Features:

• Instructor Tracy York
• Offers step-by-step instruction of 12 key strength-training exercises and makes it easy to work out at any level
• Incorporates both upper and lower-body exercises to help tone muscles and burn more calories per day for fat loss

Editor Reviews:

Description:
This workout offers step-by-step instructions of 12 key strength-training exercises and makes it easy to work out at any level. It incorporates both upper and lower body exercises to help tone muscles and burn more calories per day - which leads to fat loss.

Amazon.com:
Weight training is quickly becoming the workout of choice for men and women alike. These regimens incorporate resistance exercises that can increase bone density and metabolism while creating more lean muscle. Tracy York's Shaping Up with Weights for Dummies will introduce these fundamental strength training exercises in language that even a first-time weightlifter will understand. York debunks fitness myths, describes muscle groups, and focuses on the safe execution of each exercise. All of the major muscle groups are trained through 12 basic exercises that are cleverly coined "The Daily Dozen." A series of upper- and lower-body exercises are done in two sets of 12, with stretching spliced between each interval. York makes great use of these stretching segments to emphasize body alignment and proper form (however, these breaks may provide too much down time for the experienced fitness buff). This session delivers a four-minute warm-up, 35 minutes of resistance training (stretches, too), and five minutes of abdominal work. Light hand weights are recommended, but the first-time strength trainer may want to try this format without any weights. Overall this is a stellar pick if you are new to weightlifting, not familiar with muscle groups, or just need to brush up on the basics. Although the music is less than toe-tapping, this information-packed video will leave you anything but dumb. --Olivia Voigts

Rating : - You Won't Feel Like a Dummy -- You Will Get Into Shape
Although I generally don't like thinking of myself as a "dummy," I take good information from wherever I can get it. This regimen depicts step-by-step instructions for 12 weight training exercises. The instructor, Tracy York, is no dummy, and makes the work out easy to understand, without talking down. The video incorporates both upper and lower body exercises to help tone muscles and burn more calories per day - which can lead to weight loss. Don't be surprised if you gain weight. Fat weighs less than muscle, and you will be adding muscle.

The instructions on this video include resistance exercises. These have been shown to increase bone density and stimulate the metabolism. Another benefit can be more muscle mass.

Shaping Up with Weights for Dummies introduces the basics of weight training in an understandable and not at all demeaning way. York exposes enough fitness myths to make the video a good value for this information alone. She also outlines the various muscle groups you will be exercising. Her focus is safety.

In the workout, all major muscle groups are attended to. There are 12 basic exercises one should do every day. Stretches are inserted between each. The instructor uses the stretching exercises to preach the virtues of body alignment and form. This is a worthwhile endeavor. The only down-side of these breaks is that they are a bit lengthy.

The line up: a four-minute warm-up, 35 minutes of resistance training, including stretches, and a five-minute workout for the abs.

The video recommends light hand weights for beginners. The emphasis is safety. You can also try workout with no weights at all, if you need to. It still works.

I didn't like the music, but that is not what I look for in an exercise video, unless it is by Richard Simmons.