I started using this video last year. It's long for a weight workout. From warm up to cool down, it runs 47 minutes. Because it's long, I have started using it in summer when I have more time for exercise, and on weekends. I use it twice a week. That's enough. It is tough upper body work.

Her warm up, for you warm up enthusiasts, is weak. You won't like it. After the warm up, however, the fun starts. She does 10 supersets: 4 for chest/shoulders, 4 for biceps/triceps, and 2 for back. Joyce ends with a cool down, which you won't like either.

Joyce uses 3, 5, and 8 pound dumbbells. They fly in her hands because in real life, she'd work out heavier. She uses those weights to model the starting weights for her audience. She'll tell you that if you really want to build muscle, you'll work up to a lot heavier weights which is true. I now use 10, 12, and 15 for most sets; although I stay lower for triceps and higher for back and some chest work.

Joyce has three gals helping her. One is her daughter (20-ish and using only 3 pound weights throughout); one is 30-ish and uses the same weights as Joyce. One is 40-ish and uses no weights. In addition to weights, you will need a bench or a step and a chair. You could just use a mat, too.

Joyce takes a fast 15 seconds rest between sets. I take more time (using the remote to pause) because I use heavier weights and want to build muscle. Slower weight work builds muscle while faster work tones and defines (less building).

Joyce has a book that matches this tape (and her lower and middle tapes) although the book workout is slightly different. I wrote to Joyce and asked about this. It's due to safety factors.

No one,however, should lift weights with just a video as a guide. You have to know something about bodybuilding techniques to use any weight video, and Joyce's is no exception. There are so many ways to hurt yourself with weights. Study first. Go slow. Go light. Read. Bodybuilding requires knowledge.

If I were you, I'd buy the book Bottoms Up! and the upper and lower body tapes and skip the middle tape. If you are a pear-shaped endomorph like me, the Upper Body tape is a must. I can't believe how great my upper body has developed. No more shoulder pads! I don't even look like a pear anymore.

I really like Joyce's tapes. I have them all, and I have all her books. Trust me -- her books are great. She is an interesting, informative, and organized writer.

So, if your older and take weight lifting seriously and if you are not afraid to build biceps, buy Joyce!

Karen Borak