Customer Reviews

The Original Buns of Steel: Intense Target Toning with Less Aerobics

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Originally made in the 80s, this video is NOT for you if you care about the appearance of the video and the participants. Sweat bands and leg warmers (and even Jheri Curl I think) abound. And Greg Smithey can drive you CRAZY if you don't mute him or just enjoy the laughs. ("We're going to squeeze out that cheeseburger and that carrot cake.") All that said, I have to say that this is hands down one of the best work out videos ever made (and I've tried a lot) to get your thighs and buns in shape--rock hard and very strong. You can order the DVD directly from Greg Smithey on his web site for only $14.95, so don't pay more than that. I like the DVD cause you can skip the aerobic part (I honestly have never done this part) and start with the floor exercises. I am a mom of 4 and I homeschool, so I have to keep my workout very brief or it just won't happen, so I do 1/2 of the floor exercises one day and the other 1/2 the next, both equaling 18-20 minutes each. The first 1/2 is outer thighs, second 1/2 inner thighs and buns. (I also skip the end ab work; I prefer pilates/ And I do that on alternate days. And I do arm work--push ups and free weights--on my own on days when I have the extra 5 minutes.) And still, after almost 2 years of doing this once a week (okay, some weeks I missed) this workout is still a little tough, in a good way. (If you're new to these exercises, I encourage you to just do as many reps as you can of each, but stick with it and you will see your reps improve.)
This video and a few others (Pilates: Abs Workout; 10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results Pilates; and Ana Caban Maintenance Pilates for weight loss, which I alternated as ab workouts in that order, adding each after I got rather competent at each) were 1/3 of the reason I was able to loose 40 pounds 1 1/2 years ago and it is great feeling fantastic at 40.
The other 2 reasons?
I started eating healthy (highly recommend SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life) and every 7-10 days I ate only fruits and vegetables--as much quantity as I wanted for 48 hours, but only fruits and veggies. I consistently lost 1.25-2 pounds per week, so I lost 40 pounds in about 7 months.
But the most important reason/inspiration for me was Romans 6:12-14...
"Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."
When I was tempted to eat poorly or turn off my alarm and sleep in instead of exercising and doing my morning devotions, I told myself that "sin shall not be your master."
I started the whole process toward weight loss out of sheer obedience to God. I knew He wanted me to take care of myself, and I never had, my entire life really. What I didn't know at the beginning of my 7-month journey was that in the end God wanted me to take care of myself for ME. I have so much more energy now to do so much more. I can mountain hike with my teen and pre-teen daughters and keep one step ahead of them! I used to have pain in my knees occasionally when I went up stairs and lower back pain every morning--no more. I used to snore even--no more! And needless to say, being in the best shape of my life has had a huge, wonderful impact on my marriage.
All that said, I highly recommend this video. There are plenty of buns of steel workouts out there. Some are really wimpy, and in some the instructor yells at you while he's dripping in sweat and bragging about his own physique. I couldn't do most of those more than once or twice because I hated them so much. (I recommend you try videos on loan from your library so you're not wasting money, until you find the ones you like.) Like I said, if you can figure out your own way to get around the 80s look of the video and the quirkiness of Greg Smithey, this workout will deliver life-long, proven results. None others come close to that for me.

I LOVE this workout. I was a kid when my mom bought it for herself in the early 90's. I started using it in High School and I LOVED it. I got so TONED that I had to start using ankle weights when I did the floor exercises to get more resistance. My legs and butt looked so good that my friends would ask me how I did it. I told them all I did was walk a few times a week and do this workout a few times a week. 3 of my best friends actually started coming over and doing the workout with me. I am now the mom of a 15 month old baby and I want to start doing it again. I have finally lost all of the baby weight, but I am not nearly as toned as I used to be.

I got rid of all of my old VHS tapes years ago, with the exception of this workout. I have used it SO many times that the tape is starting to wear out. I used a dvd recorder to transfer it onto a DVD, but the tape was already so degraded that it didn't turn out very well. I am so glad they decided to re-release this workout on DVD. I remember searching for a DVD version when I was in college but had no luck.

