(Buena Vista Home Ent.)
2005
What is it?
A variety of workouts for the upper body, abs and lower body featuring three women from season one of the ABC TV series Extreme Makeover. There are also style tips from celebrity Jeanne Yang and a "Healthy Lifestyle" booklet, but the workouts are the main attraction.
Who is it for?
Although it claims to be a "weight loss workout for beginners," these routines may be a little tough for people who have spent years being couch potatoes. If you're extremely out of shape, you'll want to get accustomed to a little cardio and weight training before attempting these workouts. Even intermediate exercisers will work up a sweat. You'll need two sets of dumbbells, a sturdy chair and, if you're working out on a hard floor, an exercise mat.
What to expect:
The women from the Extreme Makeover show may have had loads of face work, dental work and liposuction, but muscle tone can only happen one way — you have to earn it. That's what these three women have done, with the help of personal trainer Robert Reames. Reames gives the ladies — and you — thorough, targeted workout routines that strengthen and tone. There's one Makeover woman for each body part — Paula Baierski from Episode 5 does the upper body routine; Episode 16's La Paula Fyff targets the abs; and Belen Rodriguez, also from Episode 16, goes for the lower body (Rodriguez is quite amusing — she jokes around with Reames delightfully). The DVD contains 75 minutes' worth of workout routines, mixed and matched so that you have a different 35 to 48-minute workout for every day of the week. If you're pressed for time, there are also routines that last under 30 minutes. Or you can create your own routine from the 9 segments (just make sure you include a cool down for the muscles you worked!). The exercises are basic but not boring, and Reames keeps you constantly moving. These segments are structured to burn calories and get results, and gives quality attention is given to good form. Because of the variety of workouts, this DVD is a great value, and it will make a welcome addition to any dedicated exerciser's library.