Product Details

• Actors: Karen Voight
• Directors: Jamie Legon
• Format: Closed-captioned, 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
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Entertaining Fitness
• DVD Release Date: June 29, 2004
• Run Time: 40 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00029NLI2
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #61,941 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Fitness & Yoga > By Instructor > Karen Voight

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Variety is the key! Get new twists on the classic leg lift, pushup, and ab crunch with lots of butt-firming moves too. Technique makes all the difference! Minimize wasted energy and see faster results by doing fewer reps but getting more out of each one. Build strength and lengthen your body at the same time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Also Known As Core Essentials (Pilates), September 8, 2004

By	blueyed puella (CT, USA) - See all my reviews

Workout Description: 30 minutes of toning (5 minutes of standing legwork; 25 on the floor: 10 legs, 5 upper body, 10 abs) w/ 5 minute warm-up and 6 minute stretch for a total of 40 minutes
Workout Level: intermediate
Instructor: Karen Voight (fitness instructor since 1978; IDEA Instructor of the Year and Business Person of the Year; an IDEA's 5 Star Presenter; certified ACE Group Fitness Leader). Karen is an excellent cuer and very focused on proper form and technique. She exercises each side evenly and intends for you to mirror her moves.
Class: Karen only. Most of the time Karen is instructing and performing the move, although sometimes the camera focuses on her executing the move while she does voice-over narration.
Music / Set: The synthesizer music isn't too loud, which is a good thing because I wasn't too fond of it. At some points, Karen pauses to wait for the music. The interior set is rather dark and almost sci-fi-looking.
Equipment Needed: sneakers for standing portion only, 1-2 pair(s) of dumbbells (your choice of weight), 1 pair of Green Genie balls (substitute any 3 lb. weighted ball or, if in a pinch, dumbbells), mat, towel
Caveats: Be careful of the squat-pivot-lunge series if you work out on carpet. Pay attention to your form; never let your knees go past your toes during squats or lunges.
Additional Comments: This workout doesn't require a lot of space. You need to be able to take one big step front and back and two big steps to each side; you should also be able to lie down with your legs and arms extended. I have to do the squat-pivot-lunge series diagonally across my 6' by 8' room, but all other movements are small.
Originally this video did not have Pilates in the title, and rightly so. There is very little of Pilates in this video. Some of the moves are not exactly traditional strength training moves, but that doesn't quite make them Pilates. Still, this is a good workout-just don't expect a Pilates routine.
Karen does not intend for this to be part of your regular muscle-building rotation. Rather, this is a good program to shake up your routine by forcing you to pay attention to technique and either working your muscles in a different way or working muscles that are normally neglected. I'll probably throw it in once a month, probably towards the end of a week of harder strength workouts. There isn't enough arm work for this to really stand alone, but the leg work will get to you, particularly that lying leg series.
The DVD allows you to do the entire workout or choose one of the floorwork sessions. It is also available on DVD with YogaSculpt as Yoga & Sculpting.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Unique!, May 24, 2005

By	Shannon G "Shannon" (Boston) - See all my reviews

I have to give this DVD 5 stars for its wonderful uniqueness! I am always searching for DVDs that give a new spin on toning exercizes - and this definitely fits the bill. I truly feel that in order to continually shape and define your muscels, you need to find different ways to move your muscels. And in addition to being unique, the moves and combinations are also challenging - you can feel the burn. It's a fantastic workout at a great price!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Karen is one of the best instructors out there :-), April 22, 2006

By	Little Miss Cutey (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Each of Karen's workouts are gems. They provide enough toughness to be beneficial and yet through her clear instruction and great cuing, it's easy to follow and very motivating. This is another one of her gems. It's a great flowing workout that is done to develop lean muscles and good healthy joint mobility. Some positions may be a little tricky to get yourself into, but with each go, you'll improve and it will be easier. She always gives clear and precise instructions so you know what's coming up next without straining to look at the tv all the time.
This works all the core muscles - abs, back, [...], arms and legs. There is nice jazz type music in the background that isn't annoying and helps you keep in rythym. You'll need weights for this but it's so worth your while doing this because there are so many people who forget to stretch and strengthen muscles - we think that cardio is all we need. This is so relaxing to do and beneficial that I recommend it to everyone.