A great workout for intermediate/advanced exercisers
Red Panda | Australia | 04/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While the production of this DVD could have been better, it does provide a great workout to strengthen your abs and spine, and improve your posture. It always leaves me feeling pleasantly "stretched out" like a good Pilates session.
The cover says "Three 8-minute stability ball workouts", so I was expecting three mini-workouts formatted a bit like the "10 Minute Solution" or "Quick Fix" series, but it is actually one continuous 30-minute workout, broken up into chapters you can choose from the main menu.
WORKOUT 1: Hovers/squat, core work, hamstring hover, back extension.
WORKOUT 2: Opposite arm/leg lift, spinal stabilization, stability ball between legs core work, single leg raise with rotation, roll-outs.
WORKOUT 3: Extension/rotation, lateral flexion, crunches, pike plank push.
There is also a brief warm-up and stretch.
As advertised, there is plenty of work in here for your back as well as your abs. There are some new exercises I haven't seen before and some of them are pretty challenging.
Keli cues very well, makes sure you are keeping good form and is very motivating. And I like her Australian accent!"
One of the best instructors with another great workout :-)
Little Miss Cutey | Melbourne, Australia | 02/24/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Keli Roberts is in my top 5 best instructors out there. She is motivating, encouraging, tough and very knowledgeable. She is the kind of personal trainer you'd love to have because she'd get results out of you.
This is another great workout from her, and this time it uses a stability ball to work your core and develop balancing skills. Abs, spine and posture (how the workout got its name ASAP) is what this is all about and it looks easy, but you get a great workout. I like the fact that you can do the whole dvd in one go, or pick an 8 minute pre-mixed routine. Each routine has a focus on either balance/core, strength and strength/balance. She is a terrific cuer and so you know in advance what's coming next and she tells you how each move will make you feel (so you get an idea as to whether you are doing it correctly or not). All you need is the stability ball and you are set to go. It's a little over a half hour so it's easy to fit into busy days, and I mix this up with aerobic workouts because there is none of that here. I love this and it's a nice change to other toning workouts because using the ball is something different to do. I highly recommend this."
Poor production techniques hinder this workout
lisam5305@yahoo.com | 08/04/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Overall, the actual workout on this DVD is pretty good. However, there are several factors that keep this DVD from being great:
1) Camera changes angles way too often, making it hard to concentrate.
2) Background music is annoying and distracting. Keli talks almost constantly, and that combined with the music is just too much.
3) Setting is cold and unappealing.
4) One of the two background exercisers repeatedly demonstrates improper form, and it's never corrected.
I have Keli's Kickbox Bootcamp DVD and it's one of my favorites. Her workouts are better when it's just her, there is no music, and it's filmed in a more home-like setting.
I sure am glad I rented this first."