Customer Reviews

Shape: Bikini Body Camp Transforming Workout

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this DVD because I wanted a workout DVD that can REPLACE my gym workout, not provide me with something a little extra on a "down" day. Lucky for me, unlucky for my muscles, I got what I asked for.

Program 1 is a cardio workout simulating hills so your heart rate goes up and down steadily. This workout is very intense, and I wouldn't recommend it if you have weak knees due to the jumping lunges and jumping jacks. Ouch. I am used to doing 50 min. of moderate/intense training on the elliptical, where I only produce a thin sheen of sweat--not with this one! I definitely had to stop in the middle to have some H2O. Everytime I do any of the Shape workouts I lose about 2 lbs of water weight. Interesting. I will also note that I go to the gym about 4-5 times a week and am not overweight. These workouts are challenging to people who are in shape, not just a moderate exerciser.

Program 2 is sculpting...I think there is a little too much emphasis on the arms in this one instead of the legs, but oh well. I also wish there was a section just for abs instead of them just telling me to squeeze my abs while I did the other exercises. After lifting for so long I could barely lift my arms and they do shoulders (full extension) towards the end of the weights section, which I think is a terrible idea!!!

Program 3 is a mix of kickboxing, sculpting, and drills. On my first rotation of the 3 programs, I had to take a day off between programs 2 and 3 to let my muscles heal, because after 2 I could barely stand and definitely could not do a squat or lunge! Now, this program is either the easiest of all three, or I'm getting the hang of these crazy workouts, because today I'm only a little sore. I was still sweating a lot during this one though (yup, 2 lbs of water weight gone).

Overall, I really like how there are a variety of workouts on one DVD; you can do it everyday without getting bored (so far). I am going to continue with the program they suggest of rotating the workouts 5 times a week to see if I tone up some. However, if I update my review and say that I lost like 10 lbs or something crazy like that, I'm still going to the gym like 4 times a week in addition--so, doing two workouts a day may contribute further to my weight loss, hah. Oh, and I love the resistance band that comes with the DVD. It really helps with the intensity.

I purchased this video at Best Buy, because I thought the title was cute. Now, 2 months later, I have lost 15 pounds and gone down to a size 2 due to doing this video a few times a week. I have been looking for something quick and easy like this for years to get me in shape FAST. Before, them I was 5'6" and 140 lb., so all I really wanted was to tone up. In doing these videos, however, I got way more than I expected! I have all my friends hooked!

The cardio workout has some serious calorie burning benefits- you can feel it working as you go. However, it's the scuplting workout that is worth its weight in gold- got rid of every single ounce of jiggle on my body! I seriously call this my secret weapon!

Adv. Beg. to Int. Not for someone wanting to get in shape for a marathon, just someone who wants to look sporty and sleek. Kinda tough at first, but hang with it cuz its worth it!

This DVD, the partner of the Shape Redefining Workout, offers three different workouts: a cardio interval workout, a fast-paced sculpting workout, and a workout offering cardio kickboxing, sculpting and "skills and drills", which combines cardio and sculpting. These all come in at about thirty minutes and are very effective.

The Cardio Interval is dependent on high impact moves, but one of the instructors shows some low-impact modifications. They use the idea of running up and down hills to build and lower intensity for an interval workout. Jogging, lunges, squats and boot camp movements are used throughout. This is intense but not boring- they manage to pack a lot of variety into thirty minutes.

Sculpt Plus is a fast-paced weights workout. Good job with the pacing- it's fast enough that you get your heart-rate up, but slow enough that you can add heavier weights. I used my twelves and eights. Next time I'll use my fives for the sets that emphasize shoulder work, but I'll also heavy up to my fifteens for the row/lunge combination. And please, please, before you toss any weight workout that emphasizes weights, try adjusting the poundage first. It can make all the difference.

The Potpourri segment has a little bit of everything, but it's done in such a way that it doesn't feel thrown together. And here again, the cardio segments use leg exercises with a twist to build cardio intensity, and the sculpting segments are fast-paced enough to keep that intensity up. The cardio/sculpt segment, though, is my favorite. The instructors suggest using a small weight (up to five pounds) but I was able to use eight and got a great workout. This section uses rotation and a lot of one-legged movements. It's challenging, but fun.

