relish magazine

Crunch Super-Charged Kickbox Party (5 out of 5 stars)
Anchor Bay/ 44mins

Synopsis: Get jaw-dropping results when you mix it up in this dynamic workout that combines high energy kickboxing combos with irresistible dance moves. This intense combination delivers maximum calorie burn and makes working out surprisingly fun. Instructor Jeanette Jenkins’ enthusiasm will keep you motivated and always coming back for more. So if you want to shed pounds and claim a knockout body, then try the Super-Charged Kickbox Party. Get ready to kick, punch and groove your way into the best shape of your life.
Extras: none

The instructor: I thought I was going to gate Jeanette Jenkins. She starts of as quite annoying. And then something weird happened…I loved her! She doesn’t take herself too seriously and her incredible energy is quite contagious. My favourite parts here were the dancing ones where she leads you through and makes you have fun and give attitude. So I did. And I laughed and had fun. It’s been a while since I had fun working out! Though there is this little Asian girl in the group in the front who did bug me. Grr.
Worth purchasing? Absolutely! I had a blast with this one and totally worked up a sweat. Will be adding this to my rotation.

I'm not preggo but I know it's important to exercise when you are (and when you're not but that's another point). So I watched the workouts on Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workouts and did some of the moves and I really enjoyed it. Gabrielle Reece is quite likeable and it's nice to know the 6 15-minute workouts are approved by a leading OB-GYN. It's a good dvd for expecting women. I wonder if you'll get Reece's pre-baby body as part of the deal after it all too?

Jennifer Kries New Body Pilates Beginner Mat Workout (3 out of 5 stars)
Razor Digital/ 45 mins

Synopsis: Learn Pilates from a master! Learn the foundational principles and most essential exercises, complete with proper breathing and alignment techniques. New Body! Pilates will help you get started! In just a few short sessions you can:
• Slim, tone and sculpt
• Build unmatched core strength
• Look and feel taller and slimmer
• Enhance flexibility
• Improve your posture
• Become fitter, stronger, and sexier!
Get ready to see for yourself!
Extras: The Magic Circle (a workout you need this circle thingy for, I don’t have it)

The instructor: I know Jeniifer Kries is one of the gods of Pilates but I was seriously missing me some Ana Caban. I was bored doing this. While Kries is good at explaining the moves, she’s really missing the spark, the sense of humour, that makes an instructor stand out to me. So while she’s not bad, she’s sort of…blah.
Worth purchasing? It’s a good workout for beginners. Though I would rather you buy the Gaiam Beginning Mat workout instead.

Yuck. Sure this Lauren Jones has a nice body. And sure, the workout isn't half bad. But do I really want to be doing a workout that seems to be more focused on turning on teenage boys than my fitness level? Done by an instructor that blows kisses at the camera? Uh, nope. Not my thing but maybe my husband might try it.

Verdict: Hard to take seriously.

Women’s Health: Perfect Body Workout (5 out of 5 stars)
Good Times/ 67 minutes

Synopsis: The exercises featured in WOMEN?S HEALTH - PERFECT BODY WORKOUT are specifically designed to shed pounds, tone the entire body, and target several muscle groups at once.
The workout: Holy shit. Ow, ow, ow. This is not for beginners, yo. This workout kicked my ass. Which is pretty cool. Because it’s rare to find a workout nowadays that keeps me motivated and make me think it’s original. This one is based on old school moves, but the way they’re put together and tweaked, it’s like no workout I’ve ever done before. The new Women’s Health series is awesome, especially Amy Dixon. I wish it was a little shorter as it’s a 30 minute cardio and then a 35 minute strength training which is tough to do all in one day but it’s easy enough to rotate the sections.
Extras:
10 Minute Power Stretch
30 Day Trial on Online Program
The instructor: Amy Dixon is great. She sweats with you and don’t annoy. She’s quite motivating. She says “Yeah” and few too many times but all instructors have their own quirks. Looking forward to more of her stuff.
Worth purchasing? Yes if you want your ass kicked and to really really hurt the next day—and who doesn’t?

