Having won several boxing awards--including the Golden Gloves, Diamond Belt, and Silver Gloves, along with numerous other middleweight titles--retired pugilist Michael Olajide now appears to be kicking more booty than ever…in the exercise arena. This new addition to the Trainer's Edge series finds Olajide concentrating on toning core body muscles in the back and abdominal region (think Die Hard in a gym), along with two workout mates who appear to be genuinely happy to be there (unlike many backup buddies who come across as Stepford gals on steroids). While performing the final set in a particularly grueling series, Olajide comically counts down four, three, two, two, two, two…and both women laugh, but rise to the challenge. The cover states that a set of light hand weights, a jump rope, and a balance bar (a pole about 4 ft. high) are recommended accessories for the workout, but these can be improvised. Olajide may float like a butterfly, but the sting here is that his instruction is occasionally muffled on the audio track (which was surprising, given the overall high quality of the production). Still, those looking for a Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo type sweat-fest will find that this is the real deal. DVD extras include a 10-minute bonus segment from Killer Butt with Dolores Munoz. Recommended. [Note: also newly available in the Trainer's Edge series are: Killer Butt with Dolores Munoz, Long Lean Yoga with Baron Baptiste, and Cardio Interval Training with Petra Kolber.] Aud: P. (N. Plympton)
Trainer's Edge: Killer Abs and Back with Michael Olajide
(2004) 43 min. VHS or DVD: $14.98. Koch Vision (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. ISBN: 1-4172-2659-5 (vhs), 1-4172-2658-7 (dvd). Volume 19, Issue 6
Trainer's Edge: Killer Abs and Back with Michael Olajide
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