Search - Defy Gravity: Metabolism Jumpstart & Fat Free Cardio on DVD

Great toning work combined with disappointing cardio

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 11/22/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I received a preview VHS version of this video. Tamilee has always been one of my favorite instructors, but I found this workout to be a mixed bag. The first section, Fat Free Cardio, consists of 2 cardio segments. In both segments, Tamilee mixes low impact cardio moves with "power" sections--basically, about 30 seconds of focused toning at a quick pace. Tamilee leads you through several different movement combinations and than goes back and starts the entire routine from the top. This is repeated 2-3 times, sometimes with the power moves, sometimes without. Cardio 1 is 20 minutes long, and although the moves are simple--marches, box steps, mambos--the combinations are often fairly complex, and I had a hard time following along, especially given that Tamilee's cueing was not optimal. Cardio 2 is a bit longer at 25 minutes, and although the choreography was still complicated, I found it slightly easier to follow along here. Again, the moves are pretty simple and include knee lifts and charlestons, but Tamilee's cueing suffers more here, and she is sometimes using the wrong leg at the wrong time. In both segments, the power moves consist of squats, leg lifts, and kicks. Overall, the cardio section provides a good, low impact, low intensity workout which would be best suited to someone who likes going through several repetitions of various combinations.

The second section of this video is called Metabolism Jump Start and is toning/strength focused. This section uses a fitness band (included with the video) and is divided into three segments: lower body, upper body, and abdominals. The 10-minute lower body section may be worth the price of the video alone. It begins with simple side steps with the band around your ankles, and within two minutes, I could really feel the burn in my outer hips. A series of leg lifts from various positions ensures that all of the muscles of your legs are worked in this short, intense sequence, and the "penguin" move finishes off the hip area. The 11-minute upper body segment is performed using the band in a seated position. For each move, Tamilee performs one set slow and then one set fast, first working each arm alone and then both arms together. Again, she makes sure to address every upper body muscle group, including the biceps, triceps, shoulders, chest, and back. This difficulty level of this segment is variable depending on how you hold the band. Finally, Tamilee ends the workout with a 12-minute Pilates-inspired abs segment (without the band). This segment is quite challenging, largely because Tamilee moves very quickly through the movements. She begins with a side plank, moves on to a challenging leg scissors move while on your back, continues with full plank and all fours moves, and then repeats the entire series. This is an intermediate to advanced abs workout which is best suited to those who have prior experience with Pilates or other core-focused work.

I definitely liked the toning segments of this workout: the addition of the band helped me to really feel the lower body section, especially in my hips and thighs. However, I found the cardio to be disappointing and am not likely to use this section on a regular basis. If you have liked Tamilee's cardio work in the past, this video might appeal to you, but the main reason to buy this video is for the lower body toning work."

NOT tamilees best work

G. Porter | Portland, OR | 11/29/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This video was very slow paced, great if you are just starting to workout. If you are at an intermediate level buy Tami's "I want that body" vidoes. They are much, much better and to a faster more upbeat pace. I have to say this video is one that didn't take a whole lot of time or thought, I think she just put it together for some extra dough! NOT one of her best works."

Good Toning and not-so-good cardio

me_me | 11/24/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There are 2 workouts on this DVD: Fat Free Cardio and Metabolism Jumpstart. It comes inside a box with a 12" sports band and a pamphlet with a menu plan.

Fat Free Cardio is chaptered into: Intro, Cardio 1 and Cardio 2. Each cardio section is about 15-20 minutes. Tamilee is by herself on a wooden platform on the oceanside of Maui-very nice production. It's very sunny and I wish that I was there, too! Music is okay (non-vocal). The cardio is mediocre low-impact and be hard to follow at times. I didn't care for these sections.

Metabolism Jumpstart is chaptered into: Intro, Lower body, Upper body and Abdominals. The toning sections are around 10 minutes each. Tamilee is by herself on a wooden platform on the oceanside of Maui-very nice production. It's very sunny and Tamilee is squinting alot. Non-vocal music is okay. In Lower body and Upper body, Tamilee uses the sports band that's included with the DVD. These toning sections are what makes the DVD worth keeping. The band is used for tightening the glutes, hamstrings, triceps, biceps, chest, deltoids, etc. My only problem was keeping the band in place around my ankles for the lower body section. It kept creeping up or sliding down! Once it stayed in place, the workout was great! The Abdominals section was pretty challenging-pilates style that uses the core for stabilization. I enjoyed this section.

There are quite a few bonus material on this dvd:

1. Yoga/stretch workout
2. Abdominal core workout (different from the Abdominals in Metabolism Jumpstart)
3. Option to workout to music without narration
4. Photo gallery

5. Trailers of Tamilee's other workouts:
a. Lose Fat Fast: Cardio & Self Hypnosis
b. Fit to the Hits: Rock Hard Assets
c. Fit to the Hits: Motown Moves
d. I Want That Body
e. Tighter Assets: Cardio Blast
f. Tighter Assets: Weight Loss
g. Total Stretch for Beginners

6. Audio Features: Dolby Digital 2.0 or 5.1
7. Credits

I like Tamilee-she's soft spoken and polite. Tamilee is very fit and she looks really good (she tells you in the workout that she's in her 40s)."

Seen and done better :-l

Little Miss Cutey | Melbourne, Australia | 01/29/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Tamilee starred in the original Buns of Steel videos and she's been an instructor for many many years so she knows her stuff. However, Tamilee has done better dvd's than this. It's OK, but not the best. It's set on location at a beautiful Hawaiian oceanside. There are two sections; back-to-the-basics aerobics and toning with a resistance band that you get along with the dvd. The two sections are designed for fat burning and body shaping. It is a total body workout that's sometimes a little tricky to follow along with. The aerobics is a motivating mix of classic cardio along with some intervals and some lunges and squats. In the toning section there is 3 10-minute sections that use the band you are given. She ends the workout with pilates style abdominal work. I just think this lacked something and I don't think she cues very well here. It is a good workout for your body, but for something a little better to follow, try her I Want That Body series. There are some great workouts in those series'."