Callanetics

Rating:
Summary: An oldie but a goodie...
Review: One of my fellow yoga-loving friends told me to borrow this tape from her, swearing that it totally worked your body in a completely different way. I borrowed it, not really considering its merits seriously. I already had a regular routine of running, weight lifting, and cross-training at the gym.

Over Thanksgiving, I was locked in the house, so I finally had an opportunity to use it...and my friend was completely right! Callan's technique may be 20 years old, but it still works. So far, I have only used the tape twice, and it has helped tone muscles unlike anything I've ever done.

At first you think, "what is with this 'deep muscle toning' stuff she's talking about?" But once you do the tape once, you get it. Through tiny, miniscule pulsating motions, each exercise works to tighten your muscles in a controlled way.

The program begins with a yoga-like stretching warm-up. (When I got through this part, I thought the rest of the tape would be cake) THEN, there's the ab section...once you get through the first 50 of the 100 reps you do of the first exercise, you definitely FEEL something crunches don't make you feel. If you do the exercises properly, you don't strain your neck (like normal crunches). And, being an avid believer in crunches, I can say for certain that these TINY little movements made my abs cry for mercy like never before.

The same goes for the leg and hip exercises. There is only one exercise in the warm-up that works out your arms, but if you do it correctly, you arms will GUARANTEED be sore the next day. Some of the other reviewers are right...some of the exercises have the potential to hurt your back, but if you do the exercises correctly (Callan urges you to not push yourself too hard) and regularly, you will see a difference and your body will get more used to the movements and postures.

Only having done this tape twice, my regular crunches are already much easier, and my abs and legs feel more toned and strong. I have yet to see if I can actually lose weight doing this regularly (I feel I've hit a plateau with my normal routine), but I will not be a bit surprised if it happens.

The routine is an hour long, but a good portion of the time is taken up with demonstrations of the exercises (including one section showing how you can perform some of the leg stretches on any piece of furniture -- a bit redundant) and time-lapse photographs of the improvements Callanetics can bring (meant to be motivating).

I am definitely going to purchase this tape for myself and try Super Callanetics next. This old technique has found a new follower! :)

Rating:
Summary: WHAT A SURPRISE!
Review: I HAVE DABBLED IN EXERCISE FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. I'M 53 AND HAVE ALWAYS STRUGGLED TO KEEP MY WEIGHT DOWN. I HEARD OF CALANETICS BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ANOTHER GIMMICK. I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS IT AGAIN AND ACTUALLY WATCHED THE VIDEO.THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO TRY IT . I BORROWED THE TAPE AND I HAVE TO TELLYOU THAT I LOVE IT. AFTER ONLY THREE SESSIONS I FEEL MY UPPER THEIGH MUSCLES ARE TIGHTER AND THEY ACTUALLY FEEL STONGER. I LIKE THE FACT THERE'S NO JUMPING AND YOU CAN GO AT YOUR OWN PACE. AS WITH MOST WOMAN THE LOWER HALF IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM AND I'M NO EXCEPTION. IHAVE LOST INCHES IN MY HIP AREA ALREADY. I WISH THERE WHERE CLASSES IN MY AREA WHERE I COULD GO AND WORK OUT IN A GROUP SETTING. THANKS

Rating:
Summary: BEST . . . WORK OUT EVER!!
Review: I have been a dedicated Callanetics fan for over 10 yrs. I must admit I was skeptical in the beginning but it works fast and good. Gets rid of cellulite and flattens that belly fast. I have three kids and when I need to tighten things up quick I pop in my tape. This tape has been borrowed by several of my friends who are also lifelong troopers like myself of this unique technique. Callan is absolutely wonderful in giving details doing the motions, what not to do and different variations for all levels. If you are the type that likes a Cardio work out you may be resistant to change. I highly recommend at least purchasing the "Callanetics" tape and add on as you wish. The deep muscle work outs are obvious the moment you began and you may think that something that looks so easy really works you out that well, it does!!! My tape has been truly used consistantly over the past ten years and hopefully for another ten more. Try it I promise that you will not be disappointed. I looked better after I had my 2nd daughter using the tape then I did before I had her, go figure.. Buy the tape..

