Keeping Fit in Your 50s - Strength

I received this exercise DVD yesterday and used it for the first time today with my friend. She and I are in our mid and late fifties and had been doing a strengthening exercise video together but the VCR died and so we're using the DVD player instead.I loved this DVD in comparison to the video. The video had a fitness expert leading several every-day type folks in the exercises. I found the other people distracting and they didn't always do the exercises properly and she had to show them how to do them correctly. I got tired of seeing that replayed every time I did the exercises. Also, the expert talked to us between the rep sets. That was fine the first few times, but got tiresome after a while. On the DVD, she goes back and forth between two different exercises rather than having actual rest times. This seemed a more effective use of time.The DVD seemed to be more professionally done than the video also.I am fairly new to weight lifting so don't have an opinion about slow or fast weight lifting. If you are convinced that slow weight lifting is the only effective way to do weight lifting, you will not want to do this program. She moves at a pretty fast clip. We were sweating at the end of this program and we weren't with the other program. I have read the controversy about whether or not slow movements are more effective. I am not convinced either way yet, so I am going to stay with the faster pace. I liked it much better. I wasn't receiving any of the promised benefits of the slow way after several months.As soon as I can afford it, I am going to order the flexibility and aerobic DVDs as well.

As a person that has exercised on & off all my adult life I got this because at age 52, I find my body is changing, I cant go as fast as I did following numerous dvd's that I've worked out with so many times in my 20's - 40's! My knees & hip joints bother me and make me modify or avoid some exercises I've done so many times in my 20's - 40's! So I got this and yes, too much instruction. It's like at age 50+ they think you have never exercised before and over explain everything. The exercises are good though, nothing fancy but good run-of-the mill weight exercises, you choose a weight that makes it challenging for you. I liked the advanced exercises also! So I plan to next time turn the volume down on the dvd, put on some fun old time Rock n Roll music and just follow along as they do the exercises! :) No cool down though?!

I am 76 years old and in fairly good shape. My doctor son impressed upon me that I need to build more muscle and strengthen my bones, which was the reason I bought this DVD. I liked the way the instructor showed you the proper form of doing the workout, not only at the beginning, but also as they do each one. They also alternate the muscle groups, which not only is a better way of working the muscles, but also provide the variety. After working with it for a month or so, I increased the weights, a clear indication of my muscles are getting stronger. After a few times, I felt I got the moves down, I wrote down each exercise, and can do them now without looking at the tape, which saves some time, and also allows me to workout with my own music or audiobooks.I strongly recommend this DVD to all women over certain age. Never too late to improve oneself.

I thought I was purchasing a "weight training/body sculpting" video. Unfortunately I did not. Most of the video is wasted with two older women describing exercises that anyone can do by just observing.I assumed the video would have a quick 2-3 minute demo at the beginning, then 30 minutes or so of weight training accompanied by an instructor's verbal commands with appropriate music as I do in my body-sculpting class. Instead these women and their chatter are featured throughout the video. It's as if the purpose of the video is to showcase these women instead of weight training.Do not buy this video if you are looking for a good strength traininng video. I'm 61 and it's worthless.

As a very busy fifty-something woman I have found this DVD to be quite helpful. I've used it about 3 times a week for a month, and I am very pleased to report that I have advanced enough to move from 1 lb. weights to 2 lb. weights, which for me is a big improvement. This DVD does not drag the way some other exercise DVDs do, and I find Robyn Stuhr and Cindy Joseph to be quite inspiring (and not the least bit condescending). I plan to continue with this exercise program (who knows, maybe I'll work my way up to 10 lb weights), and, because I am pleased with this product, I intend to purchase the "Keeping Fit in Your 50s" flexibility DVD as well.

If you are already an active person, used to an exercise routine with a moderate to high intensity level, you may be disappointed in this DVD. There was too much talk and not enough action for me. I did, however, learn a bit about correct form when lifting free weights, but I was disappointed that the workout wasn't more intense. In short, if you are a beginner, in need of an instructional video, this is the one for you.

The instructor takes up too much time in talking, and in a too-condescending voice, more appropriate for children. Neither of the participants has a good sense of rhythm - why use music if you're not going to keep time? Then, after the workout, no stretch. I would not have bought this had I seen it first - it was a waste of money for my requirements. It gets 2 stars instead of 1 because if you ignore the criticisms above and put a lot of effort into it you can end up with a halfway-decent workout. But any workout should have a stretching section at the end!

I'm (just) over 50 and I thought this was a good workout. My only complaint (and I have this complaint with most workout videos) is this. I understand you need lots of instruction when you are first starting a new workout video. But by the 2nd or 3rd week, all the talk gets pretty annoying. I think makers of workout videos should include an edited version of the workout (without all the instructions).

I assume that whoever was hired to do the shooting for this DVD thought he [or she?] would be edgy and innovative by experimenting with different cockeyed camera angles. The overall effect is disorienting and ultimately frustrating. The other problem is that there's far too much unnecessary talk at the beginning. Yes, yes, we know that we need to exercise and our bodies are aging, take it easy, blah, blah. Just show us the exercises, full straight-on camera shots, we'll do our requisite stretches and get on with our real lives...

My wife loves these exercise videos, because they are straightforward, pleasantly presented and beneficial when used regularly. The presentation is happy and effective, and supported with music.

I watched this once and it just did not interest me.

this is an old workout routine. It is the basics but is not subtle and particularly gentle for older people who might have lots of aches and pains.

not what I was expecting so returned product. I thought it would be more aerobic. Prefer something more energetic. Very american