One caveat: even though they offer great cardio and sculpting workouts, they do skimp on the stretches. The Sculpt segment gives the best stretch, but it could be a few minutes longer. I would have liked to have seen an optional five minute stretch option added on, but it's easy enough to add on elsewhere.

Recommended for the time-crunched.

I've been exercising almost every day for about a year. Usually I do the Crunch Pilates and Bootcamp DVDs, coupled with Jari Love's Ripped series, so I'm a fairly experienced exerciser.

I wanted to find a cardio routine that was fast, effective, but didn't use weights, to use on my days that I don't do weight training (since unfortunately, you aren't supposed to do it every day). All the reviews of different cardio dvds I saw had at least two or three people saying the dvd wasn't hard enough.

When I saw the reviews on this DVD, I knew I had to try it out.

THIS DVD IS EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE. In half an hour, I burned 218 calories. That's more calories per 15 minute increment than any of my other dvds. AND, that's with me only being able to keep up about 2/3 of the time (physically I was able to, but coordination-wise, it was a no-go through some of this).

The moves are fast and confusing. It will definitely take me a while to get this routine down. Lots of jumping around, flailing your arms around, jumping up and down, etc. If you're in an upstairs apartment and are a morning exerciser (like me), this dvd is sure to irritate your neighbors. I recommend toe sox and foregoing shoes, just to keep a modicum of harmony in your building.

I find a lot of the moves are similar to my Crunch Pilates and Crunch Bootcamp dvds, mainly the "knee repeater" (although they don't call it that on this dvd), and some of the arm work, and definitely the stretches at the end.

This dvd isn't as hard on my knees as other dvds I've done, either.

I got this dvd for the the first program, the hardcore cardio one, because I wanted a super intense, fast workout. This first program provides it. I was definitely sweating and my heart rate was the highest I've ever seen it. I haven't tried the other two programs yet. I'm not sure how the long green strap I received works on the second program, but when I do that one and figure it out, I'll edit my review.

I take away one star because there's no counter displayed on my dvd, just "play." I'm obsessed with time and I need that counter display.

This is the first exercise video I've ever tried in my life. I was going to wait until I'd been doing it for a month before I wrote a review, but I've seen results in just two weeks so I figured I'd write one now. There are a lot of good things about this video, and a few not-so-good things that I've found as well.

First, the good. The video consists of three half-hour routines (cardio, sculpting/toning, and skills and drills) that you can rotate, so you won't get bored easily. The instructors aren't annoying, and they show you modifications throughout the video so you don't strain yourself if you're not in top shape. The routines are challenging enough to where, even after a full two weeks, I still have trouble getting all the way through each workout. This is good--it gives me something to work up to.

The marketing of the video is great, too. Instead of just another "burn fat fast" video, they slapped the word "bikini" on it so you're constantly reminded of what your ultimate goal is. In addition, the instructors throw in motivational phrases every now and then. They'll say things like, "This exercise will give you that great bikini butt you're looking for!" and "This will tone your shoulders for those tank tops at the beach." I found it very motivational, without going overboard and becoming annoying.

I also really liked the fact that they included the free resistance band with the DVD. It's such a small detail but I appreciated the fact that they made it so easy to do their workouts. (By the way, you'll also need a set of light, 3-5 pound weights for this video).

And now for the few not-so-good things. One thing that initially annoyed me was the way the routines go so fast that I would sometimes get lost. I'm a pretty clumsy person. Add to that the fact that I've never done one of these videos before, and it was a little frustrating. However, after doing the video a few times I found that it became much easier, so it's not really that big a deal. If a klutz like me can learn the moves, it shouldn't be a problem for anyone.

The other thing I didn't like is that they suggest doing the video five days in a row and then taking two days' rest. For someone like me, with knee and shin problems, doing this five days in a row was a bit painful. I end up doing three days in a row and then doing a low-impact pilates video on the fourth day so I don't kill my shins.

But I guess the best judge of a video should be what kind of results it gets. Like I said, I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks but I'm already seeing results that I like. My work pants are now too big, my love handles are shrinking, my buns are tighter, and my confidence has gone up in leaps and bounds. I'd highly recommend this DVD to anyone looking for a start in the intimidating world of exercise videos. It's my first one and I definitely plan on purchasing some more--assuming I ever get bored with this one, that is.

