Customer Reviews

Jane Fonda Collection: The Complete Workout & Stress Reduction Program

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I worked out for lunch in the breakroom today, a new coworker came in to heat up her meal and started doing grapevines with me. "Can I join you tomorrow?" she asked. "This is so fun!" Yep, I was doing _Complete Workout_.

I have relied on VHS and DVD workouts to keep me in shape for over ten years, but long before I got my first VCR, I had read Jane Fonda's workout book and was doing her workout from a cassette with my friends. Jane was pretty revolutionary back then, telling us that it was OK to be strong and healthy and that not everyone was going to fit into some cookie-cutter mold. Good advice today, too, if you ask me.

These two workout programs are two of my favourites! _The Complete Workout_ gives you an arm workout with weights, then about half an hour of lively and varied aerobics. There are different instructors to show different levels of impact/effort. The last section gives you a good leg workout. There is nothing weird or hard here, just simple fun with a certain amount of effort involved. Jame shows lots of variations and she gives useful tips for effectiveness and safety in the arm and leg toning sections. I have been doing this program off and on for years.

The _Stress Reduction Program_ gives you about 20 minutes of super-simple aerobics. This is the one I go for when I say, "I'm too tired. I don't feel like working out today." I tell myself I'll just do the first song. But I have never not finished the 20 minutes. After the aerobics, there's a stretching section that lasts 15 to 20 minutes. It is very relaxing and Jane gives very detailed instruction about what the stretch is supposed to do and how it is supposed to feel. She provides modifications, too. I personally never use the last session, in which Jane does a guided relaxation exercise, although the techniques presented therein I have found useful.

Back when I first began working out, I didn't particularly care about Jane's past or her personal opinions, except as they were related to health and fitness, nor do I now. I am glad the videos are being turned into DVD's. It makes it a lot more convenient and easy to work out with Jane!

What a fun throw back to the 80s! You'll get everything in this workout, big hair, belts with leotards (why did you need a belt with a leotard?...who cares it was the 80s!), leg warmers, it's got it all.

This is a very fun, anything but boring workout. The workout is broken up into two parts. The first half of the DVD is a weight lifting routine. Light weights are used and Jane gives great instruction on lifting properly. The second half of the DVD is the low impact aerobic routine. There are eight to ten people working out on the DVD with Jane and everyone is enthusiastic and has great energy. Jane takes turns leading the video with two other women. This breaks things up nicely and keeps things moving. One half of the room is doing the workout for beginners and the other side is for more advanced exercisers to follow. This is a fantastic workout for those just beginning to exercise and those who are intermediate and advanced that want to experience a lighter workout.

The best I ever looked was when I was using this video everyday. I wouldn't recommend that knowing what I know now. It is important to know that I've never been past the intermediate level. I've been using The Complete Workout video for 15 years (since 1990)!

This is a 70 minute workout with an option to break it into 2 segments of 55 minutes, doing a warm-up, upper body, aerobics (30 minutes), and stretches on one day, and aerobics (the same 30 minute segment), lower body, and stretches on the next day. Abs are included in the lower body workout.

The aerobics section is broken down into High Impact and Low Impact with an instructor demonstrating each at all times during the aerobics section. This allows you to grow with the video.

The upper body is excellent and all you need are some hand weights preferrably two sets one lighter, 5 lbs. maybe, and one heavier, 8 lbs., for an average person. Some of the upper body exercises will be more beneficial with heavier weights.

The lower body is also an excellent workout. You may want a mat for the lower body work if you do not have carpet.

All exercises can be done with or without weights, and you can add weight to all for increased resistance and a more strenuous workout.

The ab work is challenging enough to take you through the intermediate level.

The Complete Workout uses traditional exercises including: arm raises, bicep curls, shoulder shrugs, push ups (choose on knees or not), leg raises (inner and out thigh), buttock compressors, lunges, sit ups including obliques, and much more.

Jane is the best instructor I've ever seen. The movements are never rushed, the counts are the same for both sides of the body, and she is great about reminding you of proper form! The video quality is not amateurish and is of the highest quality.

