Customer Reviews

Shape Toning Workout: Bikini Body All Year-Round

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This DVD consists of four 15 minute sections:

1)BUTT & HIPS: effective standing lunge and squat variations with weights and floorwork.

2)ABS: innovative crunch variations and reverse curls that work upper and lower abs and obliques

3)THIGHS: all standing exercises (no weights). Not your average squats and lunges - interesting combos and balance moves

4)UPPER BODY: you'll need a chair and 2 sets of weights. You'll work biceps, chest, triceps, shoulders and back.

You can choose each segment individually, pick a few or just let the DVD play all the segments and if you do that the order is how I listed it above. you can also select the order of exercises within each section or let the DVD shuffle the order.

Each toning section has 8-10 exercises and they are very effective BUT there is a pause between each set. The workout stops and you see a Shape screen with a beach. Then it goes back to the workout and the next exercise. The pause is only a few seconds but it's annoying and makes the workout choppy. I guess it has to be that way so you can select the order of exercises. One exerciser shows modifications and there are tips that pop up onscreen.

There is also a 20 minute aerobics section. I didn't do that, so I can't comment. I wish there was a stretch section instead of the aerobics. There is a warm-up and cool down before each segment, but it's less than a minute. I felt I needed a good stretch, especially after the legwork.

This dvd is created by the same people as the magazine Shape. That's been around so long because they know what they are talking about and are popular as a result. This dvd is in two parts. A short cardio workout, and then mainly a long routine of toning exercises. This section works abs, legs, arms and hips/buns. In each of those segments there is 10-12 exercises for each, and you can do them in any order (you can choose to shuffle or play them as they are - this keeps it interesting). Both of the instructors cue very well and are not annoying like some. The set is good and light and fun and the only equipment you will need are two sets of weights. You can choose your level of weights. This is a good workout that is fun to do. You'll feel it for a day or two after.

When a workout begins with marching, I start to worry that the exercises are going to be very bouncy and high impact, but the instructors kept the pace up without creating to much bounce. I would not recommend this to anyone with knee or back problems because frankly there are a lot of lunges within the segments that could be of concern. There are also places where you hold weights and bend over at the waist. This definitely requires a strong stomach and back before you begin these exercises.

So, with cautions in place, I can say the exercises on this DVD are especially effective for intermediate students who have learned the basic moves from a variety of workouts. You are required to keep up at quite a rapid pace at times with little time to reposition yourself on the floor or you have to be back up standing and ready to go with a new set of exercises. For the beginner, this could become a frustration and no real details are given for specific exercises.

The bonuses of this workout are unique moves like the Mountain Climber, which is the Yoga plank pose with leg motion, imagine climbing while facing the floor. Great for balance and upper body strength. The leg swings required a lot of balance and many of the exercises seemed to be super effective. You could feel them working from the first move. The only thing you need is a set of 3-5lb weights. Most of the exercises just use your own body weight.

The sections are all interrupted with a Shape "screen" which I tried to ignore. It broke up the music, although it gives you a little break between sections. The format while somewhat frustrating, can be endured for the benefit of the toning, firming and strengthening exercises. I went and put on my swimsuit right after I did this workout just to make sure it works. I still fit into last year's swimsuit, but with this new workout I'm thinking new swimsuits. If you have been working out on a consistent basis and then you try a new workout, sometimes you can even see results the first time you try a workout. This one definitely produces added toning and along with dance exercises, Pilates and Yoga, you should see good results.

~The Rebecca Review

As a veteran and avid fitness enthusiast, I bought this workout a few months ago as a compliment to my extensive cardio workouts and it fits as a perfect balance to my routine. I love the breakdown and the fact that you can shuffle workouts and individual exercises per segment. I have already recommended it to many others who are looking for a good toning workout. The 15 minute segments really feel like just over 5 and if you follow the instructors' advice and use heavy enough weights (finding the correct weight that will fatigue the muscles but not overwork them) you will get a really good sculpting upper body workout.

The only qualm I have with the dvd is the skip between exercises but I also understand that it only does that because of the feature that allows you to put each exercise in the order you prefer. Therefore, having that flexibility within your workout far outweighs that minor issue.

It is especially good for anyone wanting something easy to follow, with clear explanations and all around complete body toning. I use it 3 times a week and will continue on as I've seen results since beginning.

First, you're forced to watch a 40sec Shape commercial each time you put in this DVD - you can't forward/go to DVD menu. The time-wasting only continues. Many of these moves could be combined to increase your heart rate and make better use of your time. Some exercises are even done sitting/laying down! My heart rate is barely 50% of maximum and muscles are not challenged at all with the basic lunges, mountain climbers, dead lifts, etc. Includes about 7-10 exercises in each section, each exercise lasts about 1.5 minutes (with 5 seconds of instruction and non-movement at the beginning), and a 5 second delay between each exercise - keep moving if you really want a decent workout.

I like Michelle and have purchased her other videos. Lisa Wheeler's jazzercise style annoys me so much it's hard to concentrate. I expect her to go into jazz hands at any moment. This video is about what I expect from a magazine who thinks celebrities are an example of fitness.

While this was much better than the Shape Cardio workout, I thought it was just an okay toning workout overall. It was very choppy as other reviewers have mentioned, and just didn't flow well for me. Both instructors are great, the set was bright and cheerful, music was good. There was a great deal of variety in the exercises, but I honestly didn't like some of them, they just felt strange. Will be returning this one unfortunately.

This toning workout is great. It is fast pace but also gives you time to learn the moves. I like how there are sections for each part of the body and in each segment you can pick what order you want to do the exercises.

I was really excited about this DVD after reading the great reviews, but found it very disappointing. Although there are some good exercises in each section there are NOT enough repetitions of each exercise, and I did the entire workout without breaking a sweat. As a very busy working mom, I feel like this hour long workout (plus the 20 minute bonus) is a waste of time, as there are many more challenging and effective toning workouts out there (try Tamilee Webb or Kathy Smith). I guess this workout is probably targeted to an older, less fit audience (which I consider myself a part of), but I have serious doubts that it could get anyone's body into bikini shape. I didn't even feel sore afterward, and wouldn't recommend this DVD to anyone who's serious about getting in shape for summer!!

THis dvd was terrible...I am an on the intermediate level..and basically this tape is marketed to advertise Shape magazine not to workout.

I'm an intermediate-advanced, regular exerciser. I've done the abs and arms segments of this DVD. I haven't done the lower body segment. Based on that, I think this DVD has good, all around, overall toning. But I didn't find it to be as challenging as I expected. I also don't think it's worth it for the time. There are three 15-minute segments, and from the two I did, I think they could have done more multiple muscle movements to give a better workout. I wouldn't suggest this for the time-pressed.

I liked the 20 minute cardio add-on. This is not the toughest cardio workout I've done, but it's good for days when you want a quick, light cardio to get the heart moving and work up a little sweat.