When I was 17 I made a new years resolution to get fit. I borrowed an exercise video from my Mam, called 'Slimline - the complete works' and did it every day for 3 months. In hindsight this may have been a bit excessive, but it worked and not only did I lose loads of weight, but I became more toned and generally fitter. This video was also responsible for a sort of obsession with me, as I now own a huge amount of exercise videos and DVD's as I think I'd be too embarrassed to go to a gym or exercise class.
A few months ago I was searching Ebay and came across a fitness DVD I didn't already own. It was called Shape Up For The Sun, was relatively cheap, and by instructor Libby Roberts, who had also been the instructor of the Slimline video I had done all that time ago. I have also done The Shape Challenge and The Shape Challenge 2, which were by Libby, and had enjoyed them and found them to be effective, so I happily parted with around £3.50 - including postage - for this and waited for it to arrive.
As soon as the DVD turned up, I noticed from the still on the back, that this was, in fact the same exercise routine as the Slimline video - just going under a different name. This was confirmed when I put the DVD on. I wasn't too bothered as I no longer have the Slimline video, and had always enjoyed it and know it to be effective. I thought I would highlight this point though, just as a warning to anyone before they purchase it. Anyway enough waffle and on to the DVD….
There are four sections to this - Warm-Up, Upper Body Workout, Body Conditioning and Stretch and Relax. I'll take you through a short description of each one below.
WARM-UP
The warm-up lasts around 10 minutes. Libby first shows you the correct posture to use while doing the exercises - important to prevent injury. The exercises are fairly basic aerobic exercises, and I think will be easy to follow no matter what your fitness level. In this section you will do exercises such as squats, lunges, marching on the spot and some stretches.
UPPER BODY WORKOUT
This section can be done either with or without weights. I personally wouldn't use weights until I had been doing the routine for a few weeks, as using them straight away could lead to injury. Without weights this section is fairly easy, although Libby recommends tensing the arms to make it a bit more difficult. With the weights it is slightly more difficult and you will feel like you're working out. The sort of exercises included in this sections are mainly focusing on the arms and chest - such as lateral raises, bicep curls and front lunges. It also includes stretches. The section is around 8 minutes long
BODY CONDITIONING
This is my least favourite section of the workout. Most of this is done on the floor, so you will need an exercise mat. These cost around £7, but I have found mine invaluable and well worth the money. This section starts with sit-ups, and then goes on to some exercises for the lower abdominals. I always find any abdominal exercise difficult - probably because my abs are hidden under a huge layer of flab- and these exercises are no exception. You then need to lie on your side while doing various exercises for your outer and inner thighs - such as leg raises and 'knee-toe taps'. The next set of exercises is rather unflattering and involves kneeling on all fours and involves sticking each leg out alternatively and raising and lowering. You then turn onto your other side and do the same exercises as above. Some of the exercises in this section are quite difficult, but you'll find the more you do the easier it will get.
STRETCH AND RELAX
If you have managed to get this far (!) you will definitely need this section. In fact, even if you haven't got this far, you should skip forward to this section, as it's really important to stretch out your muscles after a workout to stop it hurting the next day and prevent injury. This section comprises of various stretches and breathing exercises.
THE INSTRUCTOR
I would say that Libby is quite a good instructor, especially when compare to some of the so-called celebrities that seem to host exercise videos these days. She consistently advises you to check your posture, and explains what position your body should be in for certain exercises. She also stresses the importance of not over-doing it, and the benefits of stretching.
BACKGROUND AND THE CLASS
Behind Libby are four women who do the exercises with her. They are all fairly slim, and Libby uses one of them to demonstrate some of the exercises. The background is a plain white floor and walls - no golden beach or elaborate studio, but in a way I think that's better, because it means you don't get distracted from the workout.
The music is quite low and subtle in the background, its just some generic sort of music, not too irritating, and I never really notice it.
COSTUMES
This workout was filmed in 1992, and all the girls are wearing the quite dated leotards, with loud patterns.
NEGATIVES
There are no extras with this DVD, and also, although it is split into 4 sections, you have to play this all the way through - you cannot skip through the sections, which I found to be fairly inconvenient.
WHAT I THOUGHT
In total the routine lasts about an hour and is easy to follow, and not too difficult. I know from the first time I did it, that if you stick with it, you will lose weight and tone up. Also, it gives a whole body workout, unlike some other DVD's which only really concentrate on one section of the body. I think it's quite enjoyable, and do this one quite regularly, I would definitely recommend it if you want a full body workout that gives great results.
More details
Soundtrack
Unmemorable
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