Rating:
Summary: The instructor is annoying BUT.....
Review: She is right. If you do this three times a week every week for one month, you will DEFINITELY see improvements. In just two weeks I lost 3 inches around my waist. That is a big deal to me. It is difficult at first to do some of the moves, but it is zero impact, and isolates target problem areas (we all know what those are) and helps improve them tremendously. I was a size 16, and am now down to a comfortable 12. I did not change my eating habits or anything else about how I do things to accomplish this. I only used this video along with my regular routine of once in a while doing one of my other videos. I was not committed to doing these regularly, I do this one every week!!!

Rating:
Summary: Not very lively
Review: I bought this tape because it promised fast and lasting results in shaping the lower body. I tried it twice, but I could not do the whole workout, I got bored really fast. The exercises are good, they do not strain the back/neck area and they probably work, too. But I had a very hard time getting motivated to do this workout: everything is really slow, done in slow motion, there is no music (or none with a beat) and it just was not lively enough for me. It probably works well to be in a class doing this, but in front of my TV it was not very involving.
I know this is my taste, and that's why I gave it 3 stars, because I do believe it to be a good form of exercise for those who have back pain or similar, and for people who hate high-impact workouts and so on; but I would definitely advise anyone who likes action-packed activities like Tae-Bo and kick-boxing to avoid this kind of excercise and go for something more exciting.

Rating:
Summary: Whoo hoo
Review: I had this tape 5 years ago in high school. Well my mom did and I used it =) The exercises were hard at first but the more I did it, the easier they got and I didn't realize how much they were helping me work muscles I didn't even know I had. Its best for toning but hte weight loss benefits are good too =)

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't use...
Review: What I had not realized before purchasing (and perhaps should have) is that our American-made and used VCR is not compatable with this English version tape. I can't use the tape -- what a waste of money -- (unless there is someone out there can share how to make it compatable?)I'd be willing to give this 5 stars if I could just get it to work!

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as Super or AM/PM Callanetics!
Review: I have been doing AM/PM Callanetics on and off for several years (when it's on, I look great, when it's off.... I find myself deciding to get back on!!). I recently purchased this one to add to my collection, and am disappointed.

There are very few exercises included here that are not in the AM/PM Callanetics tape. This one is considerably older, but I did not find the production itself to be distracting. What IS distracting is that I don't find Callan and her exercisers to be as precise as they are in the later tapes. While she SAYS to go only one quarter to one half inch with each exercise, that is not always what appears on the screen. I do not find the instruction here to be as clear or detailed as on the AM/PM tape, and I don't see as much room to grow here as with the Super Callanetics tape.

I suggest that people instead purchase the AM/PM Callanetics tape and the Super Callanetics tape. The AM/PM is great for learning the moves, gaining strength and flexibility, and as a quick exercise program when you're rushed (20 minutes AM and PM). Super Callanetics has some additional exercises that really work you well, and it's a 70 minute program. It also gives you a way to grow - once AM/PM isn't hard enough, there's TONS of space to get stronger and better using Super Callanetics.

Rating:
Summary: Very bad exercises from an uneducated woman
Review: This video strained:
-My neck with the ab work
-My back with the leg work
-My knees with the pelvic work
I didnt get any kind of workout and was bored and in pain(above strains)throughout the whole video. It is obvious she doesnt have any "degrees" in fitness because if she were at all knowledgable in this field, she wouldn't have you bouncing in your stretches as well as putting your body and joints at risk.

Rating:
Summary: Much easier than the book
Review: I had the book for years and could never get into the workout after countless attempts. The video makes it much easier to get through the entire work out. I could do without the "new agey" music and film style, but it's not that bad. The best feature is the counter. My main problem with this workout was loosing count when doing a 100 reps, and now I dont' have to worry about it.