Customer Reviews

Jane Fonda's Lean Routine Workout [VHS]

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow! This is my favorite video of Jane's. However, if you are don't like to dance, don't buy this one.
The first time I viewed the video, I was going to just watch it and actually try it the next time, but I just had to get up off the couch and fumble my way through. The next time I tried it, it was much easier. They repeat the steps enough times so that it is fairly easy to catch on.
The video takes place on the rooftop of her studio, outside. The others with her are mostly dressed in dance wear, not your typical workout wear, which gives you an idea of the atmosphere.
What is really nice about this video is that you can do 20 minutes, 40 minutes or the whole tape is 60 minutes.
By the end of the 40 minutes or especially 60 minutes I am dripping with sweat, but don't feel especially exhausted.
Overall, it is a very fun tape that I will use frequently.

If you can get your hands on a copy of this video, you should purchase it. This is one of the most fun aerobic tapes I ever done. The music is fun and the moves are easy to do. Best of all the tape offers three different class durations - 20, 40 and 60 minutes - without a break in the routines. In the educational portion that airs after the aerobic class, Jane explains the benefits of healthy living and goes over the basics of nutrition in a language that's easy to understand. (The only negative point about this tape: a couple of the students in the aerobic class are irritatingly hokey!)

Lean Routine is one of the best exercise videos you can get because you can become a great dancer through this video! Jane uses tons of exciting dance steps that adjust to your level. The moves are easy to learn, too since Jane introduces the steps slowly and then does them "double time," which means that you do them twice as fast. You can do a 20 minute easy, slower class or 40 minutes of more intense intermediate training. The intervals in the song also burn lots of fat. Lean Routine is a must-have for people who want to stay physically fit and want to have a good dance class!

I absolutely love this video! Not only can I "power up" on the days that I have a lot of energy, I can also do low impact and still get a great workout. I like the fact that depending on which mode I'm in, I can follow either Laurel or Jeanne, the first doing high impact and the latter, low impact.

The routines are fun, great to learn and move to, and the whole class seems to be having the time of their lives. I would definitely recommend this video to others. One of my ultimate favorites!

In order to enjoy any exercise workout, I think you need to know what to expect beforehand. And with Jane Fonda, that means very dancey aerobics. If you prefer more athletic-type aerobics with basic moves (e.g. Leslie Sansone, Gilad Janklowicz, Cathe Friedrich) then you are going to be frustrated with Lean Routine. Personally, I am somewhat of a clutz and I had little trouble picking up the steps (it did take me a few run-thrus before I was comfortable with all the moves). Besides, the challenge of learning the routines is one of the advantages of dance aerobics. Once you have all the moves down, the video is less like exercise and more like a really fun party.

Yes, the outfits are a little funky, but so what? Lighten up. Remember, this workout was originally released in 1990 - 13 years ago! I'm sure in another 13 years, we'll all be laughing at today's fashions and moaning "What were we thinking?!" Lean Routine is a solid cardiovascular workout that offers many options: 20, 40 or 60 minute aerobics. High or low impact. Jane and her co-instructors (Laurel Sparks and Jeanne Ernst) often make suggestions to make the moves more or less intense. Jane also includes a 15-minute nutrition segment (after the aerobics), where she discusses the four food groups and healthy eating for life.

I did not give Lean Routine a five star rating because if someone is doing the 20 minute aerobics, there are no cool down stretches for them. Jane should have given instructions to fast forward the tape to the end of the aerobics section, where the class does about 4-5 minutes of stretching.

Finally, not to be nitpicking, but I just have to correct something from MzRizz's review who wrote: "This LEAN ROUTINE 60-minute videotape is comprised of her old friends from her LOWER BODY SOLUTION". Sorry, but Jane's Lower Body Solution came out one year AFTER Lean Routine, not before.

If you're still stuck in the 80's (like me) you'll like the style of this video--neon, Madonna-inspired outfits, rhinestone appliques, Boy Geroge hats. Apparently it was released in 1993, but it really looks like it was filmed in 1984 or 85.

Anyway, I was intimidated by all the reviews that described this as a dancy video, so I bought it, tried it once, then let it sit for 3 months before trying again. After just 2 tries I learned all the moves and began having fun with this video. Yes, it's more of a dance routine than an athletic workout, but I needed that variety. There are a series of segments, some more challenging than others, and they remind you when to pick it up and push yourself in an interval. So at the end you're definitely sweating and feelin' good. The moves are repeated alot, which makes it a bit easier to catch onto, but it's not so repetitive that it becomes boring. The music is upbeat, the group is lively, and Jane Fonda (despite the weird black lace bodysuit and ankle boots?!?) really delivers.

I have about 30 exercise tapes (and most of her aerobics tapes) so I should know. Even though it looks dated now, this is a great interval workout. One of the few aerobics tapes to actually be long enough to do some good (many are 15 min, few over 30). I have used this video for almost 10 years. You can follow the too perky but high impact woman or Jane, who is kind of medium impact, or the low-impact woman (she is great!). There is also a guy who comes in and does a 20 min version during the whole thing, so there is something in it for all levels.

I hope this comes out in DVD soon, I skip around a lot, combine it with other tapes...and it would be great to have the random access of a DVD. Not to mention, my tape will die at some point...

I LOVE this workout tape. I am not a huge fan of cardio AT ALL but this tape i can do 3 times a week thru the whole 60 minutes and im never bored.

Yes it is dancey and will require some coordination which is something to think about if you have 2 left feet. I took dance class for 10 years so thats probly why it seemed to come so easy to me.

I love Jane and her 2 co instructors are GREAT. They really keep me motivated.
If you are like me and dont really like cardio, try this tape. It doesnt feel like work though your heartrate will get up there. It can be low or hi impact depedning on how much u wanna move. Great tape.

I am a massage therapist and as such I have to stay in good shape physically keeping my strength up so as not to injure myself. I found this tape to take care of all the muscle groups throughout the body in just the right way for someone who uses their arm and hands the way I do in my work, it was easy to learn and as challenging as I wanted to make it. It was a workout video I could recommend to my clients. It's unfortunate that it is not being produced at this time as this morning when I placed it in my VCR it was damaged. It's like losing and old friend.

I have used Jane Fonda's step-aerobic and abdominal video for at least 10 years, and I don't know what made me take so long to try her other workouts. Finally I used Favorite Fat Burners from the library which includes routines for Lean Routine. I bought Lean Routine and think it fantastic: a funky, dancey workout that keeps you motivated, plus it is so much fun you are finished before you know it. LOVE the silly MTV fashions -- so many workouts take themselves too seriously and this is colorful and different. MY ONLY COMPLAINT: SEXY, hunky dancer "Michael" is replaced after the first 20 minutes by some twit who doesn't cut the mustard!! Maybe they can edit her out when and if a DVD is made and bring Michael back!!!!! HOORAY!