Knottie Fitness

Knottie Fitness Video Review: David Kirsch's Sound Mind Sound Body – Ultimate Fitness Boot Camp

Knot Anja — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:58:00 GMT

Knottie Fitness Reviewer: aimeeandjohn

Wedding Fitness Goals: Lose 20 lbs in 6 months, tone up my arms and back

Video: David Kirsch's Sound Mind Sound Body – Ultimate Fitness Boot Camp
Click here to buy the DVD.

Duration: 1 hour
Equipment Needed: Light free weights (1-5 lbs), a good pair of workout shoes

Video Synopsis: Short warm up & stretches, followed by cardio and strength training mixes together (a LOT of squats and core), concluded with stretches

Level of Challenge: The video was very challenging; it would be appropriate for the intermediate (high) to advanced person. People who are beginners or who are not used to the correct form for these exercises (e.g. squats, planks, pushups, etc) would have a difficult time or be at high risk for injury.

Muscles Worked: Total body, but I felt the most sore at my quadriceps (thighs).

Instructor: I could understand David Kirsch, but am more used to instructors that do more counting. I prefer instructors that count out most of the exercises (e.g. number of squats, reps, etc), so that I know how many to do or what the goal is. The video was taped on a beach, and sometimes there was interfering sound from the wind blowing. Although I found the instructor's exercises challenging, I did not find him very engaging. Clips of Heidi Klum peaked most of my interest, which were very short lived.

General Comments: The video looks like it was taped by a less than stellar company -- it gives a feel of very "old school", "80's" videography, with artificial backgrounds/lighting during interviews and grainy output. It would have been helpful to see more testimonials from people other than Heidi Klum, who clips were honestly the most engaging part of the whole video. I would use this video again for an occasional challenge, but for regular exercise would probably turn to more engaging instructors in the future.

Grade: B+

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Knottie Fitness Video Review: Crunch: Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp

Knot Anja — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:15:00 GMT

Knottie Fitness Reviewer: Ccsports13

Wedding Fitness Goals: I would like to lose about 8 lbs and tone up for my April wedding but would love to slim down for my b-pics in February.

Video: Crunch: Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp
Click here to buy the DVD.
Duration: 40 mins
Equipment Needed: A mat

Video Synopsis: The video focused a lot of hamstrings and gluts. I did not feel much of a workout in my quad muscles. Also, the first part focuses a lot on cardio. It includes some pushups and abdominal work on the mat.

Level of Challenge: The video was good because it incorporated four levels of fitness into each section. You would start with the first level and increase the difficulty of the exercise, but you could stop at a level if it was too challenging. The hardest level was not too difficult but I definitely felt it working my hamstrings and gluts which I tend to neglect at the gym. The abdominal exercises were not as challenging.

Muscles Worked: The name kind of says it all, belly, butt and thighs.

Instructor: She was very easy to understand that the movements built upon each other. She was very energetic but not fake looking which I liked. Also, she was very inspirational and kind of seemed to push you doing your workout. She was very bubbly and fun.

General Comments: Make sure you have some room to do this workout. Don’t do it on a slippery surface like a wood floor, which was the mistake I made first and ended up sliding all over. Also, they give a great cool down and stretching at the end but very little in the beginning so I would suggest really stretching out your legs prior to starting the video. I didn’t the first time and slightly pulled my left hamstring.

Grade: A-

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Knottie Fitness Video Review: Rockin' Body Cardio Jam

Knot Anja — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:06:00 GMT

Knottie Fitness Reviewer: Kaylin Elizabeth

Wedding Fitness Goals: My wedding fitness goals consist of a little of everything. I'd like to drop about 30 pounds but I definitely want to tone up my entire body. If I'm going to be wearing a bathing suit on the honeymoon I need to be concerned with more than just my arms!

Video: Rockin' Body Cardio Jam, part of the "Your Body Breakthru" series
Click here to buy the DVD.
Duration: Just under 1 hour. There is also an express 30-minute workout if you're short on time. It incorporates the same moves takes less time.
Equipment Needed: None

Video Synopsis: The video is broken up into 5 or 6 different sections -- all of which "teach" you a different "routine." I noticed spending between 5-7 minutes in the different sections/routines. The video works all the muscle groups but is really intended to burn fat and calories. I noticed the video REALLY working the abductor muscles… the outside of the hip commonly known to women as "saddle bags." Since this is often a concern of women wanting to lose weight, I think that's a great feature!

Level of Challenge: The video kept a great intensity level throughout the whole workout. You could add some things to intensify the workout or make things easier if you're not quite ready for the full intensity. Afterward I felt rejuvenated and ready for more! Because the video focused on cardio and not building muscles, I did not feel sore afterward or the following day.

