Product Details

• Actors: Karen Voight
• Directors: Jamie Legon
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Entertaining Fitness
• DVD Release Date: June 29, 2004
• Run Time: 40 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00029NLI2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,569 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

CORE ESSENTIAL FUSION - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Unique full body toning workout, July 8, 2007

By 

Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Core Essential Fusion (DVD)

First of all, keep in mind that this is a repackaged workout; it has been marked as both "Core Essentials" and "Pilates Core Essentials." This is definitely not a Pilates workout, so maybe that was part of the reason for the name change. Rather, it is a full-body toning workout similar to the first half of one of instructor Karen Voight's other videos, Streamline Fitness.

The workout begins with a simple, 4 minute warm-up to get your body moving; this is followed by 8 minutes of standing strength moves. The exercises consist of traditional squats and crunches, but Karen makes them unique by adding more movement. Although her cuing is excellent, the variety of the moves is a little hard to follow upon first viewing of the video, but you do get the hang of it. One problem I had with this section is regarding how Karen uses the arms: the arm movements often seem unnecessary and mismatched to the leg work. The main body of this workout occurs on the floor. Karen continues the legwork with extensions done both on all fours and on the side; she sometimes uses her weighted "genie balls"--you could also substitute ankle weights, but I found the moves to be challenging enough without the added weight! She then targets the arms with a tough push-ups sequence as well as several exercises with dumbbells. The workout ends with abs and back exercises followed by a 6 minute cool down.

As always, Karen offers meticulous tips on form throughout. This was an average-to-good workout (I'd actually have given it 3 1/2 stars if I could), but I prefer Karen's Streamline Fitness, which offers additional arm work, a tougher abs section, and relaxing yoga moves as well.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Unique!, May 24, 2005

By 

Shannon G "Shannon" (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Core Essential Fusion (DVD)

I have to give this DVD 5 stars for its wonderful uniqueness! I am always searching for DVDs that give a new spin on toning exercizes - and this definitely fits the bill. I truly feel that in order to continually shape and define your muscels, you need to find different ways to move your muscels. And in addition to being unique, the moves and combinations are also challenging - you can feel the burn. It's a fantastic workout at a great price!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Karen is one of the best instructors out there :-), April 22, 2006

By 

Little Miss Cutey (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Core Essential Fusion (DVD)

Each of Karen's workouts are gems. They provide enough toughness to be beneficial and yet through her clear instruction and great cuing, it's easy to follow and very motivating. This is another one of her gems. It's a great flowing workout that is done to develop lean muscles and good healthy joint mobility. Some positions may be a little tricky to get yourself into, but with each go, you'll improve and it will be easier. She always gives clear and precise instructions so you know what's coming up next without straining to look at the tv all the time.
This works all the core muscles - abs, back, [...], arms and legs. There is nice jazz type music in the background that isn't annoying and helps you keep in rythym. You'll need weights for this but it's so worth your while doing this because there are so many people who forget to stretch and strengthen muscles - we think that cardio is all we need. This is so relaxing to do and beneficial that I recommend it to everyone.