Search - Self - Slim and Sleek Fast on DVD

Tiffany O. from BRANDON, MS
Reviewed on 9/13/2011...

Good workout dvd; it provides a mix of cardio and strength training.

Fun, simple workout for lighter days...

Teedums | White Bear Lake, MN | 01/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This workout features Ellen Barrett, who is best known for the Crunch Pilates workouts (Pick Your Spot, Fat Burning and Burn & Firm). She also appears in Self Bikini Ready Fast. She leads you through this 35 minute workout and is joined by 2 background exercisers, one who shows lower impact modifications. All you will need for this video is a set of light weights (2-5 lbs). The setting on a beach in Mexico which is very nice.

The workout is split up into several segments, the first being a simple warmup consisting of marches, step touches, mambos and squats. Then you will move into the next segment which is the ballet series. Not to difficult, Ellen will take you through a series of ballet moves such as center plies, calf lifts, tiptoe plies (center plie with heels lifted), standing oblique work (imprints), and rear leg extensions. She will repeat the series a couple times with less reps and adding some moves such as a scoop move where is looks like you are gathering flowers, and a swirl move that targets the obliques a bit. I really liked this segment, it brings out the graceful side in me.

The next 2 segments are cardio, fun simple combinations with some higher impact moves to elevate the heartrate. But you could also follow the modifier who shows all low impact options. The first combination consists of march ups, jacks, heel digs, knee lifts, v-steps, skier squats, and shuffles. The sequence is repeated a few times. The second combination consists of step kicks, v-steps, jumpropes, 1 leg plyo jumps, jump squats, side to side jumropes, march up/back or bunny hops back, double jacks and one legged hops. Again this series is repeated a few times and power moves are added if you like.

The next segment is toning work with light weights. You start with bicep curls then you will add a reverse lunge, then side squats with side deltoid lifts, then you will stand in place for a move that works the shoulders more, it's like a side lateral raise but you raise your arms up with palms up and lower them down with palms down. You will repeat this a few times, this time adding a knee raise to the bicep/reverse lunge and a inner thigh sqeeze to the side squat/side deltoid lift, after the inner thigh squeeze, you will stay standing and add some outer thigh and rear leg lifts. Towards the end you will do a longer set of the bicep/lunges and side squat/deltoid lifts alternating them before the cooldown.

Overall this isn't a bad workout, I really liked the cardio segments and the ballet series, the toning series was just okay for me though. I didn't really get much out of it. Therefore this would be a good workout for lighter days or for those who are beginner/intermediate levels, or if you are just looking to tone up. Ellen as always does a nice job as the lead.

There is a brief bonus workout, Total Body Turnaround which consist of more toning work which would be a nice add-on for those looking for more toning. The segment itself is only 5 minutes or so long and consists of more moves done in combination such as side lateral raises while balancing on one leg, triceps extensions while doing static lunges, and biceps curls while in plie squat position. There is also some brief floorwork, inner thigh lifts and oblique work before finishing out with a rowing exercise which targets the abs, arms and back) and a seated boxing exercise which works the arms and abs. You will need your light weights and a mat for this segment."

Not the best I've seen/done

Little Miss Cutey | Melbourne, Australia | 10/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a reasonably good workout. It's not really instructed as well as others I have seen. For example, Ellen Barrett doesn't tell you about proper form etc, so you may do things incorrectly and possibly lead to injury. Having said that, this workout is designed to quickly burn fat and reshape your body and it will if you do it often. The scenery is beautiful again (shot in same location as her last workout). The dvd includes a 5-minute upper and lower-body "bonus" segment. You will need some dumbells for this routine. She will keep you motivated, just keep yourself safe while using your know how from other workouts, and incorporate that into this.
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Great all around workout

WorkoutDVDPrincess | Columbus, OH | 11/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am extremely happy with this workout! The moves are graceful, and I love that. But don't be fooled, you WILL feel it the next day if you are an intermediate/somewhat advanced like me. Ellen is a wonderful instructor, with better instruction than many. I have done this several times now, and at the end during the weight segment I keep thinking... ONE MORE SET??? However, it feels so good to finish strong, and it is only 35 minuts long so keep with it and give it your all!
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