Rating: 
Summary: I always keep going back to this one.
Review: I've tried numerous workout videos, but I always seem to come back to this one. I really like this video because I don't get bored with it. Since there are different workouts, you can mix and match what you do from day to day to break the monotany. And, Kathy is really easy to follow. She explains the steps so that you know you are doing them right. And she lets you know in advance when to change moves. With other workout videos, I find myself doing the moves fast trying to keep up, and although I get a workout, it's mainly just me trying to quickly do the moves, but I don't think the moves are benefiting me the way they should. But I don't feel that way with this video. I like the cardio segment, although I could see how you could grow out if it as you get more advanced. But the weights segment even gives my boyfriend a good workout. Lastly, the abs segment, although short, is the most effective ab workout I've ever done, as long as you are doing it right. And actually, whether I decide to go jogging, or do another workout video, I always pop this DVD in to do the cool down stretching, because it really works the right muscles after a good workout. Yeah, she may be a little "cheerleader-ish" from time to time, but I'd rather hear that than listen to the robots from The Firm.
Rating: 
Summary: Think out of the box, Kathy.
Review: Kathy can't seem to break out of the rut she's in. If you are familiar with her other tapes you will recognize the same moves she's been doing since the 80s. At least with this one she finally changed her music. I did not care for the cardio workout, too much V-step and repetition, BORING! The "personal trainer" title is a gimmick. Aside from the workout there is a lot of printed text you're supposed to read, is this a video or a book?
Rating:
Summary: VOMIT
Review: Let me tell you from the get-go that I am not a grinch when it comes to my workouts. I am a big fan of Billy Blanks' Tae Bo series. His so-called "sermons" never once bothered me. In fact, I love them as pep-talks. Scott Cole is wonderful, only I have difficulties focusing on Tai Chi whilst feasting my eyes upon the beautiful-looking half-naked man on the Hawaiin beach. I think Greg Smithey in the "Buns of Steel" video is a bit odd, but I can deal with that, too. His workout does wonders for the sitter. I can even deal with Richard Simmons. The list goes on. My experience with these workout videos is that the instructors in charge are going to have quirks; I am growup enough to expect that.However, nothing could have prepared me for Kathy Smith, a shrill annoying nit-wit if there ever was one. When I first saw this DVD in the store, I could not resist buying it. I already owned a copy of her Kickboxing workout DVD with Keith Cooke and was hoping for some good workouts again, especially one that included aerobics, free weights, AND yoga. What a mistake. The aerobics section does absolutely nothing for me except cause undue aggravation. The constant "woo" and "yeah" as though this were some high-school pep rally and Kathy's constant shrieking did not help matters any. The yoga part is okaaay, but I have had better experiences elsewhere. I was hoping for some redemption in the free weights/body sculpting section. I was dead wrong. Granted, there actually are some good exercises for me in the sculpting section, but quite frankly I am going to look elsewhere for another DVD without this aggravating shrieking blonde. I understand the need to be positive and have fun while working out. However, I do NOT want to feel like I am watching a bunch of models acting as though they are trying to pose for some gym club commercial or soloflex ad. The permanent plastic smiles outlined with perfectly placed lipstick was bad enough, but having to listen to Kathy shriek "SMILE" at everyone made me literally, at one point, look up to the TV and shout, "SWALLOW!" (I have since edited it and now use the word "VOMIT" but I digress.) Her shrieking yappy voice the whole time was atrocious and the Stepford mannequins in the background were constantly trying to keep their phony smiles up, even while Kathy walked by them and, I kid you not, she gave them dirty looks! Don't waste your money on this one. There are far better workout DVD's and videos out there where you can watch real people seriously focusing on their workouts instead of mannequins and models strutting about trying to pose for a fitness club ad while Miss Blonde Idiot is shrieking her stupid "Woo" and "Yeah" and "Alright" crap.
