Customer Reviews

Cory Everson's Basic Sculpting System with Weights: Hips, Thighs, Calves [VHS]

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

 

 

I enjoyed the video greatly. Cory shows you how to lift weights the right way to keep your form when doing lifts. She explains everything in a straight forward easy way. This video would be great for anyone starting and not knowing the first thing about proper weight training. I would recommed this to any woman no matter what age. I'm 47 weight training made me stronger and it didnt hurt my golf game either.

With all due respect to Terri's review below, I have a question: Were we watching the same video?

I consider myself to be an intermediate exerciser, having worked out on a regular basis for about 5 years. I'd been thinking about getting a lower body only tape; I finally chose this because I also have Cory's Get Hard Arms and Shoulders (excellent) and Kardio Kick (a decent kickboxing tape for beginners or a light cardio day for intermediate/advanced exercisers), and I like her style.

As others have noted, Cory includes gym machines in this tape, but she concentrates (and is front and center) teaching the home version. This is NOT a gym only workout (if it were, I wouldn't have hesitated to return it). Since she does the reps slowly, you can use as heavy weights as you want. (Beginners may want to learn proper form first before using this tape since she only gives a few form pointers.) She really works the quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings well, and even throws in some abs work at the end (basic crunches). Note that you may want to use ankle weights for some of the exercises, and the calf step ups require a step.

Another exercise she does is called a Good Morning. Although I'd heard of it, I'd never done this one before; it works the lower back. I'd caution anyone who hasn't done this before to do it the first couple of times without weights (Cory pretty much says the same thing). The first time I did it, I felt a little tug down there, so I immediately got rid of the weights. Anyone with back problems should probably just skip this exercise.

A couple of not so good things: 1. No warm up (she *does* stretch between sets) and 2. She has you putting on and taking off ankle weights instead of doing all the ankle weighted exercises together. The warm up you can do on your own, so that was no big deal. As for No. 2, it irritated me at first, but I've since gotten used to it.

All in all, a very good tape. I give it an A-. And if you want some more reviews, pro and con, check out www.videofitness.com (click on Video Reviews).

When I got this tape as a gift recently, I was somewhat reluctant because of the "80s" look of the video, figuring that it might be outdated in terms of proper form. However, I'm very pleased with the workout on this tape. It really focuses on pure muscle building and/or toning, and demonstrates how to alter each exercise based on the weight machines you have available to you (in my case, none... I prefer free weights at home, and it still worked great for me) Ignoring the clothes on Cory and friends, it's a very modern workout. I've since read some of Cory's books, and have come to be impressed by both her foresight and expertise on fitness issues, as well as become an admirer of Cory-Everson-the-person. She's a great role model!

This is the lower body workout from Cory's Basic Sculpting Series. It is about 30 minutes long and works your lower half nicely. Cory is joined here by Michelle and Dave, Michelle demonstrates the exercises on machines that are found in fitness spas, Dave demonstrates on machines found in weight training or bodybuilding gyms, and Cory demonstrates using home equipment.

There is no formal warmup, Cory and friends are all on various exercise machines (bike, stepper, Nordictrack style machine) warming up while Cory talks about the workout and what you are going to be doing. I would have preferred a warmup but I can just use another video or march in place while she is talking.

The workout follows, she does 2 sets of 15 reps of these exercises:

squats
leg (quad) extensions (Cory uses ankle weights and does both legs at once)
lunges
hamstring curls (one leg at a time)
leg press (Cory does sissy squats)
step ups (similar to the tall box step ups/leg press seen in Firm videos)
calf raises
hyper extensions/Good Mornings
ab work/crunches

I do make some modifications to these exercises, I personally didn't care for the sissy squats so I sub plie squats in place of those. For the hyper extensions/Good Mornings, I subbed dead lifts as I didn't feel comfortable with a barbell on my shoulders and bending forward. I think someone not familiar with proper form could really hurt themselves.

This workout is definitely doable for those who are limited to home equipment, even though it make not appear so. Some might get annoyed with the taking on/off ankle weights between other exercises, I personally didn't mind too much, gives me a chance to catch my breath anyway.

I really like these workouts and have all three in the series. They are short but thorough, plus I like Cory as an instructor. She is pleasant but down to earth and laid back. Plus her shape is very inspiring.

These tapes were made in 1995 so they may appear dated to some, I have videos that are much older though so it doesn't bother me. The setting is clean but plain and the music is mostly instrumental keyboard music.

Overall, I would recommend these to those already familiar with weight training as the form pointers could be a little better. But they really are suitable for all levels, advanced people might find them a little boring. They are right up my alley though, good for those who like simple straightforward weight lifting. 4 and a half stars!

I bought this video but ended up returning it. It's not for a home workout but more a gym tutorial. Plus it is not done in Cory's normal style. Sorry Cory... If you are looking for some really good tapes by Cory, I highly recommend these three: Cory Everson Get Hard - Arms and Shoulders; Cory Everson Get Hard - Abdominals and Glutes; Cory Everson's Total Workout. I use these three tapes weekly and am sore after each workout.