Kathy Smith: Total Body Lift

I used to do Kathy Smith's workouts all the time when I was in my 20's and she got me in great shape. I'm in my 40's now and I am finding that strength work outs are not just a nice to have so I can have a better body. They are a need to have, because as you get older you lose strength, literally. I noticed it was harder to get up off the floor, and also my posture is starting to suffer. Also, I am just so out of shape, period. As I get older, I am only going to lose more strength and suffer from more back and joint issues at this rate. I wasn't having it.So I started Kathy's Total Body Lift workout this week and I won't kid you, it's hard, BUT dang, it does work. I can already see definition starting in my arms and my back is stronger. I carry myself with much better posture than I did. I have more energy, too. This workout really works.I like that there are four separate workouts, in addition to the warm up. Arms, legs, butt and abs. They are each very short and do not involve a lot of moves. Kathy chooses the exercises that are the most effective and that is what keeps each work out short. I am pressed for time so I like a short workout. I was sore as heck the next day after doing these workouts, but not crippled. I will say that really focusing on keeping your abs tight and when you do the arms, your shoulders dropped, makes all the difference. Out of all the workouts I found the combination of the legs and butt (I do those two together) the most challenging. Once I can do that one without my muscles trembling like noodles I will feel like I really accomplished something.For sure, you can expect overall strength, a stronger core, nice arms and a butt lift from this workout. Kathy knows what she's doing.UPDATE FOUR MONTHS LATER: I've done this workout religiously since May and it has changed my body. Especially my butt. I had a typical 40 something behind, hit hard by gravity, having a sit down job, and 2 kids. I didn't think I'd ever have the round, high bubble butt I had in my 20s doing this video, but I do. I did not expect that at all. I am no longer embarrassed wearing a swimsuit and my jeans look great. This workout gave me a different body and more confidence.

Total Body Lift is a great workout and the only reason I gave it four stars is that it lacks an aerobic section - and I really wish Kathy Smith had included one. The enitre hour is a bit challenging but it has become one of my favorite DVDs - love the upper body segment especially (light, and I mean light, as in 2 lbs., weights needed - and you will feel the burn!!!!) - the lower body segments are effective (yes, take care of your knees and watch your alignment as always) and the abdominal one will make you wonder if you can get through it, but you can and you will really feel a sense of accomplishment. After each "big burn" section Kathy stretches you out - instead of waiting for a cool down - there is no designated cool down but there is a warm up. I walk several miles a day and workout 3 times a week with a DVD such as this. I took ballet for 18 years as an adult but find this regime is effective yet less stressful on my body. (I also taught aerobics back in the 80's - fitness has always been a big part of my life - but am no longer into over exercising or punishing my body as with boot camp style workouts.) Does Kathy Smith look a little like Barbie in this? Maybe, but it doesn't interfere, so enjoy an excellent and effective workout in the privacy of your own home. My other favorite DVDs are "Peel Away the Pounds Pilates", "Body Boomers" (the "Moving thru Menopause" aerobics, weight lifting and yoga segments which are nurturing and effective and help you get back on your feet espeically if you're just getting back on track/had an injury/etc)- all from Kathy Smith. Her DVDs are clear, easy to follow and as challenging as you allow. I have tried many others - including Denise Austin, several pilates and ballet inspired workouts but always come back to Kathy Smith.

I have worked out to Kathy Smith videos for years. I believe that this one is the most effective workout that I have ever had. It is VERY challenging. All of the movements target specific areas that I struggle with. It doesn't seem like it should be as hard as it is by how little you actually move but these small movements target these areas very effectively!I had NO idea that my hips in the spare tire area would hurt so badly after a short 10 minute workout! I actually didn't know I had worked that area during the workout.As usual, Kathy Smith offers detailed hands on information about how to target the specified area and do the workout with correct form. I never feel like I'm going to injure something while doing her workouts. You can also follow one of the three people for a more basic workout, a medium workout or an advanced workout. I like knowing that I can keep working out with this DVD as I progress in my fitness level.

