Search - Keeping Fit in Your 50s - Aerobics on DVD

Good, but...

Granny | 09/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although this DVD says "keeping fit in your 50s", it's probably not for people who have been doing something aerobically challenging all along. It seems to have been designed more for people like me: 58 year old who has never done anything more aerobic than walking two fifteen minute miles a day and who developed arthritis in the knees and had to even stop that exercise and has gained 50# as a result.

This DVD exercise routine was challenging for me because of the recent inactivity, the arthritis and because I am uncoordinated and have never been able to dance. Of course, it is made clear that we are to only do as much as we can until we are able to work up to following the exercises just as they are done on the DVD. However, they could have made following the DVD a lot easier if they had kept the camera on the action of the exercise rather than periodically panning the faces of Cindy and her exercise coach. It would have also been helpful for the exercise coach to keep counting through-out the exercise.

Also, if you buy the other two DVDs in the series, don't expect different bonus features. The bonus features are the same. The bonus feature gives tips on keeping motivated and reasons why it is so important to stay active as we age.

Overall, it is a good DVD, but not for everyone. If I had known there was so much dancing-type exercises, I may not have bought it. I'm sure that the dancing was incorporated to make the work-out appear more fun, but if you're uncoordinated like I am, it is only frustrating.

For the person who has not exercised for a while or whose exercises have not been aerobically challenging, who has developed some arthritic aches and pains and who likes to dance, this would be an excellent choice."

Glad I borrowed it from the library first!

Good Brother Cadfael | Virginia | 10/12/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I just got through doing this workout and I had to go online right away and write this review. I love workout tapes and regularly incorporate them into my fitness program. Some prove to be not for me, largely because of personal preference; I am well aware that they may be suitable and inspirational for others. I honestly can't recommend this DVD to anyone. There are too many problems, including:

1. poor transitions from one step to another and extremely poor cues to let you know what is going to happen ahead of time. I realize that I am not a Rockette, but I want to feel that I am learning a routine as well as mechanically exercising my muscles; otherwise, I would just take a nice walk or ride my exercise bike. Even Cindy, the model, is hard-pressed to keep up with the quick shifts between one step and another. Another big problem for me is that the timing of the music does not "go" with the steps being performed for several of the numbers. That makes it very hard to stay in time with the performers. I suspect the music was dubbed over the soundtrack.

2. Lack of concern over common safety issues. For example, when you are doing lunges and squats, there is no mention of protecting your back, nor is there any invitation to use a chair if you are having trouble balancing. And you WILL have trouble balancing, because the tempo is too fast. You will not be able to perform the exercises in a proper form, particularly when you are lunging and kicking over and over. There is also no mention made of proper breathing techniques for these sorts of exercises (i.e. it makes the exercise easier and more effective if you breathe out when you are exerting yourself).

3. uninspiring production values. Yes, this may sound so shallow, but I want to feel like I am part of a cool class when I am working out. The set is stark and cheap (a mat in a gym)and the lighting is often glaring. The camera angles make it harder rather than easier to follow instructions (i.e. you start a new step and what do you get: a focus on the women's upper bodies!). The music is elevator music and, as mentioned above, it doesn't synch in with the exercises being performed.

4. no learning curve. If I invest in an exercise DVD, I want to be able to enjoy working out with it for years. I love tapes that teach me new steps or new ways of moving. (Thank you, Jane Fonda and Petra Kolber, among others!)With this DVD, I figured out what was going on and realized the only challenge to surmount would be ignoring the music and anticipating the poor cueing.

Well, take it for what it's worth. I think this aerobics DVD is far too easy and amateurish for a serious, experienced exerciser, and too slapdash and confusing for someone who is just beginning or resuming a fitness program. I like Leslie Sansone's and Jane Fonda's tapes for simple, effective, safe aerobics. Petra Kolber has awesome tapes if you are a little bit more advanced and/or like a challange; you will learn to love "dancey" aerobics if you give her a try. Don't frustrate yourself with this, please!"

The aerobics off the musical beat!

Linda Swartz Matychak | 01/13/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"It is not that the movement are not good movements,it is the fact that they are not in time with the music that makes this dvd really hard to follow. I took it from the library, did it once (it nearly drove me crazy) then returned it. Don't waste your money!"

Good news, bad news... mostly bad

nsv | The Everglades | 04/23/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The good news: This is a relatively easy, relatively low-impact aerobic workout. If you're recovering from an injury or you're out of shape and haven't worked out in a while, the easy, repetitive workouts here will get you moving.

The bad news: On the whole, this is a terrible workout video. If you've never done aerobics this is not the video for you. With the exception of how not to do squats, there is no instruction on how to do any of the exercises here. There is no discussion of form. Half the time you can't even see what the instructors are doing, because the camera is focused in a close-up on their faces.

This is probably a good thing. Many times the two instructors are doing two different things. If they don't know what they should be doing, how the heck are you supposed to know?

The instruction is terrible. Sometimes the order to change to the next move comes one, two, or three steps before the change, sometimes during, and sometimes after the change, and sometimes not at all. And you can't even judge by the music, because many times the steps don't match the beat.

I skipped the second core routine entirely. I've been doing aerobics for years, yet without instruction, full-body video, or synchronization with the music, I was completely unable to follow this routine.

My advice: if you're experienced with aerobics and need to take it down a few notches because of injury or age, pick up this DVD and listen to the audio, ignoring the video. It can be a boring but good workout if you need to take it slow. If you're new to aerobics, skip this one entirely. I'd hate to see someone try this and quit doing aerobics, thinking they can't do it, when the problem is the video production."