Reviews (3)

Absolutely Hate it!!
I bought this DVD and was sorely disappointed. I was not expecting it to be a copilation of 80's workouts. Maybe someone else can, but I can't stand looking at people wearing leg warmers, leotards, big hair and tons of make-up! Even the warm up is cheesy.
Buy the Body Sculpting System I and II, those will give you results, don't waste your money on this.

Two Workouts from Firm Parts
This DVD is a combination of The Firm's Upper Body and Standing Legs workouts. There is also a bonus feature included, The Firm's Bonus Fitness Training Program. This bonus program explains the physiology behind using weights, and discusses the importance of good form in performing sculpting exercises.

The Upper Body workout is a spliced combination of older firm workouts. From the leg warmers, Greek-inspired statues, and hairstyles you will note the age of this workout - the entire look and feel is 80's inspired. The music, as well, includes saxophone and synthezied pieces that are reminiscent of the decade of big hair.

The Upper Body workout itself runs for 35 minutes. There is a total of 11 minutes of warming up and stretching, 21 minutes of upper body weight work, and 3 minutes of stretching to finish. The exercises included are multiple sets of push-ups, pectoral fly, upright rows, and more. You will need dumbbells (3 - 15 pounds) for this workout. There is no ab work included.

The Standing Legs workout is also pieces out together of older, 80's style workouts. The workout runs for 42 minutes and includes: 8 minutes of warming up and stretching, 30 minutes of heavy lower body work, and 5 minutes of stretching at the end. There is no ab work.

The Lower Body segment uses dumbbells, The Firm's Fanny Lifter, and optional ankle weights. The exercises will be familiar to people who have done Firm workouts before: lots and lots of Leg Press step-ups onto the Fanny Lifter, lunges, knee lifts, and more. This is a difficult workout, sure to challenge any level.

The DVD has a Scene Selection feature, so you can skip over any segments that you do not want to use. However, if you select "Play Workout" from the Main Menu, you are subjected to a Firm commercial each workout you use. So, if you run the entire DVD, you have to watch this commercial twice.

While I did not find the Upper Body workout terrifically challenging, I thought that the Standing Legs workout was tough and efficient. Be sure to complement these strength-training workouts with a cardio program and a good stretch to avoid injury. If you have knee problems, you may want to skip this DVD. At a height of 14", the Fanny Lifter will aggravate knee injuries, especially doing multiple sets of Leg Press.

Don't buy any Firm compilation!!
Booooooooooooooooooooooring!!!!! The Firm workouts are effective, sure. If you do these workouts, you'll get toned. So if you just want results, go ahead and buy them. But you may die of boredom before you get fit!! I have other Firm workouts which aren't compilations of old stuff, and they're WAY better. At least they have variety and don't jump around all over the place.

Both of these workouts are just bits and pieces of old Firm tapes which have been pasted together. And because the Firm workouts are all based on the same moves, you'll be doing the same moves over and over and over and over and over again!! The Standing Legs workout is just endless lunges. There came a point after I'd been lunging for what seemed like hours, and then they said "prep for lunges" and I just screamed and turned the DVD off!!! And the Upper Body workout has you doing lat rows ad nauseum.

If you want a good workout, I highly recommend the Firm. Just not this particular DVD. Make sure that whatever workout you choose is a complete, new workout, and not a bad compilation of old stuff. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Living Yoga succeeds in re-creating its superb yoga programs for DVD with the three-in-one workout The Total-Body Yoga Workout, which combines the individual body part programs on one disc.

The first workout, Lower Body Yoga for Beginners, led by Suzanne Deason, is a fun, short routine that will help you to invigorate and stretch the lower body in a series of flowing postures, working to stretch, tone, and challenge one's muscles and balance. In the second segment, Rodney Yee leads Abs Yoga for Beginners, which is designed to firm and strengthen your abs while providing a soothing respite from your hectic lifestyle. The poses are, for the most part, simple to follow, although the beginner may need to ease into some of the positions. Finally, Yee leads us through Upper Body Yoga for Beginners, a workout that will stretch, strengthen, and energize the upper body. Yee flows through poses designed to develop an open, supported chest, which in turn promotes healthy circulation, breathing, digestion, and posture. For all of these programs, a firm blanket to sit upon is needed.

