Two strength training workouts: upper and lower body. Two tracks: strength and endurance. Too bad: no warm-ups, and too many reps performed too fast. The upper body strength training workout uses a dual-track system. Most exercises get two 12-rep sets with a 4-rep pulsing set in the middle. Track 1 uses lighter weights and works nonstop. Track 2 uses heavier weights and rests during the short pulsing set. Unfortunately, the fast-paced music encourages a lifting tempo that is not the safest or the most effective for strength building, as it often encourages you to use momentum rather than muscle to perform the lifts.

In the upper body workout 10 minutes are spent alternating chest and back exercises, 9 minutes alternating biceps and triceps, and less than 2 minutes on shoulders. Keep your remote handy -- Kathy switches from one exercise to the next quickly, leaving little time to change dumbbells or move into the new position. Despite all of Kathy's talking, she gives few technique pointers and doesn't cue changes well. Her lifting technique gets sloppy when she walks around the room to coach the class.

The lower body workout centers around squats, lunges and standing leg lifts with some combo exercises included. Here Track 2 holds dumbbells and wears ankle weights, while Track 1 uses neither. Everyone does the same number of reps -- no resting for Track 1 this time. Hamstrings are worked with many pelvic lift variations (lying on the floor with feet on the chair). A short leg stretch follows. The eight-minute ab workout includes basic upper and oblique ab crunches done at different tempos, and two lower back exercises.

Long time Kathy fans will be surprised by her new coaching style of pacing the stage while whooping and shouting her way through these workouts. Unfortunately, her usual thorough instruction, excellent technique and good cuing are lost in this hyper-enthusiastic attempt to earn an A for motivation. Skipping warm-ups and speeding through reps may save time in the short term, but it's not a workout format that works over time. And the lack of on-camera warm-ups may save time for Kathy, but it just means you need to find extra time to warm up on your own, or use these routines as add-ons to other workouts.

In her introduction Karen explains that the body adapts to repetition, so she designed this Pilates-style workout to challenge your core muscles in slightly different ways than a typical strength training routine. When you watch this workout, Karen makes the exercises look deceptively easy...but don't be fooled. As you follow along and focus on stabilizing with your core muscles, you'll find the exercises challenging and effective. Separate toning segments target legs, glutes and abs for 10 minutes each, and chest/ triceps for 5 minutes, so this workout could easily be split up and added to other toning or aerobics workouts for extra core conditioning. Karen's one-on-one teaching style is mellow and matter of fact. She offers precise instruction and plenty of technique pointers - some live, some in voice-overs. If you prefer the dynamics of a large energetic class this format may be too low-keyed for you.

In the 10-minute standing segment the warm-up for the torso and legs flows directly into the toning routine of squats, leg lifts, dead lifts and lunges. No weights are used, but your straight arms are often extended overhead for added resistance. The focus here is to move smoothly with great control as you learn to use your core muscles to improve your balance. In this not-quite-aerobic section, Karen repeatedly cues during the first rep, not before, so until you learn the routine, you might find yourself a step behind.

The rest of the workout is done on the floor. First you target the glutes for 5 minutes on each side with a side-lying leg lifts, lying face-down glute lifts, and kneeling leg presses and bent leg lifts. Karen fools around with the lifting tempo here and includes moves for the upper torso too. Next you do a push-up combo with your hands directly under your chest, an advanced hand position that targets the triceps. Ver-r-r-y tough. It's a big relief to roll onto your back for dumbbell chest presses and triceps lifts. The last ten minutes focus on abs, using a small medicine ball. You roll the ball back and forth with one foot as you do upper crunches. Then you squeeze it behind your knee for reverse crunches and hold it between your knees as you roll your legs side to side for obliques. Five stretches for the torso and glutes end the workout.

Although the cover claims this workout is for various fitness levels, this fast-paced muscle endurance workout uses light weights and very long sets to challenge even the advanced exerciser. The first 32 minutes of standing exercises includes a fast-paced, intense warm-up and stretch, six minutes of squats with variations, 17 grueling minutes of non-stop upper body work (with occasional leg moves added) and a thorough standing stretch. Each exercise flows smoothly into the next, often working the same muscle with only a slight variation. The shoulders are constantly working, and can be overloaded by the straight arm lifts and the fast tempo. Slow down here! The floor leg work is equally intense. Each leg is worked nonstop for 13 minutes with long back-to-back sets using at least an ankle weight and often a dumbbell held on the upper thigh. Every exercise in the 16-minute ab crunch sequence uses a small weighted ball or dumbbell for more resistance.

