Nell McAndrew - Maximum Impact (DVD)

...but also because I know Nell is very fit from having seen her run the marathon. Plus I have bought other model exercise videos in the past and have enjoyed them very much - they have to work hard to look the way they do (thank goodness!). Cindy Crawford is particularly good.

Synopsis
Although Nell's name is all over the front cover, she doesn't actually lead the session, rather it is led by a fitness expert, who I believe has ...
...is much more vocally demanding. Nell follows his instructions and looks like she's in pain quite often, which makes me feel much better!

After a warm-up, there is a session of 40 minutes aerobics and then 20 minutes resistance training, with some weights, before the cool down. The aerobics session is made up of intervals - you are constantly moving, but the pace goes from fast (say running on the spot or boxing moves) to slow (squats ... more

Introduction
It is so hard to find a decent exercise video/DVD that you don't get bored of after a month. I have a collection of about 50, of which I regularly only use 5 or 6. So I hope this helps anyone thinking of buying make a decision. I decided to buy this DVD after asking around and reading several reviews, but also because I know Nell is very fit from having seen her run the marathon. Plus I have bought other model exercise videos in the past and have enjoyed them very much - they have to work hard to look the way they do (thank goodness!). Cindy Crawford is particularly good.

Synopsis
Although Nell's name is all over the front cover, she doesn't actually lead the session, rather it is led by a fitness expert, who I believe has a military background. He is quite bland, but does the business, which really is all I ask. Apparently in Nell's first video, Peak Energy, has the same guy, who is much more vocally demanding. Nell follows his instructions and looks like she's in pain quite often, which makes me feel much better!

After a warm-up, there is a session of 40 minutes aerobics and then 20 minutes resistance training, with some weights, before the cool down. The aerobics session is made up of intervals - you are constantly moving, but the pace goes from fast (say running on the spot or boxing moves) to slow (squats that you have to hold for several seconds - absolute torture). The change from fast to slow does help you get through the routine though; moving swiftly after slow squats actually feels quite good. There is not a great deal of movement involved - most of the exercises are done on the spot - ideal if you don't have a particularly good workout space. The resistance training does involve weights, but you can of course begin without until your strength is built up. The arm movements are excruciating. Makes me wince just thinking about it.

Conclusion
Overall, I think this is a great workout video. Advantages are as follows:

1. This is a good hard workout for the relatively fit. If you think you are really fit, maybe you should try Peak Energy first - I haven't personally tried it, but understand it is much harder than Maximum Impact.
2. The moves are uncomplicated and easy for someone without much rhythm (like me!) to follow. I have read some criticisms that the moves are boring - if you're more into fancy footwork, this is probably not for you, go get a salsa workout or something! I personally get frustrated if the footwork is too complicated and I can't follow it, so this workout was perfect for me.
3. Nell looks like she's suffering, particularly during the squats! This really helped keep me motivated. There's nothing worse than someone breezing through a workout that you can hardly keep up with.

Disadvantages:
1. Although the DVD is advertised as being suitable for all fitness levels, if you are a beginner or do not consider yourself to be reasonably fit, do not try this until you have mastered an easier video. Even the fit should take care and listen to their bodies - it is not a breeze.
2. The workout is too long to do on a daily basis. I find myself doing it at weekends only and wishing that Nell would come out with a shorter workout for the week. It would be possible, I suppose, to do just the aerobics or just the resistance section, but I find it hard to not complete the whole thing once I've started.
3. I personally don't think there are enough stomach moves in the resistance section, although possibly the boxing moves, which involve twisting make up for this.
4. The DVD was filmed in Miami - but all you see is a swimming pool, so it may as well have been down your local sports centre.
5. The music is quite boring - although to be fair, you probably won't notice the music to begin with!

If you're still unsure, try and get it from your local library first. I bought my copy from the Boots website for £13.99, but I've seen it on Amazon for £6.97 and eBay for £6.90. You may also be able to find it in High Street retailers for a good price if you shop around.  

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