Customer Reviews

Crunch: Total Resculpt Dvd

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Total Resculpt is a 45 minute workout split into a lower body and upper body sections, each about 20 minutes long containing their own warmup and stretch. Kendell Hogan leads the workout, he is joined by 7 young gals all who are in great shape.

The lower body section is first, you start with a simple and fun warmup and then you will start "chiseling" your lower body with plie squats, there are variations in the count, starting with 2-2 then going into singles, later adding front deltoid raises. You will finish out with a set of 3 down 1 up, then holding at the bottom. Next are static lunges, you will do single count lunges then you will hold at the bottom and pulse, then finish out with a hold. I used much lighter weights than I normally use and was surprised at how much I felt this, I expected it to be much easier. Static lunges are repeated on the other side before going into reverse lunges. You will do reverse lunges on each side, then you repeat but add a knee lift at the top. Following this are standing leg extensions while holding the arms out to the side holding light weights, this too was pretty challenging as I used 5 lb weights for these. After these you will combine all three elements, reverse lunge adding a knee lift then extending the leg, alternating legs. Finishing out the lower body segment are stiff legged dead lifts, again starting in a 2-2 count then single count. Then you will do side leg lifts, this time you are holding your arms out in front of you. You will do these on each side, before combining them with the stiff legged dead lifts. A brief stretch follows the lower body work.

Upper body is next and it's covered well. Again you start with a brief warmup, lots of fun though. You will start with back work, a variation of a rear deltoid raise with the feet staggered, you will start with a slow count before going to tempo. Then you will do double arm rows, repeat the rear deltoid series, then you will alternate the double arm rows before finishing out with one arm rows on each side. Biceps and shoulders are next, starting with hammer curls for the biceps, you will start with both arms then alternate, then repeat. Then you will work the shoulders with side lateral raises, one side at a time starting with a slower count, then going to tempo. Back to biceps, this time you will do angled curls with palms up. You will start by going only halfway down for a set, then you will start at the bottom and come up halfway, then you will combine both of them. Then you finish the segment with front deltoid raises, alternating arms then adding a cross and a small side step. Triceps are next, you will start with double arm kickbacks, then alternate the arms, then repeat the two. Then you do a set of french presses before going back to kickbacks, this time one arm at a time, then you will do one more set of french presses.

To finish out the upper body section you will work shoulders again, starting with upright rows, then overhead presses, and rear deltoid raises, before combining all three. Then you will move the floor for chest work, starting with pushups, then you will do pec flies, you will do a set with both arms then just one arms at a time which was pretty challenging. Then you will finish out with a set of bench presses, later slightly crossing at the wrist for a little added challenge. A short stretch follows.

I liked this workout more than I thought I would. Kendell and his crew used one pair of light weights for this workout, light weights are definitely appropriate and recommended here as a lot of the moves are done in combination or one arm at a time to make it tougher. I used anywhere from 3-8 weights and I felt that I got a good workout. You won't get big muscles here, definitely a toning and sculpting workout, but a good one. Lots of interesting moves to change things up from a traditional weight training routine. I think that all levels would be suitable for this workout, as long as one is somewhat familiar with the different toning exercises. Kendell Hogan is a pleasant instructor who is encouraging and seem to be having a good time, he does a nice job here. Overall, a solid workout by Crunch, good one to choose if you are looking to tone up.

I actually bought this from another online source a couple of weeks ago and have enjoyed doing this workout already. It's not the most challenging ever - that's because it's compacted into a half hour, so there's a lot of ground to cover in this time frame. You do get a full body workout, but if you are used to doing weight training, you may not find this as effective as beginners to intermediates would. I personally love it when you don't have a lot of time on your hands, but I wouldn't rely on it for my strength training on a regular basis. Kendell is a great instructor whose enthusiasm is very contagious. Even if you don't feel like working out, listening to him for a while will change your mind. This is a good workout despite it's length, and doing this is better than doing nothing else as you will still feel the burn somewhat for the next day or so. Oh and one last thing. If it's meant to be a total body resculpt, it would have been nice to SOMETHING for the abs.

