Resist-A-Ball Dynamic Stretch

Stephanie Morris
Year Released: 2004

Categories: Athletic Stretch , Balance/Medicine/Mini/Stability Ball


I rarely (okay, never) write reviews, but I feel it's my duty in this case because: 1) I'm probably one of very few VFers who have this tape, and 2) it's good!

Some of you will remember another VFer, Germaine, extolling the virtues of the Resist-a-Ball "Going Ballistic" tape a few weeks ago. Well, this is basically a companion tape to that one, filmed at the same time and on the same set, also led by Stephanie Morris of Spri. She's a solid instructor -- serious but not overly so, cordial but not cutesy -- who clearly has a lot of experience.

The workout is 45 minutes and is all stretching on the ball, with some light strength work thrown in because sometimes you're holding up parts of your body to get into the stretch position for another part. For instance, you might have to work the quad a bit to get into a hamstring stretch.

Those of you who know me are aware that stretching is not my favorite activity, but there were so many times I said "Ahhhhhhhhh" during this tape that I just had to give it a little publicity. The ball definitely allows you to go into some of the stretches much deeper than if you weren't using it. My favorite part was four or five different versions of figure-4s for the hips. My hips are extremely tight and if I can manage to do this tape regularly, I'm pretty sure it'll help.

The only mistake I caught was near the beginning when she does a set of hamstring stretches on the right and doesn't repeat them on the left. I didn't notice any other "balancing" errors.

The set is very basic and dull-colored (mostly gray tones) and the production values are adequate at best...probably better than Sara's City, but not as good as CIAs, just to give a point of reference. There are also some minor sound problems here and there, and one choppy edit. The music is new-agey and there is actually a guy (the music's composer) off to the side of the set playing a keyboard. It's a little cheesy in an endearing kind of way. So, overall this is not a tape I'd recommend for anyone who can't deal with so-so production quality. I'm normally pretty picky about production, but when a tape is unique in what it offers (and I believe this one is), I'm willing to overlook a lot.

The tape is available from Spri for $24.95 and from MusicFlex for $19.95. Although "Going Ballistic" had been available at the Galyan's sporting goods chain for $9.95, it doesn't appear the same is true for "Dynamic Stretch," unfortunately.

Pamela P.

03/23/2001