Customer Reviews

Kathy Smith - Secrets of a Great Body Total Workout, Vol. 2 - Lower Body [VHS]

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

 

 

Okay, I'll admit it. The first time I did this tape, I didn't like it.

I'd been doing Kathy's "Lift Weights to Lose Weights" for a couple of months and was ready for a change. I thought this video --twice as long as LWTLW-- would be the next step I was looking for. But after doing it, I was unsatisfied. Some of the exercises burned a bit, but I really didn't feel like I'd been challenged. This workout didn't seem much harder than LWTLW, perhaps even easier. I was dismayed.

But I kept at it cause I bought the tape and I was gonna use it, darn it! And after doing it a few more times, something wonderful happened. The slow, deliberate reps that seemed so mild & monotonous initially, became much more effective once I really began concentrating on my form and working to truly ISOLATE each muscle, really "focus in" on what part of my body should be doing the work, as Kathy says during the tape. And sure enough, this workout cut new curves & sweeps into my legs, and ya gotta love that, eh?!

I agree, however, with the other reviewers that the tape's editing could be better, cause I really don't need the informative little anatomy lessons & examples of each exercise disrupting the tape's flow the way it does. This would've been better placed at the beginning of the tape, I think. However, it's not such a problem, the segments are very short & I find it's nice to have a little break, shake the body out & get ready for the next exercise.

Also, sometimes you're, say, doing standing leg lifts one minute and then a second later you're supposed to be on the floor for another exercise, which would be impossible w/out the magic of editing. But so what? I keep a remote handy and there's PLENTY of time to hit PAUSE on the remote so you can get where you need to be. And it gives you time to catch your breath or get a drink or put on an ankle weight or whatever.

So here's what I think. If you're new to weights & trying to decide which Kathy Smith tape to start with: RIGHT HERE BABY! This'll give you plenty of instruction that is lacking in LWTLW, and also the slower, more deliberate pace is great for learning to isolate muscles & perfect your form. Then, you can graduate to LWTLW, and cut your workout time in half while still getting a GREAT workout.

On the other hand, if you already did LWTLW, this tape might not be enough. But if you take the time to concentrate on what you're doing and add weights to the excercises when you're able, you can still get a great workout. Not a better workout, mind you, but a different one. Sometimes, though, that's all your body needs to break out of a plateau. Good luck!

PS. I know it's a lower body workout, but man! Whoever shot & edited this video has a butt fetish! So many closeups of people's rears, it's kinda funny the first time you watch it. Enjoy! hehehe

I agree with the review amazon included, that if you are used to working out with machines, this might not be for you, but for home, it is a great tape to have in your collection. I really liked Kathy's low rep overload. You work one glute to fatigue with about 4 different exercises, then repeat them all on the other side. Then the hamstrings, quads,inner and outer thigh, calves, and even shins, which is rare to find in a video. A man, in the group, shows weights and ankle weights to make the video more challenging. There is also a beginner option shown, as well. I didn't give the video 5 stars, because I found some of the bending over a chair positions awkward for the outer thighs. I don't know if she could have substituted a better exercise, though. All in all, a good lower body tape using just just a chair, with optional weights.

The workout in this video is decent... And I love kathy Smith.... BUT there seems to be alot of wasted time in this workout. She stops the exercises to do a little anatomy lesson, to show you where the muscle is, blah blah blah. While these lessons are a nice thing to add, it becomes bothersome to have to go through everytime you do the video. It would be better to have this at the END or even the begining. Also, between some exercises the camera just cuts to it. (When Kathy and the others are switching sides, or changing position) The camera doesn't follow the people, so you aren't left with enough time to change position as well. I also didn't give this a higher rating because it is a little too easy for what is made to seem like an intermediate /advanced workout. This may just be because I am in good shape... On the plus side, the video is well balanced and I did feel it in my buns the next day! It is a thorough workout for the lower body and will produce results. I would recommend Kathy's Lift Weights to Lose Weight video instead, as it the time will fly and it is much easier to tailor the workout to meet your needs when you advanced in fitness levels.

Who knew that Glute Sweeps could be so much fun? Well, maybe not fun, but certainly not drudgery, either. In this video, Kathy Smith puts a new spin on many tried, true, and tired lower-body exercises by changing them just enough to make them more of a challenge to your psyche and to your muscles. When I first did this workout two months ago, I felt it for days in my muscles and was motivated to pop this video in for another go. Although I've been doing this workout faithfully for two months, there are still certain muscle groups that are a challenge during the workout and sore afterwards, but over all, I feel stronger and am seeing results in that there is extra room in my jeans and skirts now. You'll find that time will pass quickly when you do this video, because each muscle group is dwelt upon long enough for the exercises strengthen it, but not long enough to bore you.

I've been using this video along with the companion "Secrets of a Great Body-Volume 1-Upper Body", and have definitely seen results. The exercises are thoroughly previewed and the video is short enough to keep from getting monotonous, but long enough to get a good workout. Great for beginner through intermediate. I'm at intermediate stage now, when I progress, I expect to use weights, as she recommends, for some of the exercises. I like Kathy Smith's attitude and encouragement. The video is filmed in a large empty room which is initially boring, but that lets you concentrate on the workout. I've seen great results after six weeks. I have a problem with a tendon and hoped building the muscles in that area would help, and it has. Kathy Smith's style is pleasant, not annoying, and she is quite an athlete. I'm now convinced that the right workout videos can keep me motivated to improve my fitness level. For aerobics, I use Kathy Smith's Functionally Fit Workout video, which is excellent too.

I was sore in all the right places with this one! Each exercise is explained up close and in detail before you go through the reps. And the reps are not done so fast that you fall out of alignment like some other videos I've tried. The video works every muscle waist down and Kathy Smith explains as you go along so you can concentrate on the muscle you are trying to work. I could still feel the burn the next day!

Kathy Smith is a great instructor and I enjoy all of her videos (her step workout is still the best exercise tape ever). This tape contains excellent exercises for the lower body that really help shape and tone. Kathy also includes easy-to-follow directions and demonstrations on how to do the exercises correctly. Unfortunately, this video, like so many other workout tapes, contains a few very annoying flaws.

The most irritating aspect of the tape is the editing. I agree completely with another reviewer's criticism that the tape contains extraneous explanations and cuts to the exercises too quickly. I would really love to see Kathy Smith release this video (as well as the companion Upper Body Workout) in DVD format after she has slightly reedited to allow her viewers to follow the tape without having to stop and rewind.

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the product and it looked new.

A friend of mine copied this onto a DVD and she skipped Cathy's exercise comments and directly got to the workout.

I, on the other hand, with this VHS have to blindly figure out how much I have to rewind and fast forward to get to the work out section. That's VHS!

I did get this at a bargain.