Customer Reviews

Kathy Smith - Weight Loss Workout

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I love Kathy Smith, but I remember trying to do this workout a few years ago (I was 17, not in that bad of shape & not overweight) and it was very hard. My mom, who was trying to lose weight, did this workout a few times, and it was usually too much for her, too. Like someone said before, if you can do the 70 minutes, it's great, so that's why I gave it 5 stars. But if you're just starting out, please choose something like "Functionally Fit: Peak Fat Burning" by Kathy Smith. I'm afraid "Weight Loss Workout" will discourage you! It's one you need to work your way up to.

Fitness level: Intermediate. Composition: 5 minute warm-up; 8 minutes arm and upper body toning; 35 minutes floor aerobics; 8 minutes lower body toning; 5 minute cool-down Equipment: one-to-five-pound dumbbells; can do toning without weights if you're just starting out. Heart Rate Checks: 2 Music: ranges from funk to traditional aerobic-style to Caribbean to 50's rock Impact: Mixed, but low-impact modifiers shown for most routines Choreography: moderate Settings: gym and studio. The settings and decor change with each section. Whenever the music changes, you'll see the song title, and section (warm-up, toning, aerobics, cool-down) displayed in the lower left hand corner of the screen, like MTV.

She produced this tape after giving birth to her first child and filming her Pregnancy Workout, and some may think it shows its age, but it still is one of the most solid workouts on the market for intermediates and those new to weight work. Kathy Smith opens with her usual low-key but friendly, informative introduction that belies the energetic routine ahead. I don't know if this is the program that got her looking so great after her pregnancy, but she definitely looks wonderful in this video. Kathy has always advertised this as the follow-up to her Fat Burning Workout video. It's definitely on the next level--steps that are "aerobic" in that video are "warm-ups" here, and the first few times I did this workout I was grateful for the nutritional lecture at the end. Not because I needed it--although I probably did--but because all I could do after completing the cool-down was lie on the floor and pant!

However, I persevered and I'm glad I did. I felt results in a few weeks, and saw them in the second month. At the risk of sounding like a FIRM testimonial, I looked better at age 37 than I had at 21! My arms and upper body were toned for the first time in my life. By the fourth month, I had tons of energy, and I looked great in my jeans. Then came pregnancy, and it wasn't until my daughter was weaned that I could once again exercise this intensely. When I returned to intermediate level, it was good to have this tape in my collection.

This was the first time I'd ever used weights in an aerobic routine--maybe some wouldn't rate the weight work for "Weight Loss Workout" as "aerobic" but it sure kept my heart rate in the target zone--especially the lower body work. Kathy suggests that neophytes do the tape the first time without weights--and one exerciser demonstrates the toning that way. (Another exerciser has wristband weights--the rest use dumbbells) I ignored her and started with 1-pound weights, and had no problems.

Two things I loved about the toning: it was "choreographed" so you keep moving instead of sitting or, Heaven forbid, lying on the floor. (At my 9:00pm exercise time, a prone position is an invitation to slumber!) Arms and upper body work follows the warm-up; the lower body work follows the aerobics. If they'd been lumped together, I'd have just skipped them and done only the aerobics, which to me is always the fun part. Also, when I was new to using weights like this, I don't think I could have done all 16 minutes consecutively--the division gave me a chance to get my second wind, which usually happens 20 minutes into the aerobics section. That reminds me. . .

I haven't said much about the aerobics yet--which is why I bought the tape in the first place. I love aerobics the way a dog loves bones. Enjoyable routines and great music are part of what I live for, and this program has both. It's a faster pace and a little trickier than her beginner workouts, but Kathy is a master at teaching through "add-ons" and combinations. She also includes modifiers for people who are intermediate level but don't want to do "power moves." I especially enjoy the Caribbean and 50's segments--the crew has *almost* as much fun as the one in "Donna-Mite Workout."

The only problem I have with this workout is that the toning is wonderful, but doesn't include work for abs and back. Kathy implies in her intro that she geared this video in part toward new mothers. But she left out exercises for their most common trouble spots! Had she included them, this would be the perfect routine for intermediates, in my book. But since I now rotate videos rather than stick with just one, I can include that work on a "strength day" instead. Or I can supplement on the same day with one of the FIRM's "More 5-Day Abs" routine. It's a good tape nonetheless, that fell just a little short of being great.

I'm not sure I started this tape right after it came out, but I have used it at least once a week for the past several years (along with other Kathy Smith videos and those of others as well). It has finally worn out and I am about to buy my second copy. Of all the tapes I use, this is the only video that exercises all the particular muscle groups I need to have limbered and stretched. I often do it after work, and cannot do all 70 minutes, so I skip 2 of the routines, and it works out great. I never skip the stretch at the end. Can't say it enough ... It's the best exercise video tape ever!

I love this video because it is the first that I have found that is non-stop aerobics for a full hour. There is no floor work in this video at all. They use light weights in two short sections but they are not manditory and you can do the tape without them and still get a great workout. There are two heart rate checks in which they help you time your heart rate and tell you where your heart rate should be according to your age so you will know whether you are working too hard or not hard enough. I have only had this video for a few weeks and I alternate it with Firm workouts w/ weights and Yoga tapes and I have seen a difference already just by adding this tape. It is helping to get rid of those last few hard to reach areas. Highly recommended video... but warning.. it is NON-STOP for 60 full minutes. If you want to start with something easier maybe start with her Timesaver workouts.

Also included in this video... Kathy talks at great length at the beginning of the video which is good for beginners. At the end she speaks briefly on nutriion.

