J. B. BernsUrban Rebounding Workout DVD, Compilation 1

I just got this in the mail today. I've had a mini-trampoline for many years and have always loved messing around on it, but I'm the type of person who benefits from instruction. I am glad to see these workouts.They tell you to use their Urban Rebounder, but my no-name model from Sears works fine. I don't know if I could add the stability bar on to it, but I don't think I'll need to use that.I started at the beginning and did the first workout: First-Timers. It was so difficult I couldn't believe it. They slowed everything down so much that it was no fun and I was completely out of breath. I had to take jogging breaks to catch my breath. However, the First-Timers workout only needs to be gone through one time, if that. I think you can learn all the basics from the second workout: The Basic.The Basic workout was really fun and up to tempo (unlike the First-Timers). It was exactly what I was hoping for: a good workout on the mini-tramp. It included a warm up, cardio section, jogging/sprinting section, cool down, and abs workout (which I thought was pretty tough). The moves were all basic but the warm up and cool down had some variety not included in the cardio section.This disc includes 6 workouts, not four. They are: First-Timers, Basic Program, Intermediate, Advanced, Oldies But Goodies (for Seniors), and Abdominal Bound.I haven't tried the other four yet, but the other reviewer covered the Advanced program and the fundamental outline of all the programs. I did look at the workout for seniors. The music for it is also very slow so I don't know if it will be a fun workout. It has a different instructor (JoJo) who is very interesting.The main instructor, JB Berns, puts me in mind of the martial arts instructor from Napoleon Dynamite, but he's not that bad. He's actually kind of funny. He does take the name of the Lord in vain twice in First-Timers and once in Basic. I hope that will not continue into the other programs. You'd think someone would have told him . . . (unless they didn't want their face smashed?)He mentions checking your heart rate one time, but gave no time to do so. I'm glad he mentioned it because I was so focused on the moves that I didn't realize how elevated my heart rate was. After that, I had to modify the moves myself to keep my heart rate down. They had five people on camera; you'd think one of them could have demonstrated some modifications.Sometimes he gives good instructions on form, but other times none. He says, "use good form," but doesn't explicate. If you are a beginner you will need to learn about form from other fitness instructors (Karen Voight being the best I know of).The demonstrators are all wearing gym shoes, so I wore mine. I tried the cool down barefoot because my feet were hot, but I think it's better to wear shoes for the workout.I'd have to say that maybe this DVD only deserves three stars because of its weaknesses, but I gave it four because it's unique (are there any other rebounder DVDs out there?) and because it's a good value. You get six workouts on one disc.There are other compilations too, with different instructors, including ballet, dance, pilates (core), African, Latin, kick, boxing, hip hop, hi-lo, and stretching. I'm looking forward to trying some of those.

I am new to rebounding,so do not have any other DVD to compare this one to. First things first, I am not the most athletic person, so I am uncoordinated, but I manage to keep up with this routine without falling off the rebounder. Secondly, I am out of condition. I have not worked out in months, so I feel like I am getting a great workout just doing the "first timers" section on the video. There are different sections to this video so as you build your strenth you can pick a section with a more intense workout. The great thing about rebounding is, is you can make it as hard or as easy as you want. If you want to go slower than the instructor on the video is going then you can. If you keep at it, you will build your strength up and then eventually keep up with the instructor. The "first timers" workout is no joke. You bounce for like 20 minutes straight with the warm up and cool down segments so I think it really gets your heart rate up. I feel myself getting stronger in the legs. I go up stairs now with out effort. In another review I read about this video the person said that they did not like the cheesy woman doing the workout and all her faces she makes. Yea, she acts like a cheerleader on the trampoline with her fake smiles and arm gesters, but she never talks or instructs so I just ignore her. The guy on the video is tolerable to listen to. Lastly, I don't have the brand of trampoline they use. We got one from Sears. Just a standard, small workout trampoline. Anyone will do.

I was so excited to get this DVD and begin getting in shape again, 25 years behind a desk has really taken a toll on my strength and body. Now that I'm in my late 50's I was looking for a program to work with my trampoline I've had for years but never did anything but bounce on to show me some workouts without injury to my joints and I was thinking OK this is 'the one'.WOWI was so wrong in my thinking that 'Oh, I can do That, it looks So easy' well I'm here to say it's not, at least for me. I had to stop not even 15 minutes into the First timers workout to catch my breath, I was really sweating and out of breath!! I still believe that this is the program for me but it will take me longer that I originally thought to get stronger and back in shape.In going through the menu of workouts, I've only tried the First Timers, Basic and the Senior, I didn't like the guy in the senior workout at all, so I had to quit that workout, the music was boring and he was just too slow to listen too. On the other hand JB is quite funny and inspiring, his introduction is great and he really explains the proper way to exercise using a rebounder.I'm giving it all 5 Stars since there is only one part I don't like, and there are enough levels of workouts to use for quite a while and I am hopeful using this program will help me lose weight, firm up and feel better about myself.

Effective DVD, but dated

I really love this DVD great workout