Release date: 2002-12-23
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.01
Review Yogalates - Total Body Toner / Yogalates:Louise Solomon's logical blend of pilates and yoga in the original Yogalates was presented as a tool for weight loss aimed at professional women. The Australian expert's second offering Yogalates: Total Body Toner is a curiously-and most definitely welcome-softer approach. Although billed as a total body toner, the graceful Solomon ensures that this is no pounding quick-fix. Far from glossing over details crucial to both pilates and yoga (namely an understanding of one's anatomy and breathing), Solomon creates a fundamental respect for the body by attaching great importance to detail. It's an attitude which benefits newcomers, without alienating the more advanced. Similarly, seamless editing that cuts to less advanced positions is helpful for beginners without being intrusive to others. The first three segments work thoroughly through abdominals and waist, upper body, and lower body, in an obvious blend of the two disciplines. The crucial difference for Yoga devotees is that there is more repetitive movement within postures, whilst the Pilates stretches are within a Yoga framework. The fourth all-round programme is more of a straightforward Yoga session, and as a result is perhaps weaker. However, all in all, Solomon's method delivers results. [+]What's more the combination of a white studio and no soundtrack other than Solomon's own voice makes this a rare workable substitute to a real lesson. On the DVD: Yogalates: Total Body Toner has chapter selection that enables you to choose which part of the body you want to concentrate on, or which combination of programmes you prefer. An additional "Energy Booster" designed for combating stressful days and jetlag is likely to prove enormously useful and highly effective. -Lorna V.
Release date: 2002-12-23
RRP: £12.99
Price: £10.99
Review MTV Yoga / Revolver Entertainment:If there's a problem with MTV Yoga it's not so much that yoga purists will be horrified by its presentation as a pop-tastic work-out, but that the MTV formula is not as in-your-face as might be expected from the station that specialises in pounding music, hip presenters, fast talking and even faster editing. Instead popular New York yoga instructor Kristin McGee goes for a straightforward, no-nonsense approach, doing away with any superfluous chatting, keeping the emphasis on the series of dynamic flowing postures and the breathing. (Though beginners might be hard pushed to make sense of a session that goes straight into the sun salutation sequences. ) The detailed breakdown of poses at the end could have been made more useful, but by way of compensation the main session is enjoyable and energetic. More experienced and older yoga fans are not likely to object to this dynamic form of Yoga, but will doubtless prefer a longer, deeper approach (the Yoga programme comes in at under 40 minutes. ) With a soundtrack by musician/DJ BT, McGee's routine is likely to hit the spot for the clubbing set. The only unnecessary element is host Lori Trespicio who makes Geri Halliwell look and sound like a rocket scientist. -Lorna V.
![Review Tring International Plc / Kathy Smith - Fat Burning Workout [1991]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5135Z98K05L._SL160_.jpg)
Run time: 60 min.
RRP: £3.99
Price: £9.99
Review Kathy Smith - Fat Burning Workout [1991] / Tring International Plc:
![Review Beckmann Visual Publishing / Infinite T'ai Chi [1995]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Y86TD0BAL._SL160_.jpg)
Release date: 1995-09-11
Run time: 55 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £1.93
Review Infinite T'ai Chi [1995] / Beckmann Visual Publishing:
Run time: 40 min.
RRP: £7.99
Price: £19.90
Review Lizzie Webb - Beat Cellulite - The In Shape With Lizzy Series [1989] / 2 Entertain Video:
Release date: 2003-12-29
Run time: 78 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £2.82
Review Hollywood Workout / Universal Pictures UK:
![Review Vision Video Ltd. / Patsy Palmer - The Urban Workout [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419CQW12N7L._SL160_.jpg)
Release date: 2001-12-24
Run time: 60 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £1.96
Review Patsy Palmer - The Urban Workout [2001] / Vision Video Ltd.:Ex-Eastenders star Patsy Palmer introduces her Urban Workout as a programme aimed at women who have recently had a baby. It's for "shaking your thing and losing pounds in your own home". But once the shots of Patsy and baby are out of the way so is the post-pregnancy angle. Patsy and trainer Lynsey Higgs look like two girls from a band having a laugh rehearsing their dance moves. Urban and fun it is-for about 10 minutes. When the celebrity is a better teacher than the so-called expert, you really wonder who dreams up these concepts. With Patsy Palmer as executive producer, there're no prizes for guessing. Too many moves, too much talking, too much pointless fancy editing and too many repetitions of the catch phrase "grease lightning". Fast forward to see if it gets better, and you'll think you've pressed rewind by mistake. By the time it gets to body conditioning you're likely to have lost interest. [+]As for the final warm-down session with Patsy and Lynsey on mats surrounded by a tea lights, it's a nice image, but like the rest of this, it's pointless. And at less than 50 minutes for the entire programme, including Patsy's intro, this isn't even terribly good value. -Lorna V.
