The is a new series of videos called the NAC Workout
Challenge. This is the first video I've bought, and I
seem to like it OK. It is not long enough (only about 25
minutes) so I rewind and do it twice.
The one thing I really do like about this tape is that
you switch from 2-3 minute slower-paced sections to a 3
minute interval of really fast-paced moves. The slower
sections are meant to be recovery from the high intensity
sections. Because it's broken up into sections and a
different person leads each section, it really goes by
fast. During my non FRIM days I tend to be a
clock-watcher, and find that this video is fun and
overwith before I realize it.
The recovery sections do not always keep me in an
aerobic zone, so I tend to modify the moves a little to
keep up a good sweat. As I said though, the moves are
very simple so making slight modifications doesn't throw
you off track. I probably do this tape once every 2 weeks
or so, and I enjoy it when I do. It is probably more
geared toward beginning exercisers, but it can be fun for
advanced people to. I think I only paid $12 for it at
Target and I think it was worth it.
Instructor comments:
The instructors were all very fit, except one woman
who was foreign. She didn't seem to be in really great
shape. They are all engaging and keep the mood
lighthearted. They don't give much form instruction, but
the moves are really simple. Each instructor does 2
sections, one cool down phase and one interval phase. I
like the lady that starts out first the best...she smiles
a lot and seems to enjoy what she's doing. The short (and
short-haired) instructor that does the 2nd to last
section would probably annoy some people, but the
sections aren't that long so she's tolerable. I know the
instructors are all fit and muscle, but they are 'bigger'
than, say, a Kathy Smith or a Susan Harris. They have big
thighs, most of them, and I like that since I used to be
a thunder-thighs myself (FIRM took care of that!). Don't
be turned off by the super-buff look they have. I was at
first, but after doing the tape 5 or 6 times, I got used
to it.
Stephanie Davis
3/97
Great aerobics video by the National Aerobics
Champions. Begins with a warm-up followed by 25 minutes
of high/low interspersed with plyometric moves lasting
two minutes each. Very intense. Then you get your
heartrate down a little and prepare yourself for the next
two minutes. The last section is a demonstration of a
routine used for their competition events. Fun to watch,
awkward to do (for me anyway). Great tape!!!!
Maryann Parker
3/10/97
After working out with the Firm for years I was ready
to try something different. After reading some articles
about how to jump-start my fitness level, I paged thru
Collage video and got this tape. It has 2 minutes of very
basic moves done at an anaerobic level followed by a
slightly longer recovery. After I did it once, I was
amazed by the high energy level I had. I like the idea of
really challenging yourself to see how hard you can work
out during those 2 minutes. The 5 instructors each take
you thru an intense and recovery level and then at the
end give you an example of a championship workout which
is very motivating. I really recommend this video.
Instructor comments:
This video has five different instructors, each with
their own style. They each do segments of about two
minutes and a slightly longer recovery period. If one is
too chatty for you, it doesn't take too long before
another is on. I liked all of them in this video, but
some of them may be a little boring for a whole workout.
Doreen Bochmann
3/12/97
I purchased this tape after reading an excellent
review in one of the fitness magazines. After working out
to it I became hooked. It is fun, the instructors are
great, it is challenging yet achievable, and it has kept
me motivated. I work out to it three times a week. I also
have the NAC System's Body Parts which I work out with
two days a week and I give myself one day off. The Body
Parts tape allows me to work on different parts of my
body. Sometimes I do the entire tape and on other days I
concentrate on one or two "body parts" (abs,
legs, arms, etc.). I just love these tapes and would
highly recommend them!!!!
Instructor comments:
This tape is led by five instructors. They are all
very motivating and fun to work out with. They seem to be
real people who love what they do. It is the first tape
that I have not gotten tired of the instructors.
Terri Schneider
4/14/97
I bought this tape because I was looking for a short
aerobic workout. On days that I try to pack everything
in, I often don't have much more then 30-35 minutes to
workout. One of my motto's is any exercise is better than
no exercise, so a short workout that makes me work hard
is wonderful. This tape does just that. It's not really
that hard for me, I could do even more jumping but I
still felt I had a very good workout. I would recommend
this for anyone who needs a workout and has similiar time
constraints.
Instructor comments:
I really like these instructors. They seem like real
people. They are chatting about the workout and making
silly little jokes, like we're watching you at home. I
think the instuctors have real athletic bodies, these
women(4) and men (1) really work out. They make the
program easy to follow and having them take turns is a
good idea, because at first you have no idea what to
expect from each one. I like the idea that each routine
is very different from the other, even though they are
only 2-4 minutes long.
