|
 Kathy Smith - Timesaver - Lift Weights to Lose Weight
ASIN: 1573303593
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: An Effective and Easy-to-follow Workout
Comments: This workout is fast-paced yet easy to follow. There are two tracks shown simultaneously so that beginners and more advanced exercisers can both see results and get a great workout. The exercises are basic (push-ups, curls, crunches, etc.), but the order in which they're done is logical and shown with proper form.
The workout for the abs and the lower body are the best on here, and are highly effective. The workout is tough, and every muscle group is used.
The upper arm workout is a bit much for a beginner to handle, if every set is followed, but can be done with lighter weights than are recommended. I used both 2-pound and 5-pound weights to follow the workout and saw results within two weeks of doing the workout twice per week.
It also helps that the three workouts are in separate sections (upper body, lower body, and abs) so that you can use only one workout per day if desired. And, after each workout, there are stretches that can be followed as well.
|
 Shaping Up with Weights for Dummies
ASIN: B00004YZH0
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Great for Beginners!
Comments: I had never worked with weights before, what an easy way to start! Tracy is clear concise and not to dreary. She explains well and I find she incentifies me to keep working. Great for learning!
|
 Weights III - The Circuit Strength Training Workout
ASIN: B00004WL39
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: If I could do only one workout, this is it!
Comments: After doing aerobic workouts for over 10 years, I decided to incorporate weights into my routine. Weights III was recommeded to me, and all I can say is WOW!
Of course, any weight training is beneficial, but this workout is special for a number of reasons. First of all, I was 50 years old when I started working out with weights. I had sustained an injury to my wrist and elbow about 3 years earlier, and had continual pain and limitation in normal movement. I thought I would just have to live with it. Since doing Weights III twice weekly, I have noticed the pain subsiding. I think this is because Francesca does at least 3 sets for each of the muscle groups, but separates them into circuits so I wasn't hammering away on my joints and tendons with non-stop sets on one body part. Also, her stretches before the workout are very thorough. In fact, I rewind after the workout and do them. Francesca is one of the few instructors who actually holds a stretch long enough to do some good. Her form is excellent, but she doesn't spend a lot of time explaining it. I think she is assuming some previous weights experience. I find if I make my body align like hers, I get a terrific workout. Her sets are slow enough that you can increase your weights as needed.
And the other results? I feel wonderful after this workout. I have developed definition and strength. My posture has improved. I receive positive comments on my appearance. I will always do aerobics, but Weights III makes me feel invincible. It stengthens my body and clears my mind. Highly recommended.
|
 Workout With Light Weights
ASIN: 630161819X
Customer's Rating: 3
Summary: Good and not-so-good
Comments: I was both pleasantly and unpleasantly surprised with this video. First, the not-so-good stuff...the title implies that the viewer will experience low-impact aerobics. I don't agree after trying it out. There is some side-to-side skipping, which they call "galloping" and I call not very challenging. It might be for a beginner, but if you're at all advanced, this will not challenge you in the least. My other main gripe is that there is very little lower body work with the weights, which is very important to me. There are some lunges and squats but not many and they're only done in conjunction with the upper body work. Because of these 2 downfalls, I had to do another video afterward to get my heart rate up and give my lower body at least a minor workout. Small irritations were few, but included: the instructor did not count aloud, which helps keep me alert and focused; I missed the enthusiasm that other instructors, like Kathy Smith, are known for.
Now for the good stuff. While the lower body challenge was pretty much non-existent, the upper body work was quite nice. I not only enjoyed it, but I also felt it was challenging and hopefully effective. It did not concentrate on building bulk, but rather using lighter weights and performing more reps. Also, the instructor was quite good with her reminders...keeping your stomach in, making sure you're not over extending, keeping you focused on your form. I also liked that she sometimes emphasized what part of the body a specific exercise was working, which helps tune you in to what you're actually working on.
Another comment is that this is quite old, definitely from the 80s. So, if you're looking for a modern production, you won't get it with this video.
In summary, it is a good upper body workout, with lots of good information on correct execution, but you won't get a total body challenge, especially if you're intermediate or advanced.
|
 Working With Weights
ASIN: 6300142108
|
 Kathy Smith - Timesaver - Lift Weights to Lose Weight
ASIN: 6302168481
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: An Effective and Easy-to-follow Workout
Comments: This workout is fast-paced yet easy to follow. There are two tracks shown simultaneously so that beginners and more advanced exercisers can both see results and get a great workout. The exercises are basic (push-ups, curls, crunches, etc.), but the order in which they're done is logical and shown with proper form.
The workout for the abs and the lower body are the best on here, and are highly effective. The workout is tough, and every muscle group is used.
The upper arm workout is a bit much for a beginner to handle, if every set is followed, but can be done with lighter weights than are recommended. I used both 2-pound and 5-pound weights to follow the workout and saw results within two weeks of doing the workout twice per week.
It also helps that the three workouts are in separate sections (upper body, lower body, and abs) so that you can use only one workout per day if desired. And, after each workout, there are stretches that can be followed as well.
|
 Aerobic Stair Workout W/Weights-Advan
ASIN: 630216849X
|
 Geri-Fit: The First Workout With Weights for Older Adults
ASIN: 6304896115
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: This video workout produces results!
Comments: I'm 67 years old and have been working out to the Geri-Fit videotape for 5 months. I do this three times a week, almost without fail and I follow the entire session, not skipping the stretching before or after.
On that basis, let me say that I'm enjoying tremendous benefits from this regimen. Those benefits include increased mobility, flexibility, strength, and balance. I thought perhaps I had passed the age where I could recover what was lost, but this workout has proved me wrong. I can walk up the two flights of stairs in my townhouse without pulling myself along using the handrails; I can scrub the kitchen floor on my hands and knees; all my strength for opening jars is back; I can rise from a chair without leveraging myself up by hands on knees; and can do calf exercises on a rocker board without holding on to the doorjambs. The list goes on and on. I can't recommend this video more highly to mature adults who think they've passed the point of no return.
|
 The Firm - Firm Basics: Sculpting With Weights
ASIN: 1568121385
Customer's Rating: 3
Summary: Too much lecturing
Comments: The workout is great, but you have to listen or fast-forward to it.
|
|
|
Back to 
