Pumping Rubber With David Essel M.G.

When this little jewel arrived, complete with "Xercise Bands and Xertube", I suddenly realized that video reviewing could be a dangerous occupation. Looking at the bronze god on the cover (whom I in no way resemble), it dawned on me that this was going to hurt. Pumping Rubber is hosted by David Essel, who leads viewers through a number of warmup exercises, before launching into the meat of the program. The meat being, depending on your perspective, an intensive 45-minute workout or a short vacation in hell. The workout covers exercises for the major muscle groups in the upper torso-including biceps and deltoid- and then moves down to the abdominal muscles, the upper thighs, and the calves. (And, of course, the sweat glands.) For those still among the living, the tape concludes with cool down exercises. All kidding aside, this is really a pretty good exercise program. And Essel is an amiable host who constantly interacts with and gives encouragement to the audience. About every other minute he smiles and asks "How ya doin'?" I can't print my replies. Recommended. (See THE LONELY PASSION OF JUDITH HEARNE for availability.)