Rating: Summary: Not her best, but very good anyway Review: Here is another fine effort from Karen Voight. The workouts on it are challenging and rewarding for more intermediate fitness students. However, the portions of the video that I didn't like had much to do with the fact that Karen is a great instructor but should not agree to a MTV/Crunch-style and form (for a workout tape). She's better with one or two other students and herself (as the teacher) as opposed to a larger group of super-fit people that simulate a "class". The "streamlined fitness" portions are excellent and up-to-date, but the "smooth moves" are very eighties, and I admit the floor choreography is pretty difficult to master. I think she could have had more for the body bar strength training as well. I suggest that anyone who needs to put very effective workouts together should purchase the "streamlined fitness" tape. Karen Voight isn't cutesy or patronizing and I truly appreciate that when I'm trying to get all the technique and form down.
Rating: Summary: Not too Shabby Review: Here is another fine effort from Karen Voight. The workouts on it are challenging and rewarding for more intermediate fitness students. However, the portions of the video that I didn't like had much to do with the fact that Karen is a great instructor but should not agree to a MTV/Crunch-style and form (for a workout tape). She's better with one or two other students and herself (as the teacher) as opposed to a larger group of super-fit people that simulate a "class". The "streamlined fitness" portions are excellent and up-to-date, but the "smooth moves" are very eighties, and I admit the floor choreography is pretty difficult to master. I think she could have had more for the body bar strength training as well. I suggest that anyone who needs to put very effective workouts together should purchase the "streamlined fitness" tape. Karen Voight isn't cutesy or patronizing and I truly appreciate that when I'm trying to get all the technique and form down.
Rating: Summary: How can you miss this great workout Review: How can anyone who wants to have a slim, fit body miss buying this DVD workout. Karen really keep you motivated throughout the workout. it's easy and fun and most importantly, it helps keep me fit, slim and energized. I love the option where I can mix and match the workout on my own and that keeps me from being bored of doing the same set of workouts day after day. Believe it or not, I lose 10 pounds and 2 dress sizes within 3 months through this DVD. Karen, keep up the good work!
Rating: Summary: A great strength training video Review: I enjoyed the "Streamlined" part of the workout very much. Karen Voight takes you through a quick warm-up and then into standing upper body workout with light hand weight. The mat workout is tough and followed by a good yoga stretch. I have used the "Streamlined" workout many times. You can easily increase the intensity by going for a heavier weight. The low impact aerobic section of the "Strong" workout is hard to follow and is not challenging enough to Karen Voight's typical audience. The second part of the "Strong" workout with weight bar or hand weights is great. The advantage of the DVD format is that you can pick and choose easily without slowing down. A combination of "Streamlined" warm-up, "Strong" weight bar or hand weights, and "Streamlined" yoga stretch add up to be about 60 minutes and provide interesting variation to just the "Streamlined" workout.
Rating: Summary: How good is this?? Review: I expect this isn't higher up the charts as everyone is rushing off to buy *Ultimate Circuit*. But this is terrific, it really is, and doesn't use any cumbersome equipment like a Swiss Ball (do people really have room for those at home?). It does use a weighted balance stick and ball weights, but shows you how to subsitute a chair and handweights - which I, and I imagine very many users of this tape, do without any problems whatsoever. My favourite thing about this DVD is that you can mix and match segments from the two workouts; for example, my preferred combo is the cardio warmup followed by the short (but unusual and interesting) cardio burst, then the half hour strength, then the short sculpt and then the stretch, which adds up to just over an hour, whereas my pal likes to do the longer low impact cardio followed by the yoga segment. Something for everyone. And Karen has the best body ever; it is so good I am beyond envy. Buy, buy, buy.
Rating: Summary: A great Workout DVD you must own Review: I own quite a few workout DVD from different fitness instructors but the ones that keeps me motivated, fit and slim are the ones from Karen Voight. After working out using her DVD, Strong & Streamline for 3 months, 3-4 times a week, I dropped 2 dress sizes. It really amazing. Her workout targets every part of your body and for this DVD, Karen's workout on legs and butt is really effective. Great for those of you who need to shed off some fats around these areas of your body. For those who yearns to have flat tummy, this is also the DVD you should not give it a miss.
Rating: Summary: Not her best, but very good anyway Review: I think she is the best at form, athleticism, and weight training. I always get something from her and she is always doing new moves that are TOUGH!
Rating: Summary: Complicated, hard to follow, not a great workout either Review: I was very disappointed with this video. I'm always so busy trying to keep up with Karen's complex coreography, poor cuing and choppy sequences, that I don't get to enjoy the workout and get decent results. By the time I finally pick up a move, she adds on to it or moves on to the next thing. She is serious, boring and not much fun to work out with.
Rating: Summary: How can you miss this great workout Review: This is one of the most challenging workout DVD I own. It comprises of 2 workouts namely Strong and Smooth Moves and Streamline Fitness. For Strong and Smooth Moves workout, Karen starts us with a 9 minutes warmup before getting us into a vigorous 25 minutes low impact cardio. I must say that this 25 minutes is a real challenge initially. However after doing it a few times, the cardio session became fun and easy. After each vigorous 25 minutes, I always feels energized and lighter in my body weight. Karen then moves on to strength training. I used a 5Ibs dumbbell and at the end of a few workouts, my biceps muscles became obvious. Even my friends spotted it and see the difference in my body shape. Follow by is some tummy workouts and more strength training on the floor. The workout ends with a 5 minutes stretching that will really relaxs you. Streamline Fitness is a body sculpting workout. Great if you are trying to firm up your body especially your tummy and lower body. It started with some light warm up and follows by sculpting of upper body, lower body, tummy and back. Karen uses a 3Ibs genie ball but since I do not own one, I substitute with a 5 pounds dumbbell and it works just as fine for me. I love the option where I could mix and match my own workout. Cardio is a must for me and thus there are days I would mix cardio with the sculpting sessions instead of strength training. Some days, I do only cardio and stretch while other days, I concentrate soley on Streamline fitness. This is really a great workout DVD not to be missed. Go for it.
Rating: Summary: How can you miss this great workout Review: This was the first Karen Voight DVD I'd purchased and I have become a huge fan. Karen is an excellent instructor and very inspiring - if for nothing else than her own personal fitness and sculpting. Her approach is encouraging and motivating without the self-absorption I've been turned off by in other DVD instructors. While I admit that the "Strong and Smooth Moves" portion is challenging at first, it doesn't take long to catch onto her routine and it has had the added effect of improving my coordination. With a little persistence and practice, it is a good workout. My favourite portion of the DVD, however, has become the "Streamline Fitness" workout - a routine I really look forward to. I started without any weights at all (using body resistance) while traveling and continually in hotel rooms and yet still saw results. At home, I use weights and the new sculpting I see of my body energizes me to keep with the routine almost daily. I have worked out a lot in my life, but never have I attained the streamlined sculpting that Karen's workout has brought me to. At 41 I look better in a bikini than I did at 20! Abs...arms...legs...bum...if you stay with this, you will see results, too. Perhaps that is why I haven't gotten tired of this DVD...that, as well as the good pacing and Karen Voight's matter-of-fact, get-down-to-business, yet patient and empathetic style. This is my #1 choice for my workout routine and I know I look better now than friends who go routinely to the gym - and in less time. The "Streamline Fitness" chapter begins with a 7-minute warm-up then moves into arms, legs and buttocks with weights. If you are pressed for time, you can stop here after 30 minutes and do the 30-minute abs and yoga stretches later in your day or continue on with the abs - a most excellent routine that produces real definition. This is followed by a good yoga cool down (although still challenging). A real winner all the way around!
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