Product Details

• Actors: Anne Pringle Burnell
• Directors: RobPilekus
• Format: Full Screen, NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 2
• Studio: Spectrum Music & Video
• DVD Release Date: December 1, 2007
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0012YN35M
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,609 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #40 in	Movies & TV > Fitness & Yoga > Stretching
  #63 in	Movies & TV > Fitness & Yoga > Aerobics

Editorial Reviews

Review
Getting started with an exercise program is the hardest step. Anne Pringle's engaging manner on the Stronger Seniors Workout Programs draws the exercisers in to the workout experience and encourages them to go slow but keep going.

The pace of the program is just the right balance of activity and rest. While the tapes are targeted at a senior audience, they can be used by any age group that is looking to improve their stamina, strength, and balance.

In fact, it would be better to start strength training in the middle years to keep the muscles and bones strong and ward off the prospect of serious falls in the senior years. --Kathleen M. Perry RN PhD Gerontology Nurse Specialist, President of the Illinois Nurses Association

Product Description
The Stronger Seniors Workout Program is designed by Certified Fitness Instructor Anne Pringle Burnell to help seniors develop strength and to enhance the ability to function in daily life. These two fitness DVDs work together to improve your ability to be stable and balanced, to stay mobile, to go up and down stairs, to squat and pick something up, and to play with your grandchildren!

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT exercises for those who need it most, October 5, 2008

By	V. Wilson (Kentucky, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After my father's passing last year, I moved my 85 year-old mother in with me. She's active for her age, but recently started having trouble with balance, getting out of her recliner, and out of the tub. I did a search on Amazon for chair exercises and came across this set. I ordered it a couple of months ago and it has made a tremendous difference in Mom 's mobility and comfort.

The set comes with two DVDs; one has a stretching routine and the other has strength and balance exercises. Each routine is about 45 minutes long and are mostly done in a sturdy kitchen chair. Although I got these for Mom's benefit, my partner and I (both in late 50's) have taken to doing the exercises with Mom. We alternate the two DVD's 5-6 days a week and we've all three noted that we feel much better. I've bought other exercise DVDs, but they tend to have young contortionists leading the program. The routines are usually too hard and we end up hurting something and quitting. With this set I feel like I get about 70 percent of the benefit of a more intense stretching and arm strength workout with about 5 percent of the pain and injury. For example, for the weightlifing section, Mom uses 3 pound weights and I use 5 pound weights. We've both seen significant improvements in arm and shoulder flexibility and strength. The most important gain has been in Mom's balance and stability. She can now get out of her recliner easily, and she's much less tottery when she walks.

I've been so impressed with the gains we've all made that I've ordered the set for my older sister and the mothers of several close friends. I've also shown the set to my physician and Mom's physician. They're both going to recommend to other patients. Given the high prevalence and serious consequences of falls in the elderly, I urge you to invest in this for any elderly loved one. My partner and I do other weekly excersises (walking, kayaking, Wii Fit, biking), but still find a lot of benefit in the exercises on these DVDs. My Mom likes the fact that the folks doing the exercises on the video are more like her than in most videos.

The only issue you might have is helping an elderly person set up the DVD player and change the discs every day. Mom couldn't get the hang of the TiVo and DVD remotes, so it's good that she has me here. Also, you might watch your senior the first time or two to make sure they are doing the exercises correctly so as to not strain anything. Mom took a little coaching on some of the forms. Now she's a pro.

I ordered two other DVDs in the Stronger Seniors series (Yoga and Pilates). Neither of those worked as well for us. The yoga was too hard for Mom and we didn't like the second instructor as well as the original instructor. The Pilates DVD uses stretch bands, but the exercises seem less intense and helpful. Surprisingly, Mom didn't like it as well because the workout is a few minutes shorter.

Sorry for the long review, but I can't over emphasize how pleased our family is with these DVDs. I urge you to get this for your own health or for any senior you care about. FYI, I had never heard of Anne Pringle Burnell before I found these DVDs in an Amazon search. Now she's a hero at our house.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best elderly exercise DVD out there, October 27, 2008

By	Elizabeth De Kanter (Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My Mom was a 73 year-old, bound to a wheelchair, not able to do most of the things she loved to do. Her doctor suggested exercise. I decided to purchase an at-home video. I first bought one with a lady who did the exercises on a beach, which seemed ridiculous. Plus she couldn't stand looking at the bleached hair and the fake smile on her face. She then tried one where a woman waved paper plates around. It was OK, but the horrible computer-generated music drove her crazy.

I decided to do some research for the next video I would get so she would actually do the exercises on a regular basis. I came across Anne Burnell. She is not only a Certified Personal Trainer, but she is certified to train other trainers in many disciplines of exercise, including Senior Exercise. She teaches at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the University of Illinois in Chicago. The program is recommended by some very prominant health professionals.

I then went to the Stronger Seniors website and was able to watch clips of her senior exercise DVDs. They are GREAT! They are done in a group setting with other seniors, to music that is both relaxing and motivating. Anne explains each exercise, the proper body position, and why it is important to do.

My Mom does them every day, often with a friend and sometimes by herself. Since starting the program, I have returned her wheelchair to the hospital store and she only uses her walker when taking long walks. She is gardening again and feeling wonderful. Our family and her doctor are thrilled.

I have since bought Anne's other chair exercise DVDs, the Pilates one and the Yoga. Both are terrific, and Mom thinks the yoga is so new and an absolutely wonderful experience every time she use it. I do the Yoga one with her!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HELP FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, October 10, 2008

By	Frances L. Carroll "preachers-mom" (Ky) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I sometimes think people have forgotten about senior citizens needing to get some exercise. Since it is difficult for me to walk for very long at a time and not wanting to lose what mobility I have...this is a blessing....PLEASE remember to not overdo but to do what you can...in moderation in any exercise. God bless you all.

THIS would be a good gift for your parents...and it would encourage them if you encouraged them to try to keep flexible. We all want to stay out of nursing homes and most of us don't want to be a burden on our children, so this a great gift to give someone you love.