Rating: 
Summary: Breakneck pace
Review: This is an excellent results-driven video. There are 2 parts-upper body and lower body, each 20 minutes. Both are challenging, move quickly and are very thorough. You'll feel it, believe me. There is no warm-up, I do it after cardio and I think that is what was intended with this one (hence, "Timesaver").Kathy has a system she's incorporated into the workout which she calls the "Dual Track System"-which means that there is instruction for both low rep & heavy weights as well as high rep & lighter weights in the same workout. She's got a class going with her (if you are familiar with KS videos, it's the usual suspects and some new faces too). The bkgd music is fast, Kathy's very whoop-y and 'motivational' (for lack of a better word) in this tape. It's high intensity, but very effective and also quite fun. You'll see results.
Rating:
Summary: feel the burn
Review: I am new to this tape but I can say that this tape really works you out. I am somewhat in shape but would like to tone up areas but the lower body part of this tape kicked my butt. I would recommend this tape to anyone looking to tone up. Kathy can be a little annoying but overall I like it.
Rating: 
Summary: Irritating and Unbearable
Review: I agree with the reviewers who noted that this is NOT a workout for beginners. The repetitions were too fast without any emphasis on proper form. Kathy also moves too quickly from one exercise to the next without giving you any time to grab your weights. There is no warm-up included, though she advises you to do one. But what I found most irritating was Kathy constantly barking orders like a drill sergeant to the toned and buff men and women in the class: "Okay, give me four more!" and her frequent "whoops." Struck me as almost sado-masochistic. My favorite weight-training video remains "Strong Women Stay Young" available through the "As We Change" catalogue. It moves much slowly (but no less intensely) with more attention to proper form and detail.
Rating: 
Summary: Kathy smith- timesaver-lift weights to lose weight
Review: I am in good shape but wanted a quick workout with weights to increase metabolism. I love this video. I use it daily. Upper one day and lower body the next. I am 34 and I use the exercise bike daily too. I have noticed firmer and more toned muscles and am excited about them finally showing up. I didn't enjoy Kathy's second volume. I went back to this one immeditately.
Rating:
Summary: Yes! I have muscles!
Review: Kathy Smith is not my favorite video aerobics instructor. As others have mentioned, she whoops and yelps throughout the video, which is quite annoying. She also swings her weights a little bit. Those negatives aside, I love this DVD because it has helped me get definition in my arms and lower body. It has also helped me lose weight, since strength training boosts metabolism. The DVD has two methods, in which you can do light weights with higher reps or heavier weights with lower reps. You can also opt do the lower body segment with or without weights. Though I get bored with workout DVD's easily, I always use this DVD (mostly the upper body workout and bonus abs) on a regular basis in combination with my cardio workouts. I've lost about 30lbs. since this past Spring (2002). I started this DVD in May and gradually started from 4 lb. free weights progressing to 8 lb. weights over time. This video was really key to getting the leaner and defined arms I've always wished for.
Rating:
Summary: Great for all over body toning
Review: This is my favorite video. In the past I have used Kathy's Functionally Fit-Lower Body Firming tape and found that to be very effective, but had to do other tapes for arms, abs, etc. This tape combines 3 complete workouts: 1 for your upper body and arms, 1 for your lower body, and 1 for your abs. Each exercise is just long enough so that you feel the burn, but don't have to quit early. The entire tape (all 3 workouts) takes just under an hour, but you can split it up if you feel like only working certain parts. The upper and lower body workouts also have 2 tracks - using heavier weights, or lighter weights and more repetitions which makes for a nice change of pace. Kathy whoops and yells a little more than in her other videos, but the workout is good enough that I just ignore it!
Rating:
Summary: Great for more-advanced weight-trainers
Review: This is a fabulous DVD! I really like Kathy Smith, but she tends too always talk to much in the beginning of her tapes. On the DVD, I can listen once and then skip right to the workout now every time and not listen to her talking. Also, this is not really for people just starting out with weights. She has very litte instruction on technique, which can be dangerous for those just starting out. But for someone who pretty much knows HOW to do the exercises correctly, it's great! The workouts are very fast and choreorgraphed nicely and easy to follow. The workout is very challenging, I think, and I can tell this is going to help me lose weight and tone up. The bonus ab track is really good, especially because she keeps mentioning to not fully release on the way down. When you don't "fully" release, you are constantly contracting your abs throughout the entire time, not just on the "way up" I bought a nice hand-weight set at Sports Authority and use those just fine. And the lower body workout doesn't require weights, so you can at least do something until you get some weights. I highly recommend this DVD for the more experienced person who is serious about starting a great training program at home!
Rating:
Summary: Fast Paced, It Works; Go Easy If You're a Beginner!
Review: I exercise regularly, mainly Body Electric, Yoga, & Pilates. I wanted to "rev" up my workouts by adding aerobics (I'm waiting for K.S.'s aerobic tapes) & fat burning weight routines. In other words, I needed to "mix up" & add variety to my workouts. This tape really does it. While yes, she does go a bit fast, & there's intro that one will eventually skip, if one has the patience to "work into" the routine, you'll catch on, adjust the levels, and end up doing a fantastic workout that will keep your workouts fresh & have your muscles thanking you! I agree that a "bench" in not really needed for some routines, but this is a slickly produced product that gets the job done. Again, this is fast-paced & there really is not "warm up" involved. I would suggest a bit of stretching before "jumping" into the routine, or "warm up" during her intro. Also, as one becomes familiar with the routines, one can (and should) have all the necessary equiptment ready, because this routine goes quickly. Beginners, go easy & split the routines; die hards, do both routines in one session unless time is a problem. If that's the case, alternate routines & work to the max!
Rating: 
Summary: What About Beginners?
Review: Two things I'd like to say but I don't want to disillusion others about workouts. One: To ME, Kathy Smith appears to be
clumsy and I think it has to do with her shoes looking big. I know that sounds cruel but it's my opinion, only.
Second: There doesn't seem to be any consideration for those of us who may be beginners so it doesn't rank well with me at all.
Obviously she is well-known so she must be doing something right but I think she's irritating and goes too fast.
Rating: 
Summary: Lift Weights moves to fast
Review: I enjoy Kathy Smith's videos. I like the aerobic workouts and her voice doesn't annoy me, like it does some people. However, from what I have read on weight lifting, it is more effective if you do the reps slowly. This workout moved way to fast, without a lot of resting in between, if you were doing Track 1 of her system. Also, she cheats too much, running around the room, and not really doing the moves with everyone else. I think they did not show the Track 2 people enough, but the notes to the side of the screen were helpful. I disagree that you need a bench. I used a chair, and a pillow between my shoulder blades as the notes in the video recommended, and I had no problems. However, even with transition time, I felt the lifting should be done slower. After doing the workout, I am more interested in the book she wrote of the same title. I also think I will continue with using the Strong Women books and the Get on the Ball book I own for my weights workout.
|