This workout can easily be divided into two or three shorter ones. The standing routine works as is. If you warm-up on your own, the floor leg and ab routines can each stand alone as tough target toning workouts. This video delivers what it promises, a great weighted workout, with precise instruction and excellent form to follow. If you're ready for no nonsense boot camp intensity, you'll enjoy this video. But save it for a day when you have energy to burn. Intermediates: skip this tape for a while.

This instructional video explains how to organize a beginning weight training program at home or in a gym. It includes demonstrations of basic exercises, but it's not an active "let's do it" workout video. No warm-ups or stretches are shown on camera. Three progressive routines for weight training are introduced. In each routine ten exercises are taught for the torso, legs, chest, shoulders, back and arms. Barbells and dumbbells are used, as well as a weight training bench that has incline capabilities and lifting attachments. Bill Pearl sets each student in the correct starting positions and talks them through demonstration sets. A female voice-over mentions other pointers or instructional details. Tips about nutrition, aerobic workouts and exercise motivation are sprinkled throughout. If you work out at a gym and want to learn how to use free weights, this tape will get you started with a variety of exercises. (Although a few of the exercise demos could be done with better technique.) A brief overview of gym machines is included at the end of the tape. An accompanying booklet includes pictures and written descriptions of all the exercises, along with a training log sheet for designing and recording your routines.

Minna's unique approach to strength training and core conditioning blends three styles of exercise into a challenging yet refreshing workout. During the standing segment, lower body strength exercises and yoga poses are intertwined. By including the sets of traditional toning, Minna keeps your muscles warm and pliable while she gives you a mental and physical break from holding each yoga pose. On the floor Minna again blends muscle toning moves for the upper body and abs with Pilates-style core exercises and yoga poses. She also includes what many yoga and Pilates workouts often neglect: a proper warm-up and a welcome final stretch.

Minna teaches and expertly cues a variety of moves to keep you moving and entertained. After a thorough 6-minute cardio-style warm-up, she expertly combines traditional strength moves like squats, ski-squats, plies, lunges, and curtsey dips with standing yoga moves like the Chair, Warrior, Right Angle, and balancing T poses. This section will challenge your balancing ability. Next she takes you to the floor for Planks, Downward Dog, the Cobra and yogi push-ups. (This 4-minute segment calls for a lot of wrist strength!) You then roll onto your back for 7 minutes to target the abs with 7 exercises that include the Boat pose and side-to-side knee drops, as well as standard crunches. The final ten minutes are spent thoroughly stretching the back, hamstrings and upper body while seated.

Minna is an encouraging and thorough instructor. In a friendly, upbeat style she offers many form pointers and frequently reminds you to breathe and hold your abs in. Minna is careful to mention easier options or modifications for most exercises and always has one of the four cast members demonstrate them. The original music is upbeat at times, mellow when needed, and adds to the flow of the workout. If you've never done yoga and Pilates this workout is a great place to start. If you're familiar with both, you'll find this unique workout an enjoyable way to blend yoga, Pilates and strength training into a graceful workout.

On DVD along with Minna's Fat Eliminator cardio/toning workout.

The Quick Fix set of three workouts Legs and Arms, Tight Abs, and Firm Buns, has been combined onto one DVD which offers nine different 10-minute workouts. A huge variety of toning exercises, using either dumbbells or your own body weight, are taught by three veteran TV fitness instructors. With this DVD you can personalize every workout, depending on how much time you have and where you want to put your toning emphasis that day. You can add one Quick Fix to an aerobics workout, combine one Fix from each workout for a 30-minute total body workout, or do all three Fixes from one video for targeted toning using a variety of workout styles.

A few features are consistent in each workout. Most important, the instruction is excellent. Every exercise is previewed in slow motion and form pointers are frequent. Reps are usually performed at a slow up-2, down-2 tempo for extra intensity. The three instructors have a good rapport with the camera and each other as they comment on the exercises and offer encouragement. For added motivation, a timer in the corner of the screen counts down the ten minutes so you always know how much workout time you have left.

