Jane Fonda AM/PM Yoga

THE WORKOUT: Jane Fonda Prime Time AM/PM Yoga for Beginners

REVIEWED BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anybody with a modicum of mobility, but it's aimed at beginners in "Prime Time." Over 50. (Like me.)

THE BREAKDOWN: I started working out in the 1980s with Jane Fonda (and Richard Simmons). When I look back at those early long, relentless, leg-warmered pain/gain workouts, I wonder how I had the 1) patience 2) stamina 3) time. But evidently I did.

We all get older, including Jane, who is (startlingly) 75-yearsold and looks amazing. Yeah, of course she’s had “work.” But well done work. No-pain, no-gain Jane has been replaced by a kinder, gentler Jane, although there’s remains an edge to her that says, “Yeah, I could still kick your ass, I’m just being nice.”

This DVD includes five ten to 15 minutes workouts, three for the morning, for energy and strength; and two for the evening, for mobility and relaxation.

The morning abs and back workout moves slowly and gently and includes crunches and leg lifts, bridges and such, all done on the floor. The energy workout includes some chair pose, some warrior two, some eagle hands, interspersed with lots of stretching. The strength segment uses light hand weights to work the upper body while the lower body gets a workout with bent-leg postures. The evening workouts are just gentle and stretchy and pleasant.

Jane’s workout buddies look good, too—and I love the blowups of Jane’s old workout video covers on the wall. I remember that Jane.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: If you’ve never exercised, you might work up a glow. I almost broke a sweat doing the strength segment with five-pound weights, but not really.

BUT IS IT FUN? It’s pleasant.

WHEN IT'S OVER: If you’re just starting out, brava!

GEAR AND APPAREL: Yoga mat and light hand weights.

FINAL WORD: A quality beginner's workout, especially if you're at that slowing-down age.

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10 Minute Solution Cardio Hip Hip

THE WORKOUT: 10 Minute Solution Cardio Hip Hop

REVIEWED BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Fine for beginners who can handle choreography.

THE BREAKDOWN: I realize that hip hop is a music genre and not a race, but I can’t help but note that lanky, blonde Heather Graham is not the person who pops to mind when I hear “hip hop.”

But never mind.

I enjoy the first two of five segments of this DVD, but Heather lost me in the last three. The problem for me throughout is that the steps that change too quickly. A couple more reps of each step thrown into the complete dances, and some better cueing (which foot, please?), would help. And, I realize, so would having more than one person demonstrating—sometimes tricky steps are easier to grasp out if I see them done by different people with different styles and bodies.

I think what we have here is the classic problem of the professional forgetting how hard some stuff can be for the amateur. Slow this down a little and have a little sympathy for the beginner and it would be lots of fun.

That said, I’m sure if were determined, I could grasp the dances eventually. But the harder the choreography is to get a grip on, the less of a workout I get, so I am not terribly patient.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I worked up a sweat—from dancing and also from frustration.

BUT IS IT FUN? Parts, yes. And it was a lot more fun when I figured out what the “downbeat” she kept mentioning was.

WHEN IT'S OVER: I have to pop in another DVD to get a full workout.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Nothing but rhythm.

FINAL WORD: Could be better. Wish it were. But I'll keep it around for those first 20 minutes.
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Element Yoga For Energy & Relaxation

THE WORKOUT: Element Yoga For Energy & Relaxation

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone with a modicum of experience and flexibility should be fine with the relaxation segment; the energy segment requires strength and more experience. There is some discussion of form, but probably not enough for a rank beginner.

THE BREAKDOWN: This DVD includes two 30-minute practices in the pretty garden setting that all the element programs use. Yogi Tamal Dodge, who has been practicing since he was a child, demonstrates with his own voice over.

The energy segment manages to pack quite a bit of challenge into a short program, starting easily enough with some half sun salutations but moving quickly into planks, dolphin, crescent lunges and warriors, side angle poses. The most challenging part to me was the duration of each pose. This guy breathes slooooooowly. After explaining each pose, he’d instruct to hold for a number of breaths. By that time, I’m pooped and taking two breaths for every one of his.

The relaxation session is relaxing indeed, starting with upper back and neck stretches. Then a bunch of cat-cows, camel pose, a little down dog, a little sphinx, some half-pigeon and forward folds. It’s all about surrender and nice for the end of a hard day.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I break a sweat in the energy segment. And I feel it the next day, too.

BUT IS IT FUN? I can’t call the energy program fun—maybe when I get better at it—but it’s nice to get a real challenge in a short program. And relaxation? What’s not to like?

WHEN IT'S OVER: There’s a little bit of groaning as I lift myself from the floor from the savasana after the energy program. The relaxation leaves me properly mellow.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Just a mat.

FINAL WORD: I have other challenging programs I prefer to this one, but will probably use the relaxation segment from time to time, since those are harder to come by.

Petra Kolber's Liquid Grooves

THE WORKOUT:  Petra Kolber's Liquid Grooves

REVIEW BY: Kritter

WHO CAN DO THIS: If I can successfully attempt it, anyone can. Petra's encouraging attitude and excellent cuing got me through a blend of modern dance, tai chi and yoga---all movements I've never explored. 

BEFORE YOU START: Make sure you have plenty of space.  There are leg and arm movements in all directions---you don't want to break the flow backing away from a piece of furniture. 

THE BREAKDOWN:  You can do just the warm-up plus one of the sequences, but if you've got the time the four sections really shine as one long workout. Awakening (the 4 minute warm up) flows easily into Sequences 1 and 2 (about 22 minutes per sequence), each section ending in a gathering of energy and a change of music, not a break in movement. It all ends with a 5 minute Moving Meditation of easy flowing moves, just music, no cuing.  I was surprised how much "taking it from the top" this DVD has, though thankfully she doesn't use that phrase and break the mood. New moves combine to make short routines, leading to two rounds of all the moves from both sequences.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Not fat-burning cardio, but you can work up a light sweat.  The movements are simple, you decide how much energy you're going to put in---how far you'll stretch, how deep you'll bend. Surprise arm toning bonus---by the end you realize you've been waving your arms around for nearly the entire 56 minute workout.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You'll not only be glad you did it, but surprised how quickly the time went by.


GEAR AND APPAREL:  No special props, no special clothes.  

BUT IS IT FUN?  Now it is. I had performance anxiety my first few attempts because dance-y moves and take-it-from-the-top routines are not my strong suit. It became fun once I relaxed and could focus on my breathing and enjoy the movement. 

FINAL WORD: Revitalizing

Leslie Sansone: Walk Off 10 Pounds

THE WORKOUT:   Leslie Sansone: Walk Off 10 Pounds

REVIEW BY: Kritter

 

UPFRONT:  There are LOTS of Leslie Sansone DVDs, and I own plenty of 'em. Leslie on her own, with a group, with weights, with stretch bands, without any props at all---a Leslie DVD for nearly every mood or level of fitness.  No matter how long it's been since my best of exercise intentions have fallen by the wayside, Leslie's always there to help me get back on an exercise program, and lately this DVD, from 2010, is the one I start with

WHO CAN DO THIS: If you can walk, Leslie will get you moving. Beginners can keep it low impact and you can choose a one, two, or three mile walk.  You can get a good aerobic workout without feeling inadequate---no fancy steps and combinations to trip you up.

BEFORE YOU START: Particularly as the pace picks up, focus on making sure your heels hit the ground.  You won't notice you're spending too much time on your toes until you pay the next day with very sore calves.

THE BREAKDOWN: This is Leslie as personal trainer, putting you through a 45-minute "multi-muscle" walk. You get a five-minute warmup of Leslie basics---walk in place, side steps, kicks and knee lifts---then the pace picks up and she leads you through a three-mile workout that includes lower body variations like hamstring curls and grapevines plus plenty of arm movements to up the intensity.

There's a cool down toward the end and a short series of calf and hamstring stretches that you'll probably want to supplement with some favorites of you own (she completely ignores your quadriceps).  Should you have energy to burn, there's a five-minute/five hundred step bonus segment.

Through it all Leslie coaches you through a motivational seminar on physical fitness, spiritual fitness, and "smart" food choices. So, yes, Leslie talks constantly.  If it gets on your nerves there's an option to exercise to music only

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I sweat plenty. As my fitness level improves I just put more effort in.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You'll be glad you got into your workout gear and walked the walk

GEAR AND APPAREL: A little floor space and a decent pair of shoes.  She doesn't use any extra gear, but if you wanna throw in some very light hand weights, no one's gonna stop you

BUT IS IT FUN? It's about as "fun" as a cardio workout's gonna get.

FINAL WORD:  Anything that gets me moving is a "smart choice".

Element Power Yoga

THE WORKOUT: Element: Power Yoga

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Intermediate level yogis.

THE BREAKDOWN: One of a fine collection of yoga DVDs (here’s another I like and you'll find others on this site) , this hour long workout is a workout indeed. Poses that other DVDs work up to—crescent pose, for example—are just the beginning here.

Ashley Turner, working out with a view of  the Pacific Ocean (lucky dog), is pleasant and reassuring, telling us in the voiceover that “Inner power is knowing what we need and giving it to ourselves.” In this case, she’s referring to taking a break in child’s pose whenever necessary.

The pace is not frantic but it is brisk, though one-leg down dogs, lots of planks, breath of fire, warrior three, pushups, an interesting balance challenge done crouching on your toes. There’s a long core segment, including situps into boat pose, and just when you think you’re nearing the end (if you’re not a clock watcher), you’re back in down dog, then chair pose, sidearm planks, more pushups. Turner's instructions are clear and helpful and every now and then she reminds you to smile, which is a nice thought. This is a no-kidding workout. No kidding.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: It’s sweaty all right.

BUT IS IT FUN? It’s not not fun. It’s hard work fun.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You’ll feel it all over your body.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Mat and perseverance.

FINAL WORD: This one requires discipline that I hope to find in myself.

Crunch Latin Rhythms Fat Blasting Dance

THE WORKOUT: Crunch Latin Rhythms Fat Blasting Dance

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone who’s gotta dance and enjoys learning choreography.

THE BREAKDOWN: Jennifer Galardi (and you know I'm a fan of hers) leads three Latin-flavored routines with her usual skill and likeability. Choreography—with interesting footwork, lots of hip action, and upper body flava—is not dauntingly complicated, but does require enough practice to present a pleasant challenge.

Galardi builds the dances at a reasonable pace, her cuing is excellent. Repetition as you learn the steps is part of the workout, and Galardi lets you know what body parts should feel the burn, which is helpful. (And we can all aspire to the pancake-flat abs she shows off in hip rolls.)

The DVD is the usual good-looking Crunch scene: a loft-like room with exposed bricks, lots cute cool chicks (and a guy). They’re fun to watch, too.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: As much as you want to, it’s all about your energy.

BUT IS IT FUN? So much fun. This has been among my two go-to DVDs for the past couple of stressful months. What better way to blow off steam than a little cha-cha-cha? (My other go-to these days is Kristi Yamaguchi.)

WHEN IT'S OVER: I’m sweaty and cheerful.

GEAR AND APPAREL: You’ll need a decent amount of floor space.

FINAL WORD: Love, love, love.