Customer Reviews:
Easy to follow and effective.......2008-03-07
Have only done this once so far but I felt it in my legs for days after so it can only be good!! Really enjoyed it and liked the fact you could take it further as you progressed, also like the emphasis on stretching which you don't always get. Would have given it 5 stars but wish the presenter hadn't felt the need to talk constantly!
Excellent all-round toning workout.......2008-03-06
I did this workout for the first time yesterday and ache horribly this morning - but in a good way. It's an excellent all-round toning workout.
I was expecting lots of core (abs) work, but the workout actually incorporates sections for the whole body - you do leg and bum work (in fact, it's my legs that are the most sore this morning), press-ups and tricep presses, etc. It's 55 mins long but split into sections in case you want to concentrate on one area of the body only. The warm-up is also great, though I adapted it to avoid bouncing the ball and annoying my downstairs neighbours! I don't think it requires too much space - I did it in a floor space about 6' by 5' and with an average-height ceiling.
The instructor is very good, encouraging and friendly but not annoying, and the girls are all obviously working hard. Unlike many aoz videos, it's done in a studio (presumably they didn't want the balls to blow away?).
The cool-down section is bizarrely difficult (notably because it included the dreaded plank) - I don't think I got the hang of it quite but I'm sure it'll come with practice. I felt I could have done with more stretching too - my hamstrings were stretched properly but I woke up in the night with very odd-feeling quads, and realised that I hadn't stretched them at all, despite the fact that the video incorporates lots of squats.
The pace of the workout is quite slow, but as the instructor reminds us, going slow and controlled is the way to build up muscle fibres. Also, I found (as a relative beginner) that the pace allowed me to get into position properly on the ball before each exercise.
I definitely recommend this workout for anyone who wants to tone up and build whole-body strength.
Yeah Baybay...........................2008-03-02
Well as i had read all of the previous reviews before purchasing this DVD, I really could not wait to work-out with my new ball and exercise routine. I think that its quite a good work-out, its seems just a bit too slow for my liking and i thought that the moves would be alot harder to do. I did enjoy the work-out as the DVD went on and its one that i would encorporate into my exercise routine as i can see the benefits of using this type of exercise.
I would say to anyone who has no experience with exercising with a ball and is a first timer that this is the DVD for you as it is definately aimed toward the beginner, and they also show moves for the more advanced exerciser.
I would say that for the price and quality and the professional way in which this DVD has been made, it is definatley worth the money and it is definately a step in the right direction.
Effective, well-designed workout.......2008-01-05
I bought this on the strength of good reviews, as I was sure there were more ways to use my Swiss ball than my usual straightforward sit-ups.
I found it an effective and enjoyable workout. The instructor is friendly without being patronising or irritatingly chirpy, and gives clear and sensible instructions. There is a good selection of easy and advanced options, and each exercise lasts long enough to feel it but no so long you get bored or in agony. It's divided up by body area so you can do the whole thing in about an hour, or select particular sections to work on.
The only thing I would say is that apart from the warm-up there isn't much cardio action, so while it will undoubtedly help you tone up and gain flexibility, it's probably less good if you want to lose weight. My plan is to get to know the exercises and build some of them into my regular workouts.
An intensive but fun and rewarding workout.......2007-06-10
I've just completed my first attempt at this workout, having watched it through once beforehand. WOW! this is a great high-intensity workout if you give it your all.
The instructor and participants are great as you can see that even they find some of the moves quite challenging, but you are encouraged throughout. The pace is easy to follow with no difficult choreography to get your head around, like some aerobic workouts seem to have. You are advised that there are some moves where you will feel your tummy tremble a little as you do this, and that it is not a sign of poor technique - I found this reassuring as I thought it might have been a sign of wasn't fit enough.
As was previously stated in another review, some of the exercises require a fair bit of clearance above your head and you need to be able to comfortably take two or three steps to each side of your main position to allow room for manoeuvre. Another point to bear in mind is that during the warm up you will need to bounce this ball on the floor a fair bit, so you may need to consider if this is going to bother your neighbours. A simple way to dampen this noise is to place a yoga mat on the floor, and bounce the ball along this.
A couple more tips - you will work up a bit of a sweat during this workout, so don't try to do it in bare feet as you may lose grip. Also make sure you aren't wearing shorts, as your skin might start sticking to the ball, making it awkward to move, and it doesn't feel too nice either.
I give ths 10 out of 10 and would reccommend this workout DVD to anyone who wants to really utilise their gym ball.
