Karen Voight: Great Weighted Workout

Once again, thinking that I was in great shape, I added yet another workout to my library to "mix things up." Part of my workout routine includes alternating upper and lower body workouts within my usual routines, and since I have discovered "Karen Voight," I thought I would try her "Great Weighted Workout." The DVD allows one to "mix and match" routines, which work out to be approximately 35-40 minutes per upper or lower body, or do the entire workout, which is about 80 minutes. I had only been doing the "mix and match," which are pretty challenging in themselves, but finally decided to do the entire routine. WHEW! Because of the intensity of doing the "upper" and "lower" workouts, I knew the workout would be tough, and it is. I would not recommend this workout for beginners because of the intensity and fast pace, but if one is a beginner, one may want to "mix and match" and either begin with very light weights (dumbbells, ankle weights and a small body ball are used), or no weights at all until one is comfortable moving up a notch. I use reasonably heavy weights (dumbbells and ankle) for my workouts, but because Karen's pace is very fast, I found myself not being able to keep up with the exercises using the heavy weights and stuck with 5 pound dumbbells for the upper body--I used my heavier weights and ankle weights for the lower body and abdomen sections, but during the standing lower body routine, Karen does combine both leg and arm movements with the dumbbells, so for the squats I could use the heavy weights--when she would work the arms (bicep and other moves) and legs together, it was difficult to keep the pace using heavier weights. I would definitely suggest that one keep several sets of weights (3-5-8+) in case one cannot keep up with the fast paced moves, or if the weights become too heavy one can lower the weight. Additionally, the DVD recommends "light dumbbells, ankle weights, a body ball and a mat..." Although the release date is 1991, the routine is not dated. It is well structured with a good warm-up, standing lower body workout (squats and squats with arm movements using weights and quite a bit of "swinging" of the weights, which is why I would not recommend too heavy weights), a really fast-paced, thorough upper body weight workout (I was huffing and puffing by then!), and a lower body floor routine using ankle weights, a weighted body ball (I have never used these, but they look like a good alternative to using a weight on one's leg for extra resistance), and/or a weight for added resistance. Again, the routine is fast-paced and she really works the muscles--outer/inner thighs, quads, hamstrings, buttocks...Believe me, I felt it all! She then moves to the abdomen using the ankle weights, body ball or dumbbell option, and finally finishes the routine with a good stretch. Believe me, one will be saying "THANK YOU!" when that stretch comes, but one will and should feel completely "worked out!" During the routine, especially the standing lower and upper body, I could really feel my heartrate climb, so again, be prepared to feel some aerobic benefits with this weighted workout. When I first did the routine alternating upper and lower, I was really sore the next day, but it was a "good workout" sore. Doing the entire routine is something I will incorporate probably once-a-week in order to perform a totally tough, invigorating, top-of-the-line workout. One certainly gets one's money's worth, so to speak, but more important, one will receive an excellent workout--whether "mixing and matching" routines, or doing the entire workout. Although I truly recommend this workout for those who want to improve their fitness through a good weight routine, I must stress again that if one is beginning, go easy or one may end up with injuries--so work into it. If one's a regular exerciser who wants to add a bit of toughness to one's routine, this DVD really works. Be prepared though...Once again I thought I was in great shape and STILL found myself very sore the next day! Check out Karen's body during the workout--she has great muscles and muscle tone, which is a great incentive! Good job Karen!

I am a high intermediate-advanced exerciser. This workout kicks my butt every time! If you want a really good toning workout then this is the workout for you! This workout is a bit "dated" since it was made in the early 90's (I think). However, this workout stands still on its own and surpasses many newer workouts. It is all weights, but your heart rate will stay up there during the standing "4-limb-type" upper body part. I wouldn't call this a "body building" type workout since you do use light weights so for heavy dumbells you would probably want to use a different video..BUT this will give you a great shape and tone your body like never before!! The workout: 6 1/2 min of warm up Lower Body (standing) Toning 6 1/2 min Standing Upper Body Tonight (you do light 4-limb since you are moving your legs but there is NO jumping or aerobics) 20 min Lower Body (Floor Toning)- 30 min (ankle weights and a small medicine ball used but I didn't use my medicine ball and even if you do not use ankle weights it is still a killer lower body floor workout). Abs- 15 min (get ready to do ALOT of floor ab work)! The abs are easy to do, but you will feel them!! I did the full workout (it has different chapters where you can choose to mix and match your own segments but I did the whole entire thing). All the moves are basic but VERY effective (and you will feel the burn the next day-especially your arms and quads!!). The Upper Body part is KILLER-I use 3lbs with this and oh boy you don't think 3lbs is anything, but just you wait! LOL The upper body moves are constant and even someone using 2lbs will probably still feel challenged. For very advanced exercisers, you can use heavier weights to make it more challenging although I do not advise to use anything heavier than 8lbs for the Upper Body since she does move a little fast in one part with them (just in one part where she does this bicep tricep back and forth move torwards the end of the upper body toning part). But most of them are slow and controlled and very fun to do. Think "Classic FIRM Vol 2 'Low Impact Aerobics'" when it comes to a similar video workout (with Janet Jones)-although THIS workout was more challenging for the upper body since I can easily use 5lb for the entire upper body segment from FIRM vol 2. (Anyone who has done the FIRM Classic Vol 2 will know what I am talking about). But these two workouts will surely get your arms into tip top shape!! The Floor toning is very nice and time goes by pretty fast as there is no dread factor to me with this workout. The music is dated but you get so into the workout that you may not even notice it. ;) The Abs are easy basic moves but nicely slow and controlled you WILL feel the burn!! As always Karen gives excellent form pointers and her cuing is wonderful in this one!! A classic you never want to be without!! Grade A+!!

