Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Glad I borrowed it from the library first!, October 12, 2005
I just got through doing this workout and I had to go online right away and write this review. I love workout tapes and regularly incorporate them into my fitness program. Some prove to be not for me, largely because of personal preference; I am well aware that they may be suitable and inspirational for others. I honestly can't recommend this DVD to anyone. There are too many problems, including:
1. poor transitions from one step to another and extremely poor cues to let you know what is going to happen ahead of time. I realize that I am not a Rockette, but I want to feel that I am learning a routine as well as mechanically exercising my muscles; otherwise, I would just take a nice walk or ride my exercise bike. Even Cindy, the model, is hard-pressed to keep up with the quick shifts between one step and another. Another big problem for me is that the timing of the music does not "go" with the steps being performed for several of the numbers. That makes it very hard to stay in time with the performers. I suspect the music was dubbed over the soundtrack.
2. Lack of concern over common safety issues. For example, when you are doing lunges and squats, there is no mention of protecting your back, nor is there any invitation to use a chair if you are having trouble balancing. And you WILL have trouble balancing, because the tempo is too fast. You will not be able to perform the exercises in a proper form, particularly when you are lunging and kicking over and over. There is also no mention made of proper breathing techniques for these sorts of exercises (i.e. it makes the exercise easier and more effective if you breathe out when you are exerting yourself).
3. uninspiring production values. Yes, this may sound so shallow, but I want to feel like I am part of a cool class when I am working out. The set is stark and cheap (a mat in a gym)and the lighting is often glaring. The camera angles make it harder rather than easier to follow instructions (i.e. you start a new step and what do you get: a focus on the women's upper bodies!). The music is elevator music and, as mentioned above, it doesn't synch in with the exercises being performed.
4. no learning curve. If I invest in an exercise DVD, I want to be able to enjoy working out with it for years. I love tapes that teach me new steps or new ways of moving. (Thank you, Jane Fonda and Petra Kolber, among others!)With this DVD, I figured out what was going on and realized the only challenge to surmount would be ignoring the music and anticipating the poor cueing.
Well, take it for what it's worth. I think this aerobics DVD is far too easy and amateurish for a serious, experienced exerciser, and too slapdash and confusing for someone who is just beginning or resuming a fitness program. I like Leslie Sansone's and Jane Fonda's tapes for simple, effective, safe aerobics. Petra Kolber has awesome tapes if you are a little bit more advanced and/or like a challange; you will learn to love "dancey" aerobics if you give her a try. Don't frustrate yourself with this, please!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
The aerobics off the musical beat!, January 13, 2008
It is not that the movement are not good movements,it is the fact that they are not in time with the music that makes this dvd really hard to follow. I took it from the library, did it once (it nearly drove me crazy) then returned it. Don't waste your money!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good news, bad news... mostly bad, April 23, 2008
The good news: This is a relatively easy, relatively low-impact aerobic workout. If you're recovering from an injury or you're out of shape and haven't worked out in a while, the easy, repetitive workouts here will get you moving.
The bad news: On the whole, this is a terrible workout video. If you've never done aerobics this is not the video for you. With the exception of how not to do squats, there is no instruction on how to do any of the exercises here. There is no discussion of form. Half the time you can't even see what the instructors are doing, because the camera is focused in a close-up on their faces.
This is probably a good thing. Many times the two instructors are doing two different things. If they don't know what they should be doing, how the heck are you supposed to know?
The instruction is terrible. Sometimes the order to change to the next move comes one, two, or three steps before the change, sometimes during, and sometimes after the change, and sometimes not at all. And you can't even judge by the music, because many times the steps don't match the beat.
I skipped the second core routine entirely. I've been doing aerobics for years, yet without instruction, full-body video, or synchronization with the music, I was completely unable to follow this routine.
My advice: if you're experienced with aerobics and need to take it down a few notches because of injury or age, pick up this DVD and listen to the audio, ignoring the video. It can be a boring but good workout if you need to take it slow. If you're new to aerobics, skip this one entirely. I'd hate to see someone try this and quit doing aerobics, thinking they can't do it, when the problem is the video production.
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