Sheryl Tedford
3/17/97
This video has been well described in other reviews,
so I won't repeat that. I'll just add that I've tried and
discarded many floor aerobics videos looking for one I
can handle -- since I haven't done floor aerobics in
years. This video has basic moves, but they're put
together in intervals so you get the intensity without
complicated choreography. Not nearly as intense as Karen
Voight's Energy Sprint, but I think it's fun and
effective. I just wish it was longer!
Instructor comments:
These are 4 perky, energetic female champions and one
OK male. Unlike the other reviewers, I wasn't irritated
by any of them.
Joni O
3/22/97
Wow! EXCELLENT is the only word for this.
This is true interval training, wherein you raise your
heart to an anaerobic level for short periods, then bring
it back down. The effectiveness is truly amazing. You
*will* burn fat with this, and you *will* increase your
aerobic capacity (provided you stick to it, of course!).
The length of the aerobic section is 25 minutes. I think
another 5 or 10 minutes would be even better, but 25
minutes in this format is enough to burn fat. I've read
some comments on the forum about it being too short, but,
remember, this is not traditional aerobics. We've been
conditioned to think we *have* to be at 80% for 45
minutes (or whatever), but interval training is a whole
different puppy and works differently. And the results
are proof in and of themselves!
I hope this video is the beginning of a new trend in
workout videos. I'd like to see interval workouts by
people like Kari Anderson, the FIRM, and all the other
"stars."
This workout deserves an A+!
Instructor comments: The 5 instructors are all
National Aerobic Champions, and they are: David Dixon,
Nikki Helt, Sharon Meredith, Michelle Nevidomsky, and
Giselle Roque de Escobar. They're all very good.
Something about Giselle gets on my nerves a little bit,
but I can't put my finger on what it is! But that's okay,
she's not a total turn-off or anything like that!
Annie S.
4/30/97
I got the NAC System's Interval Challenge about four
months ago and have been working out to it religiously
three times a week. It is by far the best interval tape I
have ever done. Then I found the Measured Intensity tape
and I now do it two times a week. I take one day off and
either run or walk on the remaining day of the week (to
get outdoors). I have seen results and feel very
energized after every workout because the instructors are
very motivating. I have just purchased the Body Parts
tape, but I have not done it yet. I will write a review
after I complete it - but if it is anything like the
other two I am sure it will be great. I am a NAC
believer!
Instructor comments:
The instructors are fun, full of energy and
motivating. They know what they are doing and seem like
down to earth real instructors. There are five of them
and they switch off so you never get tired of hearing or
seeing any one of them like you do in other videos.
Jerri L.
5/22/97
I read the good reviews on this website about the NAC
Interval Challenge and decided to try it for myself. I
had already worked out to another interval training
fitness tape (Kathy Smith's Functionally Fit Peak Fat
Burning) which helped me get over a plateau when I was
trying to loose weight so I know about the great benefits
of interval training. This video is an excellent choice
if you want a good interval training workout.
The video features five instructors who are National
Aerobic Champions and each one leads an interval for two
minutes of very intense training. The moves are more
athletic than dance and they are not too complex so it is
easy to follow the instructors. Two of the instructors on
the video demonstrate a lower impact version of the
workout that beginers can follow. I agree with some of
the other critics that this video would be even better if
it was longer but I think you can still get a good
workout from this video.
Instructor comments: I found the instructors very
upbeat, easy to follow and understand. They also seemed
very knowledgeble about fitness.
Tiffanee
Saunders
7/1/97
I got this tape through the Exchange (thanks, Amy!)
and while I agree with the reviews already submitted, I
just wanted to throw in my two cents. It's a fun little
tape--as others have pointed out, it could be longer
because the aerobic phase is only 26 minutes. But the
interval format is great if you have a short attention
span. And Interval Challenge is much more interesting
than Kathy Smith's Functionally Fit Peak Fat Burning,
which is a similar interval workout. There are five
interval-recovery combinations; each interval and each
recovery period is two minutes long. The choreography is
not dancy at all and very easy to follow. There are
lunges, plyo hops, and boxing moves. Advanced exercisers
won't be challenged, but it's still a good tape to do as
a warm up before weight training.
Instructor comments:
They were all very perky, but not so much that they
were annoying or that their banter got in the way of
their cuing. Some of the chatter reminds me of a
beginner's tape, like "Having fun--that's part of
working out too!"
Elaine C.
8/7/97
This video has simple cheorography but not boring. There isn't a move in this video that I dislike. Usually there's at least one thing that I will modify but the only thing I modify in this video is the level of intensity depending on how hard I want to work. I would rate this video as intermediate to advanced, but beginners would enjoy it as well as the intervals don't have to be done at a high impact.
The cueing is great and I really like watching how each one of the champs adds their own style.
I don't care for the set too much. While it is not distracting, the black background is too dark. The filming is okay, but not great. Sometimes they film from the top and it's hard to see what the champs are doing, and once when they started a new move the camera was focused on someone's face. But otherwise, the quality of the tape is good.
