Customer Reviews

Streamline Fitness [VHS]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If I had to choose my top three exercise tapes to bring to a desert island, this video would definitely make the list. It's a wonderful blend of traditional strength training, pilates-type ab work, and yoga stretches. Instructor Karen Voight--who has an absolutely amazing body--adds unique twists to all of the above, and the end result is a flowing, enjoyable workout.

Karen begins with a warm-up that lasts approximately 7 minutes; she effectively stretches and warms both the lower and the upper body. The 23-minute segment that follows is full-body strength training using light weights (Karen uses fitness balls but displays how dumbells can be substituted). Although there are many traditional movements such as bicep curls, squats, and lunges, Karen frequently combines the exercises to make them more interesting and effecient--for example, a bicep curl combined with a plie squat. Most of the moments are very focused and intense, and the number of repetitions is generally low (1-2 sets). Karen finishes out the strength section by using a body bar for balance (a chair can be substituted) to do some targeted thigh and buns work. Finally, there is a brief full-body stretch to end the first half of the tape.

Karen removes her shoes for the remainder of the workout. The second half of the video begins with abdominals work. This section is the most challenging abs work I have ever encountered; you will really FEEL the results the next day. Again, Karen utilizes traditional moves such as crunches, but she makes the exercises tougher by adding weights, pulses, and isometric contractions. She follows the abs work with back extensions to ensure that both sides of the body are thoroughly stretched. The last part of the tape is approximately 25 minutes of yoga-type stretches. Karen performs a series of moves on one side of the body, including forward bend, triangle pose, lunge, and proud warrior, and then she repeats the entire series on the other side. A few additional poses are performed on the floor, including table and reverse plank.

This workout never fails to leave me feeling wonderfully refreshed. Karen is an excellent instructor who provides flawless mirrored cuing; she is warm and friendly while also being calm and focused. The workout is filmed in three different settings (a studio, a living room, and outdoors) and switches amongst them, and a soft jazz soundtrack plays in the background. I highly recommend this workout for all fitness levels (with the exception of absolute exercise beginners).

I've had this video for a while but I never got around to doing it, so yesterday I decided to do it & I must say that it is amazing! The upper body workout with the weights made my arms feel tight, I normally workout with 5 lb. weights but I had to switch to 3 lb. weights after a while. You really don't need the weighted balls that are featured, your hand weights will still give you a great workout. The first workout is about 23 mins. long & it does move pretty fast so watch the video before doing it. If you can, turn your t.v. so that it is facing a mirror & it will help you keep up with the 1st workout. The seond workout is for the abs & back with some yoga. My abs felt so tight after doing this! I've never really tried yoga because I thought it was difficult, but Karen's cuing is perfect & she explains how to do the moves so anyone can do them. You can always do the workouts separately or together for a full body workout. During the yoga segment she has you do some push ups & I kid you not, you will feel the burn! Afterwards though you will feel so relaxed & refreshed.

This was my first Karen Voight video, my other videos are by The Firm. I really liked her attention to detail and cuing better than The Firm. The first 30 min. is strenth training for upper and lower body, while I liked it, I would have prefered a harder workout. The second 30 min. covers abs, back and long yoga stretch. This was great. I've done this tape several times and my abs can feel it. I usually rotate the second half into most of my workouts and only do the whole tape when I don't want to work that hard. Worth the money.

"Karen Voight's Streamline Fitness a.m. p.m. workout"... This energetic and effective workout is a two parter. Up first, the AM "energizing" workout, which is a vigorous routine that starts with a 7 minute, sweat building warm up. Then Karen Voight(who is an excellent instructor, by the way), will take you through the remaining 18 minutes using weights with some non stop(I had to stop for a drink) great upper and lower body exercises that you will find very effective in toning and building some muscle strength. Every major muscle is worked. Back, triceps, biceps, shoulders front and rear, and leg muscles. This routine is not for the beginner, unless you want to start without any weights and work your way up. Karen will really motivate you to keep going, even when you feel like you want to stop. There is a full body stretch at the end of the 25 minutes.