It's very rare that I finish a new Kathy Smith workout and feel disappointed, but I'm just not a fan of this one. I have very little time to workout each day and after trying this workout yesterday and again today I feel I've wasted two exercise days.I enjoyed the warm-up to Total Body Lift and wish the rest of the workout could have followed the format of the warm-up (large flowing, stretching, toning moves), but it didn't. The first section (arms) had some great exercises and was the only section where I really felt any benefit, but it's short and there aren't a lot of repetitions. The legs and butt sections seemed like watered down versions of the Lift Weights to Lose Weight workouts (which are much more intense and effective than this one). I turned the abs section off midway through, as I just wasn't enjoying it and felt like I was wasting my time.I don't know if I was just doing all the moves wrong or what, but my heartrate was never at all elevated, I never felt much isometric resistance, and I didn't feel sore or "worked-out" after this DVD, just annoyed. I love Kathy's Matrix method DVD's, but will be returning this one.

This is a great workout. Barre inspired.

Amazingly effective for shaping and strengthening muscles. It's challenging and really pushes you, but that's how you get muscle definition. The first few times I did the arms and thighs sections I was swearing like a navvy, but after just two sessions I noticed some serious contouring in my body. Hard, yes, but fantastic with it. It's comprehensive and hits all the areas you want to tone. I find it quite reassuring that the women in the dvd are looking as pained as I am on the last few reps, and that they even laugh with relief at the end. This is all good because tough workouts are the ones that actually make a difference. Kathy Smith is encouraging and genuine and the exercises here are brilliant for really toning the body.

At 59 her figure puts me to shame! Ahem, that being said this is an excellent workout.You need very little space or equipment, light hand weights, a towel and chair or something to rest your arms on for balance.The workouts themselves are very much similar to what you will find on The Barre Workout / Exhale / Fusion dvd, in so much there is some Callentics, Lotte Berk, ballet type exercises. The thing is they really do work to tighten on tone your body.Think slow, controlled, precise movements that work the muscle deeply.If you like leaping about for your workout you'd better look eleswhere.A good addition to my regular routine and Kathy comes across as encouraging and warm rather than creepy like the Lotte Berk Stepford women!

If you want to make real differences to your body shape and tone, do it in the comfort of your own home with minimal equipment and make the most of the precious minutes you can devote to exercise - this DVD is for you.Kathy Smith has the best credentials in the business; she is a walking, lunging, crunching inspiration and testament to the fact that if you put the effort in, you earn the results. There's no faffing about, it's straight down to business, each repetition within each set of each exercise is effective. No wasted effort and no gimmicks, you're targeting your muscles in a very precise way, stretching them out and moving on.You can modify each exercise to match your level of strength, fitness and flexibility and throughout Kathy is warm, encouraging and sincere. This one DVD will take you as far as you want to go - banish bingo-wings and tighten your buns or go all the way to a complete hard-body with the long lean lines of a dancer.

I have several Kathy Smith dvd's and all of them are worth buying. She is a professional in her area of toning and exercise. Total Body Lift is a dvd that is easy to follow, she gives clear instructions and the only props needed are a chair and some light weights or water bottles . Very little space is needed and the workouts can be broken up into segments . The workouts can be as long or as short as suits you.Also the exercises themselves are targeted and require effort, but she has managed to get a full workout done without having to buy weights or special equipment. Very good dvd for at home toning with results.

Absolutely my best toningdvd!!!First time I tried it, I couldn't believe that I got beaten by a 57 year old lady!!Kathy gives you a hard and effective 65 minute toning program. She gives good instructions during the execises, and you can feel the muscles burn do to the many variations and repetitions.The workout consists of 5 sections: warmup, arms and upper body, thighs, bum, abs and cooldown.There is a nice little extra feature if you want to customise your workout: You can add the different sections seperately and thereby create you personal workout program.Worth buying!