Customer Reviews:
Steps too fast and only 20 mins workout.......2007-07-11
I wasnt impressed wtih this. I was expecting a simple cardio workout, with no fancy steps which by the time you figured out if you were going left, right or centre - they changed it. This annoys the hell out of me ! - I found the instructor didnt tell you in good enuogh time what was next and she would quickly change the routine. I couldnt grasp it and ended up just jumping on the spot plus it is only a 20 min cardio workout. I like to have at least an hour !! - I didnt feel I had worked hard enough and had to put on my trustee Pump it Up DVD afterwards to fill up the rest of the hour!
A Fantastic all rouder for all levels........2006-11-22
This is the only exercise dvd i have but i couldnt ask for anything better. When i began my fitness level was very poor and i only did the warm up, section 1 and cool down. Now my fitness level has increased and i do the whole dvd which gives a great workout. You can make the exercises harder or easier depending on how you feel. The steps are simple and the routine is easy to follow but the workout feels effective (great when you are uncoordinated like me!). I love this dvd and am going to buy some more soon!
Good all-rounder but unimaginative.......2006-09-12
I have been used to Rosemary Conley fitness DVDs where the music is real pop music and the routines are very varied.
In comparison, this DVD seems quite unimaginative, although it definitely gets your heart-rate up!
There are 5 sections of around 10minutes each (all adds up to 55 mins as there are breaks of a minute or so between sections:
Warm-up
Section 1
Section 2
Abs & back mat work
Stretch & cooldown
The aerobics sections - Warm-up, Section 1 and Section 2 are basically exactly the same routine repeated again and again. Grapevines, box steps, small squats, full-jacks, step-claps, heel-digs - all very basic. Section 2 incorporates jumps, but there is a lo-impact version to follow.
The abs & back section is nice to do, but could be more challenging. The stretch section is very thorough and I do this section on its own after eg going jogging.
June Jones isn-t bad as a presenter - pretty good with the directions (although not as clear as Rosemary Conley). I found the girls costumes a bit off-putting (basically bikinis) and one of the girls looks like the Hulk! It was recorded on a public beach and there are various members of the public milling around in the background which liven things up when you-re doing the umpteenth routine repeat!
I do a fitness DVD around 4 times a week, and this one maybe once a fortnight.
aoz great as always.......2006-02-20
i love aerobics oz style and never ,miss it when it is on tv .this dvd is great because it is a longer workout than the 30 min show (this is about 55 min)it is a high enery workout or you can do low impact if you want after the cardio section there is some great ab toing then on to a fantastic strech.buy this it is fantasic
Customer Reviews:
Rubbish.......2007-02-16
I've taken salsa classes so have a basic knowledge of salsa dancing. The first impression is a very low budget dated dvd, but the warm up is excellent, you go through some good moves with added aerobic chachas and by the end of the warm up you feel a little breathless and ready to start a proper workout.
the workout begins with the dreadful male teacher he is impossible to understand, the moves are not explained or repeated many times so there is no chance to work out what you are supposed to do, and he just keeps adding moves each time so you get completely lost. Also what he is doing is nothing like any salsa i have ever done, it is a very strange dvd and not worth buying at all.
I did it only a few times and decided to find something better.
Looks dated but lots of fun.......2007-02-13
I bought this dvd because I have lots of fitness dvd's and this one was cheap and latin dance appeals to me.
When the dvd started I was worried because it looks very dated and low budget. However once I started the warm up I loved it.
The warm up is lots of fun and goes through a few simple steps.
After the warm up comes the dance sections.
These are hard, there is no stopping to learn the steps and I found it pretty hard to pick. When I saw the first move I almost wanted to give up but I kept going and each time I get better at keeping up with the moves.
If you persevere you will get a really good workout. Where some workouts can become boring this one stays interesting beause it is all done at full speed and the hour goes quickly.
Sometimes the camera angles are not good and the instructor is not always clear. However if you have some dance knowledge you will probably pick this up and find it fun.
I think that once you get past the dodgy costumes and low budget look this is a very good workout.
If you haven't done latin dancing before I'd recommend doing a dvd like latinasize first as Latinasize is still tough but you get the option to walk through the steps before doing them full speed.
After the dances there is a cool down which is slower paced dancing than before but still latin style dancing.
Then the dvd finishes with stretches.
The workout is about an hour long.
Customer Reviews:
DIFFERENT STYLE OF PILATES.......2006-03-13
Wanted to try a different type of pilates dvd so got this. Unfortunately not as good as I thought. It is based more on ballet type dance exercises so good if you love that sort of thing. I didn't feel as if I worked my core abs though and felt as if the girls were trying harder to look pretty than work. You need plenty of room to as you are rolling about on the floor alot!!
