's goal.. my opinion it's a 10 out of possible 10 points. (IMO!) I really like Margaret.It is also a flexible video because you can do upper body one day and lower on another since each section is complete
Instructor Comments:
Instruction: Calm and soothing form pointers throughout. Margaret continually emphasises form, form, form.
She encourages you to "heavy up" at one point tells you "if you are using heavier weights then slow down the movement." Many times she smiles happily, you can see she is enjoying herself, and it is contagious.
Sunshine
07/05/2003
This is the breakdown for Program A as listed on the DVD Menu:
Workout 1
Pectorals
Triceps
Biceps/Forearms
Deltoids/Rotator Cuff
Back
Workout 2
Abs
Outer Thigh
Inner Thigh
Hamstrings
Glutes
Quads
Obliques
Cool Down
Although this is described as two 30-minute workouts, there is no real division between the two sections; also, I clocked the warm-up/upper body at 26.5 minutes and the abs/lower body/cool down at 30.5 minutes. Margaret works out in a large studio that has various abstract art prints in the background, and there is one background exerciser, Tanya. The music is upbeat and includes instrumental versions of various 70s pop hits (eg, Chicago).
After the 3.5-minute warm-up (very gentle stretches; doesn't really get your heart rate up), the workout begins on the floor for the pec flies, triceps extensions, and triceps dips (on mat). Margaret then moves to standing for the biceps, forearms, delts, and rotator cuff work. Going back to the floor in the supine position, she does some torso and leg lifts to strengthen the lower back.
The abs segment comes next--this was a fairly traditional crunch sequence. Lower body work follows, all of which is performed on the floor. (Margaret and Tanya use leg weights.) Exercises here include standard leg lifts for inner and outer thighs, bridgework for glutes, and front leg extensions for quads. The workout concludes with a 2.5 minute standing oblique segment before moving on the 3-minute cool-down.
Nothing about these exercises was particularly new and different; they were just straightforward and effective. Margaret was quick to point out that you are building muscle, NOT addressing fat; she encouraged walking/other aerobic activity for fat loss. She also frequently encouraged you to lift heavier weights as needed.
Overall, I really liked this workout. No, there wasn't anything unique about it, but I enjoyed Margaret's low-key personality and her overall style. Also, I found that even though it was almost an hour long, the workout flew by for me, perhaps because Margaret keeps you moving the entire time. I'm new to Margaret Richard but most definitely a fan. 
Instructor Comments:
Margaret strikes me as similar in style to Karen Voight, although more smiley and goofy (she is also obviously more buff, and she speaks with a slight southern accent). She offers solid mirror cueing.
Beth C (aka toaster)
06/27/2008
This is the breakdown for Program B as listed on the DVD Menu:
Workout 1
Warm-Up
Pectorals
Triceps
Biceps
Deltoids
Back
Workout 2
Calves
Outer Thighs
Inner Thighs
Hamstrings
Glutes
Quads
Abdominals
Cool-Down
Although this is described as two 30-minute workouts, there is no real division between the two sections; also, I clocked the warm-up/upper body at 26 minutes and the lower body/abs/cool down at 34 minutes. Margaret works out in a large studio that has various abstract art prints in the background, and there are two background exercisers, Tanya and Stephanie. The music is upbeat and includes instrumental versions of various 70s pop hits (eg, Chicago).
After the 3-minute warm-up (very gentle stretches; doesn't really get your heart rate up), the workout begins with push-ups for the pecs; Margaret does them with knees bent. She blasts the triceps with several different exercises and then does both isolation curls and regular double curls for the biceps. Next comes a really challenging series for the shoulders--Margaret and crew used 5# dumbbells, but I struggled to keep up with 3#! Somehow, she takes a simple combo of 3 different exercises and completely exhausts these muscles. Same goes for back--again, I only was able to use 3# while they used 5#.
Then it's on to lower body, and unlike in Beauty to the Bone Program A, there's no floorwork--it's all done from a standing position, which I found to be a nice change. Margaret and her crew wear ankle weights and begin with a long set of calf raises. They perform leg lifts for the outer thighs and side-to-side slides for the inner thigh. Then it's on to rear lifts for the hams, squats for the glutes, and a single set of lunges for the quads. Finally, the abs work is performed seated in a chair. I thought this was very different and liked the first couple of moves, but I found some of the other moves very difficult to execute properly. The cool down was about 4 minutes and included some very nice stretches.
With the possible exception of the abs work, nothing about these exercises was particularly new and different; they were just straightforward and effective. Margaret was quick to point out that you are building muscle, NOT addressing fat; she encouraged walking/other aerobic activity for fat loss. She also frequently encouraged you to lift heavier weights as needed.
Overall, I really liked this workout. No, there wasn't anything unique about it, but I enjoyed Margaret's low-key personality and her overall style. Also, I found that even though it was an hour long, the workout flew by for me, perhaps because Margaret keeps you moving the entire time. I'm new to Margaret Richard but most definitely a fan.
Instructor Comments:
Margaret strikes me as similar in style to Karen Voight, although more smiley and goofy (she is also obviously more buff, and she speaks with a slight southern accent). She offers solid mirror cueing.
Beth C (aka toaster)
06/27/2008
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Post by Karla on Sept 6, 2023 20:19:23 GMT
Body By Jake - Total Body Workout
Jake Steinfeld
I was pleasantly surprised when I did this video. I borrowed it from my local library and was glad that I did! This DVD has three workouts: one for total body, one for lower body and one for abs. The moves are very basic yet I found them simple and effective. Jake uses dumbells, bench and a bar for his workouts. Each workout is divided into circuits and there is a clock shown on the screen for every move. The clock motivates you to keep going.
There are three exercisers in the background. The set looks good and uncrowded.
This video doesn't have any complicated moves, I think it is a good choice for a beginner as well as an advanced exerciser.
I would highly recommend this workout video and would suggest that you try it atleast once.
Instructor Comments:
Good instructions, motivates you to keep going.
Reva
04/17/2005
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