Customer Reviews

Tracey Mallett's-Lose the Belly Flab

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Just finished trying out this new DVD and I really enjoyed it for a number of reasons. First, I'm not a new mom, just a female in her 40's who is trying to tone and fine tune my tush and tummy...

There are two things I look for when buying exercise DVDs. First, will it work. And second, will I actually use it.

First things first. I enjoyed all the tummy toner and butt lifter exercises. They were challenging without being unbearable. Second, I liked that the exercises were broken down into different segments. So, for beginners, you can start off slowly and work your way up. There's an intermediate level that's good for people who have some experience. And finally, there's an advanced segment that works well for people who know what they're doing and want a challenge.

Another thing I really liked about this DVD? I loved that everything is broken down into 10 minute segments and there's a clock running at the bottom of the screen. Sounds strange, but it really helps keep you focused by knowing that the tape won't drag on for 30 or 40 minutes. Tracey doesn't waste too much time on small talk and gets right down to business. She also has a pleasing personality and seems friendly and helpful without being annoying or condescending...

That brings me to the second part of my review. Will I actually USE the tape? Yes, I will...

Short segments that are challenging but focused for those specific problem areas that we all have - the tummy and tush!

You will not get tired of hearing people ask if you've lost weight. Who does?

I was looking for another DVD workout to try and I really enjoy the setup and format of Tracey's DVD. Not only is the DVD format nice the content is amazing! I have only been doing the workout a month (very religiously I might add) and I have lost 4 inches total around the abs and waist. Not only that but I find myself standing properly which makes you look slimmer as well.

I love workout DVD's since they fit in my busy schedule, but this is honestly the first DVD where I understood phrases like "pulling in the pelvis", and "strengthening your core." Other DVD's would talk about the core, but for some reason it finally clicked after watching this one.

She explains things really well, but this is not an instructional video so you won't get bored with long explanations in between exercises. There is a short instructional segment you can watch if you need additional help. The workouts are seamless, you flow from one position to the next. Plus as someone said earlier the countdown clock really does motivate you. After a few minutes your abs are screaming but you think, "I can do this for another 2 minutes and 33 seconds."

So if you are on the fence about purchasing this DVD here is my suggestion, "buy it!" The workouts are 10 minutes it fits nicely into any hectic schedule, and even if you can only do 10 minutes a day you will see results.

I just completed Tracey's Lose the Belly Flab workout !
I am NOT a new Mom, but I still want great abs, even at my age, or better abs and a better bottom.
I have been looking for a good ab workout and butt and leg workout and I have finally found it.
Tracey uses different moves and goes straight to the problem areas and after working out, trust me, your body will let you know it is working.
I also look for wokouts that are easy to follow and she came through.
Great job Tracey, my abs and butt thank you !!!

This is a challenging, spectacular mat and floor workout accessible to anyone at any level
that targets and blasts the abs and butt exclusively. The exercises are great to stabilize
the spine, and many draw from Lotte Berk. In short, the workout is efficient and effective --
without the distraction and stress of dancey cardio movements.

As someone who experienced a relatively severe back injury (ahem, at the gym), I am using
this DVD to rehab myself. Not only does the workout make me feel great and strengthen the
areas prescribed by physical therapy, but I'm also getting back into shape again.

I find Tracey Mallett to be a real professional: serious and motivating but warm and sincere.
She moves at a fast but doable pace, which I consider great. And packs in a punch in an hour.
The chaptering is fabulous and each approximate 10 minute segment stands on its own as either
an ab or butt workout. Pair up any two for a complete lower body workout and return to the
others later or tomorrow or at another time.

I stumbled upon this DVD at the library but I'm definitely getting my own copy. It is a breath of
fresh air compared to the other crap I also picked up. Highly recommended for the walking
wounded and anyone else who wants to shape up your lower body quickly without doing a lot
of running around.

NOTE: I received a free review copy of this DVD from the instructor.

Like its companion DVD, Tracey Mallett: Get Your Body Back, Lose the Belly Flab is part of fitness instructor Tracey Mallett's Super Fit Mama series, which also includes the book Super Fit Mama: Stay Fit During Pregnancy and Get Your Body Back after Baby. Obviously designed with new moms in mind, this DVD offers short (around 10 minutes each) workout segments which solely target the abdominals and glutes. The workouts are broken up into two phases: "Phase 1" contains two slightly easier routines for the abs and the butt, whereas "Phase 2" ups the challenge a bit. In addition, the DVD includes two extra features: 1) Core Foundations, a segment in which Mallett has Leah, a new mother just 6 weeks postpartum, demonstrate how to test for abs separation as well as how to perform basic exercises to start pulling the abs back together, and 2) Bonus Hard Core Abs, a more challenging abs segment which adds use of an optional dumbbell and which includes many Pilates-like moves (e.g., roll-ups, v-sits, rowing, teaser, plank).

The Main Menu of this DVD reads as follows:
*Introduction
*Core Foundation
*Play All
*Pick Your Workout (Phase 1 Abs - Phase 1 Butt Blaster - Phase 2 Abs - Phase 2 Butt Blaster - Bonus Hard Core Abs)
*Credits

Mallett exercises with one background exerciser who modifies some of the moves. They are in a small, bright furnished room. The routines require an exercise band and a ball (or towel), although the background exerciser frequently modifies without equipment; a chair is also used for the Phase 2 Butt Blaster segment. Mallett cues live throughout, offering mirrored left-right cuing. I've provided a brief overview of each of the four main segments below.