This is a do-able, challenging workout that will target all major muscle groups, while maintaining an elevated heartrate. Normally I have to make an extra effort to do strength training, but not with this video! I love the circuit/interval set up that allows you to max out on cardio and then recover with weights (all the while dripping with sweat). The moves are familiar, but put together in an innovate, effective format. The recommendation is to alternate each of the three workouts, but I like to do more two for a thorough workout. I think that anyone can do this workout, but pay attention to the modifications, at least until you are familiar with the moves. The instruction is also very good; Michelle Dozois is one of my favorites. I really think you'll see results if you give this DVD a try.

If you are looking for an amazing and refreshing workout, then it can be found in this dvd. It's tough and fun and challenging and effective.
The three instructors (Tracey York, Michelle Dozios and Lisa Wheeler) are knowledgable, outgoing and encouraging. They each add their two cents when one of the others are leading the class, but not in an egotistacle way or in an annoying way. No one is the 'princess' - you can see that they all get along.
The first of the three workouts is the toughest. It's full on cardio and there is no letting up with it. Lisa demonstrates a modified version if it's too strenuous on you. The second workout is toning (and you get to use the dyna band that comes with it in a stunning lime green) and the third workout is a mixture of both aerobics and toning. I like the chest presses with the abdominal work.
If there is one thing I don't like in this, it's that on the dvd player, the count is gone (it only says play) and sometimes you want to know how much time is left to go. But I would have to say that this set is one of my favourite workouts and if I am anthing to go by, there are results to be found here even if you are already slender. I love this one for sure.

I've been working out to this DVD 4 days a week for about 3 weeks and I have seen some great results! I have lost 8lbs and have started to see some muscles "coming back to life", which is very encouraging. I must agree with some of the other reviews, that the first workout is very tough! It is a fast-paced, higher impact cardio interval workout, and I had a lot of trouble with it at the start. It's taken me almost a month, but now I can almost finish it! The fact that I made this progress must mean the workouts are doing something. The other 2 workouts on the DVD are not unreasonable, I definitely look forward to them after that first one. Warning: There are many swats squeezed into these workouts, your glutes will feel the burn!

I would recommend this DVD to a person who is used to regular exercise and can jump right into it. I am a beginner and I struggle to keep up, though I'm improving through persistence. It's okay to not finish a workout the first few times. Your patience will be rewarded. The instructors are very motivating, and what's nice to see is that by the workout's end, they are sweating right along with you!

This DVD workout will hit every muscle group, via its variety. It is a great tool if you cannot go to the gym and have limited time, but still want a workout that combines strength and cardio.

I really LOVE these workouts!I never thought I could sweat like this in only 30 minutes. With the variety in these workouts you can never get bored. The instructors are motivating, friendly and keep you motivated to no end. I usually do 60 minutes of workout each day so I mix-and-match these workout.

Each of these three 30 minute segments will blast the fat. The cardio section is done in very effective intervals (or hills as they call them). The sculpting could use a little more reps with the arm toning, but the leg work made my muscles sore for a couple days after. Also in the sculpting section they do compound moves that move quickly so you even get a little cardio benefit out of it, too. The Potpourri gives you a little sample of toning and cardio. I did all three workouts and it definitely was a sweatfest after I was done. I would rate this an an upper-intermediate level and found it very challenging. You get out of it what you put into it, like any other workout. The instructors are awesome, the cueing is spot on and the music is great.

I wanted to try some workout dvds and bought several different ones at once: Crunch Cardio Dance Party, Kundalini Yoga, Denise Austin Personal Trainer, and this video. This one is BY FAR my favorite! The workouts are challenging yet do-able for a beginner like me. The instructors are supportive and upbeat, the pace is fast, but I am able to keep up with it. The dvd is broken into three different workouts: an intense cardio, a sculpting session, and a mixed one that includes kickboxing, sculpting, and "skills & drills". I think some of the exercises aren't explained as well as others but overall this is a great workout. It is much more challenging and sweat-inducing then the other videos I purchased. I think generally the instructors do a great job of cueing the exercises too, especially compared to Denise Austin's videos! I got her personal training system video which I thought was okay but didn't offer up the level of intensity and fun that this one does. Also, I find the music in this video much more motivating than the others. Overall, a fun workout that will really give you a challange!