Pole Katz Step By Step Pole Dancing Tricks

An intermediate level instructional DVD. You will learn the following: Pole tips, safety, basic spins, intermediate and advanced spins, basic inverts, and advanced inverts. So, if you are a beginner, this DVD will offer some basic instruction, but will also offer you some more advanced moves to experiment with when you are feeling more confident on the pole. If you are an intermediate level pole dancer, this DVD is for you.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Torn
I like the tricks that these girls show, however, I’m a beginner and these tricks are pretty advanced. It’ll be quite some time before I can even TRY any of the cool looking tricks that are taught on this video.

2 Stars I learned more from YOUTUBE!
I read the previous reviews and thought this dvd would “take me to the next level” and all it did was lighten my wallet. I already knew every single move on this dvd and I don’t by any means consider myself to be intermediate. I actually learned more moves and tricks from youtube. The dvd and case seemed really cheap too, almost as if they filmed inside their house and copied and packaged the dvd in their garage. This is the last time I purchase Pole Katz anything.

4 Stars Pole Katz review
I recently bought a pole about a month ago, and this DVD arrived a week after I got my pole. I had already learned a few basic spins on my own, and this DVD really helped me develop the moves I could do into more complex ones. My one complaint is that on many of the moves they only show the right-handed version, and also the routines at the end are somewhat slow and dull…mostly dancing around the pole and not on it. But overall this DVD was very helpful, it shows moves for beginners as well as difficult moves that I still have yet to accomplish.

1 Star Pole Kats
The dvd seemed cheap, looks like it was printed out on a computer and the audio quality is horrendous going from excessively loud to too quiet every few seconds. Some of the tricks are pretty good but you can save yourself the trouble by searching youtube for pole tricks and seeing the same ones.

5 Stars Customer Review
I would definitely recommend this video to anyone who would like to learn how to pole dance, even for exercise this is a great video to tone up with. This is exactly for beginners. I absolutely love it. Thanks.

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Womens Health Perfect Body Workout

Movie DVD

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great strength and ab exercises!
If you get bored doing just bicep curls, tricep dips, and billions of crunches then this DVD is for you. The cardio is great– long enough to boost your heart rate so you can maximize the following 2 portions (strength and abs). The strength training is tough– and you’re not isolating muscle groups to work on them. Amy has you do things like stand on your toes or stay in a squat or hop so you work multiple groups of muscles at the same time. After the workout you feel like you really worked your butt off. I like that she converses with you and the women around her to make you feel empowered and not some schmuck who let herself go! Outtakes are funny, too. I feel like I have a gym partner in her.

4 Stars Holy squats, batman!
This was my first purchase ever of a Women’s Health workout DVD, and I wasn’t disappointed. Amy Dixon is a good instructor, and she’s not annoyingly perky but motivating instead (although she does move a bit fast). She truly tested the extent of my coordination with her combination moves (my husband got a good chuckle watching me try to combine all the sports moves in the cardio workout). However, she does give a solid workout overall. The DVD contains a cardio segment, a strength segment, and a core segment, with a bonus yoga stretch that is nice. The cardio segment didn’t get my heart rate up as much as I would have liked, but that was probably because I was too busy looking like a spaz trying to combine some of the moves. The strength and core segments are very good; however, on the strength segment, they suggest using 5 pound weights. I tried, I really did–but I had to switch to 3 pounds for movements that made you do straight arms. Given the fast pace, there wasn’t much time to make that switch! But she does cue quite nicely, and does let you know when something new is coming up (even if you’re not sure what it is when she just tells you the name of it) so you’re prepared.

The fast pace was not all bad–I loved how she made you repeat a move just enough to give you a burn, and then combined that with another move. The overall workout did go by very fast because of that, and it kept me motivated throughout. I definitely felt the afterburn with this one.

