The Foam Roller, Workout & Massage Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't often have to get out my foam roller, but when I do I praise whoever the heck invented it.
I learned about the foam roller as a massage tool from a personal trainer who was showing me very basic moves on it after having done a marathon and she was all but purring while explaining how it helps ease muscle pain.
After pushing myself one week very hard in the gym, I knew I either had to hire a masseuse or get a foam roller. The foam roller you pay for once and get to continue using again and again so I opted for that. (you can get one at any sports store. I'm sure on Amazon probably as well. It is essentially a thicker smaller version of the foam "noodles" one uses in the pool)
Mine came with a DVD showing how the roller is used by professional football and sports team to ease muscle pain by deeply massaging your muscles utilizing your own body weight to roll the foam roller. However, it was geared towards men, it was very basic, and some explanations weren't clear. So I was always doing just a few basic moves with it.
I received a set of workout DVDs from a friend and this is one of my favorites because my foam roller just found new uses..not only in healing muscle pain but, now in gaining strength as well.
The video length is 30 minutes so it's far more thorough than my previous instruction DVD and many of the moves you'll remember and eventually simply be able to do well on your own. The instructor is warm and engaging and not only shows you how to utilize the foam roller to give you a heavenly back and leg massage, but also how to use it to strengthen your core and arms. There are wonderful thigh and hip stretches as well.
If you EVER workout to the point that you are sore, this is a wonderful DVD to have on your shelf. I'm working on a stone retaining wall in my backyard that I thought would be a good idea to build myself. With LARGE limestones. I can honestly say, had I not had this DVD last week I would probably have needed some serious pain medication I was in so sore. I hadn't realized how much weight I was lifting until the next day when I knew I'd overdone it. This allows you to correctly use a foam roller for a DEEP tissue massage. And being able to do it in my living room while watching tv rather than scheduling a massage appointment...heaven!
Know going in: This DVD is not a Hollywood studio type...there isn't music etc...it's good instruction and results-oriented, however and I was happy to have it. No music and special effects needed.

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This DVD guides you through a rejuvenating workout that offers a number of benefits brought on by improved core strength and deep muscle massage.The foam roller is inexpensive, easy to store, and takes the place of large, bulky exercise equipment. You can even use it to give yourself a nice, relaxing, full back massage. In just minutes a day, you'll strengthen and tone your arms, shoulders and abs. The thigh and hip stretches will add to your flexibility and comfort when sitting at your computer for long hours.The runner's outer thigh stretches (IT band) will make jogging safer on your kness and back and much more enjoyable. Plus, you can give yourself a deep back, shoulder and leg massage that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Working on these various muscle groups will also help you strenghten your back, hips, improve your balance, core strength and overall appearance.In addition, this Foam Roller progressive workout helps with circulation and digestion, and gives you that boost of energy you need to get you through your day. Rollers can be purchased online or from your local medical/sporting goods stores.
This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

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Chalean Extreme - Workout DVD Review

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(More customer reviews)This workout is great because there is a different workout for each day of the week. The weight training portion is only about 35 minutes long each - done 3 times a week and the two cardio days are a killer - interval training and you know you are burning off alot of calories. I really love the countdown clock - for each exercise, there is a clock that shows how much time is left. I have lost some body fat already - only on week 2 - although I haven't been eating as well as I should - I can only imagine how much more I could be losing if I followed the eating plan as well. Chalene is fun, motivational, and really so comfortable to listen to. And I like the slow and heavy reps - even in the 2nd week, I feel sore after each workout (and I am already in pretty good shape from before as I am a runner).
Definitely worth the money - I actually cancelled my gym membership b/c with this, I am consistently working out, unlike not being able to go the gym or not having the motivation to go.
UPDATE: I am now on week 6 of this program and went from a 28% body fat to 24% within 6 weeks, and that is without "dieting." I lost about 4 inches from my waist, 1 inch from my hips, but only 4 pounds overall. This is exactly the kind of result that I wanted - lose body fat, look leaner and tighter, and not lose muscle mass. And I still look forward to working out every day. Chalene says in the beginning that there will come a time when I will look forward to my workouts. Well, I definitely do now. And this is from me, a busy mom of 3 little kids, who is near 40.

