Everyoneù from the absolute beginner to the most accomplished athleteùcan benefit from stretching on a regular basis. Whether preparing for a sporting event or just winding down from a stressful day, stretching c... more »an prevent injuries, improve posture and circulation and help you become more limber and relaxed. Now, renowned fitness instructor Tamilee Webb has developed stretching routines that will provide increased flexibility and vitality to people of all ages, lifestyles and levels of fitness. Total Body Stretch for Beginners
Whether you just finished a game of football, played 18 holes of golf, need to rejuvenate after a hectic meeting, or simply want an active and energetic way to stretch, Total Body Stretch For Beginners will stretch those major muscle groups to help prevent injuries soreness. Tamilee has designed three separate 10-minute stretch programs to best fit your body, lifestyle and schedule. Choose the program that's right for you or combine all three stretch programs for a complete total body stretching routine. Beginner's Stretch for Flexibility
Is yoga too difficult, boring, or uncomfortable for your body? Do you wish that there were an easier way to relax tired, aching and tense muscles and unwind after a stressful day? Beginners Stretch for Flexibility can help bring balance and peace to your body and spirit. Tamilee will lead you through a 30-minute total body stretching experience that is easy to follow and relaxing. It will help you create that perfect balance between mind, body and soul.« less
Debbie L. from MUSKEGON, MI Reviewed on 7/23/2009...
This is one of the most versatile and enjoyable stretch workouts of all time. I've owned this for years and although I have added others to my collection this is my "go to" stretching DVD. There are three different 10 minute full-body options, and in addition to that there is a 30 minute full-body stretch for flexibility and this one concludes with a wonderful relaxing session that leaves you in complete bliss until you choose to end the session because the lovely music continues indefinitely, unlike some yoga/stretching DVD's that go from the final relaxation segment to blasting advertisements or some such thing.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Great Stretching for Beginners or for Anyone!
aizjanika | AK USA | 07/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tamilee Webb's Total Stretch for Beginners is one of the best exercise DVD or video that I have ever purchased. I love it, and here's why:The first section, titled total Body Stretch for Beginners, consists of three 10-minute stretches. You can do all three or just do one.The first stretch is called the standing stretch. This is for those of you who don't like to have to get down on the floor for exercising. You do all the stretching from a standing position. It also helps develop balance.The second stretch is called the sitting stretch. You do the whole thing while sitting on a chair. This one requires a sturdy chair that won't tip over when you sit towards one side or the other. This one is for anyone who doesn't want to get down on the floor for exercising, but might not have enough balance to do the standing stretch.The third stretch is called the floor stretch--and as the name implies, you do it while sitting on the floor. This is my personal favorite since it requires no balance so I get the best possible stretch. Any one of these three stretches is complete on its own, but if you feel a need for a longer stretch, you can do all three. The second section of the DVD is titled Beginners Stretch for Flexibility. It consists of one 30-minute stretch that includes a short relaxation exercise at the end. This one is a bit more challenging, but you feel SO good at the end. On a daily basis, I do the floor stretch (10 minutes) after my cardio workout. This provides me with the best stretch. Every once in a while, I'll do the standing stretch instead of the floor stretch. Sometimes only once a week and sometimes more, I do the 30-minute stretch. I especially love to do the 30-minute stretch if I've had an especially stressful day or if I want to get really relaxed. :-) The best part of these stretches is that I can do them. They are not all super-easy, but all are doable--even for someone just starting out like me. :-)"
Multiple Stretching Routines on 1 DVD
blueyed puella | CT, USA | 08/11/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Workout Description: three 10 minute routines (1 standing, 1 seated, and 1 on the floor) and one 30 minute routine (split between standing and the floor)
Workout Level: beginner to intermediate
Instructor: Tamilee Webb (Has degrees in Physical Education and Exercise Science; IDEA's 1993 Instructor of the Year; original Buns of Steel instructor). Tamilee is soft-spoken but serious about what she is doing. She mostly restricts her chatter to cueing and pointing out facts about the muscles you're working; she is chattier on the Total Body Stretch, though.
Class: Tamilee only
Music / Set: The soft instrumental music is not intrusive. Both programs are shot outdoors: Total Body Stretch on a Jamaican beach, Stretch for Flexibility at some sort of country club.
Equipment Needed: mat for standing and floor segments of Total Body and all of Flexibility; chair for sitting segment.. The workout can and should be done barefoot.
