Dynamic Donna and two "Donna-Mite" crew
members, Jillian and Jennifer (who now stars in CIA's
Double Crunch video), rotate through four different
workouts, hairstyles, and wardrobe changes. This
hour-long video's concept is to give the
beginner/intermediate exerciser four different short
muscle conditioning workouts, each for a specific area of
the body. The sections are each about 10-12 minutes in
length, and include a short warm-up, and cool-down. It's
a versatile tape that you can combine with other
workouts. Let's say your favorite aerobic + toning tape
leaves out exercises or doesn't do a good job on your
particular trouble spot. Not a problem. Just cue this
tape to the workout you need, and you can add it into
your routine! You can use dumbbells and/or ankle weights
as you get stronger. Or you can do two workouts from this
tape one day, the other two the next, or just do the
parts you think you need! My problem with this tape is
more a matter of personal preference rather than a
comment on the value of the workout. When doing strength
training, I prefer circuit style or better yet, breaking
it up the way the FIRM workouts do with aerobic sprints.
But Donna's work here is safe and solid, good for the new
exerciser and versatile enough (with weights) to progress
with him or her through the intermediate level. Once
you've conquered this one, you'll have a good foundation
for doing the FIRM with good form. (Gee, did I put enough
"F"s in that last sentence??) Grade: A
Melissa Cooper
6-5-97
I get a lot of use out of this particular video. It is
divided into 4 15-minute segments, each with emphasis on
a different area of the body -- abs, buttocks, hips &
thighs, and upper body. By the time you have gone through
the whole video, you have worked out the whole body. Hand
weights and ankle weights are recommended as needed to
keep the workout challenging. There is an individual
warm-up and cool down for each section, so you can do
just 1 section, or more if you have the time or the
desire. I find that with a young infant, I just can't
always get in as much of a workout as I would like. This
is perfect for those days when I don't have a free moment
until the kids are in bed. I can't face a whole hour-long
workout (when I could be going to sleep instead), but
these 15-minute segments seem less overwhelming. Donna
makes it so much fun that I often find myself doing more
than 1 section, no matter how tired I feel when I begin.
The music has a good, strong beat. Donna and the people
working out with her are constantly reminding you of the
goal you're working toward (awesome abs, hot hams, etc.).
All the moves are low-impact, and done in a slow and
controlled manner for maximum safety and effectiveness. I
would highly recommend this video also as a tool to fill
in weak spots in other video workouts. If I feel I need
more abs work, for example, than is in my workout that
day, I can go straight the the abs section on this tape.
It is probably too easy for advanced exercisers, since
there just aren't enough repetitions to challenge them.
Erin Ferragut
6-17-97
I was disappointed in this video because the four
workouts were not difficult enough and far too short. I
mean, I did know they were 15 minutes each when I bought
the tape, but each segment contains a warm-up and
cool-down (annoying if you're doing the whole tape at
once, or doing one segment after a cardio tape), so
you're only exercising the targetted body part for about
8 minutes. I know you can always modify or make exercises
more difficult depending on your fitness level, but there
wasn't enough time in this video to get enough reps in
even if I worked continuously through Donna's breaks. To
compare, Cathe Friedrich's ab section at the end of Step
Heat is also short but far superior in my opinion. I
would recommend this tape to beginners only, and only if
they like Donna Richardson's instructional style.
Leslie
8/27/97
This video is set up in four segments- arm, thighs,
butt and abs. You can put them together for a total
workout or break them up over the week. Each section is
15-20 minutes long and has its own warm up, cool down and
stretch. Donna and her gang seem like they are good
friends just having a great time. These are real women,
working out, chatting, having fun. This tape is really, I
think, great for anyone. For beginners, Donna is a great
instructor who really explains correct form to give a
solid introduction to resistance training. For
intermediates and advanced, this video is a great
addition to your workout program. Not enough arms?
Segment 1 can fix that! Want a nice leg warm up? Try
sections 2 or 3. Need some tough abs today? Four has you
covered. For all exercisers, this video gives you real
people having a great time working out, without Stepford
wives, large budget production numbers or self-absorbed
instructors. These are quick solid workouts, filled with
great instruction, and solid moves that anyone can fit
into their day.
Linda
8/30/97
This tape is broken down into 4 sections so that you can do 1 a day. I usually do this video all in one day but it's nice to have when I want to spot train, especially the nice inner thigh workout which I have a hard problem finding in other videos. I also like the abs section which is pretty tough. I get a satisfying burn everytime I do it. At first the upper body was slighty intermediate with 5 lb weights but I increased the weight to 8 lbs and get a great workout. I would definately recommend this video.
Instructor comments: I love Donna Richardson. The first video I had her in was Perfect Balance which I since retired but it made me want to try out her other videos. Her cueing is great as well as her fun attitude. She seems to have fun when she works out. She often makes me smile or laugh while I am working hard. The other 2 girls are also lively. The blonde is very fit and the brunette looks more like a real women like the rest of us which I find comforting.
Tara
the_slayer12@hotmail.com
2/18/99
I am not much of an exercise freak, so when I aw the four day rotation I thought perfect. I saw results in two weeks. I wanted something to rotate out from my Tao-Bo tapes ( I now work out 7 days a week) When I workin out to the oldies I knew it was the one for me. I am not that cooridinated and even I could follow this after one viewing and boy did I sweat. The video just flew by (55minutes) I am looking forward to other fitness tapes by Donna and her crew
Jenna
JSRounds@aol.com
4/02/99
As a busy mom of a 2 year old, I found that this video fit in well with my schedule. If I am pressed for time, I can do 1 segment. On days with more time I can add segments. And since there are 4 parts I don't feel bored. As a beginner/inter. a feel like this is a good choice with it being easy to follow and donna's friends look so normal you don't feel intimadated to do this video. overall an A
Instructor comments: she is easy to follow and lets you know ahead of time what to expect next. She is very upbeat.
tiffany k
monlewDX69webtv.net
4/13/99
This is one of my favourite videos because it has so
many options. I am an avid parts user: I seldom do a
video the whole way through and have a special
fondness for videos with several mix and match
sections. This video has 4 15-minute segments, 1 each
for abs, buttocks, hips/thighs and upper body. You can
do all of them, just one or two or any combination. On
a time-pressed day you could do one segment then 15
minutes on a stepper or cardio machine for a full
workout. You could also pair it with on of those
20-minyte living arts yoga tapes, or with sections
from the method pilates tapes. Donna is very
motivating and high-energy, and the reps are slow
enough that you can use medium-heavy weights. I don't
think you'll get huge muscle with this, but two
segments a day is a thorough enough strength rotation
to see results. After all, when you do a 30-minte
strength tape you are not spending more than 15
minutes on any one part anyway. So don't let the
length of the segments fool you into thinking you'll
get off easy: this video can work for you if you do it
properly and choose your weights carefully.
Joanna C
masked_spangler@yahoo.com
8/07/00