The one huge thing I did notice was ALL THE SQUATS! Having an issue with my right knee, I had to go easy on those after a while. But Amy does instruct you on proper form, and several times reminds you to keep your weight in your heels during squats. Those were nice reminders for me during the workout. And they nicely point out the person behind her who is doing the modified moves, which I took advantage of at times.

Like I said, you will definitely feel the afterburn on this one, and it is a workout I will definitely keep in my rotation. I wasn’t wowed by it, but felt that overall it is a solid workout worth investing in. I also loved the fact that it has the different sections, so you can choose to do the whole video, or just do some cardio, strength, or core work separately if you are short on time. A good buy that I would recommend to others.

Edited to add: I woke up the day after doing this, and my entire body is SORE (the good kind). If you want to shake up your normal routine and try some very different moves, this DVD will do it for you.

4 Stars Great total body workout, but less varied choreography than other Dixon DVDs
I bought this workout when I became bored after years of using Dixon’s “Fat Burn” workout. This is a bit more strenuous with more complicated movements, though not too complicated. However, I just didn’t find the choreography as interesting as this one.

I love the fact that this has three main sections: cardio+cool down followed by strength+cool down and then core. There is also a bonus yoga segment.

Since the entire program is more than an hour long, I can choose to do just two or three of the segments at a time and really get a good workout.

4 Stars Excellent Video
This is another great video from Amy Dixon. Amy is one of the best instructors out there. Her videos are fun to do and typically pretty easy to follow. Amy is motivational and NOT irritating – a very important quality in a fitness instructor!

This video is split into segements: a cardio segment and a weight segment, with optional bonuses of core work and a yoga inspired stretch.

1. The weight segment: Excellent! You’ll use a set of five pound weights, though I sometimes upgrade to 8 pounds for a specific move that I feel like I need more weight for, and you could probably switch to 3 pounds for more difficult moves. All of the moves incorporate more than once muscle group, so you’ll keep your heart rate up after the cardio section. A lot of the moves incorporate balance as well. I love this weight segment. There were a lot of moves that I had never seen before. She keeps it varied and interesting, and tough. You’ll definitely feel like you’re working, but it’s fun. This is one of my favorite weight routines I’ve ever done.

2. The core segment: This is definitely a challenge, though sometimes I find it a little bit easier and other days it totally kicks my butt. Don’t know why. Like the weight section, there are both classic moves and a bunch I’ve never done before. And she doesn’t forget to include some back strengtheners, which I love. Great core segment that you’ll keep going back to.

3. The yoga stretch: I love this stretch segment. It’s awesome! You’ll need a towel to do it, so have one ready.

4. The cardio segment: This is actually the first segment, but I saved it for last because it’s the only section I don’t like, and the reason I gave the video four stars instead of five. The exercises in the cardio section are based on different athletic activites, such as skating, swimming, etc. Some of these moves are fine, but I found most of them confusing and difficult to follow. Also, they require you to have a lot of space. I have a pretty decent sized basement that I work out in, and have a large library of workout dvds that I like to use. This is the only video where I’ve had to turn and try to do it diagonally, and even then I don’t really have as much as room as I’d like to do these moves. For the most part this section leaves me feeling awkward, and even after doing it 2 or 3 times, I have to stop to watch a lot which means I don’t get as much out of it as I’d like. Most of the time I just skip this section and combine the rest of the video with something else. It will get your heart rate up, though, and it’s probably the kind of thing that a lot of people will really enjoy but just wasn’t for me.

Bottom line: One of my favorite work out videos, but for me a subpar cardio segment.

5 Stars Great DVD
Women’s Health: Total Workout in Ten!Women’s Health: Ultimate Fat Burn!

I ordered this DVD after working out with the other two (Total Workout in Ten and Ultimate Fat Burn) and I have increased my flexibility and overall strength/endurance. This DVD has it all cardio, strength training, core work, upper and lower body and STRETCHING! I love this and I often work out to this segment prior to going to bed – it really relaxes me. I highly recommend purchasing this DVD after you’ve worked out to the other two and are comfortable with taking your workout further – it is not for beginners.

