I don't have the first Air-O-Bics video, so I can't compare from that
standpoint. This video is about 45 minutes in length, and begins with a
totally unnecessary pitch by Holly Anderson to purchase the Needak
rebounder, where we're forced to look at all the components of the
rebounder and hear how the Needak "soft bounce" rebounder is unique
because it folds in half (WOW). This lasts approximately 5 minutes.
Then, follows an introductory segment where Anderson goes through the 8
different sequences to be done during the workout. They include
innovative moves named "Jester Tester" and "Irish Can-Can", among
others. These moves give good ideas for making up your own rebounder
routine. Although this segment was helpful, it would have been better
placed at the end, like Step Reebok, Body Pump, the FIRM and others
place their intro sections AFTER their workouts.
The set and Ms.
Anderson's outfit are equally cheesy. The set actually looks like
someone's living room, complete with a fake background picture of a
mountain in the window, and the producers are happy to boast at the end
that this was filmed at Video West Productions Studio to simulate a
living room environment. Anderson wears a red/black striped leotard
which is unflattering, and has ultra-long hair like Rapunzel. The music
sounds like something you'd hear in the earlier FIRMS. I'll let the
reader decide whether that's a good or bad thing.
Nevertheless, I liked
the workout. It's a good tape to get if you want to see different moves
that can be done on the rebounder, as there's a lot of interesting
cheoreography, and my heart rate was sky high the whole time. The only
thing that bothered me was that she started with stretches before
warming up. I fail to see why instructors, who presumably have been
certified in fitness, would begin any exercise program by stretching
cold muscles. All in all it is an interesting workout.
Instructor comments: Her cuing could be better on some of the
trickier moves, but perhaps since they are broken down in the
introductory segment, she feels this is not necessary (although I think
you can never go wrong with thorough cuing). I felt she could've been a
little more engaging and upbeat, but all in all, she is adequate.
Genelle
4-12-00