Overall, I really enjoy this video, although I do wish it was just a little longer. I feel like I got a treasure in this trade and I will keep this one in my video library. Actually, I really don't like floor aerobics too much and this is one of my favorite floor tapes. B+
Instructor comments: I like the NAC instructors. I've tried all three videos and I enjoy this one the most. Their instuction is great, but they aren't too "chatty." They have awesome bodies, but I hate the thongs.
Julianne
9/23/97
I was not crazy about this video, and traded it away pretty quickly after getting it. The reasons I did not like the video were: (1) it was not long enough for me - I can't get a good workout in a half-hour; (2) I am an advanced exerciser, and the intensity was a bit low for me, even during the hard intervals; and (3) the video required more space than I have to workout in. I have a very very small workout space - barely large enough to do a full-length Step workout - so I have yet to find a floor aerobics tape that both challenges me AND fits into the space I have.
What I did like: the tape was high spirited, fairly well produced, and not boring. I think it is a fine tape for intermediate level exercisers who have a lot of room to work out in. Overall, I'd give the tape a "B".
Instructor comments: There are five instructors. I liked three of them, felt neutral about one, and wasn't crazy about one. The instruction was clear and good, and the instructors seemed like fun people. No complaints on instruction.
Loleen Youngman
13 Dec 97
This video has already been broken down quite well so I'll add my opinion. At first, I didn't like it. One year after, I really gave it a shot & thought it was ok. I think it's because I am kind of klutzy was why I was turned off at first. The other day I wanted a light work out, so I decided to use it. I was really surprized how fun it really is & how I it was actually not hard at all(thanks to Firm & Tae Bo). I stumbled on a couple of moves (due to lack of space & minor klutziness). Over all this an intermediate video, but still fun to do on a light day for an advanced. I might add it goes by really fast & the set is interesting.
Instructor comments: They're actually fun- they talk alot but not in a way that's annoying or with any silly whooping. It's actually encouraging, especially the voiceovers. I also feel better about myself when I see their thighs- big but strong.
Jackie
01/09/99
This video has gotten alot of reviews from
advanced-level exercisers, and while I
respect their opinions and experience, I want
to give a beginner/intermediate perspective,
which seems rare in some of the reviews. I
love this tape, and for right now it's a
staple in my workout routine. I do it at
least twice a week, and it's a great
moderate/intense workout, even for a 35
minute tape, and I can easily control the
intensity following these instructors.
Interval workouts are my favorite, though
they are hard to find, and I've gotten a
better workout here than some hour-long tapes
I own! I think the instructors give sound
advice, including determining what your own
pace should be, and the fitness booklet
included with the tapes gives good guidelines
to follow. I don't find the moves too
difficult at all, and coming off a knee
injury last year, I don't find unnecessary
stress to my joints with this routine. If I
ever reach that advanced-level workout, I
might be tempted to shelve this one for good,
but I highly recommend it for those easing
out of the beginner stage.
Instructor comments: The instructors all have a different style,
and the variety makes for a nice breakup in
the workout. If a particular instructor
annoys you, they're gone within 5 minutes! I
find their conversation a pleasant diversion,
and they're positive without being too
sickening about it. My personal favorite is
Dave; he really motivates me to move, and I
wish he had more input in this video, but
he's a little outnumbered by t
Karin
karinb@earthlink.net
3/2/99
I swear by the NAC interval tape, so this one
was a bit of a letdown, despite my current
status as a "moderate" exerciser! This tape
is meant to be easier, and it is, but I don't
really break much of a sweat with it. Still,
the instructors are entertaining and
motivational, and the steps are easily
memorized after 2 or 3 tries. The
instructors ease into the routine and really
reinforce it throughout, but rotate their
instruction so you're not bored listening to
the same person. I agree with other reviews
that this is an excellent tape if you're
tired or not quite feeling up to par. It's
also great if you need to watch your impact
level due to joint or muscle strain. The
music in this tape is much better than the
interval IMHO, and the moves
Instructor comments: The NAC "champs" work really well together on
this one, but lack a little of the enthusiasm
of the interval tape. Giselle and Dave are
featured more prominantly here, and I think
they make a great combinat
Karin
karinb@earthlink.net
3/2/99
This video hasn't been reviewed in a long time so I thought I'd put in my two cents. This was one of the first videos I purchased and I still like it and use it fairly often. It's a nice length to add on to other workouts or for those days when I don't have a lot of time but still want something intense. I don't think there are a lot of others out there like it. Kathy Smith's has been mentioned and although I only tried it once, I didn't think it was nearly as intense or enjoyable as NAC's.
Instructor comments:
I liked all of the NAC instructors. They each lead their own interval combos and bring their own styles and personalities in. The variety really helps to keep things interesting.
Megan
Feb. 25, 2004