Exercise DVDs - the good, the bad and the ugly

[speedymama]

On the exercise thread, it was suggested that a separate thread reviewing exercise DVDs would be a good idea so I thought I would start the ball rolling with my faves and my pet hates.

Faves -
Taebo, especially, Everybody get ripped and Abs and Glutes work out. The advanced workout on Everybody get ripped is, imo, one of the best workouts I have ever done because by the end, every part of my body has had a workout - heart, legs, arms, voice box, sweat glands - you get the picture!

I also have Taebo Energise but I'm still getting into that one.

Davina Macall's Power of 3 and 3 x 30 minute work out. I do enjoy both of these and surprisingly, I don't get irritated by her pointless witterings. The workouts are intense, targetted and effective. They really work.

10 Minute Solution - Kickbox Bootcamp by Keli Roberts. This is great for people who are short on time. There are 5 sections - basic, legs, arms, abs and cardio - all 10 minutes long and designed to maximise intensity.

David Kirsch's Sound Mind Sound Body - Ultimate Fitness Boot Camp - I really enjoy this one because it is only 43 minutes long and it combines cardio with weights so it is like circuit training.

Last night I did the Shiva Rea Creative Core Abs DVD for the first time. She is a yoga guru and uses Sanskrit and English terminology throughout the workout.

Her approach to working your abs is to use the whole body whilst engaging your inner, creative energy. Hardly any static movements were used to work the abs. Movements are done fluidly and in concert to one another against a backdrop of hypnotic,trance like world music. It is surreal but I really got into it. You have to feel your body and engage your creative energy with your fluid movements.

The work out lasts 37 minutes and is divided into 3 segments: Water Core, Spontaneous Core, and Fire Core.

I think you need to take some time to get use to the way she conducts her movements. You must be able to engage your core muscles in concert with correct breathing and that takes time to get use to but once you have mastered it, you will have strong, lean and highly defined core abs. I think she is close to 50yo and her physique is stunning.

I would really recommend anything by Cathe Friedrich. It is mostly quite advanced so wouldn't say to start off with it but if you are getting bored and your current exercise dvds are a bit too easy then try Cathe. She does some step aerobics, kickboxing and also numerous weightlifting dvds. There are a couple for beginners too and a great community of other people that know everything about home exercise and Cathe on www.Cathe.com.

Saker, the site looks good, but they are all US region ones, I assume no good for us living in Britland.

Well, I did Kathy Smith's Lower Body workout and Tae Bo everybody get ripped the 8 minute workout and shall review those now:0

Kathy Smith Lower Body workout:
It really contains all fabulous exercises, she explains them well and I must say I found the amount of repittitions quite hard, but then, that is the point, of course. You do need a chair, if you are advanced then you can also carry some hand weights to make it more difficult, and you also either need a step or the yellow pages also work great.It's really easy to follow, aswell....only downfall there is no cardio, and I like my workouts to combine some cardio...howeve,r whilest doing it, I thought I might start running on the spot whilest she explains moves, etc....! So, I would add some mild cardio, and I may also pause the DVD to add some 1 minute cardio intervals ala Davinas workouts...!

So all in all Kathy Smith's Bodysculpting DVD is quite good and I don't regrett buying it

Tae Bo everybody get ripped 8 minute workout....brilliant, high energy, and well, it's just Tae bo, don't really need to say more

Saker, Cathe Friedrichs DVDs look awesome, especially the Buts and Guts DVD. My DVD player is not multi-regional unfortunately.

Yes you do need a multi-region dvd player. Also be warned that you may get charged import tax if you buy too many at once and the postage charges off Cathe's website are quite high. However you can buy off ebay (US and here) sometimes and also Advanced Workouts do free shipping on orders over $50. They are really good dvds though - worth buying a cheap multi-region player for .

Thought I would add a review for Bellydancing Bodysculpting -Abs.

First of all, it is definitely not for beginners. The teacher is called Neon and she knows what she is doing but she should have stressed that you need to have a basic knowledge of bellydancing to get the most out of the programme. The explanations of the moves are sparse and unless you know what you are doing, you will find it difficult to pick them up. There is this irritating man who keeps popping up to offer his words of wisdom using scientific jargon that would wind most people up. I'm a scientist and I keep telling him to shut up!(lol)

It is divided into 3x15 minute sections. Each section introduces a lot of moves and then at the end, they are strung together to create a dance. Personally, I would have liked fewer dance moves and more focus on perfecting the select few.

