Customer Rating:  
Summary: Cardio section not strenuous enough
Comment: The best thing about the book is the straight run-through of most of the original Callanetics exercises (the ones you'd find on the blue VHS tape and in the original blue book), with clear instructions. If you are already familiar with the exercises, you will not miss pictures or the tape at all--in many cases, they are the exact words from the tape. Make a copy to take with you when traveling.
As for the cardio section, it is very disappointing. Not only is the model wearing a dark leotard, making it difficult to see exact leg placement, but for many exercises you have to flip back and forth between the steps. Directional arcs drawn onto the pictures would help greatly. Also, the instructions are not clear at all--it is as if someone else wrote them. If this is the same cardio workout that is featured on the new DVDs, I wouldn't bother buying them.
Unless you were completely sedentary to begin with, this cardio section is not strenuous enough to give a decent aerobic workout. You would be better off doing a 20-30 minute power walk with light hand weights, and/or wearing a weighted vest, or a low-impact step-type workout, or even the original BodyFlex breathing for 40 breaths to get your heart rate up and then do the Callanetics as your muscle workout/cooldown. Also, the other shortcoming of Callanetics, a lack of upper body exercises, was not addressed either, so you still need to do something for those arms, like pushups.
The rest of the book has some useful tips on healthy eating (though no recipes) and dealing with stress.
Not a bad book, but not as good as her others.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Low Impact Cardio Program
Comment: Callanetics Fit Forever, although not my favorite of all the Callan Pinckney books, has had an impact on me. I tried to follow the cardio portion and had trouble. I was fortunate last year to travel to Chicago to take a wonderful CardioCallanetics class with the most graceful instructor, Mallory. (who was also the model in the book) I do not do other cardio programs because of my back and knees. However, this program was modified so that I could keep up with the pace and get the most benefit. A beautifully choreographed exercise routine! I do the basic and super Callanetics exercises regularly and I am hoping a cardio video will be available soon.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very Effective but w/out pictures difficult to follow
Comment: I did Callanetics back in the 80s when I gained my freshman 15 (more like 25) and it was amazing - my body firmed up and melted away and I got down to a much smaller size without much other effort. I don't know why I stopped. I bought Fit Forever a couple of years ago and put it down because there were no pictures like the original book. The pictures were so helpful and I had a hard time remembering exactly what to do. Reading and exercising at the same time is a very hard thing to do. So back on the bookshelf it went.
I picked up the book last week and started to use it, pictures or not. I'm on my 4th workout and I already notice my clothes are looser and I'm still doing beginner workouts. I've since bought a used version of the original book and the VHS for the visual aids. I also believe the workout in the original had different levels of exercise. I'm excited to get my book and tape. I really feel taller, leaner, healthier and my back feels much stronger. I'd recommend the original book to the Fit Forever though.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Can't Wait
Comment: Callanetics Fit Forever is a collection must for the Callanetics 'family' of followers. The cardio portion is a welcome addition to the already phenomenal exercise program. I like that she has used a Callanetics instructor as her model in the book. Having done Callanetics for the past 8 years I can say this exercise program has made a difference in my life. It is truly one exercise program for all ages, any body! Can't wait for her next book!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Can't Wait
Comment: Callanetics Fit Forever is a collection must for the Callanetics 'family' of followers. The cardio portion is a welcome addition to the already phenomenal exercise program. I like that she has used a Callanetics instructor as her model in the book. Having done Callanetics for the past 8 years I can say this exercise program has made a difference in my life. It is truly one exercise program for all ages, any body! Can't wait for her next book!
|
