Forever Fit II; Tim Culwell Creative Stepps 3

Two recent videos cover both ends of the exercise spectrum. Forever Fit II, aimed at senior citizens and those with physical limitations, features fitness specialist Chris Hartman (instructor for the first Forever Fit, reviewed in our May 1990 issue) conducting a series of simple hand, arm, foot, and leg exercises performed while sitting in a chair. While the instruction is sound, the production is relatively low-budget. There is little in the way of introduction, and nothing about any health considerations or suggestions--which the best exercise videos generally feature. Libraries without similar fare may want to consider, but there are already numerous examples of this type of video (including Hartman's first tape) already on the market. An optional purchase.For those who would find the Boston Marathon a piece of cake, on the other hand, Tim Culwell Creative Stepps 3 is an intermediate to advanced workout for owners of that thing that most people have on their front porch, but will cost you $40-$80 if you buy it in the store: a step. Culwell begins by offering a series of sound safety tips and demonstrations of sample moves, before he and the other three members of his workout team begin making those hamstrings sit up and say "hello!" The lion's share of the program, which boasts superb audio and video qualities, is devoted to a 46-minute 3-session step workout which Culwell conducts with verve, enthusiasm, and plenty of preliminary hints about what's coming next. The tape concludes with cool down, stretch, and floor work sessions. Definitely not for weenies, this program had me reaching for my Right Guard long before the cool down session (and I never left my chair). Culwell's Creative Stepps 1 and Creative Stepps 2 would be better choices for beginners and intermediate level steppers. But this one's excellent for your superstud and superstuddette patrons.Forever Fit II is an optional purchase. (Available from: Forever Fit, 3752 Brookside, Toledo, OH 43606; (419) 531-4865.) Tim Culwell Creative Stepps 3 is highly recommended. (Available from: Tim Culwell, 10590 Branham Fields Rd., Duluth, GA 30136; (404) 623-6774.)