Buns and Thighs is VERY intense using standing
strengthening exercises that really tax the glutes, hams
and quads. To me it was so difficult it was a little
anaerobic. But that can be a good way to increase your
anaerobic threshold.
from "Best Video"
Poll in the misc.fitness.aerobic FAQ
"Kathy Smith's Great Buns and Thighs"
(Intermediate-Step Aerobics, Lower Body Toning)
Better than Kathy's first step video,
"GB&T"'s best asset is its catchy club/rap
music; I even catch myself humming it after the workout!
The vid starts with a warmup and cardio session focusing
on lower-body exercises (lots of leg lifts, squats and
kicks). Then there's a less-aerobic squat/lunge session,
and finally the obligatory useless
"spot-reducing" floor routine. (Maybe
instructors are afraid videos won't sell unless they
include floor exercises?) This is otherwise an enjoyable
cardio-plus-toning bun blaster, and thank goodness for
the fast-forward button. Kathy's cueing is great as
always.
Grade: B+
Sue Bryant
Great Buns and Thighs Workout
Kathy has more
personality and more energy than I have seen in any of
her other videos. This is a fun workout, although a bit
short. The music is really nice to workout to, and my
thighs always remind me that I have worked them the next
day.
Robin Mordfin
This was my third step video, preceded only by Kathy
Smith Step and Jane Fonda Step. It consists of 3 step
segments which emphasize leg toning, plus warm-up and
cool-down. The first is a step segment (16 minutes) with
lots of lateral leg raises, rear leg raises, and tap up
tap downs, etc. The second segment (10 minutes) consists
of squats, dips, and leg raises, which surprisingly keep
me in my training zone. The second segment really gets
the legs and buns burning. The third segment (10
minutes), is lower body floor work. I have to admit I
can't remember the last time I did the third segment.
Being a FIRM fan, I usually don't do the
"toning" work included in aerobic videos. As
usual, this is followed by a good cool-down and stretch.
And as usual Kathy Smith gives lots of good form pointers
and adjustments for beginners. Thankfully, there are only
a *few* of her "Ah-Ahs", which irritate me, but
I've learned to ignore. If I want floor toning, I follow
this video with FIRM Floor Legs (AKA Lower Body
Sculpting), which is why I skip the third segment. I like
this video if I want to get a short (25 minutes) of
aerobics before doing a FIRM Parts video. If I am just
doing an aerobics day, then I don't pick this video,
because the aerobics are too short.
Lucy Loftin
I really enjoyed this video. After warmup, the next 16
minutes elevates your heart rate with stepping moves that
target the legs. Kathy finishes the tape with some floor
work for the thighs and the butt. The video is a full 60
minutes geared toward the lower body. My only comment is
that I wish the stepping section would have been longer
than 16 minutes; 30 would have been good. With a 30
minute step section I wouldn't have to do any additional
cardio work; 16 minutes does not do much to burn fat.
However, if you want a tape that targets your lower body
and keeps you interested for the whole hour, then this
tape would be a good choice.
Kathleen Lapinski
This video promises to reshape your butt and thighs.
It features step aerobics and floorwork. It is
well-produced in a well-lit, sunny windowed studio and
features a nice assortment of exercisers. They are a
variety of ages, sizes and shapes, use varying step
heights, and yes, sometimes work off the step. Smith
instructs well, and motivates. I like that fact she
encourages you to focus on the muscles being worked. The
workout contains a number of butt shaping moves
throughout the aerobics, and there are impact options for
some of the moves. Her gang really seems to be having
fun. The steps are largely straight forward, although an
occassional more-dancy rocking horse or can-can sneaks
in. The music is fun, especially in the warm-up. That
techno-inspired song really jams. I was surprised the
workout didn't include plies, which are great for butts
and thighs. The drawback to this workout is repetition.
There just aren't many ways to challenge yourself as you
progress. You can add impact at some points and extend
your range of motion but largely it won't grow with you.
