Rosemary Conley is my Mum's guru. She goes to her diet and fitness classes and adores every word that comes out of her hallowed mouth. Rosemary has been going for years, bringing out such delights as her Hip and Thigh diet and Flat Stomach plan, as well as her very successful clubs.
To me she is a middle aged woman who wears flowery leggings and speaks in very soothing tones as though she is your best friend. My Mum had one of Rosemary's older exercise videos which I gave a go but found pretty old fashioned and never went back to.
However, on one of my many trips to Woolworths earlier this year, I actually shelled out ten quid of my hardearned (*cough*) money to buy her latest video, the Whole Body Programme. So, was it worth it?
This is promised to be Rosemary's last and best ever video. I would have to agree.
** Format **
20 minute aerobic workout for fat and calorie burning
15 minute toning exercises
15 minute chair workout
I
like the way the video is spilt up into these sections, so if you only have a bit of free time or are tired, you can just do one of the sections. If I am feeling energetic, I do all three, and then feel very smug and virtuous afterward.
Rosemary is joined by 4 women who do the workout behind her. These are ordinary women who have all lost weight through going to Rosemary's classes, and they all work out at different levels. This is good because if you are new to exercise you can follow the woman working at the basic level, an if you are very fit you can follow the advanced women. As the video goes on, Rosemary introduces all of the women and says a bit about how much weight they have lost. I like the fact that they are ordinary women rather than dancers or models because it is easy to relate to them and you don't feel like a bit fat slob watching the Cindy Crawford workout.
** The Music **
I wasn't expecting the music to be as good as it was. I suppose I was expecting Elton John, or Cliff Richard or something, but the tracks are all fairly recent pop/dance songs, such as Boyzone, Steps and the Tamperer. It is fun music that you can sing along to and works well with the moves.
** The Moves **
I am not the best co-ordinated person in the world and am very put off exercise videos requiring complicated steps. Luckily, this video does not have anything too difficult, even for me. At the start of the video, good old Rosemary goes through all of the steps so you can get a grasp of them before starting the workout.
The downside of the steps is that they can be a bit repetitive, eg marching and step and touch. But you can't have it both ways.
I find that some exercise videos leave me feeling stiff and tense afterwards. After finishing Rosemary's video though, I feel lovely and relaxed. This is because she includes lots of stretches to limber the body up and to cool down at the end. All of the body, from the neck muscles to the thighs, are stretched and worked out.
In the toning section of the video, you really need a mat or a towel to lie on the floor. You also need some small weights, however I use cans of beans, and Rosemary herself uses bottles of water. If you don't want to, you don't have to use any weights at all.
This is a very flexible workout for people of all fitness levels. If you don't want to do a particular move, it is easy to just march it out and pick up the workout once it has finished. There are no complicated routines to follow and remember.
There is a digital clock in the bottom left hand corner of the screen which counts down the time you have left.
Rosemary is an excellent instuctor, like I said, it's as though she is your friend, and she offers helpful tips throughout.
* Chair workout?*
The chair workout has been included for the first time in the whole body programme video. It is especially designed for either pregnany women, the elderly or the very unfit who are confined to a chair. I tested this out with my Grandma, who is in her 80's. Although you do the whole section seated, it is still good exercise and gets your heart pumping. We found it good fun and easy to follow.
* Hard Sell? *
I was pleased to note that there are no attempts in this video to try to sell you other products (in other exercise videos I have seen them try to sell fitness equipment), other than a mention of Rosemary Conley's fitness classes. I have to mention that I think the classes are really good, better than Weightwatchers as it combines fitness classes with healthy eating, surely the most effective method of weight loss.
At the end of the video there is a short section which shows pictures of the women in the video before and after they lost weight. This is quite motivating and interesting to watch.
* The Bottom Line *
I find this video fun and easy to do. Combined with healthy eating and other forms of exercise, I have lost a significant amount of weight recently. It may not be the most fashionable video, and is certainly one to do with the curtains firmly closed, and to hide away when someone trendy comes round, but it is certainly effective.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Oh come on PussyKatty, who are you trying to kid ? There is no way that you are overweight enough to have lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of weight. Anyway, if it makes you feel better then you go for it. I prefer to pig out on fatty foods and junk food cos I`m a man and I can. lol. Anyway, I seem to be one of those fortunate people who can eat whatever they want and never go 1 pound over 12 stones. A great op on what sounds like a very good fitness vid (I have to admit though, I prefer watching Cindy Crawford stretching). ;-) Take care. Roy
wiggglypufff 24.10.2002 02:01
Sounds pretty good. I have one of her videos, couldn't say which one though. It seemed like a good idea at the time I bought it, but I've lacked the motivation to try it ever since. One day... maybe! Karen :O)
KarenUK 12.10.2002 17:52
I can't stand Rosemary Conley, but I must admit the video sounds good. I like the sound of the clock for one thing. Great review :-)
When dieting guru Rosemary Conley declares that theUltimate Whole Body Workoutis her last ... more
fitness video, cynics might either be relieved that the population is finally to be spared her evangelical diet-speak, or conclude that she's "past it". However, ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
When dieting guru Rosemary Conley declares that theUltimate Whole Body Workoutis her last ... more
fitness video, cynics might either be relieved that the population is finally to be spared her evangelical diet-speak, or conclude that she's "past it". However, ...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Rosemary Conley's ULTIMATE Whole Body WorkoutThis video is truly the Ultimate Whole Body ... more
Workout, with something for everyone!Rosemary Conley is the United Kingdom's leading diet and fitness expert with 30 years experience in this field.Do you want to ...
To get into shape follow three programmes which consist of an aerobic workout designed to ... more
burn fat and make you fitter some body conditioning exercises to tone up those problem areas plus a chair workout for those with restricted mobility or who are u...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
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Oct 1st, 2002
(Oct 3rd, 2002)
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