I'm going to mention the bad first, then the good. I got this video through the exchange out of curiousity because I adore the Master Class Aerobics. This tape is nowhere near as good. For one thing, Collage says this is "Crunch's most extensive toning tape ever." That's a little deceiving. What this tape is is about 15 minutes of lower body work, choreographed, with no weights, about 20 minutes of upper body work with extremely light weights and a puzzlingly long and tough ab section. That confused me. The tape, except for the ab section, is beginner/intermediate for sure.

The leg section is kind of fun because it's almost like dancing. That's the problem, though-- you can't really add heavy weights and still do the steps required. If you like Crunch, the Killer Legs tape is better.

The upper body section is absolutely laughable. First of all, Nancy uses about 3 lb. dumbbells and some of the participants, who are very, very muscular, use 1 lb. weights-- and they make a big production of acting like they're really pushing themselves. :) Some of them unwittingly seem to be unable to handle such light weights and make it look difficult. So I felt the video was a little condescending that way. The sets are grouped together so that you do, for example, militaries combined with biceps and tricep kickbacks. I hate this format because you can't change weights. And get this-- she then does bent over rows that go into a kickback!! Since when can you use similar weight for these two exercises? I use 18 lb. dumbbells for lat rows and 6 lb. dumbbells for tricep kickbacks. Very poor choice.

The chest work is kind of interesting, though, and she includes a new move called a "scoop" that I've never seen.

Now about the good. This tape would be excellent for a beginner or someone new to strength training who is afraid of heavy weights or finds endless reps and sets boring. The choreographed feel makes it fun, and the fact that they use only one set of dumbbells also makes it less intimidating. I think some beginners hate having to have endless equipment. I feel that Crunch caters a little too much though to the idea that video exercisers must be afraid of weights. On the other hand, their fun format got me into weight training awhile back and I'm thankful for it. Their videos are as cheap as $7.99 and short-- very economical and easy to fit in. On the other hand, as an advanced exerciser, I kind of wish that what I've heard about Crunch gyms and their very tough and fun workouts showed through in their videos.

This video is almost an hour long, by the way. Maybe too long for a beginner. It's that stupid misfit ab section at the end. :)

Instructor Comments:
Nancy Popp is beautiful. Very pixie-like and I love her haircut. She's very Crunch, though-- lots of whooping, but I liked her a lot.

Sara Whitney