My only complaint about these Quick Fixes is that the warm-ups are barely over a minute. While I realize that they have to be that short in order to get a decent amount of toning exercises into just 10 minutes, this warm-up may not be long enough for someone who pops this video into their VCR first thing in the morning or after sitting at a desk all day. So, depending on what you've been doing right before your Quick Fix you'll want to add to the warm-up until you break a light sweat, especially if you're doing the segments that use dumbbells. At the end of the workout, each final stretch is allotted less than 30 seconds. This only allows time for one stretch, two if you're lucky. Again you'll want to add more on your own. If you do two or more workouts back to back don't skip the warm-ups, use them for additional dynamic stretching.

Minna Lessig teaches this sequence of Quick Fixes, using standard strength training exercises to target tone the upper body (with dumbbellsz0 and the lower body (with and without weights). Arms, shoulders and legs are worked together first, legs only are the focus next, and arms and shoulders get isolated attention last. Sets vary from 8, 12 or 16 reps. This is not a complete upper body workout, as chest and lats are missed. Each workout offers only a minute of limbering-up at the start and just a stretch or two at the end. For best results you'll want do a longer warm-up and add more stretches or add a section at a time to another workout. Minna teaches clearly and casually, offering many form pointers and often previewing the exercise with a slow motion rep before starting the set.

In Quick Fix 1, Minna uses dumbbells for upper, lower and combo exercises. She practices each exercise singly, then adds them together, combining plie squats with overhead presses, squats with hammer curls, dips with biceps curls, lateral raises with lunges. Next ski squats are alternated with an overhead press/triceps press combo, followed by a stationary lunge combined with an unusual front raise/rhomboid pinch combo. Upper/lower combo exercises can be very challenging for balance, posture, coordination and stamina. They work best for experienced exercisers with good lower back and torso strength.

Quick Fix 2 focuses on the legs only, starting with three sets of squats, (adding an outer thigh lift to the second set, a step-together to the third) and a set of lunges, then repeating everything on the other side. Next a series of plie squats, stationary lunges, ski squats, and standing quad extensions is done for each side. Beginners should use a dowel or chair for balance and no weights. Experienced exercisers could hold dumbbells by their sides.

Arms and shoulders are the focus of the third Quick Fix. Minna picks up dumbbells again for four sets of biceps curls, four shoulder exercises and two sets for triceps. Have a couple of sets of dumbbells ready because you may need to lighten up for the long-lever shoulder exercises.

Each of the Quick Fix instructors offers a different style of total body toning for this workout: strength training exercises with dumbbells, standing toning using kickboxing moves, and traditional standing and floor exercises using only body weight for resistance. While each workout packs a lot of toning into 8 minutes there is only a minute of limbering-up at the start and just a stretch or two at the end. For best results you'll want do a longer warm-up and add more stretches or add a section at a time to another workout. All three instructors offer many form pointers and often preview technique in a slow motion rep before starting the set. Sets are short, only 8 or 12 reps each.

Minna uses a variety of dumbbell exercises in Quick Fix 1. Two sets each of upper/lower body combo exercises (squats with biceps curls and calf raises with lateral shoulder raises) and lunges (forward and reverse) make up the first half. The rest of the routine is spent alternating upper body exercises with lower: lat rows and kickbacks, ski squats, rear delt lifts and front delt raises, plie squats.

Next Nancy leads the kickboxing-influenced Quick Fix 2. She starts with upper body toning: three routines of punching and blocking moves done at different speeds, up-to-tempo and double time. The lower body gets two slow-speed kicking drills to improve balance, followed by 3 sets of squat variations including the bob and weave, and "squat and lean." All this punching and kicking gives you a taste of kickboxing-style workouts, but don't expect to learn authentic kickboxing moves. It's the easiest of the three workouts on this video.

In Quick Fix 3, taught by Julie, upper and lower body are worked separately again in two giant sets that are done twice each. Lower body is worked first with strength and power moves: sets of stationary lunges, jumping jacks (two regular, one plyo) and plie squats. Upper body and torso stabilizers are worked next for core conditioning. You get on the floor for two circuits of a plank, eight knee push-ups and four kneeling opposite-arm-and-leg reaches. Not many reps, but slow enough for plenty of intensity.