The extra features on this disc are the same as those on The All-Day Yoga Workout. Once again, the DVD format is ideal for a workout program--the chapter search makes it easy to skip the introduction and jump right into the body work. Or if you're short on time and just need to relax, you can move directly to the meditations. An extra feature, "Learning the Basics," has pictures of every pose with written instructions on how to do them, which is just the thing for beginners who feel befuddled when told to do a cow-face pose or gate pose. A section on props explains how to use straps, bricks, and mats in order to modify more difficult poses for less limber bodies. Finally, the interviews with Suzanne Deason, Patricia Walden, and Rodney Yee round out the DVD, making for a full program. This is the ultimate introduction to yoga; it's a workout regimen that's easy to incorporate into your daily life and fun enough to convince you to stick with it. --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Beginners (and those with bad backs)...Beware!
I agree with the last few reviews. This DVD is quite difficult for a beginner who is: 1)UNfamiliar with the poses; 2)lacks upper/lower body strength; and, 3)has not worked out for an extended period of time. I bought this DVD as an extension to my at-home Pilates workout. While Pilates (the Performer/Reformer machine and tapes) starts you off slowly and works in more difficult positions as you get more into the workout, this *beginner* DVD took me AND my pulse by surprise! You'll surely be sweating up a storm, but the narrative instructions provided move too quickly...so that either you're trying to listen or constantly lifting your head to watch Yee demonstrate the moves. Of course, this defeats the whole purpose of "relaxing and centering yourself" because you become more concerned with catching glimpses of the moves. But--DO NOT be discouraged! If you do try out this DVD 5-6 times, consistently, you'll eventually get it. But, don't expect this DVD to smoothly transition you through the moves. My advice is this: check out the poses (stills) and practice them a few times on your own, so that when they're called out during the workout, you have a vague idea of what the moves look like. In addition, try to LISTEN to the instructions, instead of trying to watch them. The instructions alone are pretty specific and helpful, while trying to listen/watch can be confusing. IF this is your first-ever attempt at Yoga, and you insist on buying this DVD (like me), PLEASE start off with the ABS Yoga section of the DVD first. BE CAREFUL with moves that strain your back (if you have previous problems with this area). The ABS section moves slower, so you have the chance to feel what Yoga ought to do for you. ABS is challenging, but less confusing. NEXT, move to the Lower Body workout, and finally follow up with the Upper Body. My mistake was to begin with the Upper Body workout, and I started to panic about my abilties to continue with the workout altogether. Just barely made it! Also, if at all possible, take a couple of Yoga classes with a good instructor who'll give you hands-on help with the basic poses. It'll help you IMMENSELY with this DVD. FINAL Call: this is a very challenging and thorough (intermediate) workout, once you get the hang of the moves. Just be prepared for MAJOR muscle aches for a few days after your workout! Namaste.

Yoga or Tai Chi?
I just tried this DVD last night. I had the videos from before, but haven't used them for a few years. I tried the upper body workout. I'm not sure this is really for beginners as they move through the positions quickly and it makes it difficult if you aren't flexible enough to fully implement the positions. If they blast through the exercises, how does a beginner become more flexible without holding the position for more than a second? I would have preferred more info on the positions and how to prepare your body for performing them correctly and safely. The videos seemed more paced for beginners than this DVD. Almost seemed like tai chi more than yoga.

Yoga for beginners?
It may seem to some that I have rated this a little low; however, it is due to the fact that the dvd is presented as one for beginners. I am sure that these routines are a cakewalk for the more seasoned veteran, but they are certainly not for true beginners. I am a fairly flexible person, and I could not even get into a proper downward facing dog, much less the rest of the postures the lower body instructor zoomed through. I will stick with my beginner pilates routine for now and perhaps revisit this dvd in the future when I have gained more muscle tone and flexibility (I hope). Otherwise, I suggest it be retitled.

Be on your toes
I took a Yoga class at my gym for about a year and a half. My mom bought this DVD for me for christmas. They change the positions to quickly, it was not relaxing at all. You are supposed to hold your position for a least a minute. You really need to be on your toes for this video so don't expect to be relaxed when it's over. I found it to be very annoying and haven't watched it since.

An energizing yet relaxing sweat!
This DVD is filled with YOGA workouts for all aspects of the body. I have never done YOGA before and was able to easily follow instruction and was well on my way to health and wellness. YOGA is a low impact excersize but you sweat as if it were high impact, and the relaxing meditation at the end of the workouts are refreshing. ... Read more

