Customer Reviews

Minna - Optimizer - Fat Eliminator [VHS]

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I own the Minna Lessig Strength and Grace workout and really enjoy doing that video, so I thought I would enjoy this one too.

Unfortunately, I didn't.
She should be called "Knee-na the Lunging Princess!"
This whole video is lunge after lunge after lunge. The first 3 circuits (both the strength and cardio portions) are ALL lunges. If you have bad knees, or knees that get sore easily, avoid this video. I had to modify every exercise, even in the cardio portions of the circuits, which included Jumping lunges!

On a good note, I did like the fifteen minute bonus weight training portion at the end of the video, which had some excellent ab work. I also liked the one circuit that focused more on punches and shoulder strengthening.
I hope this was helpful!

I don't think I've ever given any other workout tape five stars (not even in those reviews that only exist in my head), even though there ARE ones I keep going back to... but I actually LOVE this tape. First of all, Minna is adorable. She is so blessed with natural charm and the fact that she usually runs out of breath by the end of the cardio parts will just make you love her even more... for not making you feel like a total loser simply because you're sweating like crazy after only a couple of minutes. And you SHOULD be prepared for some serious sweating; like, remember those scissors jumps from elementary school? I almost forgot they can get SO lethal! Yes, Minna uses some of the basic-basic movements on this tape, but she must be using them in the right order and at the right intensity, because you'll feel really, really worn out by the end. Okay, at least I do and I like to think I'm in a pretty good shape.
There's also a 15 minute set of targeted exercises at the end of the tape, where she uses a couple of light handweights, but if you don't have those, you can easily use those heavier ashtrays you have at home.
Oh, the girls in the back are great choices, too - there's this really skinny one, a not-exactly slim one, a pretty muscular Asian girl that has this very cute smile on her face all throughout the workout and an approaching-middle-age lady. They are just all real cute AND natural, so you won't feel ashamed of your body only by looking at them.
Great people, great set of exercises - I absolutely recommend this one.

This tape is really good, I mean I worked up a major sweat and I felt the burn for hours afterward. I couldn't walk the next day I was soooo sore! But even though I am praising it, this workout does have a couple of drawbacks but not so bad to make it not worth 4 stars. Number 1 there is no one to show you how to do a lower impact or easier workout if you are a beginner. She does tell a few times how to do it slower but she doesn't show you so you don't know if you are dong it right. Also this tape is mostly jumping and bouncing so if you have weak knees dont get this tape!! This workout is not for everyone so if you can find it for rent I would suggest doing that first..also be prepared to watch it a few times because it is very fast paced and none of the movements are really well demonstrated..all in all it's a good workout and I really enjoyed it!!!

This is by far my favorite tape. It remains challenging even years after I first purchased it. Two years ago, I bought this tape since I was getting rather soft around the edges and lost 15 pounds in no time flat. This same tape got me past the dreaded freshman 15 as well (that's losing 15 pounds two times on this tape, people). It isn't particularly dancy - just classic fitness - she focuses very much on squats and lunges (so beware those with knee problems, and hello those who tend to gain weight on their behinds like me!). Included is a 15 minute bonus toning workout with some great ab work at the end. The tape will have you firmed up in no time, and somehow manages to target just about every muscle group at some point. Minna is an upbeat and capable instructing, and not in the least bit annoying to go with it. So buy, enjoy, and lose some weight: trust me, this tape works.

When I first tried this workout, I was sore for two days and felt every muscle in my legs! It is a great workout and I'd say if you're a beginner, it'll be a little challenging only first couple of times, after that you'll really enjoy it !! It works legs very well, I could realy feel burn in my legs, the 15 minutes bonus at the end includes strength training with weights and abs workout. I've had better abs workouts, but this is not really a targeted abs toner anyway... Overall, I've been doing it for some time and still enjoy it, it makes me feel my arms and legs! And Minna is very insparational. Even though the music isn't wow.... myself I do not hear the music when I'm working out, I'm trying to concentrate more on what I'm doing, not listen to the music... I would highly recommend this tape.

If you like the workout that you would get at a gym, but just don't have time to get there, this is the workout for you! I feel as though the cardio section gets my heart rate going as much as it would if I were running. Not only are you getting your heart rate up and sweating off calories, you're toning at the same time. Minna is a great instructor too! She is qualified, upbeat, and down to earth, but not annoying in the least. I won't lie, though. I'm an active person, and my first workout with Minna was tough!
DRAWBACKS:
Boring routine- the moves are extremely easy to follow, but they consist mostly of lunges and jumps.
Uninspiring music- the video jacket boasts "spicy latin music," but beware...it is nothing of the sort.
Great for those who carry weight in the buttocks and legs, not-so-great for those who carry weight in the stomach- the routine is, like I said, a lot of lunging and jumping so it tones up your legs and butt fast! Although there is a 15 minute bonus toning section including ab work, it is not even enough to feel the burn (I'm used to doing ALOT of ab work though).

Overall, the tape is effective, and it seems that after only a week of using it, my body has already begun to shrink! Just take into consideration the amount of jumping that Minna does, and proceed with caution if you have weak knees or ankles.

This video is different than any other exercise video that I own. There is no dancing. No moving to the music. Most of the aerobic moves involve doing quick movements in place or jumping. There's a lot of jumping which makes it difficult to do if you live in an apartment or anywhere where you have neighbors below you. It is definitely not a tape for beginners. You have to be in pretty good shape to do the workout. I gave it 3 stars because it is a safe workout and the instructions are clear. I was sore the next day so it definitely worked some muscles. However, I prefer more dance oriented aerobics routines so I don't find this a particularly fun tape to do.

I was very pleased with this tape. I recently purchased Minna's Emergency Workout and that one was good but this tape really makes you work. It is not very long, only 35min or so. But the workout is very challenging. I have done all the tapes, from the firm, to Taebo Advanced to Advanced Stott Pilates,etc. I must say I have bought too many tapes and unfortunately they are not always difficult. Well this one was an excellent workout and I would definitly recommend it.

I really like this video for a variety of reasons. First of all, Minna has a great slim, but healthy and strong body, so she is a great example of fitness. She is upbeat with a positive attitude without being peppy and annoying. The moves in this video are relatively basic and not too difficult if you are not that coordinated (but they still work you hard in all of the right places). The video is set up into 6 circuits of strength and then cardio so it makes the video go faster. I can DEFINITELY feel the workout working for my body. As far as the actual workout and instructor I would give it 5 stars BUT... the package says latin music and the music is nothing exciting at all. In fact the music is boring and uninspiring. Also, I like all of the bells and wistles in an exercise video so I was not impressed with the the scenery that it was filmed in. It is a very basic, no frills aerobic studio. Call me high maintenance, but I like a video with an exciting backround like a beach or modern cutting edge studio. Anyway I highly reccomend this video.

This was my first Minna video, and I'll probably try another... She has a competent manner, and seems to enjoy what she is doing. HOWEVER, after one run through I put this video up on Marketplace to resale. Minna does A LOT of jumping, and although I modified to low impact, it seemed to slow the workout down enough to make it feel "flat." I also missed the use of weights during the interval training. Just a personal preference, I guess.
I had to come back and edit my review! Two days following my trial run of this video, my muscles had that pleasant sensation that I had had a "good" workout. It was hard to tell that I was getting such a complete workout while I was doing it. Someone had already bought up my copy, but it wasn't appropriate for me anyway. Anyone with creaky, at-risk knees needs to really think hard about this purchase. Those of you who can do it, go for it!