Quick Fix Total Body Workout is out of print...it's been replaced by the Quick Fix Total Mix DVD.

The jacket cover of this tape implies that three athletes, Nancy Kerrigan, Liz Masakayan and Manon Rheaume teach this workout. Surprise! They simply take turns being Petra Kolber's sidekick as she leads the workout. Each section opens with one of them chatting about how training helps her stay on top of her sport while action footage from her sport is shown. The leg workout, introduced by Nancy, is mostly standing exercises: squats, lunges, calf raises and leg lifts in all directions. Shin lifts are done seated. The most difficult part of this workout is staying in sync with the tempo changes of the reps. Liz, the volleyball star, introduces the upper body workout. One 12-rep set of 12 different exercises are done standing or seated. Again, some fooling around with the tempo of the lifting gets in the way of a straightforward workout. This section ends with push-ups, getting you down to the floor and ready for the ab section which is introduced by Manon, a hockey player. Five sets of crunches, with relaxing stretches between, are done with an easy-to-follow tempo (at last!). A back exercise and back stretches close this section. All three athletes return to the stage for the final stretch on the floor.

Because only one set of twelve reps is done for many upper body exercises and there's plenty of rest between, this workout could be for beginners. However, the camera work, rep counting, and cuing is very confusing, even for an experienced exerciser. Although her instructions about exercise form and body positioning are fine, within each set Petra changes the pace of lifting, lowering and holding, but doesn't count or cue these variations aloud. Occasionally it feels as if the music was dubbed in after the workout, because it's hard to find the beat during the warm-up and the toning reps. Even the class behind Petra doesn't stay with her. This workout is a great example of why it's more effective and less frustrating to "keep it simple" when teaching the basics.

Charlene uses heavy weights and slow reps to build strength and muscle definition in this no-nonsense workout. The first 29-minute section concentrates on legs with eight exercises, abs with two and lower back with one; the second section focuses on the upper body with ten exercises. Two 10-rep sets of each exercise are performed at a slow and steady 2-up, 2-down tempo, so advanced can progress to heavy weights without feeling rushed. Stretches are done immediately after each set of exercises, but there is no formal warm-up before the workout or cooldown stretch after. There's no choreography to worry about, no combination exercises to coordinate, just straightforward weight training. A class member counts reps so that Charlene is free to talk throughout each set and she doesn't stop talking during the entire 58-minute workout. She either cues and instructs the particular exercise or shares fitness tips. Class members also chat with her or add their own tips. Some exercises might need modifying for those with lower back or knee problems or flexibility limitations, so this long workout is best used by experienced intermediate and advanced exercisers who know how to make adjustments.

Serious Curves is only available on VHS...maybe at Charlene's website.

For these total body workouts on VHS, Tamilee has culled exercises from the other videos in the series. Although Program 1 is supposed to be the easier routine, it includes a few combo exercises that a beginners will probably not be ready for. Either program provides a focused, time-efficient workout for an intermediate, or an easier day for advanced who are short on time. However, once again there are no exercises for the chest or upper back, so this is not a balanced upper body workout.

Tamilee opens Program 1 with two upper/lower body combo exercises, testing your balance and coordination right off the bat. First she pairs a pulsing biceps curl with a pulsing stationary lunge then adds a glute lift and triceps kickback. That's one rep! Next she adds biceps curls to the lunge-kick-lunge combo from the Buns workout. The rest of this routine works one muscle group at a time: sumo squats with weights on the thighs (Buns 1), overhead presses (Arms 2), alternating biceps curls (Arms 1), and the one-arm triceps push-ups (Arms 2). Abs are last with the upper/lower crunch and oblique twists (Abs 1). She does 12 to 16 reps per set in the first round and only 8 reps the second time through.

Program 2 seems easier in comparison as it uses the chair for balance and has only one combo exercise. Like the Buns Program 2, you focus on one leg at a time with the standing kickbacks, runner's lunge and one-legged squats (adding weights here for a simultaneous biceps curl). Upper body work continues with lateral raises (Arms 1), concentration curls (Arms 2) and triceps dips off the chair (Arms 2). Abs get only the standing side-bends (Abs 2). Lower body gets 12 to 16 reps per set and upper gets 8 in the first round. All exercises get 8 reps in the second round.

