Kathy Smith - Timesaver Cardio Fat Burner

Rating:
Summary: Very high energy
Review: I really like this routine. It is very high energy, gets your heart pumping. I am always sweaty afterwards. One of the best things about this routine is that it can be done in a small area. Not much moving outside a large box. I think the cueing is great and the music is fun. The people in the back ground are not as bad as some "mechanical people" in other videos. They all have on different outfits, which is nice. There is no beginning warm up, that is just something that I do on my own. For a beginner, just learning to work out, that is not good. You should learn about form and technique. The 7 minute strech at the end is wonderful. Very relaxing. The lullaby music in this segment is calming. Nice way to end the workout.
I am not a fan of Kathy, but I really enjoy this workout.

Rating:
Summary: Not for a true "beginner"
Review: I like this video, but it's been awhile since I've done an aerobics video or class. I don't remember all the steps well enough to keep up with Kathy in this video. It's great that she shows you how to do each step though! It will just take doing the video several times to get the combinations down enough that you don't feel like you're lost! I like her energy level (I don't find her unusually peppy and annoying) and with the two different sections, I think it will keep me from getting bored!

Rating:
Summary: Hard...but a great workout!
Review: This is my first Kathy Smith tape and I really like it. The first time I did it, it was so hard I couldn't keep up at all. I didn't let it get me down. Today was the only the second day that I've done it and I felt like I was already getting the hang of it. I did the first 20 minute segment, and I was really sweating, and then I was only able to do about 10 minutes of the next 20 minute segment, which was enough. I really felt like I had worked out. Some of the moves are really hard and I will admit I am not even close to having them down pat, but I'm not giving up. Out of the four tapes that I have this seems by far the best yet, one I plan to stick with, and I definately plan to buy more of her tapes.

Rating:
Summary: Fancy but useless footwork
Review: This fitness routine is not easy to follow, despite what other reviews say. As a former gymnast and dancer, I have plenty of experience with complicated choreography. This video is much too complicated for the average user and the moves are not aerobically challenging even if one does figure out the footwork. Kathy Smith is constantly yelling and "woohoo-ing" at the camera, which gets irritating really quickly. All in all, I would not recommend this video. Kathy has some other good videos but this one does not even come close to the standards of those other videos.

Rating:
Summary: Short, Fast, and Surprisingly Difficult
Review: The tape is in three parts. Initial 10 minute fast aerobics, Second set with super bursts, and 7 minute stretch. In 10 minutes, I was sweating and felt like I had worked out.

Rating:
Summary: Great and Fun Workout
Review: I recently bought this DVD and found that the 20-minute intervals were great for those who are strapped for time. The workout really gets your heart rate up and your blood pumping, and the routine is challenging and fun. It took me a couple of times to really get the legwork right, but once I did I was having a great time. The DVD also makes it easier to skip from one workout to the other or to the cool down stretch at the end. If you find yourself with little time to workout, then this is definitely a great investment!

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite New Cardio Video
Review: This tape was just the workout I hoped it would be. Fun enough that I look forward to doing it, challenging enough that it kept me in my target heart rate zone. There isn't a warmup, but I don't think one is needed. The stretch segment in the end is WONDERFUL. Each stretch is held, not rushed through- which will help those of us who aren't that flexible become that way. The moves are light and dancy- there aren't a whole lot of squats or lunges, which makes doing the workout an enjoyment instead of a chore. This is a solid cardio workout that would fit into any exercise routine, regardless of fitness level.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT WORKOUT
Review: I can't beleive some of the whinning on these reviews. This is a fun workout. It may take a couple of times to get the steps but this isn't difficult to do. After doing this video twice I had the steps down. I love the intensity of the workout, in fact, I do many of the moves at a more high impact level then Kathy does. Yes, this video has some very up-beat and at times cheesy people, like the guy at the beginning, but if that's your excuse to not workout, then you never will...you'll just keep coming up with excuse after excuse! The first 20 min workout is like a dance combination and I found the time flew by as I learned the steps. The second 20 min workout is a type of interval workout, which is a lot of fun. There is a streching segment at the end, which is good. Even though there isn't a stretch at the beginning, and if you don't have time to do one of your own, remember, stretching after a workout is more important, if you don't get the time to do both. The only thing I would change about this video is that the routines were at least 10 minutes longer and I could do without the backup people helping out Kathy, but they're really not that bad. I workout to this video before I go to work and I really enjoy it. I will say that this probably isn't a video for beginners. This is something you want to work up to, but if you're like me and have been working out for a while, you'll really enjoy it and the moves won't seem so hard. If you're a beginner, this is something to work towards and once you get through the video without having to stop, I promise you'll feel great! Kathy Smith really isn't a high impact instructor, at least not compared to what I'm used to, but she's a great instructor and I have many of her videos. Although, there are complaints in some reviews of her "cueing" on this video I think it's fine and not hard to catch on to. If you're looking for a good workout, which doesn't allow you to be lazy and actually forces you to work, this is for you!

Rating:
Summary: Totally Enjoyable DVD
Review: This is one of my favorite Kathy Smith DVDs. There are two 20 minute workout segments. The first is a low-impact section that features easy-to-learn choreography. The second is a hi-lo workout with an intense "calorie burst" option(i.e. skips, hops, jumping jacks and jogs). I usually do the whole 40 minutes and I get a really good intermediate workout. It's fun and I don't find it boring at all. This is definitely a good buy!

Rating:
Summary: Not so....
Review: This is the first aerobics video I bought. I was hoping for some moves that were not so hard to follow-indeed, the first workout wasn't that hard (to follow), but I just could not do the second one. I also have to agree with what the others said about the "wooing crowd" in the background-it's really annoying. Don't get me wrong-Kathy Smith is really great and you'll be able to do the first workout after the 3rd time-but all in all it's not really what I expected to get for the money I paid. I'll keep on looking and when I've found something better I'll let you know.
Until then I will practice the workout so that I can actually have the TV on mute while I'm working out with that tape.