AGELESS WITH KATHY SMITH: TOTAL BODY TURNAROUND

Exercise videos are all about what your own fitness level is and what you want from a workout. I love this workout because it gives me exactly what I want: aerobics, weight-bearing exercise, balance practice, and a nice, long stretch routine that incorporates some of my favorite yoga moves, while leaving me feeling energized and relaxed.I also love it because I have been working out to Kathy Smith videos for about 25 years, am close to her in age, and know her moves very well. Whatever stage of life I'm in, she has produced a video that fits it. Though I am physically very fit, someone younger might indeed find this tape too easy. I, however, find it plenty challenging--especially the balance workout, which is extremely well-designed in my opinion. I like the "full circuit" aerobic and weight portion as well because it's designed to build bone density.(I do occasionally supplement it with heavier weight-lifting routines, however.) To avoid injury, I've modified the squats and jumps somewhat until I get used to this particular workout. I also find it useful to warm up with a ten minute march before beginning the aerobics portion.This is a great full body workout, one of Kathy Smith's best.

This is a great workout for asthmatics.I've got allergy-induced asthma and this workout is not too hard for me to get through. It's low-impact as well. I've been able to get thru all three of the workouts without having to stop and have found that it's great for a quick one-off on nights when I can only do one of the 20-minute work-outs.I personally like the balance workout best because it works and shapes the legs, but the circuit training is an excellent beginning workout to get the heart going.None of the workout is too tough on the joints and it's really great if you're just starting out.I highly suggest this for folks who have strange work schedules too, since again, the workout is split up so that you can do a short 20 minutes or the full hour if you want.

I love using this series of workouts between my heavier weight training workouts. The first workout does a great job of working muscles HARD if you are using the right amount of weight (I use 8s right now). Second workout continues the focused work on legs and butt muscles even though it's for balance. At my age of 44 I really appreciate the variety of moves in this one to continue the lower body work. The last workout feels GREAT - I did it after the strength workout but I think it would also be a really great quick morning stretch/energizer to help get those crackles and pops out before we start the day. Kathy did a great job making this appropriate for older population but also intense enough for youngers too

I eagerly awaited another fitness video from Kathy Smith after "Moving Through Menopause", which was issued 10 years ago and really aimed at women in this age group. This video suffers in comparison, probably because Kathy Smith is the only person you see performing the exercises. She obviously is in superb shape and probably does not represent a lot of this demographic. As another reviewer, noted she is very bouncy in the circuit training; she even uses 16 lb of weights at one point. I am concerned that someone in the "ageless" bracket who is trying to keep up with her could overextend without realizing it . Having multiple people in a video performing modifications of movements (again, such as the Menopause video) is more realistic.If you keep these limitations in mind, the video provides a workout.

The circuit workout is approximately three minutes of cardio (easy to follow moves, can modify everything to low impact), then some strength training and then it repeats several times. Personally, I wish there had been more strength and less cardio, but I feel like it was a decent workout in 23 minutes.The balance section was tough (for me, I need to work on that more), and Kathy's balance is quite impressive for someone in her 60's.My favorite was the stretch/energy segment. There's a lot of feel-good stretches, and Kathy encourages you to move to find the spots you need to work on most. Near the end, there's a standing portion to bring energy into your body. I loved how relaxed I felt and then reenergized at the end. I'll be using this segment the most for sure.

I bought this video after getting to sample one of the 20 minute segments through SparkPeople.com. The segment I tried was a yoga/pilates type routine to increase energy. It did get me moving and wasn't too strenuous or difficult. So, honestly, I thought the other segments might be a little too easy for me - I consider myself to be in reasonable shape at age 45. Still, I bought the video to help shake up my workout routine. I tried the first 20 minute segment tonight - the total body cardio and strength training workout. It was a great challenge! I had to use lighter or no weights for some exercises, and use some of the modifications of the more intense moves. But, I am now motivated to tackle this routine without compromising. I have not tried the 3rd and last segment, which is for improving balance. But, I'm looking forward to tackling this too.

Three different 20-min workouts provides ample variety whether done on different days or all at one. I like to do them all at once because they each have different moves and make a nice 60-min unit. For the first one you'll need shoes and 3-lb weights. There's some weight lifting and dance moves, heavy on the cardio. For the second one, toss the shoes and weights--you don't need them. More cardio and dance moves and some balance exercises. The last one is done with a mat and involves intense stretching--very relaxing after all that cardio! Note that when I say cardio, it's not extreme--this is intended for an older crowd, I think. So it's enough to work up a sweat but it won't leave you wiped out. Kathy does the workouts alone and adds some commentary, but not too chatty.