Search - The ABC's of Couple's Fitness on DVD

More Informative than a Workout. Not Intense. Poor editing.

M. Hoyt | McCordsville, IN USA | 04/27/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The description says that this is a an intense 30-minute, full-body workout which improves your aerobic conditioning, strength, balance, and core stability. It is not that at all. This video is pieced together of mostly silly workouts from six couples working out in a very small living room, bedroom, outdoors and an open floor area (with mirrors, mood lighting, candles, etc). It more sexy, seductive and sensual than it is a workout. There are two narrators: One male, one female that guide you through about 20 exercises. The descriptions says this is a series of one-minute drills with emphasis on the ab's, butt, and chest over a 30 minute period. The video also has about three (3) bonus 5-minute Butt and Thigh, Abs, Chest & Arms, and introduction and a "Get Sexy' stretch cool down at the end (I will cover these at the end of this review). The exercises are 1. Sit Stretch: Men Stretch the ladies. The man is behind the woman. It goes quick and does not allow the woman to stretch the man. 2. Push Pull: 1 minute is too long for this. My wife and I were getting bored with this exercise. 3. High Fives: It shows a couple with an extremely small living room and one outside running back and forth sideways and high fiving in the middle. If you don't have space, there is no benefit. 4. Carriage Pull. Partner resistance. 5. Static Abs on Ball: (Oh, you will need a ball and a towel if you want to complete all the exercises. The video does not tell you they are needed). 6. Static Squat. This was actually the first couple exercise that was somewhat challenging. You squat facing each other and balance by holding hands. 7. Balance Squat: Does nothing. In fact, due to poor editing this exercise is shown twice 7 & 12. The couple is laughing and talking while the male voice narrates. The exercise is more 'touch' than 'intense'. The guy is behind the girl, facing the same direction and they are both going up and down. 8. Kiss ups: This is actually a fun exercise. Man does a pushup while the woman underneath does crunches. It will not work with a heavy couple. When they switch and the woman is on top, neither of the men they show does anything but smile. The video depicted the man on top as a workout but they made the woman on top more sexy. 9. Tandem Bicycle: An actual exercise where the couple do bicycles beside each other. The problem is: it is an 1/4 the normal speed of the a bicycle exercise (as the camera scans his rippled muscles and her body). 10. Tummy Tuck: Partner assisted. The woman looks like she is wearing negligee instead of workout gear. The man is shirtless. (candles, mood lighting, mirrors, etc) 11. Leg Pumps: Little or no benefit. Woman on her stomach. Man straddles on her back and provides resistance to leg curls. 12. This is exact same video exercise as #7. Did I mention it was out of focus? 13. Tug of War: Resistance with a towel. Should a couple where one is clearly stronger be doing a tug a war with a towel when they are surrounded by lit candles? 14. Teeter Totter: Editing issues, voice louder. This is the same couple as the leg pumps. One on top of the other applying pressure for arm curls. 15. Superwoman. This is a good exercise. The man does a basic press and the woman is in the front leaning push up position over the top of him. The man pushes up on her feet while the woman hold the push up stance for 1 minute. We found this exercise very challenging and fun. 16. Abs on Ball: Partner resisted arm presses. The couple is talking and laughing to each other as the narrator does voice over. This exercise and the next three only show one partner exercising. To switch, you have to pause and start again when done. 17: Glute Thrust: Sexy fun exercise, again the video only shows one doing the exercising. It does not switch. 18: Butt and Thigh Toner: Also sexy, but only one person exercises, the other applies resistance to inner and outer thighs. 19. Shoulder Press: Again, only one person on video exercises. 20. Shoulder Flies: Butterfly curls with towel resistance. It is followed up by three (3) BONUS BLASTS exercise which like the last four are more informative than actual exercising. Bonus 1: Split Jumps: (The first actual cardio) again, it is demonstration only and it quickly moves to the next Bonus, Bonus 2: Advance Squat Jump; Basically Mule Kicks, couple facing each other. Bonus 3: Sync Stretch: Couple faces each other sitting on floor. Legs stretched. Touching. You stretch your arms to touch your partners toes. In summary, I think the video is a waste of money if you want a workout video. The video does give you some good ideas for couple exercises, but it is more cheesy that an actual workout. There are editing issues where is goes to the next exercise without a clean cut, or starts a new exercise in the middle of the narrators first couple words and even cuts to credits in the narrators ending summary. The voice overs are not consistent in levels and tone. At the end, it says" Practice Total Body Blast once or twice a week and soon you will have a beautiful bo ...." It shows one of the couples with rippling chest muscles and it cuts off immediately and goes to the credits without finishing. Other things on the video is a Introduction (describes the benefits of working out for couples sexual enhancement). The three (3) five-minute bonus workouts are the same scenes from the first twenty and are just 'pasted and copied' into the three 5-minute sections (Chest/Arms, Butt/THighs, and Abs). There is only one scene that is different and that was probably suppose to be exercise #12. There is also a short cool down called "Get Sexy" where the man stretches the woman legs (woman spread legs and man pushing from missionary position) followed by a sensual back rub. It ends with the sexy voice narrator saying "change position, & repeat". The video proclaims it is designed to give a full-body workout like no other. That is a pretty safe statement. I am posting my copy for sale on eBay."