Body Specifics: 12 Min. Abs, Buns, Thighs

At any rate, it is my hypothesis that more people have / will buy this video for the abs section than anything else. So, the good news first: I have lost nearly 40lbs in the past 4 months IN PART because of this exercise video. However, it must be noted that I also rode my exercise bike 15 minutes a day & have been under a exceptionally restricted diet of deli sandwiches, lowfat / nofat milk & cereal and soups. That said, this video did have something to do with my successfull weight loss.

Now the bad news: if you want results, you HAVE to be consistent. I know, I know; saying this is a bit like a broken record, but it's true. Doing this exercise video (or any other exercise video) a few times a week won't do you any good @ all. Trust me on this one.

You start out with a 5 minute warmup. So, the warmup + the 12 minute abs workout = 17 minutes. The workout itself is pretty much what I've seen in articles in magazines such as GQ. They might be tough @ first, especially if you're significantly overweight (as I was when I started). They will get easier gradually, IF you do them consistently. The trick of doing the exercises is to do 3 things simultaneously: 1) Breathe 2) Tighten up your stomach muscles - make your abs do all the work 3) Do the exercises themselves while doing 1 & 2. Just remember: if your abs are sore, that means the program is working!

Joining Kathy for the exercises are 4 people; 2 guys, 1 girl + Kathy's mom. Be forewarned, much of the commentary by Kathy's mom & one of the guys is exceedingly annoying. Once I got the sequence of the program down, I muted the sound ever after and did the program either in silence or with a CD going on the stereo.

One more note: pay attention to the way Kathy does the individual exercises. The other 4 people gundeck about 90% of them. If you do the program the way they do, you'll be wasting your time. I'm actually surprised that Kathy let the video out with so much of it half-baked insofar as the other participants are concerned.

I would highly recommend this video to anyone who wants to get in better shape and / or lose weight. Remember: if you happen to be obese, it will take more than losing weight alone to make you look good. Exercise programs like these are designed to reshape your abs, and that's what is needed to tighten up your stomach muscles.


Good For Beginners   December 1, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

If you are a newcomer to the videotape exercise world, then this might be a good choice for you. However, if you're looking for a tape that challenges you, this might not be the best choice. The technique is good, but everything moves really slow. In order to get any benefit, I had to add weights and even then didn't feel that I had really been challenged. Any exercise is a step in the right direction, but if you are looking for something to REALLY target those problem areas and challenge you, you might want to pass this one up.


Good For Beginners   December 1, 2001
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

If you are a newcomer to the videotape exercise world, then this might be a good choice for you. However, if you're looking for a tape that challenges you, this might not be the best choice. The technique is good, but everything moves really slow. In order to get any benefit, I had to add weights and even then didn't feel that I had really been challenged. Any exercise is a step in the right direction, but if you are looking for something to REALLY target those problem areas and challenge you, you might want to pass this one up.


Good for a beginner   August 14, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I have had this video for about 8 yrs. It is a good beginners' video in my opinion, but I have to say Kathy Ireland drives me a bit nuts so I have to turn her voice off. I would recommend it though, to anyone who would like to start exercising or who would like to do something low -impact (except lunges are involved for those with knee problems & there are some lifts that may need to be modified for those with tender backs).