Kathy Smith: Ageless Staying Strong

I've been using Kathy Smith's workout videos since my 20s and I'm now 54. I've been noticing as I've aged I'm not as strong in my legs as I used to be, my balance isn't great, and my butt, which used to be amazing all my life, is starting to head south. I changed my workout routine to this video, and even though it's a little dated, boy, does it work. It's actually amazing. I can see a difference in the way my butt and legs look after just 2 weeks and I'm stronger, which is so important when you age. I do not feel self conscious about my sagging butt anymore. I feel more confident in my body now and look forward to these workouts. Kathy never disappoints. Her techniques and exercises are timeless.

What impressed me the most upon first viewing of this video was the seamless blend of a variety of exercise influences. I recognized exercises "stolen" from the Lotte Berk Method as well as traditional gym style weight training, plus active recovery exercises without weight that were reminiscent of Jane Fonda's earliest work or elements of Tracy Anderson, who was influenced by Jane F.The cueing is excellent, as would be expected from an old pro like Kathy, and she kept things moving. She gets a LOT done in only 15 minute so it's an efficient workout that moves briskly without feeling rushed. I loved the fact that she had such a variety of exercises to offer so it's highly unlikely a person would get bored with the offerings, and I loved that she did not kill you with an ultra-high repetition count the way some instructors do. I think a greater variety of exercises and fewer reps is healthier and leaves one less prone to injury.As for her personal demeanor, Kathy was encouraging without being fake, and I only heard 2 "whoops" out of her which is her most irritating mannerism, one that is generally used when she is showing off for visiting experts and class members. In this video, she is by herself in a living room setting and I liked her much better in the way that she came across.You can do anything for 15 minutes, this should fit anybody's schedule and limited energy. Give it a try!

There are many great exercises which I like and haven't seen in Ms. Smith's DVDs before. But the pacing from one exercise set to the next is off and she fails to instruct one as you begin a particular exercise that you'll be completing a 2nd set of the same exercise. She just jumps right in to that next set without any instructions and she's already started on that 2nd set. There is no real flow when this happens and one has to stop the DVD and back up to that 2nd starting point. Can get pretty frustrating. Not a fan of this DVD; since I have a heads up to the poor instructional qualities guess will keep only so I can rotate new exercises in my workout.

This's video is perfect for my age and lifestyle(50yo). It's short and doable, and is just the combination of different types of exercise I need. Really liked her other ageless video as well.I'm looking for something short these days I can do after work and this is perfect.I'm not in very good shape at the moment so I was looking for something short and doable to get me back into exercise. On the other hand if you are in good shape there would be nothing stopping you from getting a good workout by varying the intensity.Ive used Kathy Smith videos for many years and have always loved them. Her instructions are great. I always know what I'm supposed to be doing and there are never any crazy fast switches you can't keep up to. I was very happy to see she is still making videos.

One thing I loved about this, she gives alternatives. Truly, some have knee issues or upper shoulders, etc. I recently got some Yoga DVDs I resold cause they were killer on knees with everything going to child's pose. Which my knees haven't bent into in eons it seems. Kathy on the other hand, is encouraging without being irritating about try this, take a break and come back comments. Overall, a very good addition to the DVD exercise genre.

...or perhaps it's this routine that keeps her looking so vibrant.Don't be fooled by the "ageless" title into thinking this workout is only for, or even targeted to, the AARP crowd. The four workouts are vigorous, but can be easily modified (simply do less reps or use lower/no weights), and Smith frequently reminds and encourages viewers how to both tone it up or down, as needed. Smith provides good cuing, if not always accurate counting (a mistake common to many exercise videos, e.g. doing 14 reps on one arm and then 12 on the other), and the workouts are fast-paced and varied enough to combat a common critique of exercise routines: boredom. The four 15 minute segments - upper body, legs, glutes, and abdomen/back/core - provide a thorough all-over body workout, and the routines can be done separately, or together in whatever combination you choose. This DVD gets frequent rotation in my strength/toning practice.

This is definitely a workout for the intermediate to advanced exerciser. I am pretty fit and work out 3 - 5 times a week 50 minutes at a time. I also have lower back issues, specifically L2-3 and L4 -5 disk problems which I have healed through chiropractic and exercise. I injured badly the last time 4 years ago and it was a long journey to get to the point where I can actually do the "real" stuff again. There are moves in this DVD that I do modify because of my injury, but overall I rate it high because it is challenging, thorough and safe. But this is not a beginner video at all. I can do this video because I did train as a fitness professional. Kathy does include modifications and they are good. I modified in other places specifically the hamstring exercises with the chair. It was a bit much for me, but I will probably work up to it. I have done this workout twice now (previewed before I attempted) and I can really recommend it. I am looking forward to doing it again next week!