This is a very solid introductory strength training workout geared to seniors, but is suitable for any beginners. The set is kinda hokey, especially when you see the panels that say KV. But it is open and well lit. The music is a big-band new-age fusion that wasn't bad.

I got this video because I've had several nasty injuries and I figured it would be an ideal way to build strength back up, and it was $6 at Target. This video was too easy for me, even with stitches on my arm, neck and breast and an ankle brace. It will, however, be a very good video for my mother in law, whose only trips to resistance training land have been Leslie Sansone's Walk Aerobics Interval training for seniors.

Karen's exercisers are also seniors, and they are much older than the duo she had pictured with her on the box. They don't always use very good form. I would've really liked seeing Karen interact with the group more, like I've seen Kari Anderson and Keli Roberts do, to correct form and motivate. My real criticism with this video is that requires an awful lot of equipment. Bands, ankle weights, dumb bells and balls. My video came with the band and I have bells and ankles weights, but I don't have Voight balls, and I suspect most seniors and beginners don't either. Bells and ankle weights are widely available and cheap but I have only seen the Green Genies thru Collage and Voight's mini-catalogue.

To me, requiring a low weight that costs so much money ($30) for a beginner workout is ridiculous. Many beginners don't want to fork out that much money for a low weight, especially if they aren't sure they'll stick with it. The balls are used frequently, so you need them or a substitute to get a good feel for the workout. So unless you figure out substitutions, this is not a great workout to buy in a store, take home and try out because you'll miss a lot. I tried it once and found that a tennis ball works well for the rolling and dropping exercises and a folded up towel worked well as thigh support. (It would be nice if Karen had given some suggestions- like what to do until your green genies come in).

Overall, though, this is a very beginner friendly strength workout. Good form, good progession of exercises.

Instructor Comments:
Karen is very thorough and professional, as always. Her form is exact, and her instructions are very detailed.

linda