Part two is called the PM "relaxation" workout that runs about 30 minutes. Don't let the name fool you though, it's an effective routine that will have your heart pumping, the blood flowing and the calories burning. Beginning with a tough ab workout(the first time, I quit after this part), and moving on to some wonderful Yoga poses, that will build your flexibility as well as your endurance.

Karen will motivate you to keep going, but if you can't, don't worry, you don't have to complete the entire routine the first or second time around to feel results. Just looking at her is quite inspiring.

The weights used in this workout are Karen's weighted open palmed workout balls and are 3 lbs. each. They are soft, filled with some sort of sand, easy on the hands and fingers and are nice for use for extra resistance behind the legs where regular hand weights will not work. But the rest of the workout can be done with the regular weights if you prefer. The balls and this DVD are sold together, with a little instruction booklet in Karen Voight Green Genies Kit(or enter B000AUO8IA into the search in sporting goods). If you are interested in the entire kit, you may want to buy it at Target, as the packaging is not good and may damage the DVD in shipping(see my review for the kit for more details).

I would highly recommend this for intermediates to build up to advanced, and for advanced to do both workouts together, maybe with some heavier weights. Beginners may find this difficult, especially if you have no Yoga experience, some of the poses use extended angles that may require some flexibility to start with.And..as with all workouts on tape, I would recommend to view the program before diving into it.

Remember to breathe...eat healthy..and enjoy...Laurie

Recommended for beginner levels:
Start up with Jane Fonda
Tai Chi Innerwave

and I also liked :
Champion Women's Double Dry Semi-Fit Flare Pant

Of numerous workout videos that I have, this one is very good, but only 22 minutes of hard workout. Karen keeps you moving in a no-nonsense kind of way. No hype, just good stong moves! The remaining 25 minutes works the abs and stretches you focusing on yoga-style exercises. One of the more professionally-shot videos I've run across!

This is my third Voight workout video. While it is not the most challenging of her workouts, it is an excellent quick program when your time is limited. The first segment only takes about 23 minutes, and while it's not heavy on the aerobics she covers the most critical areas with target toning very effectively. Also, the only tools needed are hand weights or weighted balls, although you can always do it without, so you can do this workout just about anywhere. The abdominal and yoga section is a great way to wind down at the end of the day. Overall a very effective "streamlined" workout.

I love this workout,its great and it burns fat,you can do the strength training and yoga or both. I usually do the strength training you never out grow it,just increase the wieghts. The strength workout only takes twenty-five minutes,or you can do the whole thing (one hour). I like the music the workout is perfectly cued with the music. Try it you'll like it or like me you'll love it.

I got this for Christmas in the Body Sculpting Kit. I am a former aerobics instructor and personal trainer who no longer lifts weights- only yoga and pilates. That said, I did not want the green genies in the kit, but after doing this workout I really like it! It is fast and it burns. The first workout has an energizing warm-up and then goes into a fast series of exercises with the green genies- I was sweating and I felt the burn. The second workout really gets your abs and is a great workout for the lower back- great core conditioning. Then it ends with some wonderful yoga stretches. This is a great total body conditioning video (there is no cardio!) and I love the fact that it is broken into two 30 minute workouts.

This is a great toning tape! Karen's instruction is excellent (as always) and she doesn't leave any muscle group out. There is a killer ab section and a great stretch. You will feel it. Its a great compliment to your regular cardio workouts. Excellent production quality and good jazz type soundtrack.

Man, I was sore the next day. But I know once I'm able to do the whole thing, and all the reps with her, I will be in shape. The steps are kinda tough to get (especially the double punch and kick thing), but I think after trying a few more times I'll get it down. I don't give it the fifth star for the reason of the camera shots. They switch back and forth sometimes which can be visually confusing, and they did this blur thing when I was trying to get one of the steps right... But she vocally cues everything well, especially during the yoga section (I hate it when I'm in the downward facing dog position for too long because the instructor hasn't said to switch - and hi! I can't see you!) Overall a very challenging video - and that's the point right?