Customer Reviews

Karen Voight: Firm Arms and Abs

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

 

 

I bought the 'Firm Arms and Abs' workout when it first came out in the early 90's. I just recently reordered it and 'Pure and Simple Stretch' on DVD. Karen Voight really does know her stuff. The workouts are very effective and because Voight is so good at what she does the exercises are not dated. The "arm and ab" program seems easy yet produces astonishing results. If you do the suggested 3 workouts a week you will start seeing a change at the end of two weeks.

I love this program. The exercises are very safe and Karen Voight does an excellent job of describing safety and good form while doing the exercises. I had the VHS of this and just "upgraded" the the DVD. I have done this program on and off for years.

I really appreciate the other reviews people have written for exercise programs. Keep up the good work.

Karen is such a brilliant instructor and to me, she's one of the most motivating because she comes across as so encouraging and kind and cues so well that you end up giving it your all. I still love this workout and pull it out every now and then.
The upper body program is a little challenging, but when it comes to toning, you want challenging so you can see nice defined muscles. You do everything from curls and flies and then there's a great stretch. For the abs section, it's easy to follow and there is modifications that you can do as you do it more often and you get stronger at it. I like that because it's always giving you something to work towards.
You need weights and a step bench if you have one, and I think this is such a brilliant workout. I love doing it and it's all under 45 minutes. You will feel this the next day or two and see results fast if you do it regularly. I really like this and highly recommend it.

I love this work out, I had more energy and stamina after five workouts, feel great and look fabulous.

I really enjoyed the arms segment of the video. I recommend having multiple weights available depending on your strength level. I needed 3 lbs for shoulders, 8-10 lbs for biceps, and 5 lbs for the rest. My arms were shaking after completing the workout the first time... it works! Great for beginners.

The stair-stepper bench was not really necessary as there were no step routines included for the warm-up or the workouts. She uses it as a seat, and to prop up her leg during the arm segment. She uses it as an inclined bench for the abs section. I did the ab section on a mat to cushion my back and still felt the burn.

I agree with another reviewer that the abs section was a bit light and will be good for beginners. I simply did some of the exercises at double her speed or raised my upper back off of the mat to increase the intensity.

Finally, I liked that this video had no cardio interruptions. I know that trainers insist on lots of cardio before strength training, however, it's easier to add your own exercises before you start than to fast forward through things you don't like. I'm very pleased with my purchase.

I wish I knew all the excercises were done on bench before I purchsed the DVD.
Hopefully I will be able to do some of excerises on the floor or standing.

I think that this is a good DVD, but it was more aerbics and less focused on "strength" than I wanted. I was hoping for more free weight exercises.

Good arm toning.Abs exercises are so so.Would not say bad but for the advanced they are not challenging enough.As to arms exercises in my opinion they are perfect.