The geometric spheres which appear on screen show the shape of the moves from the front and the back and you try to move your hips to follow the shape. That is useful.

I have done bellydancing before so can cope with it but I would like to see far more instructions with the moves. I do like it because I love bellydancing so I'll try it a few more times to see if it will grow on me.

Definitely a great way of toning your hips and tummy but you have to know what you are doing to derive any benefit from it.

Been reading through the reviews now, and don't think that Vicky Entwistles one has been reviewed here yet....well...I just bought it, but haven't done it yet...possibly do it tomorrow morning, so, will let you know then

Saker...any idea where you cna buy cheap multiregion DVD players from?

Juat looked and Amazon does some cheap and cheerful ones....now, I have a question, obviously for the states one you have to set it on NTSC (or somehting like that), will you still need a TV with that function, too, or will it then play in colour on all TV's....I know not really the right category, sorry!

No you don't have to do anything - all you do is connect it with the tv and it recognises a different sort of disc and plays it. You don't have to change settings on dvd player or tv.

Ooh are you going to buy some Cathe? I would like to have a Cathe exercise buddy on MN . Trouble is it gets addictive - I have about 20 of her dvds already and I am already thinking of reasons why I really need the next set she is shortly bringing out .

I really want to get a Cathe Friedrich DVD but don't want to buy a new DVD player as the one we have is only 2yo.

I found this website from a link on ebay and the DVDs they supply are suppose to be All Region.

They are a bit pricy compared to what I am use to paying but could be worth it.

As I am going on holdiay at the weekend, I will wait until I return to get one.

Saker, which one would you recommend?

Thanks

Saker...can't afford to buy any at the moment, but will defiantely keep her in mind, cos, the workouts do look absolutely fabulous....but wow on you hvaing 20 of her workouts already...I mean, I have plenty of DVD's too...but even with Tae Bo I don't have yet 20, lol...the way I am going I am of course getting there. Because I have seen some good prices for his Bootcamp line, where you can get the whole set plus Billi Band. But again, can't get it yet...hoping to get some more pennies for my Birthday
Speedy's website link is obviously fab, too...possibly don't even need a multiregion player then...hm....although, I suppose a multi region one could come in handy anyway (and on Amazon they do some really cheap ones for around £20....

Wow! Vicky's Weight off workout! (Vicky Entwistle/ Janice Battersby in Coronation street)

This is a fabulous workout. Things are exlained well, Vicky isn't annoying or anything, she does say a few things, but not to much and nothing that could become grinding on your nerves after doing the workout a few times. The Instructer is really pleasant and charming (hunky, too) and motivating. The workout is easy to follow, you don't need much space neither and the only thing you need is a floormat, if you aren't doing the workout on carpeting flooring.
I reallly enjoyed it, teh 50 minutes just flew by. I did sweat and on difficult level I would put it on par with Davina's Power of 3.
I am really pleased with this workout.
The music, I would not know if it was good or bad....lol...I didn't really listen to it and it was more of a background noise...it was pleasant though, that much I do rememebr

3anm, with the current exchange rate, some of the Cathe Friedrich's DVDs on that website will be just under £15 so that is not bad I suppose (I'm use to paying £5 or less on Ebay or Amazon market place).

I have toyed with the idea of getting the WOW workout. What type of cardio and toning do they do?

Ooh just read this thread and I have gone and ordered a Taebo one and a Pilates for Dummies from HMV! (always wanted to try pilates but thought best start off with an easy one, and like the sound of the style of the taebo ones) .

Have just started ww and really need to tone up as I lose weight!

Cardio are boxing moves and some kicks ( I was worried I may not like it, because of me disliking the cardio section on the Davina's 3x30minutes workout dvd...but I really liked it, but of course it's not as high energy as Tae BO, but then...what is, lol), the fatburning (cardio) section is 20min., the Body toner section is 10 minutes and there are some lunges, done in a way that don't hurt your knees, i.e. a slower movement, and squats and some push ups and an exercise where you create resitence with your own body, so to say....where you put one arm on the otehr and then push/press the arm up and down...think you know what I am trying to say here, lol....! The Belly shrinker is also 10 minutes and has a nice selection of abs exercises that differ to Davinas and Nell's etc...however, teh Belly shrinker also includes the cool doown session, so, it's not really 10 minutes of abs work...I suppose that could be more....!

