{mosimage}Minna: Emergency Workout
(Parade Video)
2001
What is it?
Two exercise segments, approximately a half-hour each, led by fitness expert Minna Lessig (a former Miss Fitness USA and National Fitness champion). The first segment is Latin-flavored cardio, the second a light weight routine. Supposedly the video is geared for those who want to get in shape for an upcoming event.
Who is it for?
Advanced beginners — you don’t need to be shaping up for a special occasion to enjoy the work out. The cardio segment is very dancey, so the rhythm-challenged may have a hard time with it (those who love dancey aerobics, on the other hand, will have a good time). The weight segment requires 2 to 8 pound weights.
What to expect:
This video claims to get you into shape within six weeks; perhaps that’s true if you’re only mildly flabby, just 5 or so pounds overweight and you follow the sample 1200-calorie menu enclosed. It won’t work miracles. It is a lot of fun, though, and it’s a nice addition to the workout library of an advanced beginning exerciser, or an intermediate who wants to keep some easier routines around for low energy weeks. Those who enjoy dancing, especially salsa, will get a lot out of the all-too brief cardio segment — Lessig tosses in a lot of great moves and puts enough energy behind them so you do work up a good sweat. With just 15 minutes of hard work after the warm-up, however, it leaves you wanting more — so you may want to have a full hour free so you can also do the weight-training segment afterwards. The weight workout focuses on compound moves — lunges with bicep curls, for example — to make the most of its half hour. This is an effective, light training routine that covers all the major muscle groups. It will definitely produce muscle tone for those who aren’t accustomed to weight training; those who have weight trained for a while probably won’t feel much of a burn. The cool down is very brief, and it may be a good idea to continue stretching after the routine is over. What you get out of Emergency Workout depends on your level of fitness, and it will work best if alternated with other exercise tapes.
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