Also, after a few time of doing this tape, Smith really
got on my nerves. Maybe it is because she is less natural
and seems more rehearsed, but I find it very easy to get
tired of her. She makes great tapes, though, especially
for beginners to intermediates. Her form is good, her
videos are well-produced and thank goodness, she's not
annoyingly shrill like a person with the initials DA.
This video is a good choice for intermediates looking for
something that will work the lower bod and provide cardio
work, that will allow them to become better conditioned
and stronger for other challenges, but will largely
become a video they will out grow with time. Its a fine
workout I ocassionally do still, but its not the first
one I grab.
Linda
8/30/97
I've never been a Kathy Smith fan, and I'm still not. But this was offered to me through the exchange, and I thought it would be good to give it a shot. This is only the second KS video I've ever tried, and I really can't get too excited about it. It's designed to work your buns and legs, as the name implies. You use the step for the first two segments, and then you go to the floor. I didn't think the
step portions were all that intense for me, but I have been doing this for many years, so beginners and intermediates would have different opinions. I did like the floor work, but only because I added ankle weights (she didn't).
This is not a *bad* workout by any means, just not challenging enough for an advanced exerciser.
Annie S.
11/2/97
This is a great video, a tough workout that produces good results. The timeline on the back of the box is quite accurate, there is a 9 minute warm-up, and I'm in the low end of my target heartrate zone by the end of the warmup and ready to go. Then there is a 16 minute aerobic step segment in which Kathy begins to specifically work your buns and thighs. The second segment is more focused on toning, doing all standing large muscle exercises that still keep your heart rate aerobic, at least if you are an intermediate or intermediate/advanced exerciser, perhaps that might not be the case for the super-advanced folks. Segment three is a short (10 minute) but fairly intense set of isolations. Another reviewer called them "useless", I've never heard of anyone thinking isolations are useless before! Segment three is all floorwork and the hamstring work in particular is quite intense. Cooldown is a nice set of lying stretches. I am an intermediate exerciser right now but have been challenged by this even when I considered myself fairly advanced (a couple babies ago!). If you do this tape all the way through, you will DEFINITELY feel it in your butt and legs unless you are used to doing superadvanced stuff. This is a great workout for the other 99% of us! I am in my target heart rate zone for about 30 minutes (last half of warmup, plus sections one and two), and working on strength at the same time. It's an extremely efficient workout timewise because it combines the two. The music is pretty good, Kathy's personality is a nice middle ground between too much and too little. A definite keeper in my book!
Instructor comments: Kathy is a great cue-er and seems to find a nice middle ground between being too chatty and too stoic.
susan phillips
1-11-99
I have been wanting to review GB&T for a while. Many VFers recommend this one
yet there aren't that many reviews. Others have done the video breakdown. I'll
just give my thoughts.
This is the perfect tape for a choreo-challenged intermediate like myself. I
never dread doing it, yet it is a tough workout. Especially when done on a 6"
step. The moves are simple and demanding at the same time. She starts out slowly
and adds on. You can add power moves if you wish. I really like the music. More
than any of the 70+ videos I own. It's catchy club style.
It's great to have a challenging tape that doesn't make me feel stupid or
klutzy. The combo of step aerobics and floor work give a pleasant lower body
soreness the next day.
A tough workout with basic steps is worth it's weight in gold to me!
Instructor comments:
Kathy is just right in this video. Not too hyper or too subdued. Very pleasant
and having a good time. She gives a lot of form pointers and reminders which I
like.
Alta - Queen of the Stumble
1/12/01
I liked this 50 minute video. It goes after what the title implies, buns and thighs. I am an adv beginner to intermediate exerciser. I found I could finish this but I got DOMS for 2 days afterward.
She does a nice warm up and then 3 segments. The first segment is very well cued step. This tape is definately for us folks who have two left feet. I got it the first time. Segment 2 is working the buns and thighs, 10 minutes. Segment 3 is on the floor. I did not find this piece very challenging. I may skip that next time and add a little ab piece of my own.
I like the video but I think the cardio is to short. I see sometime down the road I will be looking for longer step cardio...for now this does fill my bill.
Instructor comments:
She was very good in this video. I did not even notice many "uh huhs."
Her cueing was right on.
Phantom4u
8/11/04