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10 Minute Solution Dance It Off and Tone It Up

Movie DVD

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Dance it off tone it up
This is a really hard exercise program to follow. It is a good workout if you already know how to dance.

2 Stars WHERE’S THE DANCE MUSIC?
I am so disappointed! But, shame on me. I thought a DVD with “dance” in the title would have some level of current dance music in it. And, no where on the label did it say it was set to dance music. Well, it doesn’t. The music is like a fast paced elevator music. No motivation!!! I am cool with the moves, no complaint there, but when she says “put some attitude in it” it was impossible for me to feel funky listening to a boring, non-descriptive beat. If you do not expect dance music, then I am sure you will LOVE this DVD.

3 Stars It’s ok, but not the best 10 minute Solution DVD
I am a fan of the 10 minute Solution workout DVD’s and after using Fat Blasting Dance mix, with this same instructor I decided to give this one a try. I have had this DVD for about 6 months now and learned the dance steps fairly quickly, but I just don’t really enjoy them. This is one I just don’t pick up all that often.

* The First Routine- Sexy Slim Down is pretty fun, but I’ve seen better.

* The Second Routine- High Energy Fat Burner I just don’t enjoy. It seems really goofy to me.

* The Dancer’s Abs- is my favorite routine. You really have to have a good sense of your abs and know how to work them in a standing position. If done correctly this Routine can be effective. However if you really want a good ab workout try “10 minute Solution Quick Tummy Toners” or “Denise Austin Best Belly Fat Blasters”- these two DVD’s are by far my favorites for when I need a good ab workout and I’m short on time.

* Upper Body Tone Up- You will get a fairly good upper body workout, but I don’t think it’s long enough, or has enough resistance for it to really be effective.

* Buns & Thighs Sculpt- My lower body is my trouble zone and I need more of a workout than this offers. Too short and not enough resistance.

On a positive note The instructor, Jennifer Galardi, is very pleaseant, energetic, and a very good dancer. She does go through the moves very quickly, but after a few times watching it you can pick up the steps.

In conclusion, I don’t think this is the best for Quick Dance and Toning Routines.

3 Stars above average
i have discovered the most consistent problem with at-home exercise dvds: the music is always terrible!! it’s tough enough to get motivated to work out in your livingroom, but the dull, elevator music is as uninspiring as can be. i know that these trainers don’t want to pay for licensing of big hits, but there is a TON of stock music out there there is WAY better than this stupid drum-machine fare. that having been said, i think this trainer is likable and fairly good. she actually makes a few mistakes in her steps, which is fine. the routines take a littel while to get down, but you can work up a sweat if you want with this dvd.

4 Stars Wanna Dance?
If you wanna dance then this is a DVD for you. The instructor is basically good, choreography is good,,,,with the exception of the second routine, way too fast and almost “goofy” but that is just my personal taste…as she herself, performs it very well. She could have cued several times just a tad sooner but once you do the workout a few times you know what is coming. She has some other dance DVD’s that I find to be better than this one but I like her and she is a good instructor overall.

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Joyce Vedral Just Bra Roll Boobs and Just Butt Workout

Movie DVD

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Perfect toning
This workout is perfect for toning, leaves you a little sore but in such a good way.

5 Stars I loved it!
I rented this video first, but unlike the other reviewer, I loved it. I have never done any weight-training before, because I thought it was too hard and too boring. In the first two weeks after doing the video three times a week, I lost three pounds. I found the video to be very inspiring, easy to follow and made me look forward to the workouts. She recommends that you watch any exercise video before you start working out, which is a really good idea, and you should do anyway. I recommend this video to beginners through advanced. My husband, who has weight-trained since high school, says this is an excellent video with challenging workouts for both men and women.

