Rating: 
Summary: Only if you really want to get in great shape
Review: I first went to Radu's gym about fifteen years ago. I started up again a few years back, but then switched to a job that was on the other side of town and just couldn't make it. I remember hearing he had made a work out video with Cindy Crawford and Voila!, quickly found it at a video store.
I LOVE IT!!! It was just like the classes, so I knew I made the right choice.
Every so often, when I realized I wasn't getting enough excercise in my daily routine of life, I'd start using the video again.
Radu is really a very tough trainer. No kidding, he doesn't mess around.
Knowing this, if you haven't worked out before or in a long while, start with the 10-minute routine first. Some reviews say how sore everyone is in the beginning - start with the 10-minute workout. After you're comfortable doing that for a week or so, move on to the 40-minute workouts. (Switch between the 10-minute and a 40-minute one if you're still too sore?) This last time around, I did the 10-minute one for about 4 weeks. (I began working at home and was dearly out of shape!) I then moved onto the 40-minute routines. After about a week or so of those, my boyfriend said "WOW! You look great! You really are doing those workouts every day, aren't you?" I don't know if it's the first 4 weeks of the 10-minute routine and then the 40-minute ones or just the 40-minute routines that made enough difference for him to notice, but it was still enough to make a difference. I'm no longer tired doing the simple things. Even if you're a workout fiend, you're still going to be challenged with this video.
As for one posting saying doctors have seen patients with back pain after using the video... Isn't it a long since known fact to consult a physician before beginning any type of workout regimen? If that same person went to a fitness class, the instructor would have noticed they were straining and had them slow down or stop. You have to use your own best judgement when you do it yourself at home. I cannot recommend this video enough. I guess there's a reason they say it's sold more than any other workout video.
The music doesn't get tiresome and some of the excersises for the same body area alter enough so it's not boring. The changes between black & white and color and the different backgrounds also keep it interesting. Add that to the fact that the routines aren't so "wild" that I can't do them in my tiny NYC apartment living room make it just the perfect fit.
After so many uses, the tape finally went "snowy" this morning, hence I'm on this site to buy a new one - along with the follow up I hear has long since come out. Stick with it and you WILL see changes. One last thing - I used canned soup and later liter sized bottled water as my "weights" for years. You don't want to be so sore in the beginning that you can't lift your toothbrush the next morning.
Rating:
Summary: Good workout tape
Review: I used this tape when I first purchased back in 1992, and lost 30 lbs during a reasonable time period. The workouts tend to be a little fast, especially when you first start, but you can pause the tape and go at your own pace, or as Cindy mentions to do as many reps as you feel comfortable doing. The big positive about this video is the importance of drinking water during workouts, and working out all parts of the body. The music used fits well with the workout and is energizing. I am again using this video, using both workouts (on alternating days). I like the two workouts because it provides variety and keeps me motivated to exercise. A little sore at first, but over time keeping with the workouts the soreness lessens, and you see results in energy, tone and weight loss. Of all the workout tapes I've tried, this one is the best.
Rating:
Summary: This one's the best
Review: I first bought this video when it came out 10 years ago...and needless to say...it works. I lost 30 pounds (the right way) in four months and felt better than ever. I recently bought it again and it's still doing the job. I would highly recommend this video to anyone that's ready to work to lose the weight the right way.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly, a vigorous workout
Review: Apart from Cindy Crawford's "New Dimension", this one is a vigorous workout! Included with two separate 45-minute sessions is a 10 minute session for those days when you are in a hurry. RADU the fitness trainer is considered New York's toughest trainer. He has worked with models, actors and executives. Shots include the beautiful beach, rooftop, workout room MUSICAL CHOICE is not the usual instrumental used in most videos; her choice is similar to her other video. Credits of musical selections are listed at the end, most songs performed by Primal Scream, Seal contributes "Crazy", "Ice" by Daniel Lanois, "State of Shock" Revenge and "Dis Moi Dis Moi" by Mitsou. It's unique and refreshing. ALTERNATE DAYS - The video is incorporated to do on alternate days. The nearly 100 minute tape is structured in two separate workouts. Workout I- 45 minutes is focused on leg work, use a chair, swing the legs this way, that way, back, front, etc. This "legwork" isn't usually done in most other workout experts, but it is very effective. She then continues a vigorous workout with buns, abs, chest (with small weights). Workout II is similar with concentration to the arms and shoulders, and more abdominal work. MINI WORKOUT - 10 minutes. This is done to get a real quick workout when time is essential. This is a challenging workout! I recommend it to anyone. It isn't difficult, it is just about getting to do it to make it easier! .......MzRizz.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best workout video ever!
Review: I purchased this video when it came out almost 10 years ago and I still love it to this day. It is the best exercise video I've ever found to give you fast results and a very challenging workout! I have done a lot of workouts in the past 10 years, from aerobics classes to physical fitness training I received in the military, but nothing has been more beneficial for me than this video.
I don't understand the editor's comments which say this video is so dangerous. In all the years I have been using this video, I have never received any injuries from it. When my mother, who is 53, comes to visit me we do this video together and she has never had any problems with it either. I do find that some of the stomach exercises are too fast so I usually pause the tape to give myself time to do them slowly and properly. You will be very sore the next day, but if you're careful, as with any exercise program, you should be fine. As for it not being effective, I would like to show that person the results I've had this workout! It might change their mind!