Core Rhythms Starter Pack (4 out of 5 stars)
Dance Sport Videos/ 4 DVDs

Synopsis: Core Rythms is based on the fact that the best bodies in the world are the bodies of Latin dancers.
This is because the 3 moves central to Latin dancing (Cha cha, Rumba, Samba, Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Tango, Bolero) are very effective for quickly trimming inches off your waistline. The Core Rhythms dance exercise program uses this principle and applies it to this great exercise program. This program combines a complete cardio workout with the fun of Latin dance moves. You'll enjoy yourself without even realizing that you're working out.
DVD 1: In CORE RHYTHMS FULL WORKOUT Jaana and Julia teach you the 3 Core Movements essential to Latin dancing and give you drills to exercise your core to uplifting Latin music. Jaana and Julia make it FUN to follow their never before seen instructional help segments within the workout. This workout is for anyone who is willing to get up and move!
DVD 2: In CORE RHYTHMS QUICK WORKOUT, Jaana and Julia give you a workout for those days when you barely have half an hour to yourself. This workout is the same as the full workout but it has been squeezed into just 20 minutes. CORE RHYTHMS QUICK WORKOUT challenges your coordination skills, but with the help of the back view you will be moving and grooving in no time!
DVD 3: Jaana Kunitz and Julia Powers are joined by their husbands to bring you LATIN DANCE MADE EASY. In this instructional program, Bob and Julia Powers and James and Jaana Kunitz teach you 3 popular Latin dances that you and a partner can take straight to the clubs for a night out on the town!
DVD 4: In CORE RHYTHMS KICK START you can truly work at your own pace. For the first time ever, you can learn world class slimming dance moves literally one step at a time! This one of a kind program takes you step by step through the basic movements that will give anyone “the body of a dancer”. You can choose from different views of the workout and follow the beat of the music with a visual on-screen aid.
The workout: I hadn’t heard of Core Rhythms before but apparently they have these infomercials on all the time. The workout is based on latin dancing. The Kick Start DVD teaches you the three moves you need. It’s helpful but kind of boring. I went right into the Full Workout and holy crap. I was sweating like a maniac but it’s really a lot of fun. There is a 20 minute quick workout as well and a Latin Dance Made Easy DVD that I just glossed over as I’m not learning to dance here. The workout is a bunch of dance combinations that gets your abs, hips and back moving and I can see where you would lose a ton of weight off your waist with this. But it doesn’t tone your arms or legs so I think you’d need to alternate this with another strength training workout.
Extras:
none really, as it’s the 4 DVDs
The instructors: Heh. Well, here is where it gets interesting. These girls are so cheesy it hurts. They’re dancers and They’re good and I don’t know where they’re from—Russia maybe—but between the accents and the hair and the outfits I was getting an ab workout just from laughing. I know I’m being mean but man… What’s important though is not their camel toe, but the fact that this workout is fun and they’re genuinely excited about it. So good for them. Ignore me.
Worth purchasing? There was some controversy about this program and some club that I don’t quite understand (I think they were sucking people into a Columbia House-type thing but I think it’s fun and entertaining and I recommend it.

Namaste: Air Series Vol. 1 (5 out of 5 stars)
Koch Vision/ 60 minutes

Synopsis: Experience yoga like never before with this innovative series that combines sensual, stunning photography and original music with authentic Hatha yoga practice. Namaste is designed by Kate Potter, one of Canada’s leading instructors and yoga therapists. Named for the series of the same name which is broadcast on CITY TV in Toronto and Vancouver, NAMASTE is shot in High Definition in exquisite settings. Enjoy as each episode teaches unique flow sequences and inspires viewers to begin or continue their yoga practice.
The workout: The DVD includes a Dancing Sun sequence and a harder Half Moon Sequence. There is a bonus episode Riding the Wind Sequence with is super tough and I couldn’t do. The best thing about this series is how stunning it is. It’s shot in HD and the imagery is gorgeous. It’s beautiful and relaxing and the settings are exotic. I could just sit and watch this without doing the workout. But the Yoga is a great workout as well although I would say geared more at an intermediate level.
Extras:
none
The instructor: Kate Potter is great. She’s calm and motivating and has a very soothing voice. Her instruction is clear and well-detailed.
Worth purchasing? Absolutely. For the scenery alone. I wish more workout DVDs looked like this.

Past Fitness Reviews

January/ February '08

Fitness September/ October '07
Fitness Link for January and February '07
Body For Life Women
1 Minute Workout
Carmen Electra Aerobic Striptease and Fit to Strip Extreme Makeover Fitness Tae Bo: Capture the Power The Firm Power Yoga Santa Fe Stretch Trainer’s Edge: Killer Abs and Back with Michael Oladjiide Trainer’s Edge: Cardio Interval Training with Petra Kolber
Progressive Pilates for Weight Loss
Brazilian Dance Workout
Cardio Pilates
The Bar Method Body Box Set

Quickie