This "trilogy" of videos consists of
the following: Abs, Buns and
Thighs; Low Impact Aerobics
and Stretch; Total Body
Sculpting. These videos will appeal to beginner and
intermediate exercisers, or those who want a change of
pace. It may not appeal to very advanced exercisers.
Each video consists of 2 classes, about 25 minutes
each. Each class can be used alone, or combined with
another class (or an activity of your choice like walking
or swimming); for example, aerobics + stretch,
Abs/Buns/Thighs + Body Sculpting. Ideally, an aerobic and
anaerobic session should be combined. However, a single
class is convenient on a day when you have little time (I
sometimes do a single class during the work week on days
when my time is limited and I have to work late). Each
class is short, streamlined, and effective. As always,
the video production is high-quality, as we've come to
expect from Fonda. In all 3 videos, the cueing,
instructions and movements are clear, concise, simple and
easy to follow.
Abs, Buns & Thighs
Jane "shares the stage" with 2 aerobics
instructors. Aerobics are interspaced with some short but
very effective lower-body strengthening exercises led by
Jane. I have been pleased to see some noticeable results:
more definition and strength to my calves and thighs
after only 3 or 4 times, and even more since then.
Janice Molina
Two 25-minute workouts which combine aerobics with short intervals of lower-body toning. The workouts are put together as follows: warming-up; cardio; legs; cardio; legs; cardio; legs; abs; short stretch.
Jane Fonda teaches the toning sections, and two of her instructors lead the aerobic sections. As usual in a Fonda video, the moves are demonstrated in both high and low impact versions. The choreography is simple and very easy to pick up (i.a. grapevines, mambo, heel digs, kicks) - perhaps verging on being too repetitive, but just as I start to think "What - again??", we change or stop for toning. Fortunately, there are two workouts on the tape, so you can alternate them for a little variety. (The choreography on this tape and the Low Impact Aerobics & Stretch tape is by Jay Blahnik.) The music is lively, with a Latin American flavour to it.
The leg exercises are all done standing and include stationary and reverse lunges, squats and leg lifts. The ab work is nothing fancy and it's fairly short, but at least I can tell myself I've done my duty for today.
In keeping with the aims of the Personal Trainer Series, these workouts are short. You do work your legs fairly hard, and after doing the workouts five times my legs are starting to feel different, but I can't say that I see a visible difference yet. To make a longer and more intense workout, I decided to follow this with the lower-body toning from Fonda's Complete Workout, which also has floor work. I've only done that once and I really felt it afterwards, so I think I shall be doing this combination more often.
To summarise, these are two fun workouts for beginners and intermediates who want to do a bit more work on their legs, and they're ideal for people facing time constraints.
Instructor comments: Jane and her instructors give timely reminders about maintaining correct posture and breathing. Another thing I like about this and other Fonda tapes is that she often shows you how NOT to perform an exercise.
Glynis van Uden
14 August 1998