This has always been my all time favorite workout video. Every time I think about it, I think about the time I was in English class doing a group assignment. We had 10 minutes to come up with as many 2 word noun/adjective combinations as we could think of (chalkboard/dirty, ball/red, alarm/annoying). After a few minutes of writing, one of the boys in my group looked at me, looked up, then said LEGS/DISTRACTING!! That moment will forever be stuck in my mind. It was such a good feeling to know that all my hard work was actually paying off! I want everyone to know that this is an AMAZING workout video. I am upgrading to the DVD but I am buying it directly from [...] because it is only 14.95+4.95 S&H.

I've been using this video for around 20 years, VHS until now. I only do the floor work, second section of the video. I put ankle weights on, turn off the volume and listen to my own music since I know this video by heart. This video 4x a wk plus cardio gets results.

Some of you may think I'm insane, but from beginning to end I love this video! I did not buy my DVD from Amazon, I actually went through Greg Smithey's site to order my precious copy!

20 years...20 years of the most beautiful ass on the planet! Make your fun, wage your complaints, but you'll never hear anyone who actually used the video complain that it did not produce results!

Anyone who gives this video less stars because its dated or corny is doing a disservice to the women who could benefit from the workout. It's among the first wave of workout videos, and it's dated; so-freaking-what. Greg Smithey is an old friend, and his workout has been nothing but beneficial to me for the past 20 years.

I used this back in the early 1990's. Then it was on a VHS tape. I used it so much that the tape broke. The results were fast & noticeable. The instruction is timeless & delivers results. I have searched for this on DVD & could not believe my eyes when I finally found it. The video is easy to follow & the instructor goes at a comfortable speed, not too fast. This will definitely be a favorite in your exercise library.

I remember being a kid and seeing these commercials for BUNS OF STEEL!!! So I decided to try it. I am average in size and I really don't need to lose any weight, but my backside could use some serious firming up. I've been doing lunges and squats which has helped some, but this video has given me better results after just 3 days! I've done this video three days in a row, and I can SEE my thighs and butt firming up. I swear the cellulite seems to be going away, and it has been there forever. The workout is hard though, your legs will be CRYING from pain the first time you do this. You might cry too...:) Just do as many reps as you can when you start, and try to keep up. I am looking forward to how good I will look after a month of this, there is no doubt I will look great because this video is intense toning. I like Greg...he's funny and keeps you motivated!

So happy to see that this is now on DVD. It can get long and drawn out until you get to the actual floor leg exercises, but boy will it all pay off! If you're not used to working out make sure you don't have to climb a lot of stairs in the next couple days. It will fry your thighs like nothing before! Your legs will be screaming for mercy. It is a low budget cheesy video, but the results are fantastic! There are some really great workouts that are more modern, but if toning your butt is what you're interested in doing then this is your answer. It has to be done! You'll holler and bad mouth Greg until you start seeing the results. That's when the video becomes fun!

I did the VHS version of buns of steel in the early 2000- 2002. My butt never looked better. I was in my 40's It does the job better than any other tapes because it is a combination of stretches similar to pilates that really work the tush. When I am pressed for time I do the butt exercises only (about 15 minutes) and use the full workout when I have more time. I dont like the tapes that make you jump around. The exercises really work your butt and you feel muscles you didnt know you had. It is wonderful. I tracked down the dvd version and I see a difference in my tush already (6 weeks).

This DVD will literally kick your butt! If you put aside the image of a Chuck Norris look-a-like (Greg Smithey) giving you instructions and you don't pay attention to the 80's attire you will be SO PLEASED with this workout and the results! Don't bother with the knock offs... I have a few of the Leisa Hart DVDs and I was not impressed. Greg Smithey knows what he is talking about and with The Original Buns of Steel workout you will be incredibly happy that you purchased the DVD. It's a little pricey but completely worth it! The cardio workout at the beginning warms you up and the intense target training tones your butt and legs. Not to mention the ab workout at the end. The ab training is a little short but you can always do it twice. I gave this product 5 stars because everyone that has tried this DVD with me has been so surprised with the results after only a couple of weeks!

I've used this since a teenager and it really dished results. This is the only routine along with Taebo 8 mins that has ever done what it says. I've done it all and trust me: this is the best. The warm up alone is a great way to start into an exercise routine so even you dont want to tone buns or thighs you can just do the warm up to get your heart racing. Fantastic it comes in DVD. My old one is VHS. Thanks Greg Smithey.