Release date: 2003-11-24
Run time: 50 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £1.98
Review The Girls From Liberty X - Toned / Liberty X:Another pop band, another set of female celebrities, another fitness title, and this is all beginning to sound bland and forgettable. But The Girls from Liberty X-Toned is a cool surprise. With a beach location, a night setting, and club beats by Liberty X producers Gold Dust this dance-led workout has a lot going for it. Choreographer Kardy Laguda kicks straight into a funky warm up, while the three Liberty X girls concentrate on the moves rather than distracting with the usual inane celebrity comment. Dressed simply in trainers, shorts and tank tops, with hair pulled back (as it turns out to avoid going frizzy from the sea water splashes), they are perfect showcases for a workout that is more of a coordination challenge than a fitness marathon. The warm up builds up the sexy moves in preparation for the main workout. The pace ups significantly for the core session and, as Laguna throws in more and more moves and details, the non-dance literate could get lost. The final cool down is a chilled-out wind down with some good leg stretches. Whilst this isn't pitched at the serious fitness fanatic, it's certainly not one for the calorie counters lacking in body confidence. Enjoyable if you've got attitude. [+]On the DVD: The Girls from Liberty X-Toned DVD features a behind-the-scenes extra that, in contrast to the cool, measured, funky night workout, reveals a down-to-earth working day. It's a chance to see the stunning Marbella location, the stage being built on the beach, and the girls taking the waves and the prospect of being soaked in their stride. You'll appreciate the workout more if you watch this first. -Lorna V.
Release date: 1999-11-22
Run time: 46 min.
RRP: £4.99
Price: £4.37
Review Wai Lana Yoga - Goodbye Inertia / Delta Visual Entertainment:
Release date: 2001-12-24
Run time: 72 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.01
Review Yogalates / Momentum Pictures:Australian Louise Solomon has combined the ancient system of yoga with the modern system Pilates, resulting in her own Yogalates. Her intention is to unite yoga's breathing, its internal workout, and its benefits for stress and anxiety together with the Pilates focus on strengthening deeper muscles. But her promise that this can help you lose weight in 28 days cheapens her premise. The implication that neither system is adequate is also misleading. Nevertheless Yogalates will appeal to older, professional women looking for a toning regime. Solomon is not at ease as a presenter: as a teacher her style features constant talking and instruction, which is good if you want your mind occupied, but stressful if you want to clear your mind and relax. Her strengths lie in encouraging knowledge of the body, notably the spine and the natural curves. Those familiar with yoga will gain most from this, otherwise following it can be confusing. The other key problem is that many of the stretches involve a particular resistance band. You can try and make do with a pair of lycra leggings, but eventually you'll give up. [+]This looks deceptively easy-it's not. If you can stick it through, the chances are you will tone up in 28 days. But don't expect it to be fun. -Lorna V.
Release date: 1998-05-04
Price: £10.99
Review The Method - Precision Sculpting / Digital Video Distribution:
Run time: 60 min.
RRP: £10.99
Price: £9.77
Review Lizzie Webb's Total Health And Fitness [1987] / 2 Entertain Video:
Release date: 2002-05-20
Run time: 70 min.
RRP: £13.99
Price: £4.99
Review Easy Yoga - An Introduction To Hatha Yoga / New World Music Ltd:
Actors & Directors
- Nicolas Sarkozy
- Michel Sapin
- Henri Emmanuelli
Run time: 60 min.
Price: £7.99
Review Fat Burning Walk With Leslie Sansone / Inspired:
Release date: 1999-12-27
Run time: 90 min.
Creator: Vimla Lalvani
RRP: £10.99
Price: £0.01
Review Vimla Lalvani's Vimyoga / Lace Group:
Release date: 2003-07-08
Run time: 55 min.
RRP: £9.99
Price: £9.99
Review Step Aerobic Fitness Workout / Step Aerobic Fitness Workout:
Run time: 35 min.
RRP: £7.99
Price: £12.55
Review Lizzie Webb - The Gentle Work- Out - The In Shape With Lizzie Series / 2 Entertain Video:
Release date: 2000-12-27
Run time: 90 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £9.99
Review Changing Shape With Carol Smillie / Universal Pictures UK:
Release date: 1997-05-19
Run time: 44 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £15.95
Review Egyptian Belly Dancing For Beginners / Quantum Leap:
Release date: 2004-12-27
Run time: 70 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £6.69
Review Phat Moves / Firefly Entertainment:
| Models & Brands:
Yogalates - Total Body Toner, MTV Yoga, Kathy Smith - Fat Burning Workout [1991], Infinite T'ai Chi [1995], Lizzie Webb - Beat Cellulite - The In Shape With Lizzy Series [1989], Hollywood Workout, Patsy Palmer - The Urban Workout [2001], The Girls From Liberty X - Toned, Wai Lana Yoga - Goodbye Inertia, Yogalates, The Method - Precision Sculpting, Lizzie Webb's Total Health And Fitness [1987], Easy Yoga - An Introduction To Hatha Yoga, Fat Burning Walk With Leslie Sansone, Vimla Lalvani's Vimyoga, Step Aerobic Fitness Workout, Lizzie Webb - The Gentle Work- Out - The In Shape With Lizzie Series, Changing Shape With Carol Smillie, Egyptian Belly Dancing For Beginners, Phat Moves |