Description

Buns of Steel instructor Leisa Hart has motivated millions to embrace exercise with her cutting edge fitness programs. Her precise cueing will give you a greater understanding of your workout while delivering awesome results. As an ACE and AFAA certified instructor with over 20 years of fitness industry experience, Leisa specializes in Lifestyle & Weight Management, Pre and Postnatal Exercise, Yoga and Toning.Fit to the Core BURN combines strength training and mid tempo aerobic dance to burn fat and tone your muscles all in one workout. That means you’ll get better results in less time!In this workout Leisa introduces her new CORE BAR, a uniquely designed weighted bar that comes equipped to easily change from 4, 8 or 12 lbs. Variations are shown for options using hand weights or any fitness bar. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

loved the flow of this weight training video
the flow that leisa hart uses in this video is really good for my body, i liked the way the weight starts to feel heavier and makes me work harder and harder the more i do it. the CORE BAR i bought at leisahart.com is the best weight bar, i love it. I would think more people will start to use it once they see how good it is

great strenght training
i loved the style Leisa Hart teaches. These videos are fun and effective. Her CORE BAR is better than my body bar, so I'd recommend getting it if you can, I got mine at her website leisahart.com. Both FitToTheCore Burn and Chisel and great, you have to add these into your weekly rotation.

excellent workout, my wife loves it too
we are fitness video junkies, as we got tired of going to the gym and being staired at or feeling inferior to others, so we decided to try exercising to videos and it has now been three years and we feel great and look better than ever. My wife loves Leisa Hart's videos, and this one is so good. You feel the bars resistance more and more. The first time I did this video I could tell it was going to be in our hall of fame of favorites, along with taebo and kathy smiths line, as leisa hart demonstrates great toning moves. My wife really likes working on her thighs(i love her thighs! :-)) and this video hits them great. I love feeling like my upper body is getting all that it can handle, and this video does it. I'd recommend it and the Fit To The Core Chisel to anyone, good luck and enjoy working out at home. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Waste of Money
This is more of an instructional video that you might watch in a high school PE class once before you go out and try it than a pilates routine designed for lower back pain. It gives a few minutes of explanation for each move along with "recaps" on previous moves, but never establishes a fluid routine. This painful process goes on for an hour! DVD is a complete waste of money, try MTV pilates if you are trying to strengthen your back and stomach! ... Read more

Description

Work out your entire body with this easy-to-learn exercise program! Join Dr. Joel Rutstein and a Master Fitness Specialist for a comprehensive instructional program and 15-minute workout program. This is a great way to get started with an exercise program at home or anywhere! 37 min.

Both programs are divided into five sections:
Standing Exercises
Wall Exercises
Standing Chair Exercises
Seated Chair Exercises
Floor Exercises ... Read more

Product Description

From back cover, "Do you want sculpted and defined abs, hips and thighs? Firm Hips, Thighs and Abs is designed to give you the shape you want with fast, simple and effective workouts! Performed on the floor or seated, this workout targets your hips, thighs, and buttocks. Plus a bonus abdominal workout for fabulous abs!" Equipment needed: The Firm Box; Dumbbells ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Watch out, same dvd as Fast & Firm Express Hips thighs & Abs
Yes, I got this dvd as a bonus from the firm when i bought the firm box set, and it is the same dvd as the fast and firm hips, thighs, and abs dvd, which has a purple cover!!!!!!!!
Just this one is divided in 2 chapters, hips/thighs is one chapter and abs has its own chapter!! And the one with the purble cover is just straight thru with no chapter divisions between body parts.
Despite that, this is a good toning workout, there is not much aerobic/cardio section, just good toning for abs and lower body. ... Read more

Video Description

A fun, high energy, fat burning, leg shaping cardio workout for maximum calorie burn! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Core Bar is best at-home weight bar, allows multiple uses
Leisa Hart's CORE BAR is the best weight training tool i have, it's adjustable, easy to adjust in a snap, that a screw on piece like Gaimm's or the other pilates bar; this is great, you can change the weight level depending on what exercise you are doing, and you don't waste time, it's awesome, i have several Body Bars and this is better quality, easily better. I Highly Recommend the Core Bar, and loved Leisa's great exercises in the Fit To The Core Series. ... Read more

Description

The Essential Pilates for Lower Back Pain 2 DVD set uses tried and tested exercises that have proven a great relief to many from nagging back pain. These instructional DVD’s are taught by Allan Menezes, Australia’s foremost Pilates practitioner who introduced the Pilates Method to his country in 1986. He has created a series of videos with a unique approach based on his bestselling book The Complete Guide to the Pilates Method and the original teachings of the renowned Josephe H. Pilates. Includes the Pilates Principles DVD. ... Read more

Description

Learn the symptoms of depression and how depression is related to pain from a clinical psychologist and board certified rheumatologist, Dr. Joel Rutstein. 44 min.

This program is divided into three parts:
What is Depression?
How Do You Know If You Have Depression?
The Relationship Between Pain and Depression ... Read more