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Get ready to burn fat and get lean with ChaLEAN Extreme, the new extreme workout system that transformed everyone in the test group with 3 simple words: MUSCLE BURNS FATTM. It's a fact. The more lean muscle you have, the more fat you burn. You can burn up to 60% of your body fat in just 3 months and see visible results every 30 days!

• Phases mentioned above, plus:• MUSCLE BURNS FAT GUIDEBOOK with workout calendars to show you which workout to do each day and how much weight to lift. THIGH TONER BAND adds some extra "oomph" to your lower-body resistance training.• BODY FAT TESTER to measure your body fat at each stage and help you see how much you'll lose month to month!• FAT-BURNING FOOD GUIDE shows you what to eat in each phase to maximize fat burning. Chalene's personal• EXTREME MOTIVATION AUDIO CD to pump you up! In the "HEALTHY EATS" and KITCHEN MAKEOVER DVD, Chalene shares her personal recipes and nutrition tips to help keep you and your family eating healthily.

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Viniyoga Therapy for the Upper Back, Neck & Shoulders with Gary Kraftsow (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Because I sit at a computer all day, I struggle with neck and shoulder issues. Now that I've picked up my weight training routine again, those issues are only being amplified. Happily, I have this DVD in my therapy stockpile. It's the only DVD I've tried which addresses neck and shoulder issues exclusively.
I like the fact that this DVD offers slow-moving yoga postures rather than sun salutations ad nauseum. While this is definitely a yoga dvd, the routines are more along the line of gentle stretching than a fast-moving "flow" practice. However, don't equate "gentle" with "ineffective." Hardly!!! This is the * most * effective neck and shoulder DVD I've done so far. I tried another, far more strenuous neck and shoulder yoga "workout" DVD which did not address the neck and shoulder area nearly as well as this gentle Viniyoga Therapy DVD. This DVD relaxes, loosens and strengthens the neck and shoulder area like no other yoga/stretch DVD I own. The fact that there are three 20 to 38-minute routines to choose from, that it is very effective, and that it has absolutely no "dread" factor for me, gives me the feeling that this DVD is going to be one of my most-used, "valuable player" workout DVDs of the year.... This DVD is appropriate for all levels: beginners, intermediates, advanced. However, understand that this is strictly a "therapeutic" yoga DVD addressing neck and shoulder issues. If you are looking for a traditional yoga workout with downward facing dog, etc., you are going to be disappointed.
Voiceover instruction with someone demonstrating the postures, so there's nothing sexy here, but the production values were very good. The best thing I've found so far for my neck and shoulder issues outside of Jeff Primack's qigong DVD.

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Viniyoga Therapy for the Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders features short, simple therapeutic yoga practices carefully designed to alleviate pain and promote health in the upper back, neck and shoulders. For the first time ever on DVD, benefit from the expert guidance of Gary Kraftsow, one of the world's leading yoga therapists. Founder of the American Viniyoga Institute, Gary is the designer of the only yoga practices demonstrated to be effective for back pain in a National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical study. If you are one of the 8 out of 10 Americans who have or will experience back pain, make the powerful therapeutic practices on this DVD a part of your everyday regimen for health and well-being!Highlights from this DVD include:Presentation on Understanding Back Pain and the application of yoga therapy.Technique Workshop on how to safely perform postures and movements.Focused practice for Upper Back and Neck Therapy.Focused practice for Neck and Shoulder Therapy.Integrated practice for sustained upper back Strength and Stability.Bonus MP3s of all practices for audio-only classes at home or on the go.

