After grabbing a cold drink and doing a few warm-up exercises with my right thumb (to operate the VCR remote), I was ready to test drive three new exercise videos. The first was a step exercise video with the challenging title of For Animals Only. I was more than ready to accept the challenge since I do, in fact, identify quite strongly with the three-toed sloth. Five minutes in, however, I realized that this was not geared toward the sloth crowd, but more toward the frothing, spike-collared (possibly rabid) and definitely displeased canine type displayed on the video cover. So, in the interests of safety, I immediately resumed my seat, took a slurp of my fruit juice and began taking notes. Presented by professional aerobics instructor Patti Robinson, For Animals Only is--true to its title--aimed at advanced step students and instructors. It's a high-powered workout that is unfortunately marred by low-powered technical aspects. Passable looking video, skimpy lighting, and hoots and calls between the demonstrators and the unseen audience make this seem more like a home video than a truly professional production.Like most people, I also end my evening prayers each night with a request for a "round firm butt," and after being blasted with the long opening commercial on Steppin' Out, I think we may have the answer. It's called--and this is pretty poetic--the Buttflex, but to my totally untrained eye it looks just like that thingamajig that Suzanne Somers is hawking. Fortunately, the Buttflex is not part of the actual exercise content of Steppin' Out, a high-quality production featuring instructor Carrie Weiland--who also wrote and sings the techno-pop soundtrack. Mixing a vigorous step workout with intervals of weight training, Weiland takes viewers through four sets of step/weight workouts, with periodic rests to check exertion levels. Rather than having viewers check their pulses, however, Weiland has them refer to a nebulous scale of 10-20 which rates "how you feel" (a poor substitute for the hard data of a pulse check). Aside from this, Steppin' Out is a good combination step/weight workout program, and the combination approach makes it a little bit different from the zillion other step workout programs in the apparently infinite universe of exercise videos. Those without the Tim Culwell Creative Stepps series (VL-11/93) or similar fare should consider.The Spa Workout is the most ambitious of the entries, featuring three individually available titles: The Fat Burning Aerobic Workout, Muscle Conditioning: The Metabolic Booster, and Stretching: The Stress Reducer. Presented by Rebecca Gorrell and Jodina Scazzola-Pozo, Fitness Director and Staff Wellness Coordinator, respectively, at the Canyon Ranch Health and Fitness Resort in Tuscon, AZ, each program features both instructors and a group of students performing the various stretches, lifts, and aerobic exercises. The Fat Burning Aerobic Workout offers a good low-impact workout using simple moves in easy to follow sequences that build upon one another (even I was able to follow along). Periodic pulse checks, regular encouragement from the instructors (who don't sound like they're on amphetamines--as in "you got it! you got it! work that body! I SAID WORK THAT BODY!!!"), and good camerawork make for a pleasant and challenging workout. Muscle Conditioning: The Metabolic Booster takes viewers through a good light-weight training program (using the enclosed stretch band or free weights). All of the muscle groups are covered, and the repetitions are shown simultaneously using the stretch band and free weights. Finally, Stretching: The Stress Reducer provides an excellent range of stretching exercises and a short relaxation exercise. a very good set, which can be used individually (since the programs stand alone) or together.For Animals Only is not recommended. Steppin' Out is recommended for libraries who need more step exercise videos. The Spa Workout series is highly recommended. (R. Pitman)
For Animals Only; The Spa Workout; Steppin' Out
(1993) 63 min. $24.95. For Animals Only (dist. by Tapeworm Video). PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 5
For Animals Only; The Spa Workout; Steppin' Out
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