Rating:
Summary: Easy and Fun Workouts
Review: Normally, I'm not a fan of workout videos, but since one of my biggest complaints about them is fast forwarding or rewind to specific sections, a DVD seemed like a much better choice. Sure enough, I love this Kathy Smith DVD. I can do only the sections I want or I can follow one of Kathy's training schedules. The warm up is okay, but it quickly becomes boring after doing it everyday. There's no challenge to it, so it sinply becomes a matter of doing it because one should. It does give a decent warm up, and really prepares one for the Cardio workout. The Aerobics/Cardio section is more based on dance than I expected, but that thrilled me since I had been bored of the normal jumping jack routines that I expected. It took me about five days to learn the routine to the point where I can do it perfectly, but I liked mastering the moves. The section is a little short and I wished there had been a longer thirty to forty minute Cardio section, in addition, but this one still managed to give me a decent workout. After two weeks of it, however, it's becoming a little too easy. The same can be said for the leg workout. Short, effective, and fun but a little too easy. However, in this section, Kathy does offer a few hints to make the workout more difficult. The arm section is difficult to me, but this might be more because I have weak arms than because the workout itself is hard. It offers to distinct levels of challenge which is nice, but I've only tried the easier level. The abs and back strengthening section is very short (clocking in at about five minutes) but it is difficult. I wish it was a little longer because I doubt that a five minute workout even if done every day would be that effective. The yoga section is simple and relaxing. It offers a nice amount of stretching for the legs and back. I haven't done it many times, but my mother loves it since the other parts of the workout are too hard or too fast for her. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for a yoga workout, but it is a nice way to unwind at night. The cool down (stretching) section is nicely done and really stretches the legs and spine well. It doesn't work the arms nearly enough, but it's forgiveable considering. I've already felt an adjustment in my flexability and I think it's because Kathy emphasizes holding stretches the correct way for a good amount of time. Overall, I'd suggest this fun workout to people who like dance aerobics and who are at a beginner or intermediate level of fitness. Those who want a hard, long workout or those who are uncoordinated should probably look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Too confusing!
Review: Over the past year and a half, I have been a quirky sort of workout junkie. It was only a matter of time before Kathy Smith and I crossed paths, so to speak. *G* I admit to being somewhat disappointed by this DVD at first. I was sort of expecting something like you can find in Sharon Mann's "The Works" series. I had also read that Smith is a great fitness trainer with some challenging workouts. The cardio section, which has a lot of dance/hilo moves, was not very long (30 or so minutes, I think) and not challenging for me, but that is because I've done too much tae bo and boot camp workouts. I think it might be alright if you have been out of the loop for a while. The yoga section was okay, but again it's like the cardio section... It will do the job if you've been out of that loop for a while and it is only 30 minutes long. That leaves me with the body sculpting section. Now THAT part did make it worth my money! *G* I had a set of free weights that had gone unused for too long, and Smith made them feel happy and needed again. The body sculpting section for the upper body is 20 minutes and for the lower body is only 10 minutes, but that one IS more than what I can handle right now and I am already feeling and seeing results. These exercises are good if you have been out of the loop a while and/or if you are pressured for time and need a quick workout just to keep it all toned for the other, bigger routines. I also will add that Smith has a very high-pitched voice and her style very cheerleaderish which does annoy me from time to time depending on my mood. I'd rather not try to smile while I am doing my pushups. But I understand about the positive attitude and all. I just do that part different, focusing on the inside towards my heart. It works better for me that way.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not Ben Hur, just a workout DVD
Review: Over the past year and a half, I have been a quirky sort of workout junkie. It was only a matter of time before Kathy Smith and I crossed paths, so to speak. *G* I admit to being somewhat disappointed by this DVD at first. I was sort of expecting something like you can find in Sharon Mann's "The Works" series. I had also read that Smith is a great fitness trainer with some challenging workouts. The cardio section, which has a lot of dance/hilo moves, was not very long (30 or so minutes, I think) and not challenging for me, but that is because I've done too much tae bo and boot camp workouts. I think it might be alright if you have been out of the loop for a while. The yoga section was okay, but again it's like the cardio section... It will do the job if you've been out of that loop for a while and it is only 30 minutes long. That leaves me with the body sculpting section. Now THAT part did make it worth my money! *G* I had a set of free weights that had gone unused for too long, and Smith made them feel happy and needed again. The body sculpting section for the upper body is 20 minutes and for the lower body is only 10 minutes, but that one IS more than what I can handle right now and I am already feeling and seeing results. These exercises are good if you have been out of the loop a while and/or if you are pressured for time and need a quick workout just to keep it all toned for the other, bigger routines. I also will add that Smith has a very high-pitched voice and her style very cheerleaderish which does annoy me from time to time depending on my mood. I'd rather not try to smile while I am doing my pushups. But I understand about the positive attitude and all. I just do that part different, focusing on the inside towards my heart. It works better for me that way.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice concept, fun to use, but too easy to master
Review: Overall I have to say I like this video. It is a shame that the material isn't new but it's nice to have it in one place. The cardio workout is fun and was easy to learn for me, but I am used to Kathy and have done a lot of dancing. I could see it getting confusing otherwise, although most people should be able to get it with practice. The background people are pretty annoying in general, but they seem to be having fun. I was particularly excited to see Nancy (older woman on the right), since I first saw her (I'm pretty sure it's the same woman) in Kathy's Fat Burning Workout (which must have been from the early 90's). It's obvious how much the woman has improved since then. I think she also appears in other segments (warm up, upper and lower body). Seeing her change is definitely incentive for me! The sculpting portion is pretty easy. Upper body seems like a great workout. Lower body seems a little too easy but I'm going to keep at it and see what results I get in the long run. The yoga section is good but I like the full Yoga Basics tape better for an overall stretch. One thing I thought was a bit dumb was that both the cardio and sculpting sections have warm ups and cool downs that are the same! If they are going to be the same, why put them on the DVD twice when it's so easy to flip between sections? It would be great if she had put different warm ups and cool downs for the two sections. I always enjoy Kathy's workouts, and this was no exception. She seems a little... eccentric at times, and her moves are recycled to some extent, but I'm glad I made this investment!
