Product Details

• Actors: Chantal Donnelly
• Directors: n, a
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: GAIAM AMERICAS
• DVD Release Date: December 2, 2008
• Run Time: 49 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001D261TS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,473 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

STRONG KNEES - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars excellent information, but too many commercials, June 7, 2009

By 

Shannon B Davis "Nepenthe" (Arlington, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strong Knees (DVD)

Strong Knees turned out to be more of an informational video than an exercise video. Yes, it contained strengthening and stretching exercises, but much of the video was instructional. Apparently it is part of Gaiam's Body Insight series.

Each muscular group that supports the knees was described, and how weakness in those areas could cause different types of knee pain. Then, for each group, one beginner and one advanced exercise were performed. There were not enough repetitions for true strength-training and stronger people may need to add weights. However, I believe the purpose of the video was to learn the exercises and then put them into your own exercise routine, not to use this video as an exercise program. I did learn a lot, however, even as an experienced exerciser and dancer. I did not know that the calves, hip adductors and gluteus muscles could impact the knees, always focusing in the past on quads and hamstrings. I also learned about alignment during exercises that really made them far more effective.

Some of the exercises were new to me. Others were familiar from my previous experience with boxing training and from dancing (particularly ballet). So, I will be adding these exercises to my daily practice, either as part of dance practice, or in front of the TV as many of them are compatible with sitting in front of the TV (and don't we all do that sometimes?)

Next, the stretching routine stretched each one of the muscles and explained how tightness in those muscles could also lead to knee pain. This section felt great. I was happy that many of the stretches that are part of my current yoga practice are good for my knees. There is no need to do this special stretch series for me.

The instructor was very intelligent, well-spoken and made sure to cue proper alignment at all times.

The DVD also contains a 7 minute abbreviated workout and a section on IT band massage.

My major problem with the video was the two minutes of required commercials. I will not do this video again - when I have time to work out, I do not want to spend 2 minutes waiting through commercials. I don't mind commercials on a DVD but if I do it multiple times, I want to be able to skip them. Unfortunately, this "feature" has become all too common on mass-market fitness DVDs. Can you imagine if you wanted to do the quick 7 minute workout on this DVD and had to sit through that many commercials? That is the reason I am degrading the star rating on this product and I hope that Gaiam will sit up and take notice that consumers do not appreciate the commercials. After all, we just spent 20$ on a DVD, why should we have to watch commercials? Advertisement for other DVDs should be an optional experience, or one that is included in the paper insert for the product.

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Physical Therapy!!!, February 22, 2009

By 

CarlaVeg - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strong Knees (DVD)

I'm very excited about this dvd... I have been having "crunchy" knees for a while now and I have been ignoring it. I was told that I have very tight IT bands (Iliotibial bands) and that's what's causing the pain and the cracking.

I didn't really do much about my knees until, after working out, I heard a really loud pop coming from my knee cap that hurt A LOT... OUCH! The pain was pretty bad and I couldn't lock my knee or walk right... I was afraid I tear a ligament or had something serious. The doctor said that I have an imbalance in my leg muscles and very tight IT bands and that all I needed was physical therapy (2-3 times a week for 6 weeks).

I was glad it wasn't a more serious condition but at the same time I wasn't thrilled about the co-pays for every physical therapy session ($25). I went to PT a few times when I realized I couldn't really spend $450 worth of co-pays. That's when I started searching for cheaper options and found this GREAT and amazing dvd!!!!

To my surprise this dvd had ALL exercises I did in my physical therapy sessions and MORE!!!!!! I WAS SOOOOO THRILLED about finding this DVD. I quit going to PT and did this dvd exclusively almost every day in the comfort of my own home!!! After 3 weeks I can say that my knees are basically back to normal!!!!! This DVD definitely saved my knees!!!!

Chantal explanations of the knee anatomy is very important to understand why we need to do the exercises. No doctor or therapist explained to me why the exercises were important for my recovery; therefore, I never believed that the exercises would actually cure my knee problems. Now I do believe that these exercises are the way to go, thanks to Chantal!!! She is very knowledable and down to earth. I love doing this DVD with her every day!!!

I usually do the 30 minute routine... if I have more time, I do some of the exersices twice. And if I'm pressed with time, I just do the 7 Minute Save your Knees workout! This option is great!

She also explains how to do IT band massages using a tennis ball... I like this method but I also enjoy doing the massages using a foam roller.

I recommend this DVD 100% if you have pain in your knees. This DVD has helped me tremendously... and the best part, it cost me less than 1 session of physical therapy!!!!

Thanks Chantal for producing such a great DVD!!!!

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helped me feel better immediately, December 28, 2008

By 

Phyllis Rheiner (Boulder, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strong Knees (DVD)

I purchased this video because I was experiencing knee pain when I walked. After watching the introduction, I realized why my knees were bothering me (tight calf muscles.) I noticed that my knees felt better after doing the exercises the very first time. After doing the exercises for 3 days, my knees are almost completely pain free.

The only issue that I have with this video is that the explanatory and the exercise sections are combined. If you don't want to listen to the explanations each time you do the exercises, you need to have your remote handy to fast forward through the talking.

It's also irritating that Gaiam will not allow you to go to the DVD menu immediately and requires that you fast forward through the advertising at the beginning of the DVD.

Overall, the minor irritations are overcome by a very effective set of exercises that really work.