Caveats: Follow Tamilee's suggestions in the introductions. As she says, always stretch to the point of tightness and never to the point of pain.
Additional Comments: You don't need a lot of space for this routine. You should be able to lie down with your arms and legs extended, and you should be able to kneel and stretch forward.
Each routine is distinct, although most stretch the same muscles: triceps, chest, hamstrings, quadriceps, etc. You can choose to do any of the workouts separately or combine the Total Body Stretch segments. (You actually get a good total body stretch if you do all three of them.) The Total Body Stretch are good warm up or cool down additions to your workouts. The Flexibility stretch is geared towards the end of the day, since it includes a relaxation segment.
The stretches are held for a decent amount of time; they're not very short, but they're not very long. Once you know the routine, you'll be able to move into the stretch sooner and get a few more seconds in.
The DVD allows you to select your workout, although I have difficulty getting my disc to skip the introduction. You can choose alternate camera angles or the music only option. There is also an interactive quiz about flexibility and stretching."
For the average person, this is the DVD you're looking for.
V. Messner | PA, United States | 11/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a male in my mid-thirties. I am and always have been inflexible. I recently had back surgery and I realized that I could do one of two things: decide to never again take any physical risks in life and accept that I will continue to lose flexibility at an alarming rate due to lack of movement/activity. Option two was to take a serious look at how I could regain some of my range of motion and possibly even extend it. I chose the latter.
I've amassed a wide variety of yoga and stretching DVDs over the last year. The two I bought first were Tamilee's Total Stretch for Beginners and AM/PM Stretch for Health with Madelaine Lewis. These two remain favorites of mine.
Both are more geared toward the average person; no intimidating, foot-behind-the-head yoga poses here. These are basic stretches that should be safe for all, when coupled with common sense.
Although I like both DVDs mentioned above, Tammilee's DVD gives more bang for the buck. There are multiple options here, depending on how much time you have, There are three different 10-minute, total body workouts - one standing, one sitting and one on the floor. All the workouts are perfect for when you lack either the time or ambition to commit thirty-minutes or more to stretching.There is also a thirty-minute workout that gives you a more thorough stretch when that's what you're looking for.
This DVD gives you a little bit of everything. I'd recommend both this and AM/PM if you plan to purchase two DVDs, but Total Stretch is my recommendation if you only buy one. It gives you all the options you could need and is the best stretch DVD I've ever had.
"
Not as good as Madeline Lewis' "AM/PM Stretch"
blueyed puella | 05/02/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This video is only good if all that you want is a 5 minute stretching routine for before/after working out. It only targets the major muscles. The standing, sitting, & floor routines are all repetitions of stretching the same muscles, just in different ways. And it really is for beginners only; most of the stretches are extremely basic. I would not recommend it if you are looking for a TOTAL stretch for your whole body. If you are looking for a relaxing stretch program for your entire body, then instead of this DVD, I recommend "AM/PM Stretch" by Gaiam with Madeline Lewis. Madeline Lewis gives better instructions about proper form, and she helps you target your breathing better. Plus, the mood on "AM/PM Stretch" is much more soothing.Both DVD's are suitable for beginners. If you can afford both, then the two DVD's actually work well together - I use the "AM/PM Stretch" when I want to stretch my entire body and feel relaxed, and I use this Tamilee Webb DVD when I'm preparing to do aerobic exercise. I bought both DVD's at the same time, and while I don't hate this one, it just isn't nearly as thorough as the "AM/PM Stretch". Even for the stretches that the two DVD's have in common, the "AM/PM Stretch" gives more thorough directions on how to properly do each of them. Only get this Tamilee Webb DVD if you don't know any of the major body stretches AND only if all that you need is something very quick so that you can go work-out."
Great for the Flexibilty Challenged
Sharon Berry | Fairfax, VA USA | 12/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have always had to work hard to do even simple stretches. After I injured my lower back in martial arts doing the repetitive kicking motions, stretching not only became challenging, but it was also painful. Physical therapy and traction didn't help. Spinal steroid injections for pain management didn't help. I tried "beginning" yoga and Pilates, but they were too difficult. I was ready to give up when I found this DVD with Tamilee. After only one session, I felt great! You can do 10-minute segments or combine them for a 30-minute session, which is what I would recommend for days you haven't done much exercise. Tamilee is a down-to-earth instructor and shows you how to gradually and safely build your range of motion. She also builds confidence in this no-pressure routine."