Rating:
Summary: Just A Great Work!
Review: I'm 24 year old and I've been doing this workout since I was 13. There is no other workout that could make me lose weight and look great! Something more - the result came much faster than I expected. I've been doing traditional aerobics, and more other useless stuff and the only result was in gaining big and really looking FAT muscles mostly on my thighs. For all those 9 years I have no injuries at all. When I bought The Next Challenge I started combining these two workouts and felt even better. So don't even read the editors' reviews - I don't even think that anybody of them has tried this workout.
Rating:
Summary: It Really Works!
Review: I am 24 yrs old...I have had this video since I was 18 and I love it. I workout to this video on alternating days with "The Next Challenge." I like Shape Your Body the best b/c I feel it really isolates the problem areas. The Next Challenge is good in the aspect it keeps you jumping around and changing forms quickly. I can see and more importantly feel a difference in my body. My arms, legs, and bottom became toned very quickly however my abs and lower stomach took awhile longer. I have commitmented myself to these videos......they make me look great and feel awesome. Whoever said this was unsafe...wasn't talking about me. I have been doing the video for years and I have gained only positive results. Buy this tape, work hard, and expect results....oh and to be sore!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific work out & a good value for the money
Review: I've been using this tape and Cindy's other one (The Next Challenge) since they first came out. This is a terrific workout and a great way to get into shape. There's no complicated aerobic steps or anything confusing to learn. Occasionally, I try other tapes, but hers are still my favorite. I think it's because her tapes are just straight forward excerice programs. You'll be sore at first! Especially if you haven't excercised in awhile, but if you stick with it and take it at your own pace, you'll definitely feel stronger. I'd stopped excercising this past year and started again a few months ago. My legs and arms are already noticably more toned and I feel better. It's nice to switch back and forth bewteen the two tapes for variety. The second tape is much harder than the first one. So if you're just starting to excercise, I'd stick with the first tape for now and then get the second one after you've built up some strength. I was happy to see that she's coming out with a third tape too!
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible form; dangerous to your back & knees!
Review: Run, don't walk, from this video, before you get hurt using it! There are so many well-done, challenging, safe videos on the market that there is no excuse to follow a bad, irresponsibly-made video like this one. Crawford's form on some of the exercises is not only awful, but potentially very harmful to backs and knees; Radu, the trainer who devised & supervised the workout, and who should know better, sells us a very unsafe workout. Given the well-documented problems with this program, it's astonishingly irresponsible that it was ever reissued. I wrecked my knees doing what Crawford demonstrates: allowing the knees to come way out over the ankles. Now, after working with a physical therapist and a knowledgeable trainer--and reading extensively about the knee joint--I know that the knees should not move past the ankles while doing squats & lunges, but I didn't know it when using this video, and I copied Crawford's movements, never dreaming that her trainer would have her doing unsafe moves. Wrong! I have had terrible knee pain in both knees as a result of using this tape. Using strict form and care (in other words, not using this tape), my knees are gradually improving. But this expensive, activity-limiting, painful injury was totally preventable! If you didn't see this review, please read what a 15-year-old reviewer named LW wrote on 12-03-03, entitled "Good...But Not Good For Your Back": "Because of this workout, I have developed a bad back- and I'm only fifteen! I can't and don't want to do this tape ever again because ever since the first time I used it a year ago, my back hasn't been the same....I like the video overall but it unfortunately killed my back." Why on earth did this poor young girl give the video 4 stars and say that she "like[d] the video overall"?! I regret having to give the darn thing 1 star--it deserves none. If you want a lifetime of healthy exercising, then choose instructors who are scrupulous about using correct form. They deserve your time, money, and sweat--*not* the bunch who made this video. There is no excuse for poorly-done, sloppy videos like this one being on the market.
Rating: 
Summary: Really Good Workout!
Review: I don't know about Joan but i thought this workout was good. I first had doubts after i first viewed it because it seemed like it wouldn't work but then i gave it a try. And guess what? The next day my body was all soar and when going up the steps i was like ow ow! LoL And my abs are actually more fit now! =D I have to admit that her form is really bad because she flings herself a lot and has very little control, which is bad for your back actually. But now that you know, during the workout just don't fling as much and control your back. There are three workouts in this tape. The first workout is 45 minutes long. It starts out with a warm up. Then, they go into exercises that are supposed to stretch and tone your lower body with a lot of leg movements standing up. Then, you work on your arms. You do 30 pushups (with a stop after each 10). You work on your chest and back and your shoulders with weights in this one. Then, you work on your abs with two sets. Then you have the cool down. The second workout is 40 minutes long and is suposed to strengthen your muscles. You do sets of three in this workout. You start out with a warm up again. You start out with strengthening your lower body and a couple of flings from the first workout. Then you do HARD arm workouts. (and i mean HARD lol) Then you go to the abs again and a little butt workout and then a cool down. The last workout is a mini 10-minute workout without weights. You basically do pushups, situps, warmup, cooldown, and some leg exercises. So that's pretty good. Honestly i think she does some of her exercises WAY too fast so you can slow it down a bit if you like. And don't fling yourself so much, remmeber! My fave workout would have to be the second one. Cindy is a great down-to-earth trainer but just needs a little control in her movements. THis workout is mainly for advanced beginners to beginning advanced.
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