I can't tell you about the Stress Reduction Program just yet as I have just ordered it with The Complete Workout on DVD - to replace my aging VHS. I can tell you that you will not be disappointed with The Complete Workout especially if you prefer traditional moves. You will "Feel It"! Speaking of which, I feel $11.68 is good price for 2 workouts that you may never get tired of! Also, check out The Firm which are highly rated.

This is a great low to moderate workout. It keeps the waistline in check. I love the 20 min. stretching segment, really makes you feel good afterwards. This disc may be old school, but it works.

I like the choices available on this DVD. In the beginning when you are not sure of what to do you can do the light aerobics and then get more of a workout if that works for you. It is easier than going to a gym class which tends to be different every time. Once you learn the routines you can get a good workout every time. Jane is so sweet and encouraging. Nice going.

If you're looking for Jane's "Light Aerobics and Stress Reduction Program" released in 1990 this is the DVD you want. After having tried several other programs on the market I still think this is the best. It's enough to get your heart rate up and break a sweat but not hard on your knees and the steps are easy to learn. I also like the music which is up-tempo but relaxing at the same time. The first set is light aerobics which includes a warm up, two sets of light aerobics and a cool down. This lasts about 20 minutes. The second set is stretching exercises which are great and, I think, important. (Too many programs don't do this and just tell you to 'do some stretching' on your own.) Most of the stretching is done while sitting on the floor so you'll want to do this on a mat or carpet. This lasts about 15 minutes. The last set is a stress reduction exercise which is nice if you can find a quiet room without distractions (such as your dog walking over you or wanting to play fetch!). This lasts about 10 minutes. The DVD makes it easy to skip to any of the sets if you don't have time to do all of them. (I used the term grapevine in the title of this review because it's the name of one of the movements and I think about this every time I hear the word.) Now I bought the DVD for this particular program but there is another one on the DVD which I have watched but haven't tried yet--but want to. It uses weights (dumbbells) and movement and looks like fun and a great way to work in some weight training. I would say the price of the DVD is worth it even if you only use one of the two programs on here.

This is the best upper body weight training program I have used. It is focused, thorough and effective. The upper body is short with seven exercises the lower body is also short but uses more isometric moves that I modify. This program is great for posture/appearence. The weight training is so short that there is time for to add your own favorite yoga/pilates moves for shaping. The aerobics are fun and slightly dancy. This is my 'go to' tape for ease and effectiveness.

I've been working out with Jane Fonda's fitness video for the last 11 years... and the result afterwards is really something. I actually saw my body transform!! Though i stopped 3 years ago and gained some weight afterwards, i m really looking forward to working out with Jane Fonda's fitness videos again now it's on DVD! Don't go wasting money on silly videos that you'll finally end up throwing away! The Jane Fonda Collection is the IN thing!!! I'de give 10 stars if possible!

I have exercised to practically every workout tape and DVD there is. However, no one tops Jane Fonda. She gives a complete workout that will leave you energized and fully worked-out! She is the top expert on how to really exercise your body while keeping it fun. I exercised to the original of this VHS tape from 1996 to 2002 and it finally broke. I just repurchased the workout on DVD and can't believe the results I have had after only one week of working out to it. My mother is also a HUGE fan and has been exercising to Jane Fonda since 1985! I highly suggest this video if you want an easy to follow workout that will tone your muscles, foster your cardiovascular health, and be fun all at the same time!!!

Now I used to be known as a "choco-holic"; that is, someone who just can't get enough of the brown stuff! I'd tried diets, pills, just about everything until a friend of mine turned me on to this CD. 50 pounds lighter I feel marvelous and each day is a celebration of life. Jane Fondo takes you through each step and helps you realize that ACTIVITY is the key to physical health and mental clarity. Now, I don't care what Jane did back in the 1960's. People say stupid things when their young. I would give it 5 stars, but hey, nothing is perfect! My advice to you is to buy this excellent set and wonder where the pounds went!