PHASE 1 ABS (12 minutes)
This routine begins with pelvic tilts. The band is used for resistant in pelvic curls and single leg stretch, then Mallet performs alternate side reaches. Moving to a side-lying position, she performs hip lifts; next comes some tucks in an elbow plank position. Mallett then shifts to the back for single leg lowers and work with the ball between the legs. This workout ends on all fours for a "wagging the tail" move.

PHASE 1 BUTT BLASTER (9.5 minutes)
This routine begins on all fours, using the band around the instep for rear leg kicks/lifts. Next, Mallett transitions to side lying for leg lifts, pulses, and a forward/back move. Lying on your back, you keep the band around your feet while pointing the toes out to work the glutes. This is followed by dolphin leg lifts, and then it's onto the stomach for frog leg lifts, swimming, and leg crosses. Mallett concludes with a seated twist. (NOTE: I found this to be just as hard as Phase 2!)

PHASE 2 ABS (10.5 minutes)
Mallett again starts with a pelvic tilt and adds the band for resistance in single leg stretch as well as scissors. There is a very tough move with the ball between the legs involving a pelvic lift and twist--definitely harder than Phase 1! Mallett also includes a kayak move, plank work (moving one knee in and out), and she concludes lying back supported on the elbows for alternate leg raises.

PHASE 2 BUTT BLASTER (10.5 minutes)
Here you'll start with the band tied around your ankles, first for a plie squat, then a walking side lunge (aka firewalkers). Mallett then uses the chair for some barre-like lifts (a preview of her Tracey Mallett-The Booty Barre-Total New Body DVD). Moving to the floor, she performs side-lying work with the band (similar to Phase 1). She concludes lying on the stomach for additional glutes work, including swimming and heel taps. Mallett again ends with the seated twist.

Overall, I liked this DVD, but I do have a few caveats to mention. First of all, it is TOUGH! I am not a new mom myself; in fact, I generally consider myself to be a high intermediate exerciser. I think that new mothers with no previous exercise experience might be frustrated by some of the moves on this DVD, which are fairly challenging. Therefore, I would recommend these workouts mainly to those who were fit BEFORE their pregnancy or to others with some pre-existing fitness experience (prior familiarity with Pilates would also be beneficial). The second issue I had is that I preferred the glutes segments to the abs work. Regarding the latter, I felt that Mallett put a bit too much emphasis on the obliques rather than focusing on the lower abdominals--not only a problem area for most women, but especially for women who are postpartum.

In the end, however, I definitely think that this DVD would be a good option for experienced exercisers interested in shorter segments targeting the abdominals and glutes.

Great video for people who are finally wanting to learn how to use their abs correctly. The workouts progress from easy to hard which include abdominal work and butt workouts too. These are my worse areas so I'm super happy I have this targeted specific workouts that really does work. Tracey is very nice and great to listen too. She cues really well and I feel like I've learned so much!
I also do her Booty Barre DVD's too so this is nice for a change of space.

Great workout for the abs and butt :-)

I love all of Tracey's video's.. each give you something different and this video in particular targets the dreaded abs and butt! You don't have to be a new mom to enjoy this dvd... You just have to want six-pack abs and tight buns... And who doesn't want that??!

Her enthusiasm makes you work hard and her insightful cueing makes sure you're doing it right! I love the different levels so that you can't strive for something a little more challenging each time. My abs and butt definitely feel the burn everytime!

I'm a pilates instructor and have recommended this dvd to all my clients and they love it! Thanks Tracey! :)

I can't say enough wonderful things about this video. I have had 6 children in 8 years and my abs have taken a major beating. You will see great results within a few workouts. I haven't lost any weight doing this video...I've actually gained muscle weight. It is great for lifting the butt too. I personally like the second butt workout better than the first. They tell you that you need exercise bands, and a ball, but it's a killer workout without them. The one workout that does call for the ball, I just roll my towel up like a ball and it works just great trust me. So don't think you need to go out and spend that money before you get started.

The workout is particularly effective, especially the Bonus abs combined with one of the lower body workouts. I combined this DVD (20 minutes) plus Lottie Berk Method: Muscle Eats Fat (27 minutes) and the Restorative Poses from Rodney Yee's Ultimate Power Yoga, and then Turbo Jam's Fat Blaster (30 minutes). A long workout, I know but that's what works for me.

The quality of the video is quite good, and relaxed, making you feel comfortable working out in your own home. I also enjoy the option of just doing one 10 minute workout, or combining all or some of the workouts into one. Once I mastered this workout, I moved on to Tracey Mallet's Booty Barre and I've gone from size 8 to size 6, dropping 12 pounds in a month. The weight loss was also due to my limiting sugar, and following my Weight Watchers faithfully.

I HAVE ALMOST ALL OF TRACEY'S DVD'S AND AM HOOKED I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!!!! LOSE THE BELLY FLAB WILL DEFINITELY TONE UNWANTED BUTT AND BELLY FLAB IN NO TIME AT ALL! TRACEY BREAKS DOWN THE WORKOUTS INTO 10 MINUTE INTERVALS SO YOU CAN CHOOSE HOW LONG YOUR WORKOUT WILL BE. IT IS ALSO SUITED TO ALL FITNESS LEVELS AS SHE SHOWS YOU HOW TO MODIFY EXERCISES TO SUIT YOUR LEVEL! YOU WON'T REGRET BUYING THIS DVD.