More Muscle, Less Fat

Charlene Prickett
Year Released: 1997

Categories: Total Body Workouts


This 1997 video was my introduction to Charlene Prickett. It's a lot of fun and just flies by. I do both the aerobic and toning sessions (you can do each on a separate day) and am always amazed at just how quickly time passes. The gorgeous Canadian Rockies are a refreshing change of setting from the usual studio, too.

The aerobic workout ("Less Fat") is low impact floor aerobics featuring athletic rather than dancy moves. The warm-up lasts about four minutes, then is followed by 22 minutes of athletic moves (repeaters, taps, lunges, squats, v-steps, mambo). There's nothing dancy about the combinations, and the routine is easily learned. Charlene and her crew do chat non-stop throughout, sometimes bantering with one another, and other times explaining to the viewer what is going on physiologically in the sequence being performed. Charlene even demonstrates how to make moves easier for beginners or those who are having an off day or are too tired. Following the aerobic section, there is a five-minute stretch. Again, Charlene points out how to modify the stretches if you're pregnant.

The toning section ("More Muscle") lasts almost half an hour. Charlene and her crew use heavier than usual weights. There are fewer repetitions, but with the heavier weights, that's okay! Muscle fatigue can be easily achieved, particularly by using 10 pound dumbbells. Arms and upper body are worked well. The lower body portion isn't quite as thorough, but since this isn't the only tape in my rotation, I make up for the lack of real ab work elsewhere. Throughout it all, Charlene always points out proper form, and her crew demonstrates modifiers, always with an emphasis on safety.

Collage rates this video as intermediate/advanced, but I'm sure some VF Amazons might rate it low intermediate. In any case, it's a blast!

Instructor Comments:
Charlene cues well, is friendly with a good sense of humor, and can be politely termed as chatty. I'm sure she drives some viewers nuts with her incessant chatter. She certainly knows her stuff, and she's encouraging and motivating.

Paula Weber

10/11/1998