Simply Strong

Gin Miller
Year Released: 2002

Categories: Total Body Workouts



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With strength work, I am an intermediate exerciser, who usually doesn’t want to move up to advanced work. I have really enjoyed getting into workouts on the ball and Pilates as an alternative to traditional strength training. Recently, however,

I have been looking forward to a time in the near future when I will do a strength emphasis and focus on workouts in which I
use heavier weights. That is one reason I was interested in this workout. Usually, I am more into cardio than strength workouts, so this would be a new thing for me.

In this workout, the set looks like a living room and Gin is by herself through the entire workout. It is a bright and airy
look. Up front, she defines what equipment you will need and suggests you watch the whole thing and view the longer
introduction at the end of the workout.

Throughout the workout, Gin gives precise instructions so I followed her with no problem (don't tell her I didn't preview the workout!). She maintains a slow pace through the workout with logically sequenced moves and stretches interspersed throughout the workout. She gives constant form pointers and exaplanations about what she is looking for. I found it a hard
workout. She made me work, but also motivated me to work at it much longer than I thought I would spend on it. There are
lots of complex and combination moves where you work upper and lower body at the same time. She gives lots of options and works from "hard", through "harder", and on to "hardest". Then, when she repeats the set, she encourages you to choose the level at which you want to work out.

Throughout the workout, she also cracked me up. She has a sense of humor she is quick to express and it kept the workout from becoming drudgery for me.

For now, I am keeping this workout. I found it an effective strength building workout. I'm not sure, however, that over
time I will find it a harder workout than I want to do. Only time will tell. I traded for the VHS version of this workout, because I was curious about it. I am glad that I have had a chance to do it.

Instructor Comments:
Simultaneously, she is extremely knowledgeable, a good teacher, and funny, cracking me up. The combination kept me engaged in the workout.

Laura S.

11/14/2005

I am a Gin Miller fan. I was expecting a good toning and shaping video. I was not disappointed.

It started with a throrough warm up and progressed to the body of the video.

There were lunges and squats done with Gin's "pod" method. Each round began with the easier form. If you are feeling adventerous, you can then move on to the intervediate and advanced pods. I consider myself advanced but I could sense I didn't want to go to level number 3 the first time out.

I enjoyed the compound moves - I sort of feel like I'm getting more bang for my time with compound arm and leg moves.

The most interesting thing about the video is it's creativity. I felt Gin made this video just different enough to shake up your routine and wake up different muscle fibers.

I really enjoyed the ab work. It incorporates a body ball and core work. I didn't think I was doing much damage there but my abs speak a different story today.

The tricep work was new to me. This is my favorite body part to work on. Extending the arms further back and using the body bar to tap the step behind was very effective. Talk to my triceps today.

Gin must have a great personality in "real life". At one point, she confuses rows with flys and a little thought bubble pops up over her head. I think it says "did I just say rows - I meant flys".

In another section she has you lay a towel on the step which she says is very important if you are "skin and bones" like she is. I lost it then and there. She is aware she is NOT 4'11" and that she is a strong, toned woman.

I recommend this workout if you have been doing one instructor for a long time. This was my experience of the workout and I liked it very much.

Instructor Comments:
I have three of Gin's videos. Intense Moves is about my all time favorite interval tape. She seems to be a very down to earth and brings a wonderful sense of humor to her videos.

DONNA NIHILL

08/26/2003