Andrea Ambandos Movies

This 170 minute workout video features five different workouts hosted by five different trainers, all designed to use intense aerobic exercise as a means to access the body's maximum fat burning potential. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide

This video is one of four 35-minute "Flowing Yoga" presentations featuring Lilias Folan (whose programs on television 30 years ago were many people's first introduction to yoga). With a patient and non-pushy attitude, she offers clear directions and gentle demonstrations, to help students strengthen and tone their bodies while balancing internal energy. She also lets beginners know what he or she should feel when a posture is held correctly, and offers help for common mistakes that might be made. Other volumes in the series include Arms & Abs, Cardio Challenge, Serenity Now, and Legs & Buns. ~ Alice Duncan, All Movie Guide

Part of the Redbook Workout exercise video series, which features an assortment of workout routines designed to provide specific body solutions, Redbook Workout: Body Sculpting strives to shape up the arms, legs, and abs. The program includes a warm-up segment, a toning workout routine, and a cool-down portion. The goals: better definition and improved muscle tone. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

Personal trainer Chris Imbo's Peak 10 fitness program -- 10 days to noticeable results, 10 weeks to the body you've always wanted -- has received rave reviews from Elle, New York Magazine, and Allure. Now Victoria's Secret model Frederique puts herself through Imbo's paces -- a simple series of progressive upper-body toning exercises (use of light weights is optional) that work the abs, shoulders, arms, back, and chest. Aerobics instructor Kacy Duke then leads a special routine designed to boost metabolism while burning fat. Finally, the program includes Imbo's nutritional advice and motivational skills that make it easier to commit to a healthy lifestyle for the long haul. For total-body conditioning, check out the companion volume Chris Imbo: Peak 10 Fitness, Vol. 2: Lower Body. ~ Sarah Welsh, All Movie Guide

Also aired on ESPN, the award-winning Crunch video series was created for viewers of all body types to get a good workout without the competitive and often judgemental elements of some other fitness programs. Instructor Janis Saffell hosts this installment designed for all fitness levels. Standing and floorwork toning excercises focus on the lower body, including glutes, quads, and hamstrings. A two to eight-pound dumbell is recommended, but not required for this workout to be effective. Other videos in the series include Crunch: Cardio Groove, Crunch: Tae Boxing, and Crunch: Yoga Mama. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

In this invigorating fitness video, the Crunch team guides viewers through an hour-long aerobic workout. A master class offers more challenging and intense routines, and in Crunch: Master Class Aerobics, Michael Perron leads a calorie-burning, sweat-inducing workout. Beginning with basic moves, he adds variations, then repeats the sequence before going to a new set. His variations change formerly easy movements into complex workouts for the whole body. There are seven cardio combos to work with, as well as a cool down. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

For those who have trouble fitting a challenging exercise routine into their busy schedules, Donna Richardson has the answer -- four 15-minute toning sessions, each with its own warm-up and cool-down, that focus on four major areas: abs, buttocks, upper body, and hips/ thighs. The idea is to complete a different segment each day for a full-body workout every four days. Designed for beginners and intermediates, the classic choreography that Richardson uses offers enough aerobic movement to work up a good sweat, and her clear, energetic instruction insures a satisfying workout. ~ Sarah Welsh, All Movie Guide

This 35-minute, mixed-impact video offers high-intensity, minute-long intervals called "power bursts." Like many of Crunch's workouts, the 25-minute aerobic section is divided into four parts (those few seconds between each segment are great opportunities for quick water breaks). Each section has its own choreography and its own "power burst." But the bubbly instructor, Tracy York, keeps things moving at such an energetic pace that the contrast between the regular choreography and the power bursts isn't all that big. While this somewhat minimizes the benefit of interval training -- it's supposed to create an aerobic/anaerobic combination that burns fat more effectively -- it certainly makes for a sweat-inducing workout. York overflows with enthusiasm, and her cuing is great. And while her group of exercises is all young, glowing and in great shape (a frequent feature of the Crunch series), this should not be intimidating for those without perfect bodies -- the choreography is very easy to grasp. Although the moves are basic enough for someone who's just starting to learn aerobics -- there are a lot of grapevines, and York talks the exerciser through mambos and box steps -- the energy level is closer to intermediate. This tape is best for those who already have some familiarity with aerobics and who want to intensify their workouts, or for those who have been using cardio machines (treadmills, stairmasters, etc.) for a while and are looking for a new challenge. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Crunch: Best Abs and Arms focuses, as the title suggests, on toning the upper and lower abdominal muscles as well as offering a comprehensive arm workout. There are two ab-specific segments, weight-assisted arm sculpting, and an emphasis on standing combinations. Fitness expert Faith Scarinzi instructs. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

All the muscles get a workout in Crunch: Master Class Sculpt, as Nancy Popp leads a series of exercises to tone and shape. She begins with a warm-up, moving to squats and leg lifts, with some leg work done from a prone position. To work the upper back, Popp offers bicep curls, lateral raises, and tricep kickbacks. The abs section can be difficult, but it offers the viewer ways to adapt the movements to individual capability. There is enough variety to keep boredom at bay, and weights can be added, if desired. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide