| Customer Reviews (or write your own review) |
Prevention: 2-Week Total Body Turnaround |
 Both videos are great!!! |
| Cardio and strength both are very good , I love these videos!! - posted by Miranda on 3/3/2010 |
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 good starting point |
| I needed a good cardio workout while recovering from shoulder surgery. Icy sidewalks were not an option with one arm in a sling. These routines are easy to follow (I hate all that stupid dancy stuff in Firm videos) and get you moving with low impact moves. This is not the most challenging workout, but you can increase the intensity with weights or extra moves you like to add (maybe a step). It is a good starting point for less fit folks, or a nice workout when forced to take things a little more gently. Chris is an excellent instructor. - posted by Megan on 2/16/2010 |
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| Good but not intense |
| The Cardio is a good workout for light days. Not intense at all. I hardly break a sweat. Chris is pleasant and cues well. The first 15 mins is very light and uses hand weights. Second section has some intervals but not complicated. I enjoy it when I don't feel like doing a hard core workout. - posted by camilla on 2/1/2010 |
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| Simple and straightforward |
| First the "Cardio" dvd. Things I like about it: The moves are very basic, so you can really concentrate on making the simple kicks higher or pumping your arms more vigorously. There are two quick routines, so if you're short on time or want to do one cardio routine and then one of the strength routines from the other dvd you can do so. But if you want a longer workout, the two together are a good option for a longer cardio day. One thing I really enjoy is the separate stretch routine at the end. It is not noted on the package which is a shame because it's a little something extra that makes this cardio dvd special. Things I'd don't like: Probably the same things I like about it but from a different perspective, i.e. if you want an interesting cardio workout with more variety in moves and footwork, it's probably not for you. Doing just one 15-minute workout is a bit wimpy if you're truly wanting to get your heart pumping for a decent amount of time. By the time I really feel like I'm getting a workout, it's time for the cooldown. Next the "Strength" dvd. Things I like and don't like about it: Pretty much the same reasons as I gave in the "Cardio" review above. Each routine is kind of short, but done together I really feel like I get a workout. Chris does some different types of ab exercises which is a nice change from the crunches, crunches, crunches in many dvds. The next day I feel it. Chris is very friendly and encouraging without being overly perky, and she seems like a "real" person with whom you'd enjoy going to an exercise class. Overall, I would recommend adding these to your library. FYI: I am in my late 40's, have a desk job, have had 3 kids, and have been a regular video exerciser since my 20's. - posted by Janet on 1/7/2010 |
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| If you are looking for an intense workout, this is NOT IT! |
| After reading all the reviews for this set, I was very excited to order my own copies. Unfortunately, when I received them and performed the workouts, I was very disappointed. I do agree with the reviewer that the strength video is the better of the two; however, these videos made me question why I got up early to workout. The intensity level that I like was just not there. A few positives - Chris is a good instructor and they do offer options for increasing the difficulty of the workout (which I did follow). These are just not the videos for me. If you like Kelley Coffey-Meyer or The Firm, you will more than likely be disappointed as well. - posted by Jennifer on 12/31/2009 |
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| Flexible and effective addition to your workout library |
| Amidst an extensive range of exercise dvds, this set is now a 'go to' option for me. The cardio sets go quickly, and get my heart up (for the power walk, I used 5lb weights), and the strength components are well-designed. I would make one suggestion to improve the strength components: it would be helpful to indicate beforehand what we're going to do, so that those of us who may wish to use different weights for different exercises can select an appropriate weight (eg I tend to use a significantly heavier weight for the diagonal lunges with single arm row than I would for a bicep curl). I am also hugely impressed with both of the bonus segments. They add flexibility and variety. I find that, for my pre-work exercise sessions, I am going back again and again to these dvds. It's great to do both cardio sets, then I rotate through the three sessions on the strength dvd, followed by the yoga component. This brings me to just under an hour for an effective and varied workout, ending with a good stretch. Perfect! And, as always, Chris' manner is utterly delightful - friendly, informed and encouraging. The two support exercisers, Christine and Jessica, clearly demonstrate 'make it easier' and 'make it harder' options. I'd like to say what a good job they do. Sometimes supporting exercisers seem not to really know what they are doing, and can be confusing to follow. Christine and Jessica are on top of what they are meant to be doing, and they do it very well. Overall, this dvd promises what it delivers and offers excellent value for money. I look forward to more dvds from Chris. - posted by Susan on 11/29/2009 |
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| I can do this!! |
| I did the 2 workouts this evening, and WOW! This is fun, but tough. I'm 53 and post menopausal and found my weight creeping up. The old routines just weren't cutting it. I believe these workouts will get me where I want to be. Chris is so motivating and friendly. And the workout is low impact, but high intensity. I wasn't able to do all the reps in the strength workout, but I will! I have a few other dvd's of Chris's and they are fun too... but this is ramped up several notches. I'm actually looking forward to working out tomorrow night! Thank you Chris and Collage! - posted by Barbara on 10/27/2009 |
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| Love it! |
| I am working through an injury and needed some low impact cardio and strength work. I have been doing Leslie Sansone and really enjoy the walking. But this dvd set is great, especially if you are coming back from an injury. I got a great workout, it was fun and look forward to doing it again. There is a modifier on there for both easier and more difficult exercisers. - posted by Eileen on 10/19/2009 |
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| Strength is the Better One! |
| The Cardio DVD didn't do it for me, not challenging or interesting enough. It's more of a walking workout but definitely much better than Leslie Sansone style workouts. Not bad, but I just own much better, more motivating cardio workouts. The Strength DVD is very good though. So, the 5 stars are for this one. It has two main sections and I load up on weight. Then there is this hidden jewel: a 15 minute cardio & weight interval workout. As short as this one is, it gets the job done and is perfect to add on to other workouts when it needs to be quick, intense, and total body. You will definitely feel worked out and have fun doing it. - posted by holly on 10/5/2009 |
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| Really Good! |
| Chris is her usual friendly, encouraging self in these two great DVDs. Of the two I prefer the Cardio. It goes really fast with NO dread factor whatsoever. I like the short sets of intervals with the 30 second "power bursts" at the end of each one. My favorite is the box step/running man combo. The segments are varied with different moves so I don't get bored like I sometimes do with Leslie's. I'd say this is solid intermediate and the impact is mostly low. Incorporating the hand weights adds extra resistance hence a better burn. I like Chris because she's very down to earth and not intimidating - kind of like a friend I'd have in real life. I will definitely keep this set in my rotation! - posted by Beth on 9/5/2009 |
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