Rating:
Summary: New technology, old material
Review: The DVD format has great potential to provide a better home workout than VHS. The music sounds better, you don't have to fast forward or rewind, and you can customize the "order" your workout. The concept behind "Personal Trainer" is that you can create your own workout routine from a menu of different exercises; cardio, sculpting, and stretching. This is a great idea that doesn't live up to its promises. For starters, the material isn't new. All of the workout segments are excerpts from older Kathy Smith videos. Kathy is a great motivator and has put out some good videos, but this DVD has a cheap "cut and paste" feel to it. It just gives you the sense that they wanted to get a DVD on the market for the sake of putting out a DVD. Kathy's "Kickboxing" DVD is a much better use of the technology. The 20 minute cardio workout (from "Cardio Fat Burner) is way too dancy for my taste, and too short to provide a good workout. The personal advice section from Kathy even suggests that you augment this workout with 20 minutes of walking. The sculpting an toning section (from "Lift Weights to Lose Weight" and "Functionally Fit/Lower Body") is more effective, but you do need a weight bench to do the routine. The yoga routine from "New Yoga Basics" is nice for a change of pace, but not worth the price of the entire DVD. The section that I'll probably keep returning to is the abs and back strenthening section. For 7 minutes, it's a good routine. The "extra" features are pretty worthless, they include Kathy's bio and catalogue of videos. If you're looking for something new, you're not going to find it here. I'd wait until Kathy puts out a DVD workout containing new material.
Rating:
Summary: New technology, old material
Review: The DVD format has great potential to provide a better home workout than VHS. The music sounds better, you don't have to fast forward or rewind, and you can customize the "order" your workout. The concept behind "Personal Trainer" is that you can create your own workout routine from a menu of different exercises; cardio, sculpting, and stretching. This is a great idea that doesn't live up to its promises. For starters, the material isn't new. All of the workout segments are excerpts from older Kathy Smith videos. Kathy is a great motivator and has put out some good videos, but this DVD has a cheap "cut and paste" feel to it. It just gives you the sense that they wanted to get a DVD on the market for the sake of putting out a DVD. Kathy's "Kickboxing" DVD is a much better use of the technology. The 20 minute cardio workout (from "Cardio Fat Burner) is way too dancy for my taste, and too short to provide a good workout. The personal advice section from Kathy even suggests that you augment this workout with 20 minutes of walking. The sculpting an toning section (from "Lift Weights to Lose Weight" and "Functionally Fit/Lower Body") is more effective, but you do need a weight bench to do the routine. The yoga routine from "New Yoga Basics" is nice for a change of pace, but not worth the price of the entire DVD. The section that I'll probably keep returning to is the abs and back strenthening section. For 7 minutes, it's a good routine. The "extra" features are pretty worthless, they include Kathy's bio and catalogue of videos. If you're looking for something new, you're not going to find it here. I'd wait until Kathy puts out a DVD workout containing new material.
Rating:
Summary: Kathy Smith
Review: The DVD format is good. You can easily create your own routine for the day by selecting which workout you want, warm up, cardio, upper or lower, etc.
The cardio is very light, not long or hard enough. In addition, the "time warp" photography is really annoying when you are counting or watching their steps and all of a sudden you get a "time warp". Really throws me off balance. I had a hard time getting used to that.
The upper and lower body workouts are very good. The lower body could have been longer.
The abs workout is effective. When I can do it with ease, I'll just repeat it for a harder workout as it is only a mere 5 minutes.
Overall, a decent workout when you combine the segments.
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