Muscles Worked: The video worked my entire body but I felt it most in my legs and my abductors.

Instructor: The instructor was very positive encouraging. For the most part she was easy to understand. There were a couple of moves where I wasn't able to pick up until the second time because I needed to see what she was explaining first, but they were very easy to pick up.

General Comments: I really enjoyed this workout. I liked the fact that the women behind the instructor were not fitness gurus but regular women who have found success from the workout. I do wish there were a little more to the cool-down and maybe a section on really stretching afterward (the one on the video is very quick) but I guess that is something that a person can do on their own time after the DVD has finished.

Grade: A-

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Knottie Fitness Video Review: The Firm Burn & Shape

Knot Anja — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:51:00 GMT

Knottie Fitness Reviewer: annies123

Wedding Fitness Goals: Lose about 30 pounds, tone up arms for my strapless gown. I am getting married in May. I weigh 163 right now.

Video: The Firm Burn & Shape
Click here to buy the DVD.
Duration: Around 35 minutes
Equipment Needed: Weights, but they suggest several -- light, medium, and heavy

Level of Challenge: I thought it was very hard. I couldn't make it much further than warmup. It was very fast-paced, but I had problems with their sequences and routines. I'm not very coordinated so I had a hard time keeping up.

Muscles Worked: Abs, legs and arms

Instructor: She was peppy, which was good, but the routines were like dance routines. They were difficult to remember. She went VERY fast.

General Comments: I did not like this video. I am not too familiar with The Firm so perhaps people who are would like the video. It was too fast and difficult. I am not totally out of shape, I exercise to the Biggest Loser videos, but I could not keep up with the many "routines."

Grade: C-

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Knottie Fitness Video Review: Pulse Yoga with Argie Tang

Knot Anja — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:35:00 GMT

Knottie Fitness Reviewer: cmlb78

Wedding Fitness Goals: Lose ten pounds, sculpt arms, and increase overall strength.

Video: Pulse Yoga with Argie Tang
Click here to buy the DVD.
Duration: 30 minutes
Equipment Needed: Yoga block, 2-3 lb. weights

Video Synopsis: The video provides a thorough overall strengthening workout; the core is particularly targeted.

Level of Challenge: This video was just the right amount of challenge: I could do all of it but with effort and can feel room for improvement. I was somewhat sore afterward, but not more than I should be. It got my heart rate up and left me worked out but refreshed.

Muscles Worked: Everything, to some extent. I noticed the most work in my abs, arms and lower/upper back.

Instructor: The instructor was great. She was very clear and gave the right amount of direction. She was easy to listen to and encouraging.

General Comments: I will definitely keep using this video in my routine; I've used it for a couple of weeks so far and can't wait to see results after an entire month of use. Also, I love how much work I get done in 30 minutes.

Grade: A

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Knottie Fitness Video Review: Rock Your Body with Jamie King

Knot Anja — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:54:00 GMT

Knottie Fitness Reviewer: steffanier

Wedding Fitness Goals: I am trying to lose 1-2 inches around my waist and tone up my arms. I am wearing a sheath gown so I really need to tighten up everything I've got!

Video: Rock Your Body with Jamie King
Click here to buy the DVD.
Duration: 1hour (includes a warm-up, dance routine, and a strength routine)
Equipment Needed: None

Video Synopsis: The warm-up did a good job of getting the blood flowing over the whole body. You are taught part one of the dance routine (in sections), followed by part two. Each time you are taught a new section of the routine, you begin by repeating the steps slowly then move to full-speed. I noticed that I started sweating pretty quickly and that my mid-section, glut's and legs were getting most of the action. The next phase is to put both parts of the routine together slowly, followed by full-speed rehearsal and “performance”…in other words, more sweat. The strength routine started with the arms (triceps and biceps), moved to the abs and finished with the glut's and thigh muscles.

Level of Challenge: The dance routine was fun and complex, which is perfect for me because I get bored really easily. Before I knew it I was sweating and by the end of the dance portion I could feel the muscles in my mid-section and lower body were worked. The strength routine was not particularly strenuous, but it did isolate muscle groups that most people want to work on. For the rest of the day I could feel the areas of my body that were worked and I also felt energized.

Muscles Worked: The dance routine worked my mid-section and lower body, the strength routine focused more on triceps, biceps, abs and gluts.

Instructor: The dance routine is complex and by the 3rd viewing I started to catch on. That said, I think Jamie provided pretty clear instructions and regular call-outs to prepare for the next “move.” Overall, he kept me motivated without being annoying.

General Comments: One thing I did not like was that the end stage of the dance routine section was a little corny. However, in general I think this cardio workout would be a good addition to my weekly routine. I would definitely use it on the days where I can fit in an extra workout in the morning, and it would be an energizing way to start my day.

Grade: A-

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