2 Stars Lack of instructions
I rented this DVD before making the decision to buy. I won’t be buying it. I’ve used her books in the past, with success, but only b/c of those books was I able to follow along with the DVD. She doesn’t provide any exercise explaination, or form guidance. Not a good work out for beginners, I’m an intermediate level and I still didn’t think it was great. For the bra fat it’s mostly back exercises, and you need at least 3 sets of weights, for her super sets, which is not explained ahead of time. The butt workout doesn’t require any weights. I’m only giving it two stars, I think there are better workouts out there.

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Pilates in Pregnancy

Studio: Music Video Dist Release Date: 07/13/2004

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star rent before buying!
After reading the reviews posted here I decided to rent it before buying. What a good decision! The pace is just painfully slow. The stretches are all very nice and very gentle, but to be honest I could not even finish it. It stops between all moves to introduce the next move, and while you can certainly fast-forward through those intros, it’s very annoying to have to do that. If you have 1.5 hours to kill and aren’t looking for a good-paced workout, then I guess this DVD would be good for you. I’ll never use it again, though.

5 Stars Cure for my tailbone pain!
I’m in my 15th week of pregnancy and suffered with intermittent but increasing pain in my tailbone for 2 weeks. I walk my dogs about 30-40 minutes per day and was moderately fit/toned all along so this pain was unusual. Putting socks and shoes on or picking up something from the floor was becoming severe agony. I was going to call my doctor to get chiropractic permission but I tried this DVD 1 time and it was like a switch that releived the pain. I felt 95% better immediatly after completing the warmup and early pregnancy portions of the video. I agree with some reveiwers that it seems a bit slow but go with the pace and you’ll feel the magic. It’s not for someone looking to transform their figure or get a good cardio workout- there are other great videos available for cardio lovers.

2 Stars I wouldn’t call it a workout…
I am glad I rented Pilates in Pregnancy instead of buying it. I hesitate to call it a workout. It was more instructional than something I would actually use as a workout. Maybe if it came with cards (it might if you buy it) telling you what comes next… so you could do it without the dvd when you know the exercises… maybe that would be better.

It is put out by a British woman, so it was at least fun to listen to her talk. There was an “Introduction” section that I watched some of (it was really slow and boring – should have given me a hint as to the tone of the workout!) about neutral spine, breathing, and the pelvic floor.

Next came a warmup – about 7 minutes, only 4 moves. Here is the main defect I see in this workout. Each move has at least a minute of explanation beforehand. You should, I think, be able to select the workout without the explanations. It was ok the first time, but MY GOD, it would be so boring if I was doing it more than once.

There is a workout for Early Pregnancy, Later Pregnancy, and Post-Pregnancy. Here is another problem – if you go to the next chapter (so you can skip the Early Pregnancy section, for example), you have to skip through each exercise separately. I could have gone back to the main menu and skipped to the Later Pregancy workout, but it didn’t seem worth it. SO – had to skip through the 12 exercises outlined in the Early Pregnancy workout before getting to mine. (I am 24 weeks pregnant)

The moves were pretty good, again, but nothing new, and nothing challenging at all. And they spend about 2-3 minutes on each move. First, explain, explain, explain… then set-up. Are you sure you are set up properly? Ok… let’s do the “exercise,” (and I generally use this term loosely with this dvd).

There is only one person doing the moves (there were two doing the warm-up – wonder what happened to the other lady? Maybe she got bored and left…) I think it is the same woman who is doing the voice-over. She is pregnant, maybe 5 or 6 months?

I can’t say much about the moves. Again, nothing new, nothing challenging, I guess it felt good, but I wish I had done something else this morning. SO – back it goes to Netflix. A pilates workout I like better for pregnancy is Jennifer Gianni’s Fusion Pilates for Pregnancy.

1 Star Put me to sleep!
This was supposed to be one of the better pilates tapes, but it put me right to sleep. I hated her voice.

I ended up taking a class instead!

2 Stars Slow and boring
The long explanations are overkill, even for the first time you do the workout. It almost put me to sleep. The workout itself is very low-intensity.

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