I've been doing this video for a little over five months now, and I've noticed significant gains in muscle definition as well as strength. While the lower body portion is not as thorough as many FIRM tapes, it isn't bad, particularly if you do the exercises with 10-lb. ankle weights. What I like more is the second half of the video, the upper body portion, which is really a separate workout and can be done on a different day. I started off using 5- and 8-lb. dumbbells and am now up to 15 lbs. on the bicep curls and presses. There are some excellent exercises for the wrist flexors and the rotator cuffs, too, areas often overlooked. Caution: there is no warm-up for this video, but Charlene does instruct the viewer to have spent at least five or ten minutes doing something vigorous enough (running, bike ride, stepping) to get the bloodflow going. At various points throughout this tape, there are stretches for muscles just worked to exhaustion. However, you might just want to pop a stretch tape in afterwards to get a thorough stretch to prevent major soreness. Serious Curves is a great addition to my weight tape rotation.

Instructor Comments:
A warm, motivating, positive chatterbox. Her mouth just does not stop. However, she's not just blathering away. She does mention lots of interesting exercise-related facts and tips, and she constantly reminds the viewer to check for the proper form, essential when doing this workout with really heavy weights.

Paula Weber