This is the 2nd Karen Voight workout video I have and like the first one, I love this workout. Although I can't do it all at one time, I like the long segments on using weights, working the legs and lastly a short abs workout. I think the video is a great overall workout. The workout is probably beginner to intermediate and using heavier weights would increase the intensity. My only complaint is that I wish Karen would have used the legs more while using hand weights.

This workout will work muscles and muscle-groups you didn't even know you had. This is one of the most challenging workouts I have completed by Karen Voight, and her workouts have always been very doable for me. This workout works every inch of your body, such as arms, legs, and core while implementing unique moves that exercise those parts of your body in ways other workout regimens do not. Again, you will work muscles you didn't even know you had. In addition, the number of reps for each exercise--all executed in rapid succession and each exercise taking place right after the other--will work your muscles to the point of failure. I could not complete all of the reps my first time doing this workout. My only issue with the workout is the constant whooping and cheering from Karen's students, which is very distracting and makes it difficult to hear Karen's cueing. However, once the leg workout section kicks in, which is probably the hardest part of the workout, the students don't whoop and cheer as much. Overall, this is a stellar workout!

I just read a review that said this workout is not for anyone over 40. Really? I'm almost 70 and workout an hour daily. I was quite capable of doing these exercises, and even in some cases making them more challenging by adding additional weights. I absolutely love this Karen Voight dvd. She is a fantastic teacher, all of her instructions are crystal clear and she has a warm and motivating personality. Some of the exercises utilize a small, weighted ball, but in most cases you can find ways to improvise. The total workout is over an hour and 20 minutes, which is a big bang for your buck. The dvd is formatted so that it's easy to do it section by section. I get bored working out with one instructor for more than half an hour, so I switch to a different dvd(s) to do a second or third part of my workout routine. Anyway, please don't be put off because the outfits worn in this dvd are out of date. Who cares? It's an excellent and classic workout. I'm super happy that I purchased it, and will be looking for more dvds by Karen Voight.

The Workout is just okay. I like Karen Voight's Energy Sprint and Cardio Strength workouts much better. This dvd will not be in my main rotation.

This is a wonderful weight training DVD. - There is a 6.5 minute warm up - 6.5 minutes lower body workout (standing up) with dumbbells - 20 minutes upper body workout with dumbbells - 30 minutes lower body on the floor with ankle weights - 15 minutes of abs (great section) - 6 minutes of stretching I like this DVD because: - It's also aerobic. Except for the lower body on the floor routine and the abs routine, she has you moving around while you're lifting weights. Upper body and lower body moves are often combined. - You get a rather long workout if you choose. Personally I can't do the whole thing in one sitting. It's really intense. - It really challenges your muscles and gets them to that place where you don't think you can do another rep, but you do. So the muscle has that good fatigue afterwards. What I don't like about it: - They are little goofy. They hoot and she teases them about more reps. It's a little co-ed movie-ish. - She doesn't really tell you what the count is and then she'll change it on you. I'm not sure; but maybe she does this so you don't allow yourself to relax at the end of a set because you know it's about to end. Maybe she wants to keep you on your toes?? Not sure.

I just got this video last week and tried it on Saturday. All in all it's not a bad video. The only thing that I did not like about it was this one part where it seemed as though she was going rather fast. I especially liked the leg segment, and I am sure that once I get the ankle weights I will feel it even more the next day, and my butt and legs hurt pretty good without the weights!! The ab segment was great also. I do my abs every day and I had to stop a couple of times during that segment. While I've heard some complaints about the length of the video, I did not find it to be too long. If you are looking for a good weights-only video I think this is the one for you.

Ce DVd de Karen je ne l'avais pas encore, j'ai une vingtaine de DVD d'elle car c'est la meilleur entraineure que je connaisse depuis des années que je fais du fitness. Pour préciser pour ce DVD il permet de perdre du gras un peu partout sur le corps, le programme n'est pas difficile à suivre et est accessible à tous du débutant comme aux expertes, après suivant son entrainement on peut lacher un peu de temps en temps et reprendre, la finalité étant de faire tout le programme sans s'arrêter, quand on en est là c'est musculature fine et svelte assuré, car on a perdu le gras qui était dessus, et les muscles se dessinent tout fins sous la peau. C'est en anglais mais pas besoin de parler pour comprendre on suit le mouvement et on s'amuse. pour les débutants commencer par faire uniquement l'échaffement (qui dure 6 mn) et reprenez le deux fois trois fois jusqu'à de suivre le mouvement avec Karen et ses amis. il y a une partie abdos de 15 mn (avec petite balle mais même sans c'est efficace aussi) un bijou de sculting du corsp, sauf le lendemain quand on reprend on a mal au ventre mais on est content !

This is really a great workout. I would like to give 5 stars but in my opinion the cardio section is a little bit too short. But nevertheless it's my favorit workout for light days. I wouldn't recommend it for beginners but if you are motivated you will love it after a few repeticiones. Perfect for lower intermediate to lower advanced level. For me Karen is a great instructor and the DVD is fun, do-able and effectiv.

As a personal trainer, I am used to high impact workouts. I bought this dvd expecting a weights workout, but found the speed at which the weights were taught far too fast, resulting in what felt like a cardio workout. It is a shame because I really like Karen Voight, and have numerous dvds of hers which are all great. Not so with this one though!