Being a former aerobics instructor and fitness trainer not to mention video production person, I'm a tough sell on dvd's... I have to day this one is very good on all levels.
For a good, compact and effective sculpting workout, all the bases are covered efficiently for both the upper and lower body workout. The dvd is divided into separate sections so that the workout can be broken down into two parts. Both are clear and concise, easy to follow, fun and a decent workout for beginners and intermediates. For advanced exercisers, it offers a nice "easy-day" workout for a day you just can't make it to the gym. The dvd quality is good and the music is pretty good as well

I workout 6 days a week to a large collection of fitness dvds that I've amassed over the last few years. Because of this, I have a lot to compare this dvd to...and I'd give this one 6 stars if I could.

Strength: First, it's rare to find a dvd that hits the mark on so many levels. As far as strength training goes it's among the best. He really gives you just the right amount of reps to really make a difference. In all honesty, many strength workouts do too few. This will build muscle and tone which means you continue burning calories long after the workout (studies have shown this about strength training) and increase metabolism so you continue to burn calories even at rest as you build more muscle.

Caloric burn: That said, most strength workouts will offer the above benefits but not high caloric burn during the workout like a cardio workout would. (cardio typically burns way more calories DURING the workout) Not so for this one. I wear a bodybugg to measure my daily caloric burn and, becauase of this, I'm also able to measure exactly how many calories I burn total and per minute during a fitness dvd. I mention this only so you know what I say is based on scientific measurement rather than perceived exertion. Surprisingly, this packed as much punch as many of my cardio workouts as far as calaoric burn, without feeling like you are out of breath at all! he achieves this by a fun small cardio warm up to get your heart pumping and then utilizing moves that work both upper and lower body to keep it up during a great deal of the dvd.He begins with an amazing lower body workout and utilizing these large muscles in the body are great for higher caloric burn via muacle development. It's well thought out and, consequently, I actually burned MORE calories during this STRENGTH workout than some other CARDIO calorie burning workouts. Because strength offers additional caloric benefits this makes it a big winner in my book and a rarity.

Cueing: I have two left feet so I give away many dvds that trip me up due to poor cueing. This one is a keeper. I've never seen this instructor before (but I'd buy him again...more on that in a minute) but he's got the cueing down...not only does he let you know what you are going to do clearly before you do it, but even in the cardio portion he repeats steps until you have it down and they are all easy to follow but fun in a new and different kind of way. Not the usual moves you see time after time and you'll work your abs even in the standing movements. Great cueing and if I can do it anybody can.

Energy: excellent. The instructor has a low radio announcer kind of voice just a notch above the Allstate commercial guy tone so it's smooth and easy to hear, yet he is all about energy. Many instructors seem fake when they try to act like they are enjoying their workout ( I think of some of the Firm instructors who look bored but say things like "that was fun!" or "that felt great!" in a bored voice) but he truly looked and sounded as though he was having a blast and that was contagious. I often pause a dvd in the middle when I'm working out and hop on my elliptical for a few minutes or just do some jumping jacks or dance to mix things up, then go back to the dvd when it doesn't keep my attention span. This was the first dvd in a long long time that I DIDNT want to end. That shocked me. I MAKE myself workout...I don't look foreward to doing it often.

Set: Very cool and brightly colored and well lit gym with glass windows...quite cool looking for a gym look.

Body toning: full body, every muscle. You will FEEL this one...if you don't increase your weights. Even standing core and ab work is included...you'll feel it even without monotonous lengthy floor crunches.

Backup trainers: all followed along perfectly with no irritating "woooops!" and "yeahs!" or anything like that that you often see. Good energy here too.

Equipment: just grab some weights.

Negative: I try to end every review with a negeative since rarely is anything pefect...but I think this one is about as close as you can get. I guess if I had to pick something it may be that I know some people like to have "real" looking people in a fitness dvd along with the hard bodies so they feel like "they are doing this so so can I" and you won't see that here. They do all look like models or um, "dancers" but to me that's a bit inspiring...so it will bug some but I'm okay with it...It makes me think I need to keep going because I'm 43 and well, not in that kind of shape! It makes me want to be. (Ah, one can dream...) However, for those who may find this a negative I guess it's the only thing I can really mention. Which says a lot about the dvd.