Kay...you can't go wrong with Tae BO, I say

Thanks 3anm.

Kay, you will lurrrvvvve Tae Bo and Billy as well as become fitter and toned. Be warned, it is addictive.

Which one have you ordered?

3andnomore and Speedymama - if that website says all regions then all of Cathe's dvds will be multiregion - I have always assumed they were USA because that is where they are produced. The easiest way to check would be to email SNM (her website) and ask. Sorry if I have misled you on that.

One thing that is good with Cathe's workouts is that she does a lot of premixes so it's almost like buying several workouts at once.

Speedymama - it's hard for me to know which to recommend without knowing what sort of workout are you looking for and what equipment you have? Many of Cathe's workouts involve a step, the weight ones all involve dumbbells and maybe a barbell and band. She also likes her stability ball. The kickboxing ones don't involve any equipment except "Kick Punch Crunch" uses a ball for the ab work at the end. Also what level are you at - how hard do you want it to be?

You could get some dvds cheaper off ebay.com although be careful because some are counterfeits.

Saker, I love Tae Bo so that is my benchmark.

I'm thinking about getting either the Butts and Guts or the Drill Max DVD. If you have these, would be grateful for your opinion please.

I have never done Tae Bo so hard for me to compare. Butts and Gutts and Drill Max are both great but different sort of workouts. I would class Drill Max as aerobic / possibly anaerobic in bits exercise - even during the sections with weights your heart rate is likely to stay up. It is really different to other workouts and really good fun. There are some very good premixes on the dvd including a couple of just cardio ones (ie without the weights sections). You need a step, a stability ball, some handweights (about 5lbs I think) and a resistance band.

Butts and Guts is more of a muscle building/shaping dvd. It works well! The abs bit in particular is really hard - I am used to sit ups etc but this is more challenging. Good premixes and a bonus section on this one too.

Let me know how you get on.

You will need some dumbbells and a resistance band and ball for Butts and Guts.

Saker, I think the use of all that equipment is a bit offputting, lol....forinstance, she does a lot of step exercises doesn't she, and there seem to be a difference between a high and low step, and proper weightlifting bar things in some and all that...
I got dumbells, and am thinking of getting myself a exercise ball thing again...(only prob is that they are so big , sigh, which is why I gave my old one away in the first place....hohum)

Tae BO (Billy Blanks) is a marvelous aerobic concept based on Taekwondo, I believe and the advance workouts are mega tough...apparently an hour of Tae Bo can burn up to 800cals...which is quite a bit, lol....if you haven't tried it,you really must do so....honestly, you don't know what you are missing...

My son does Tae Bo for kids sometimes - it seemed quite like Kickboxing type moves - is that similar for the adults? I might try it - I heard his cueing isn't that great and that put me off a bit. I don't think I burn 800 calories in an hour doing anything unfortunately . I did intervals on the exercise bike this morning using a Spinervals DVD and I felt like I worked really hard but the bike still calculated I only burned 300 odd calories in 45mins!

yes Cathe does use quite a lot of different equipment and I can see it is offputting. However you don't really need two kinds of step unless you get really keen - there are only a few dvds that use the high step and some of them could be modified with an ordinary step. If you are going to lift weights seriously at home in any way then you would have to get a set of dumbells and a barbell anyway, or if you don't want to, you could choose to avoid those Cathe dvds. There are certainly a good number of aerobic ones that she has produced that you could do with just a step which is how I got into them in the first place and the kickboxing ones don't use any equipment.

Saker, Billy encourages everyone to count, as that will a) help with getting the exercise rythm/music rythm together, and b) it aids breathing whilest exercising....because you gotta breath to count, lol... must say I really have no complains with Billy, other then that I find the floorwork he does in some DVD's is flipping difficult, as there are so many reps, lol....but obviously I will aspire to one day do it all in perfect form, as the americans would say
And yes, there is some Kickboxing /but then, I suppose Taekwondo is with kicks and all that, too...I believe Billy has won several chamionships in martial arts, etc...! No idea what his Kids ones are like, tbh...
Cathe does still sound good, but need to get the ones that don't involve to much eqipment...I mean I have weights (1/2Ibs, 2Ibs, 1 1/2Kg, 3Kg and 5 Kg's....) but that Bar thing...hmmmm....I suppose you would have to be very series, lol...thing is where to store it all....give me a few years and let the Kids have moved out, and hah, I will have my own Gym up there, lol!