Customer Reviews

Shape Your Butt, Hips and Thighs

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

 

 

There are four workouts on this DVD. One is a ballet-type lower body, one is yoga/pilates inspired lower body, a 12 minute full body weight workout and a cardio work-out. I loved the two lower body and the full body weight workouts. I like the short duration of each. I almost never do shorter workouts in isolation. I like doing them together and the short segments mix it up a bit. I've been having a hard time finding DVDs that focus on the lower body and this has a lot of different exercises and it definitely worked up a sweat. Jury's out still on whether it produces good results. I'm suspecting it will.

What I didn't like was the cardio. This is based on MY personal preferences however. It is a dance-style cardio workout. I don't like these because I find them too difficult to follow. I've never been into dance-style cardio at the gym or at home. But if you like that kind of workout, you might like this one. I just find it difficult so I end up not watching and just doing what I want along to the beat and listen to the talk-along as if it was referencing what I am actually doing!

I would definitely recommend this DVD though for the two lower body and the bonus 12 minute full body weight workout. It'll get a lot of use even if I don't ever use the cardio portion.

The DVD is basically broken down into three sections; 1) dance-style cardio, 2) standing ballet work, and 3) floor pilates and yoga work. I don't normally like "dancey" stuff as I'm not all that coordinated, but Lisa Wheeler breaks down the steps and builds on them, so I know I'll get it eventually. One student, Sam, shows modified versions of the steps, and each student makes the workout her own by adding some individual flair, which encourages me to add my own little spice (I love Sam's shoulder shimmies, wish I could do 'em!) The ballet section doesn't do much for me, but the pilates/yoga section really works my legs. Over all, this workout is a lot of fun!

Due to sneaky repackaging, this is an old workout with a new cover, so you may already have it. However, this is tough and effective. Done a couple of times a week along with their cardio workout and you'll be in shape in no time. This killed the first couple of times, but now it's getting better and I am seeing results. I love the set, the music and the instructor is great. It's motivating and challenging, but worth the effort. Get this if you want a tighter butt and if you want your thighs a little leaner. You'll be glad you did.

Don't bother with this DVD unless you already know all the dance moves. They're supposed to teach us how to do the exercises, but on here, the trainer and her very skilled assistants just get right into it. It was hard for me to follow along, because there wasn't any beginning, slow motion of the steps. Because of the above, it wasn't a very effective workout for me.

This woman may have a great body, but she cannot teach dancing for anything. In the 35 minute 'cardio dance' portion, dance steps are taught frustratingly fast (and this is from somebody that enjoys dancing!). It took so long to figure out the steps--which are not your 'typical' exercise or step class steps--that I shut the DVD off and jumped on the treadmill.

The two 15 minute hip and thigh workouts are a little better, but you really need to do them both back-to-back to feel any benefits. I would say this is a good video for anybody thats got LOTS of patience to learn the moves and an alternate workout for the first few times you run the DVD, because you'll get no benefit from the workout while trying to figure out what she's doing. Save your money!

The first day I did the cardio, I had a little trouble following it- but the next day it was no problem. I love the cardio matched with the ballet and yoga workouts. I had been using carmen electra's fit to strip volume 2- and this dvd blows that away. I immediately felt a difference with the ballet workout! If you have trouble at first, don't give up- it really is a great workout!

I have been doing this work out for some time and it is not that great. It's too dancey I feel like I'm at a "dance party" but not in a good way. after I'm done working out my body doesn't feel any of it. Also the instructors motivations with "you can do it" and "great job you" are a bit annoying. Cindy's work outs are much better if you want something more effective.

one word: worthless. i tried it once and will never use it again. i recommend any of the Self magazine videos over the Shape magazine videos.

here are my complaints:

1. didn't get a workout. spent more time replaying scenes trying to figure out foot and body placement. didn't break a sweat.

2. felt like a tool trying to do the moves and learn the steps. not for the uncoordinated, like myself. more for a wannabe britney spears background dancers.

3. annoying and overly peppy to the point of embarrassing. let's put it this way: my boyfriend was in the other room as i was "attempting" to do the video in the living room and could not contain his laughter hearing some of the strange catch-phrases the instructor kept yelling out. it was demoralizing and pointless.

I'm so not a dancer so it was a bit confusing for me....but I eventually got it down. The leg routines really work me hard...love it!

i really, really like the short workouts. my legs and butt hurt soo badly. i don't really like the "dance" aerobics portion. i normally love dancing, but this requires you to have had prior knowledge of the routine which is based less on rhythm or dancing, and more on trying to keep from tripping on your own feet. i only tried the dance part once, though... but, if you want to reshape your lower half, i really recommend this dvd!