Conclusion: A 6 star dvd in my opinion. Burns the calories, tones the muscles, with an instructor that motivated me better than others have in a long time. The energy is contagious and the moves are easy to follow. And boy will you feel it working!!!

p.s. His lower body workout offers a great fanny lifter! Yowza!

I am a big Crinch DVD fan, I own 9 DVDs in the series. This is another outstanding addition to the Crunch Catalog. This DVD provides an excellent upper and lower body workout. I am at an intermediate level and I felt this workout, both while doing it AND the day after. The lower body workout is a straightforward lunge and squat workout with weights to add intensity. I really felt this while I was doing it, especially the lunges. And the upper body section is excellent as well. There are a variety of moves, so it's never boring. And believe me, your chest will be hurting the next day! Kendall Hogan is a great instructor; he's motivating without being overly cheery and he made it seem like fun, rather than a workout. And I loved that Catherine and Jennifer from other Crunch videos were in the group as well--they are easy to follow and great demonstrators of good form. There is not really any cardio or abs in this video, but this DVD would be good to alternate with other cardio and ab workouts you may have.

I thought this was a great intermediate workout. Kendall is energetic and cues well. Both sections have a short warm-up and very short cool down. The lower body section is all standing exercises. You'll hold dumbells while you do lunges, squats and leg lifts. Kendall makes it interesting by changing the tempo and doing different variations so it's not just boring squats and lunges. The upper body section starts with standing exercises for the back, shoulders and arms. Then you'll do a few push ups and hit the floor for chest flies. Even though it's only 20 min., Kendall covers all areas well. You move back and forth between muscle groups to keep it interesting. Kendall moves fast enough to keep you from getting bored; but doesn't move too fast. You can change weights if you need to. I felt challenged using 5 and 8lb. weights. Advanced exercisers could use this for light days.

I just did this workout for the first time today. I've been working out quite some time. I liked it a lot. It's broken down into lower body with lots of lunges and squats while holding weights; then an upper body work out that does get the biceps and shoulders fatigued. I would've given it a higher rating but there's really no abs other than when you're trying to balance on one leg. The stretches at the end are minimal and you may want to do more. Run time is about 40 minutes with the warm up and stretch.

This is an awesome workout. Kendell Hogan is, as always, fabulous. The DVD is chaptered into upper and lower body segments. Unfortunately, there is no ab work on this DVD. It's a challenging workout but not a killer workout. The Lower Body section is about a 6 minute warmup followed by about 15 minutes of squats, lunges, and leg extensions. More advanced exercisers may be tempted to heavy up on the weight to make the workout more challenging but, the exercises are not done simply with your arms at your side. Your upper body and balance are challenged because on some of the lower body exercises, the arms are held straight out in front of you or to the side with the weights in hand. So, upping the weight can be a little difficult.

The upper body segment also has a warm-up which I fast forwarded through. This workout is apparently designed so that upper and lower are done on separate days. I do it all in one day. Again, it is about 15 minutes of challenging upper body work filled with compound moves. There seemed to be a disproportionate amount of shoulder work to me but still an overall good workout for the upper body. The only complaint I have with this workout is that there are not enough reps. Just when I was starting to get a good burn, it was time to move on to the next exercise. Kendell's cueing is awesome and he has a warm, encouraging manner that makes the time just fly by. He is truly one of the best fitness instructors out there!

I really enjoyed this workout video. I searched for a video by Kendall Hogan after I started doing his workouts on Comcast OnDemand. He is a good instructor who gives a lot of cues and positive reinforcement. It is a moderate to strenuous workout (depending on your physiacl abilities). I was certainly sore for a day or two afterwards, but I have some great definition and tone to show for it!

This workout is challenging enough for me to want to work harder each time, but still attainable and not impossible. I alternate with different weights depending on what exercise we're doing because I'm weaker at some of the moves than others. The instructor is encouraging and not annoying. I also try to do an ab workout afterwards with another DVD since this workout doesn't include one. Overall, a pretty challenging workout and great that you can split it up into 20 minutes workouts on busy days.