Search - 8 Minute Abs & Arms on DVD

Kelli S. from PLAINSBORO, NJ
Reviewed on 1/30/2011...

Good exercises!

A great program to stick with every day

Keith I. Kozak | Boston, MA USA | 06/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have used this tape everyday now for the past 2 months. I have seen results. It is a great tape to work out with, because you can go at your own pace. Also, there is a constant flow of movement. Therefore, if you need to take a break, you do less of one exercise, but don't miss out on the entire routine. My mom even started doing it with me. There are various levels that she was able to work at. Try it for yourself, you will get a lot out of these exercises. For abs each exercise is 45 seconds and for arms each is 30 seconds. Although it is a continious 8 minutes in rotation. Try it! You'll LOVE it!"

Effective, non-damaging, *toner*. 5 stars but just barely.

07/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a good *toner* and the speaker even calls it a toner. You can definitely expect to lose and shape with this program but do not expect to build with it. If everyone did the routine, America wouldn't have the bad rep it has as far as average fitness goes.



The good stuff: it's based on sound techniques, it works and doesn't damage your lower back. Now that should be enough but I'll babble a bit more. With the DVD, you get three worthwhile programs: stretch, abs and arms. The other programs are pretty much worthless filler (with one exception). The constant movement even offers a *mild* cardio workout. Converting the program to build wouldn't be all that tough. The abs routine would just require more reps and a couple of weights. The arms routine needs a set of dumb bells that would allow working each group to failure and a few sets. So, for the arms, figure 3 sets of 8 minutes and then another six minutes for all the bell changes.



Now, for the bad stuff: music - bad; dialog (i.e. "Ok, gang") - cheesy, enthusiasm of two support people - they look bored and, in their defense, they are bored. She gets modified push ups and no weights and he gets, what looks like, 5 pound dumb bells.... pulleeeze."

This is a beneficial workout

Karen Marie | California | 08/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really enjoy this DVD. A few years ago, I bought 8 minute abs on video cassette and used it until the tape wore out. The video was just 8 minutes of ab work and that was it. I pretty much had the 8 minutes down, but after my tape broke I realized I needed the (albeit cheesy) motivation of the intructor making me do the movements for eight minutes. I am so glad I went ahead and replaced the video with this DVD. I really enjoy the arm workout and the bonus workouts too. The abs workout is pretty intense, even after all of these years. The good thing about it is that it is very concentrated and efficient. After just 8 minutes I feel more toned than with other ab videos that might last up to 30 minutes. The arm workout is good too, although I think it focuses mostly on shoulders, which is fine, especially if you alternate with other arm programs. It is a little silly that they have the woman doing the movements with no weights and the big men using 5 pounders and 15 oz tomato cans. I generally use 15 to 5 pounds for the arm exercises and because it is 8 minutes, it feels very rushed. You have to be ready to switch weights fast or go light. Still it is a great way to do something good for yourself in a very short time. There is an 8 minute stretch routine on this DVD which is a good warm up and easy even for people who aren't very flexible. I was also pleasantly surprised with the "bonus" workouts. These are really just excerpts from other people's workouts, as an advertisement, but they are good too. I have this DVD in my sometimes temperamental computer and I like the fact that I can use it for cardio without having to switch to a different disc. There is a 20 minute kick boxing routine done by a HUGE person. I don't know a lot about kickboxing, but this routine is still fun to try and works up a sweat. There is a 20 minute aerobics routine that looks like it came straight out of the 80's with big bangs and shiny tights, but it is a great leg and thigh workout. It is set up so you can do the whole 15-20 minutes together or divide it into 5 minute circuits. This DVD gives you a lot of options and you can get a total body workout very efficiently."