Good if you like contemporary dance!
pilates dance.......2006-02-20
i love doing aoz pilates workouts on tv i also have the vhs body and soul but this is by far my fave pilates workout .it is a lot more like a dance class than traditiol pilates but do not be put off by that it is a great workout for anyone who loves pilates and dance.a lot of the work is on the floor so you need a bit of room.buy and enjoy.
Customer Reviews:
More fitness aimed than dance...the assistants mess up.......2007-08-05
Seda Jurim (the dancer in red) teaches beginner belly dance moves that form part of an aerobic workout. Its nice and fun to do with suitable moves. The music sounds like it has a Turkish flavour to it in the warm up, its very upbeat but not too fast. This is definitely aimed more at fitness than belly dance; I find that the moves are not as clearly done if they had been in a proper video, the blonde assistant looks like she is struggling a few times, still it will give you a laugh and that endorphin rush.
Moves taught
Warm up
Hip circles
Hip thrusts
Figure eights
Shoulder roll
Shoulder shimmy
Snake arms
Wrists circles
Butterfly hands
Turkish hands
Chest lifts and square
Hip flicks
Shimmy
Cross step
Hip twist
Tiny bit of floorwork
Combination in the middle - more for fitness than belly dance, the hopping made me laugh.
Good for beginners.......2007-02-05
I have recnetly lost 2 Stone mostly through dieting but decided I need to add excercise to tone aswell. I don't like to excercise in public and often found normal aerobics DVD's a little boring and by the warmup I'd want to give up. This DVD is good for beginners to obht belly dance and excercise. The warm up is good and still interesting incorporating some belly dance moves, and the main section is clear and concise. It's also great to have a final routine to go thrugh adding all the moves together, this is where you get more of an aerobic workout.
Unfortunately the one instructor is sometimes a little confusing and doesn't count the moves in properly, and what is more annoying is that the two blonde girls following the moves sometimes mess up, or don't do the moves properly and the camera seems to focus on them quite a bit. It would be better if the camera focused on the main presenters. After using this DVd for a few weeks it is definitely aiding my weight loss and I have purchased a more complicated DVD to push myself further.
Problem areas on your belly back and waist? This is for you.......2006-08-01
I use to be a size 12 but now I am a size 16 as I am young and never thought it would catch up with me plus I am lazy and not a workout fan because I do not find it fun but this dvd is Great it is easy to follow and really fun it I am sure I will lose the weight in my problem areas (back, belly and hips) but you have to wear a sports bra or you will feel the pain with all the shaking!
One bad point about the dvd is the to blonds either side of the main instructors weren't picking up the moves and kept getting things wrong and the camera would focus on them and then viewers would get things wrong.
Overall this dvd is fun and I truely recommend it!
Oh yeah you might wanna get the fun outfits to shake with just for fun!
Aerobics but not as we know it.......2006-07-02
I am not good at aerobics, most fitness DVDs ether loose me in the warm up as ether I can`t follow the instructions, or they are physically imposable (for me). With this in mind I think this DVD is great.
They go through each move & it's not to hard to follow although it does have its moments. Having said that you do get a good workout and at some point even the instructors get out of breath , it's always nice to know it's not just you finding it difficult. I've found that it helps trim the waist & improve energy levels.
All in all if you are looking for a beginners/supplementary fitness DVD that is a little bit different & is not going to loose you in the first 10 minutes then get this.
Customer Reviews:
even to easy for a beginner.......2007-05-09
I had never done Yoga, so, thought I get a beginner one....but , it was no challenge, just to easy and I found it really boring....not for me at all!
Great DVD.......2006-02-21
After attending a few local yoga classes i bought this dvd to help start up my home practice and it is absolutely fantastic!!!
The poses are well linked and perfored well and june does a great job explaining them in plain english to you. At 55miutes its a good lenght and does not drag on, the special features are good two. I think it is one of the best yoga dvds avalible, GET IT!
UK DVD:
- An Introduction To Tai Chi Chi Kung
- Anthony Robbins Personal Coaching Collection, Vol. 4: Time of Your Life - 3 Ways to Take Control of [2007]
- Antonia Kidman Yoga [2002]
- Barbara Currie - The Very Best Of Barbara Currie
- Bellydance For Beginners: Arms, Abs, Hips, Buns & Thighs [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Belly Dance For The Beautiful Freaks (All Regions)(NTSC) [2006]
- Belly Twins - Indi-Hop
- Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo Advanced
- Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo - Everybody Get Ripped [2003]
- Body Control Pilates - Pilates Weekly Workout/Pilates Perfect Body
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