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Viniyoga Therapy for the Low Back, Sacrum & Hips with Gary Kraftsow (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)This DVD focuses on issues of the lower body, specifically the lower back, hips, and sacrum (the other DVD in this series focuses on the upper body). It differs from other yoga media offerings in that it contains a strong educational component in addition to the practice element. Also, the practices offered on the DVD are designed for rehabilitation and strengthening, and thus they are more similar in feel to a physical therapy session than to a yoga class.
The main menu of this DVD consists of four separate segments: 1) Understanding Back Pain, 2) Technique Workshop, 3) Therapeutic Practices, and 4) Special Features. The Technique Workshop provides the opportunity to study individual postures in greater depth. The Viniyoga Therapeutic Practices offer three complete practice segments tailored to meet different needs as described below. (Note: the DVD also provides bonus MP3 audio versions of each practice.)
1.Lower Back Therapy (23 minutes). Gary recommends that you begin here, as this is the most gentle practice. The postures are performed entirely on the floor and provide very mild stretching of the lower back area.
2.Hip Therapy (31 minutes). This practice, while still gentle and centered on floor postures, focuses more on the hips. Unlike more traditional hip-opening sequences found in other yoga practices, the goal here is to stretch the hips from four perspectives (front, back, and each side).
3.Strength and Stability (32 minutes). This practice is the only one on the DVD to contain standing postures, and thus the intensity level is slightly higher than the other two. Gary notes that it is designed to build long-term health and fitness in the low back, sacrum, and hips.
The practices feature a single student working on a mat against a rather sparse white set, with Gary providing instruction via voiceover. Most people are likely to find the practices rather dry--Gary's voice is a big monotone and repetitive, and there's little "fun factor" here. However, these are therapeutic in nature, and as such, they are quite effective. Although I personally didn't get much out of the first two practices--mainly because the low back and hips aren't a problem area for me--I was pleasantly surprised by the third, as it nicely stretched out not only my lower back but also my upper back, shoulders, and entire torso. This DVD would be useful for virtually anyone who is at risk for lower back issues, from those who work at physical labor to those with more chronic conditions. I definitely recommend Viniyoga Therapy for Lower Back, Hips, and Sacrum as an excellent tool for alleviating pain and promoting health in the entire lower back area.

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Viniyoga Therapy for the Low Back, Sacrum and Hips features short, simple therapeutic yoga practices carefully designed to alleviate pain and promote health in the low back, sacrum and hips. For the first time ever on DVD, benefit from the expert guidance of Gary Kraftsow, one of the world's leading yoga therapists. Founder of the American Viniyoga Institute, Gary is the designer of the only yoga practices demonstrated to be effective for back pain in a National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical study. If you are one of the 8 out of 10 Americans who have or will experience back pain, make the powerful therapeutic practices on this DVD a part of your everyday regimen for health and well-being! Highlights from this DVD include:Presentation on Understanding Back Pain and the application of yoga therapy.Technique Workshop on how to safely perform postures and movements.Focused practice for Low Back and Sacrum Therapy.Focused practice for Hip Therapy.Integrated practice for sustained low back Strength and Stability.Bonus MP3s of all practices for audio-only classes at home or on the go.

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Pilates - Beginning Mat Workout (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've kicked my rating up one additional star for this one reason: I have been doing this tape everyday for 2 weeks and I can truly see and feel the difference. My stomach, waist, and hips are getting stronger by the day and are visibly more slim. My pants are definitely baggier in these areas and I can see definition in my stomach, and this is after only 2 weeks. Also, I feel stronger in these areas as well as my thighs. Much less joint pain and creaking going on down there, as well. The most signifigant aspect of this rapid improvement is that *you do not break a sweat when you do this workout*. Additionally, it's short, approx. 20 minutes, so I don't feel as though I'm wasting any part of my schedule by doing it. Another bonus is that you don't need any special workout gear, clothes, shoes, scary contraptions, etc. It's just you, the mat, and Ana.
I do have one recommendation for new users: get yourself one of those sticky mats that we use for yoga. The Living Arts company, the very same group that puts out this video, has one. Also, be certain to get Brooke Siler's book in order to understand the poses to their fullest.
That's all I have to say. I just love this workout.

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Pilates is a full-body conditioning exercise program that uses a series of machines and exercises.It works the entire body, both the right and left sides, in unison.It focuses primarily on what Joseph Pilates called the "powerhouse," the group of muscles that begins two inches above and below your navel, then wraps completely around your front and back--kind of like a corset.It also includes your buttocks.The DVD features the Pilates Beginning Mat Workout, plus a bonus workout and interview with instructor Ana Caban.

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