(Beginner-Seated Aerobics)
(I borrowed this from
the library)
If you like Barney, you'll love this tape. The
brightly-colored set and outfits, kiddie-show music and
perky hostess all remind me of an old "Romper
Room" show. This is the first video I've seen with
kids participating. Jodi, whose body obviously didn't
come from kicking around in a chair, begins by discussing
the benefits of fitness, takes a resting heart-rate
check, then leads an approximately 20-minute workout
where everyone is seated in an armless, dining-room-type
chair. The routines, mostly pantomimes ("pretend
you're an airplane...now you're leading a band") use
both arms and legs, as well as two paper plates for
various fanning motions. Jodi emphasizes safety; there
are two more heart-rate checks within the workout, and a
final one at the very end to insure you're back to your
resting rate. There are a few count-alongs and
sing-alongs, but Jodi doesn't always count down or give
advance warning when another move is coming, so it might
take several viewings to learn the routine. Also, the
combined arm and leg patterns will put your coordination
to the test. Two exercisers - one very pregnant - show a
modified version using much less leg movement.
"Chair Dancing" might benefit disabled,
elderly, obese or pregnant persons, and parents and young
kids might enjoy doing the workout together, but it's a
little too sugar-coated for most grownups' taste. Grade:
B
Sue Bryant