Clare Dunphy
There is nothing really wrong with this tape, I
suppose, but it didn't excite me. I think I was
expecting to much cleverness, and I was disappointed
to realize that almost all of the exercises were
things I could have figured out on my own if I fiddled
with the bar long enough. I also don't see the mini
body bar being useful enough for weight work, being
light and small; so it's your call whether you want to
shell out for more toys just for one tape, or whether
you or someone you know are clever enough to make one.
The tape was ok. A lot of the work was standard
stretches simply holding on to the bar (and many of
them could have been done just as well without it).
The stretch they show in the collage catalogue was
pretty good. But overall, this tape struck me as a lot
of the same, and not nearly as "innovative" as they
might have us think. But of course, you would not have
bought it if it was called "adequate stretch," would
you?
Joanna C
9/11/00
This tape is 30 minutes long and is a blend of yoga, dance and Pilates-based
stretches. You definitely don't need a two-foot weighted bar for this workout
(I had my brother saw me a two-foot wooden dowel from an old broomstick),
but I recommend some sort of short pole/dowel because it will help you get
more into the workout and help with proper body positioning.
The stretches are not held in one position for a long time like Millennium
Stretch or Dynamic Stretch. Instead, the movements flow one into another.
The stretches are interesting and I enjoy this workout. The speed did help
warm up my muscles and make them more limber although I would like to have
seen the movements held a bit longer as the workout has a bit of a rushed
feel about it.
The tape said that it is for all levels, but I would not recommend this tape
for beginners as some of the moves require a good amount of flexibility and
range of motion. Clare Dunphy says to modify any exercises you find
difficult, but neither Clare nor her background exercisers show any
modifications.
Typical CIA set with nice music selections.
Sharon H.
9/12/00
This is a 30 minute tape using the mini-BodyBar. (A dumbbell would not work,
and a regular BodyBar would be too heavy. A broom handle might work as a
substitute.) I agree with the title that it is innovative, and it does
involve stretching.
It does have some serious negatives, though. Several
of the movements are not at all safe; she does a move where literally all of
your body weight is on one bent wrist and you are sideways---ouch! I feel
the ache in my wrists still. Luckily she forgot to do the move on the other
side! There is a stretch where the front leg is bent inward while the
opposite leg is stretched straight out back. This one is not safe for the
knees. You must have amazing dancer-like flexibility to have this one be
effective and not potentially dangerous.
What I did like was some of the music; I think some of it was the same as in
one of the Karen Voight Body Reform tapes; very mellow guitar music. I liked
some of the stretches with the Bar, but sometimes found the weight of it
distracting. She incorporates moves that require good core strength and
flexibility. This is definitely not a beginner tape. My husband did the
tape with me and was saying stuff like, "These people are dancers! Her leg
is inches from her face!"
It's an okay tape, but there are better stretch tapes out there.
Abbe G
4/8/01
I wish I had read the VF reviews before I bought this one!
There is nothing relaxing about this "stretch". I like the
idea of using a body bar for stretching. But she goes way
too fast. I had to stop halfway through because I didn't
want to hurt myself. I think this would be big trouble for
someone with back problems. Especially if you don't have
a strong core.
And, as stated by other reviewers, some of the positions
are tough on the wrists. I guess "innovative" means no
form pointers and no modifications.
Instructor comments:
She has a dry, straightforward manner.
Alta
7/3/02
