As with most of Gilad's videos, this one was shot
outside a studio - but instead of a beach, Ada goes for
military settings (here, alongside helicopters on an
airstrip). The video, a complete workout with aerobics,
toning and stretching, lasts 62 minutes: first, basic,
easy to follow aerobics (nothing fancy, but at a good
pace that will make you sweat); then, toning with
weights; then abs and stretching. There's no glitz here,
but there is Ada, and she's a great instructor (with a
great body) - she explains every move very clearly, and
is very motivating. The other exercisers (3 men and 3
women) are all members of the military, clearly
identified (with their ranks) at the end of the tape.
Very good motivating, complete workout, highly
recommended for beginners and intermediate exercisers.
Instructor comments: Ada, sister of ESPN's Gilad, is a very basic, no
nonsense type (yet friendly and not intimidating)
instructor, which describes this video to a T.
Sally Waters
As a person who spends too much money on exercise videos-this is my favorite video of all times. And believe me I've tried them all.
Th steps are basic yet effective and have changed the shape of my body. I also enjoy the Basic Training 20 minute video segments when I'm busy and can't do a full workout.
As a diabetic Ada has helped improve my overall health and blood surgars. I wish she would come out with more videos.
Instructor comments: I love Ada's emphasis on the basics. She avoids complicated dance steps and that irritating perkyness other instructors have.
Karen
Layla39049
3/11/99
As a person who spends too much money on exercise videos-this is my favorite video of all times. And believe me I've tried them all.
Th steps are basic yet effective and have changed the shape of my body. I also enjoy the Basic Training 20 minute video segments when I'm busy and can't do a full workout.
As a diabetic Ada has helped improve my overall health and blood surgars. I wish she would come out with more videos.
Instructor comments: I love Ada's emphasis on the basics. She avoids complicated dance steps and that irritating perkyness other instructors have.
Karen
Layla39049
3/11/99
Basic Training is an invigorating military themed workout lead by Ada Janklowicz, Gilad's sister. It's low impact and suitable for beginners or low intermediates. (Very sedentary beginners may need to modify the higher intensity intervals.) It was made in 1991, so it isn't a new video made to cash in on current popularity of "boot camp" videos. It's available from either Collage video (archives section) or Gilad's site (hhtp://www.inmotionwithGilad.com).
It begins with a rousing opening showing military members exercising (running, doing an obstacle course, tug of war, parachuting etc) often led either by Ada or Gilad to lively military style music. The workout features Ada and 6 service women & men outside on a helicopter field on a base.
The breakdown is:
7 minutes warmup
25 minutes low impact aerobics
22 minutes toning (including light weights and abs)
7 minutes cooldown and stretch.
The sections are well marked so if I'm pressed for time, I do one of the aerobics or toning. The moves are basic, athletic moves.
Initially, the intensity is low although Ada does include intervals of higher intensity "peaks". As someone who was a sedentary beginner and is now an active beginner, I find I get a good sweat with this video.
The strength of this videos are:
Ada's and the cast's enthusiasm. (The motivation sequence they do with claps and punches does help keep you going.)
The choreography is easy to learn
Ada's tips on proper form are helpful
Modifications for those less flexible are shown in the stretch section
The weakness (which are minor) are:
There is a rapid lunge sequence during one of the intervals which I cannot do and maintain good form. I modify it by substituting hamstring curls or side steps (depending on my energy level).
Ada overuses the word "tight".
This an excellent mid to higher level beginner or low level intermediate video.
Instructor comments: Ada is amazing; she's very fit and encouraging. Her form tips are helpful and I appreciate that she includes a thorough stretch at the end (which some videos skimp on). I wish she had more full length videos available. (Her Basic Training TV shows are available from Collage or Gilad's website.)
Anne MacLellan
02/29/00
Basic Training with Ada Janckowitz
This is an hour-long workout with
Gilad's sister, Ada.
Gilad produced the workout, and
presumably designed it as well:
everything about the workout is
reminiscent of Gilad's own workouts,
except for the theme - which is set on
an Army or Navy Base.
Breakdown:
7 min warm up: Gilad style warm
up: warms up body parts from head to
toe, in that order: head turns, shoulder
rolls, etc. all the way down. Just like
Gilad
.
25 minute aerobic section:This I
would quantify as beginner-
intermediate workout. The first 10
minutes are beginner level, with
movements similar to a vigorous Leslie
Sansone workout. Step taps,
marching, knee lifts, all integrating arm
movements as well. The following15
minutes has more knee lifts with arm
movements, lunge sequences with
arm movements. It's a good workout. I
would say the intensity here is similar
to Karen's Sleek Physique cardio: the
bigger the movements, the better the
workout you will get. I am a
intermediate/advanced exerciser, and
this section gave me a decent sweat.
My heart rate barely grazed my target
fat burning zone, but I did get good
movement in and a good sweat. (I
would also liken this cardio to Minna
Lessig's Fat Eliminator workout-
another fine beg/int cardio/weight
workout.)
20 minute strength section: this
section is 20-odd minutes of
endurance-type strength work. Per
each body part, you do about 2 sets of
8 reps. First the upper body is tackled:
back, shoulders, biceps, triceps,
standing chest. All of it was efficient
and quality time spent-no time is
wasted here. It is a low-weight quickie
workout though-I believe they were
using 3 lb dumbbells; I used 5 and I
also added hack squats during
shoulders, biceps, triceps, for a Slim
Series AWT- type of workout. This was
a nice way to intensify the workout. For
the most part, 5 dumbbells were right
on target for me, as the work is very
quick-paced, and more weight would
have caused my form to suffer. The
only work that requires heavier
weights are: one round of single
biceps curls (I used 8's here - but next
time, I would just do doubles with 5's,
and do lower body hack squats), one
round of single arm triceps kickbacks (I
did double with 5's). The chest work is
standing, and while it is ULTRA short,
it's good work for being ultra-short.
there is also a few sets of (also ultra-
short) push ups-one set regular, one
set diamond (tricep), and one set your
choice. A very decent (albeit short) set
of abs, and a stretch, complete the
workout.
Instructor comments:
Ada was a very pleasant surprise! I
enjoyed working out with her, she had
no annoying cheerleaderish habits at
all, and came across as very down to
earth and professional. More Ada
workouts would be a plus to the
fitness video industry. :)
Kathy Weller
04/12/04
