Customer Reviews

Kathy Kaehler Basics - Total Fitness Workout

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Kathy Kaehler is a celebrity trainer who knows how to tone and condition your entire body in about 50 minutes (DVD says approx 45 minutes). She is a more serious instructor who still likes to have fun.

If you have an hour to exercise this is a good choice. She does give ideas for working out for 5 minutes a day, but I can't see this workout being effective in only 5 minutes. I'm learning you need to workout a lot more than 5 minutes a day if you want a fit body like Kathy Kaehler. Let's be realistic here. I hear that some very famous individuals, who we all know, exercise 6 times a week and for way more than 5 minutes. I've even heard of some actors trying to get in shape by working out for 2 hours a day.

Each segment doesn't have its own warm-up section, so you will more than likely end up doing at least two segments at a time, maybe the first two sections and the bonus at the end would be easy to fit into a tight schedule.

After you do this workout you will want to do the entire workout again and again. It is slightly addictive for reasons I can't quite comprehend. The set is in a living room; so maybe this makes me feel "at home." The set includes a Persian carpet, sapphire curtain, couch and table. A chair is taken from the dining room and you will need a sturdy chair. I prefer to put the chair up against a wall.

You honestly don't have time to be running about collecting the items you need. Things to collect before you start: mat, towel, chair, ball, 5-lb weights. The playing cards are optional but maybe more motivational than essential. Kathy Kaehler uses the cards while doing lunges and once while doing abs. Otherwise, you really don't need special equipment. The yoga mat seems essential when doing some yoga exercises.

Segments:

Warm it up
Cardio Blast
Bottoms Up
Arm Sculpting
Hot Legs
Ab-Solutely Ab
Stretch it out

Where do I feel the workout the most? In my stomach and legs. Who knew leaning up against a wall could be so intense or that my abs could feel so tight in such a short amount of time.

The motivational music keeps you focused and you quickly burn lots of calories, increase muscle mass and reduce your risk of disease.

Just when you think you are "absolutely" finished and all stretched out, the bonus section gets you all worked up again. I think the bonus section should be part of the workout and put back in right before the stretching. Although, if you want a break after doing your abs it can work pretty well.

Health tips include things like "not crossing your legs while sitting" and "walking when angry." The Nutrition tips help you work on your lifestyle and include ideas like drinking vegetable juices as snacks.

Benefits:

Increased Cardiovascular strength
Calories - you will burn a lot if you do the entire workout at once
Increase Muscle Mass - the use of weights helps
Increase Flexibility - not much stretching, but enough to stretch you out after exercising

I look forward to trying more Kathy Kaehler workouts. She works me out fast and furiously and I'm still sort of panting while writing this. This workout should make you sweat and give you a burst of energy. Nice as an afternoon pick up to wake you up for an evening out.

~The Rebecca Review
Reviewing my way to fitness, one exercise DVD at a time...

I really loved this workout! Kathy works out all your muscles with simple yet effective moves. I really love that this video is only 35 mins long which is great for me because I have two toddlers which don't give me much time to myself. Despite reading somewhat negative reviews on this video, I must say that I am really glad I bought this and definitely will use it regularly. The exercises are low impact and the moves are simple and easy to follow. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quick and thorough workout or to someone new to workout videos...they will love it, I know I do!

The "Kathy Kaehler Basics Total Fitness Workout" DVD is perfect for anyone ONLY looking for a light moderate workout in 35 minutes or less that produces results. My case: returning to an exercise regime post major surgery resulting in a 9 lbs reduction in two weeks. The DVD consists of seven 5 minute workout segments (Warm up, Cardio, Glutes, Arms, Legs, Abs and Stretching). You may choose to play the entire workout or to select a segment(s). The only equipment you will need is a mat/towel, a small flexible ball, a chair and 3/5 lbs dumbbells. Bonus material is also included incorporating 3 mini fitness breaks, health tips and previews of "Kathy Kaehler's Workout Class" DVD and "Celebrity Workouts" book. Captions available.

I'm really glad I bought this workout dvd. It's one I've been able to stick to and I always look forward to doing the workouts. I like how you can break it up into small targeted workouts although I usually find myself doing the entire 35 minutes once I get started. I like Kathy Kaehler who comes across as warm yet very professional and motivating. I like that she looks fit rather than supermodel-y and silly as it sounds, I like the 'Friends' type set she uses. I'm a very visual person and little things like that can help me stay motivated! I did this workout 4 times a week along with power walking and a sensible low carb/calorie diet using some of the tips she gives on the dvd. I dropped 2 sizes in less than 3 weeks and love that I can fit into skinny jeans again! Definitely one of my favorites. Like having your own personal Hollywood trainer in your own home.

But this tape was mediocre at best. The cardio blast segment didn't make me sweat much - more like a warm up. The constant moving a chair, putting it to the side, bringing it back, getting something else - I felt it took away from the actual workout. It could have been organized better, like doing all the chair exercises then moving to the mat rather than switching it all the time.
Also, that weird violin music during the cool down segment was a turn off. It's more irritating than soothing.
I am by no means an expert - I consider myself a beginner. But I highly recommend Claudia Schiffer & Kathy Kaehler's "Perfectly Fit" VHS tapes. They are 30 minute workouts that target specific areas and they are highly effective. You will sweat and see results!

This DVD is a great conditioning workout. Many previous reviews criticize the short cardio aspect, but the streangth/conditioning aspect of the video is wonderful. It truly works every muscle and is very challenging. I would highly reccomend using this every other day in conjunction with a different high impact cardio DVD.

I've never taken any aerobics classes before, so this DVD is a perfect introduction. I get the feeling that anyone who's taken any aerobics at all will be disappointed with this DVD, but after all it IS called "Basics". I used to run on the treadmill or ride the stationary bike then train on weight machines. Then I got sidetracked for a few years because of constant overseas travel for work. The places I went usually didn't have workout facilities and I was usually too tired anyway (jet lag is NOT good for the system). I really got out of shape and put on some significant weight. I'm done with the travel now, but when I recently tried to get back into my old routine, I tried to do everything at the same level as before, and wound up injuring muscles and feeling crummy because of over-exertion. A friend of mine suggested this video, and I tried it even though I was skeptical. I thought aerobic workout videos were all about pushing hard and killing yourself for a celebrity-perfect body. This video isn't like that at all. It's low-key and definitely user-friendly. I think that Kathy Kaehler has a pleasant personality, motivational but not pushy or annoying. The low-key tone is a little deceptive, though--the first time I did the entire 35-minute workout, I thought it was too easy--then I suffered from sore muscles the next day. Now I do the entire workout each day and I'm adding some running and extra weights. Maybe I'll even seek out a live aerobics class! This video was definitely a help in getting me back on track.

It is a great time saving workout that really makes a difference in your tone. I had been doing the one that she did with Cindy Crawford and like it. I like this one even better. It is organized great and has excellent instructions from Kathy. I do this in combination with walking 3 to 4 days a week and have seen a real difference in my body. Keep up the good work Kathy.

I do it quietly in the morning on mute reading the subtitles while my toddler is still sleeping. The best thing about it is there's not alot of bouncing and yet I'm sweating so I think it's good. The down side, there's only 5 minutes of a cardio blast for the entire 35 mintues in the beginning, I don't know if i'll see results from so little cardio for weight loss. I've been doing it a week and have not seen weight loss results but my limbs feel tighter. go Kathy!

I love, love, love this workout so much I'm purchasing it again after loosing it in a recent move. I've been lost without this simple and very effective routine. I lost 10 pounds by faithfully using this DVD and feel this is the easiest and most motivating workout I have ever encountered!!