Customer Reviews

Crunch: Burn & Firm in 30 Minutes [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a really fun, time-efficient workout for the intermediate to advanced exerciser. The instructor moves pretty quickly through the routines, but the steps she uses are not overly complicated or unusual. I can see that a beginner might get frustrated, but for anyone who has attended some aerobics classes or done a few traditional floor aerobics videos, most of the moves will be familiar. Plus, it has a little weight training in it, and a great floor workout for abs at the end. For this 12-year veteran of video exercise, this tape was a breath of fresh air. Note: the workout is actually 36 minutes, not 30 minutes.

The moves are really complicated for a beginner, and the host screws them up a lot. (she gives instructions to do one thing, and then does another) and the toning w/weights is skimpy, even for a beginner. BUT, the cardio (if you can get the moves down) is great, and short enough to convince yourself that you can make it. I would suggest doing this video and then your own scupting set for arms afterwards. the abs are pretty sufficient as well. and to my surprise, the whooping and hollering is more motivational than annoying.

....
It features several women hopping around, kicking their toes and lunging. A roving camera switches around and makes what little instruction provided even harder to follow. The instructor calls out the dance moves quickly, and just when you think they are impossible to follow, she speeds up. There is no instruction to suggest if you are doing the so-called exercises properly or are begging for an injury. It's a very irresponsible tape in that respect. In the end I figure I could get the same workout by jumping up and down, only that would be safer. I give it one star because if you can keep up you may learn some dance steps that can be taken out to a club. Or if you're a guy, and you're into that sort of thing you can watch pretty girls hop around in workout outfits. Tried it twice, put it on the shelf then used it to tape a mediocre TV show I didn't want to miss. It's the type of workout that will frustrate you right into an anger management class. Jane Fonda or the Steel series are way better.

The steps and combinations CAN be a little difficult the first couple of times, and once or twice Lori herself goofs, so that doesn't help.

The weight segment is poor, barely a couple of moves before the cardio resumes. If you get the cardio steps, this is a good workout, but I agree with the reviewer who says you have to do your own toning segment.

The one girl who does low impact is rarely on camera, or if she is, you can't see her feet, so what's the point?

As I said, not a great tape, but not a bad one, it will make you sweat and energize you, and Lori's not irritating at all, when she gets the moves right.

This tape has all you need to stay in shape in 30 minutes! I have had it over a year and am still not bored! Highly recommended.

I bought this tape hoping for a quick, good workout. However, the steps aren't broken down well and therefore the tape is difficult to follow. Since the crunch philosophy is for people of various "shapes, size or ability", I was expected something better than this. If you're more advanced, don't need to learn by watching the instructor and can learn steps easily, you might like this face-paced video.

I tried this tape for a change of pace after 2 months of Tae Bo. I found the steps very hard to follow - they seem needlessly complicated and unnatural. I was also annoyed by the artificial grins on the participants. However, I did work up a sweat, which is the point of the whole thing.