YES, THIS VIDEO IS AN OLDIE ALRIGHT.
it was done in the early 90's so you can surely expect "cheesiness" in terms of hairstyles, clothing, and even the sets. This was made over a decade ago. Take out a photo album of your own and you'd be embarrassed at your own cheesy hair style and clothes 10 years ago! Now on to the important part -- do you get a good work out from this tape -- YES. The upper body workout is around 10 minutes. Next, you get five aerobic segments that last around 35 mins. My faves were the Latin and 50's dance segments. Finally, you do around 15 mins of lower body toning. The weight segments are only easy if you're using too light of weights. I've used 3 and then 5 pound weights and what a difference that makes.
The entire workout is around an hour! This is definitely for intermediate level. I had great fun doing the workouts but what matters most was that I lost 25 lbs in 2 months doing this video every single day. THIS WORKS!

I have been exercising to videos since the first 20 Minute Workout tapes became popular. I bought and used Smith's first videos, and I haven't wasted money on anyone else's since. This is the best of the Smith videos and the best I have seen for developing upper body strength and losing weight with a "just right" combination of weight training and aerobics. If you are an at-home exerciser and can work out for approximately 70 minutes, this is your best bet. I will be ordering my second copy soon. The first is worn out, and I don't intend to change my routine (although I wouldn't mind another Smith video along the same lines as far as the work out, but with updated costumes, hairdos, and music).

This is one of the first exercise videos I bought, it was combined with Ultimate Stomach and Thighs (don't bother with that one). It really got me hooked on Kathy and she is one of my favorite instructors. The aerobics in this tape are really fun. They are broken down into several segments with different flavors. The 50's Dance and the Hawaiian were my favorite. Beware though, this workout is very long. I broke down the segments and only did a couple when I did this tape, you may not want to do it all at once, especially if you are a beginner. But this workout is fun.

You will burn calories while simultaneously toning your arm and leg muscles, but don't buy this 60-minute video if you are bothered by dated sets (1990) or gross thong outfits. The shifting back and forth from black outfits to colorful ones, the changing camera angles, and the silly turquoise sheet waving around in the back to look like water can get pretty annoying after a while. But if you ignore those problems and focus on the workout, you will work up a good sweat, lose weight, and tone up the muscles of your upper and lower body with this fast-moving, dancy video. I do like Kathy Smith's "Functionally Fit Peak Fat Burning Workout," "Step Workout," "Power Step Workout," and "Peak Fat Burning Breakthrough" better -- her tapes keep getting better as she gets older. If you want a shorter (half-hour) tape that combines cardio with hand weights, "Crunch - Cardio/Sculpt" is excellent.

This is one of my favorite work-out tapes of all time. I have worked out with tapes for many many years and have done The Firm, Taebo, Kathy Ireland, Buns of Steel and many others as well as really old Jane Fonda tapes.
I like this work-out because for some reason it seems to go by very fast and I NEVER get bored of it. And this is also one of the few tapes where I still love the music even after 100 times of listening to it. This is a long work-out - an hour total, but the different segments in different settings and the fun moves make the time fly. I am one of those people who gets on the treadmill and suddenly 10 minutes seem to last forever because of the repetitive motion. In this work-out, it will be 40 minutes through and I would have barely noticed.

This work-out was filmed shortly after Kathy had a baby and she looks great. If you do it as recommended (about 5 times a week) you WILL lose weight as promised in the title. (Note: you will probably not lose a whole lot if you pig out on pizza every day - no work-out will do that for you). BUT what is guaranteed regardless of your nutrition is that you will feel stronger! Your muscles will start having definition. Your cardio-vascular fitness will soar. You will feel great!

There are times in this work-out when cueing is not perfect and when Kathy stumbles in giving accurate instruction. Do not let this bother you. The first few times you may not be able to keep up with the fast pace and the move changes but this will be a blessing later when you have done the work-out many times and the quick move changes are what keep it fun for you. You almost start to feel like you are part of a well choreographed dance routine. That said, this is not about dancing - great muscle toning and conditioning is cleverly disguised in many fun moves. There is no getting down on the floor - but you will work every part of your body while keeping the heart rate up and burning those calories.
Kathy is motivational and looks and acts like she is having the time of her life. Somehow its hard not to follow her with a smile on your face and have a great time as well.
This work-out can be done without weights but weights are very recommended, especially as you become stronger. A 3 pound dumbell set gives great results!
For an even better overall toning work-out on days you are serious about working those muscles I would recommend alternating this tape with the original FIRM series. This workout is fun and keeps your heart pumping the entire 60 minutes. The FIRM tapes will take your muscle conditioning to a new level.
On a final note, this tape is great for an intermediate to advanced level of fitness BUT you can also use it as a beginner for maximal weight loss results and do it without weights and walk in place when you can't keep up. You can even do the first 30 minutes and forward to the cool down. Very quickly you will be amazed at how you start keeping up and are soon able to finish the entire work-out.
Overall a great work-out! Unless you can't stand Kathy Smith for some reason, I highly recommend getting it. It is one of her best!

I love this video> I first bought it 6 years ago and loved the results I got. I now have three children and this video is my secret to staying in great shape. My first video broke from overuse and I searched my city to get another one!! I find the workout gets my heart rate up, tones my arms, legs and bottom and makes me feel great for the rest of the day. The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars because it is a long workout which can be inconvenient, and it doesn't have an ab workout. Otherwise if you want to lose weight this video will definitly give you fast results!