The original I Want That Body workout was on VHS...it is now out of print and has been replaced by the DVD I Want That Body which includes the Abs, Buns and Arms workouts (see below) in their entirety so you can create your own total body workout.

Effective exercises get results...and that's what we're all looking for right? Tamilee took her search for effective strength training exercises to the the San Diego State Biomechanics Lab -- the same lab that tested the ab exercises in the Tip of the Month above. Each video in this series opens with identical clips of Tamilee in action and hooked up to EMG machines that monitored the muscle activity of each exercise. Tamilee then designed these "I Want..." workouts based on the results of that research, choosing only the exercises that tested most effective in the lab. If you're an intermediate or advanced exerciser you'll recognize most of the basic exercises she uses, although you may learn some new variations and discover a few unique exercises.

The video covers imply that the first workout on each video is a easier or beginner workout. While the exercises in Program 1 on the I Want Those Abs and IWant Those Arms tape do seem easier than those in Program 2, in both the Body and I Want Those Buns workouts many of the Program 1 exercises seem harder. Because they combine two lower body moves (Buns) or do upper and lower body moves together (Body) they require excellent balance, coordination and prior exercise experience.

Each video contains two 15-minute workouts. Weights are used only during the Arms and Body workouts, although you could easily hold dumbbells during Program 1 of the Buns workout. Tamilee uses a circuit training format, moving from one exercise to the next quickly. Two complete circuits are done in each Program with the exception of Arms Program 1, where three circuits are completed.

Because of the 15-minute time frame, the warm-ups are necessarily very short, usually under a minute, followed by a few stretches. You'll want to be more warmed up than that, so these workouts work best when you add them on to another workout. Likewise, the three to five stretches done at the end usually take less than a minute, so if you're done for the day you'll want to add a thorough final stretch of your own.

Tamilee is pretty low-keyed and gets right down to business during these training sessions. If you like to feel that you're part of a big class or need a lot of cheerleading to keep you going, the one-on-one teaching format may not work for you. However, Tamilee consistently does a great job of teaching, cueing and demonstrating throughout the workouts and offers lots of encouragement and many exercise pointers. She always tells you which muscles you're using and urges you to get the most out of your workout by putting your mind on the muscle you're working.

Five 10-minute routines highlight the hottest trends in video workouts. Although the workouts are short, each one includes advanced exercises. These compact routines are best used by experienced exercisers -- as additions to other workouts. On their own they feel rushed; the warm-ups and final stretches are brief. While Michelle shows great form all the time, the one-on-one instruction format works better for the Pilates, yoga and ballet which need more detailed instructions. The boot camp and kickboxing would be more motivating with a larger class -- for inspiration, lower intensity options and more fun! Unfortunately, the music track is so faint in all the workouts that it's often hard to follow the beat. And moving in sync with good music is the fun part of exercise video workouts, right?

Boot camp alternates standing leg work with upper body strength work. The upper back gets one set, while two sets each are done for triceps, biceps, chest and abs. Legs get squats, a front-side-back lunge combo, and three high-impact agility drills which add an aerobic interval effect. This workout moves at a quick pace with little set-up time between exercises.

The advanced Pilates routine starts with breathing exercises. Then your head and shoulders are held off the floor throughout eight challenging mat exercises that work your abs from top to bottom. Very tough!

The ballet routine requires slick shoes on a slick floor (or go barefoot), a sturdy chair and a mirror for best results. Michelle introduces ballet terms you've probably heard and perhaps never understood. Now you can try these graceful ballet moves in six short combinations that require good muscle control, great balance and healthy knees.

The kickboxing workout focuses more on punching than kicking. Jabs, crosses, hooks and uppercuts are combined in short routines with many pivot turns. Bob and weave, knee thrusts, and front and roundhouse kicks are sprinkled in. The camera work here needs help. Just when you need to see the footwork, the legs are cut off!

The yoga routine begins and ends seated cross-legged. Hamstring and inner thigh stretches flow into a catback/downward dog combo, followed by the warrior, cobra and child poses.