Total Body Cardio Toning Reviews

• Upbeat, fantastic workout

  
  By A3AHDR4F2J7YXX on 2007-11-10
  I love this workout and can't wait to try the other DVDs in this series. It is a carto-strength training-yoga-pilates fusion, but no sun-salutes here, yeah! The instructor (Tanja Djelevic ) is not too chatty, but motivates to get you going. The music really is not disco, it is modern, upbeat, and wonderful. The setting is beautiful in the mountains of Utah. You get 50, 30, and 10 min workouts. In the 50, she'll start you with a fun warm-up; move on to challenging cardio, then weighted movements (with or without weights), pilates abs, and yoga/stretch cool down. The moves are easy to learn and perfectly paced. I'm not much of a pilates fan, but her moves were fun and just my speed. I have been looking for a challenging workout like this and I was in a sweat as time flew by. Tanja makes it so fun.
  
  If you want good results, definitely get this DVD. I have also tried her new balance ball DVD and you can read my review...it's great too! I can't wait to try the other DVD's in this new series from Gaiam and will post reviews soon.
  
  

• Granola Aerobics

  
  By A11S2JI7AYLU5Q on 2007-11-02
  The music is disco, but the setting is outdoors, and the purpose of the exercise tape is to enjoy being embodied and healthy. Yoga steps are blended into aerobic and strength-building exercises, although I would say there is more pilates and aerobics than yoga. Tanja Djelevic has a smiling, vibrant personality that encourages you to have fun and work hard. I plan on buying more of her DVDs soon.
  
  

• Quite a challenge!

  
  By A1FX74LOV9PBBB on 2008-02-02
  I bought this DVD because, as a yoga/pilates enthusiast, I just wasn't getting the cardio I needed from my daily workouts. Yoga and pilates are great for strength, flexibility, and core building, but I never felt like my heart was getting much of a workout. I was excited when I saw this workout, touting a blend of both cardio and yoga, and I was not disappointed after trying it! When I get new workouts, one of the main things I look for is the challenge--in other words, can I do it easily the first time, or is it something I can challenge myself to improve upon each time I try it? If it's easy to do the first time, it's pretty much useless for me. I tried this workout for the first time this morning, and had to take lots and lots of breaks, which means that I can look forward to eventually mastering the entire workout and improving my cardiovascular health. I can ensure you that this workout will get the job done. I look forward to being able to get through the whole thing with no problem!
  
  The workout is a blend of many things...Tanja starts out warming up the body, then moves into Plyometrics. Plyos are muscle-specific exercises that usually include a combination of jumping, twisting, or other movements. For example, she doesn't just have you do squats--she has you do jumping squats; she doesn't just have you do lunges--you will do twisting lunges. Then she goes into a toning section. What I really liked about this is that once you feel more comfortable with the workout, you can easily add weights. I was able to use some 3 pounders at first. Tanja doesn't demonstrate with weights, but mentions several times that this is an option. There is an ab section, and many of the exercises she does here are pilates or yoga based. My abs were burning so bad by the end of this! She finishes with a nice yoga-based stretching segment. (And...quick tidbit...for those of you who also have the Ellen Barrett Crunch Super Slimdown, you'll recognize the music here!)
  
  By the way, Tanja is a wonderful instructor. I went ahead and bought her balance ball routine after finishing this one and look forward to trying it! Hope you enjoy!
  
  

• My wife loves the DVD

  
  By AT03N4LKFAQPN on 2007-12-10
  My wife just loves fitness DVD's and put Tanja's DVD on her wishlist. I got her the Cardio DVD for her birthday and it's her new favorite DVD now.
  I tried it too and really like it. Lot's of fun. Great setting, easy to repeat at home and very upbeat.
  My wife has already updated her wishlist and I guess I will get some more of Tanja's workout DVD's soon.
  
  

• Great workout Nice change of pace

  
  By AFI00QJ0NT26E on 2008-01-25
  I normally don't like Yoga based workouts, they're just not my thing. I prefer kick boxing and lots of sweating and kicks. However this workout I found to be a great combination and lead by one very long and lean instructor. I chose this workout due to the reviews posted here on Amazon and have been very pleased with this purchase. Everything everyone has written if very true. I find I get a great cardio workout from this and have an overall great feeling of strength when complete. I found the moves to be doable and enjoyable. I think the setting is very scenic and a nice change of pace from the hum drum studio set you normally get. I can only wish I looked like Tanja and had those amazing long limbs. The workout leaves me refreshed and energized and feeling more flexible then I have in a long time from a workout.
  
  
• Nice setting but LACKS cardio
  By A143CYHABT6HZP on 2008-05-13
  While I think this is a decent DVD, I was really expecting a lot more cardio. Unlike Tanja's Cardio BalanceBall DVD where I stayed in my heart rate training zone for most of the workout. My heart rate monitor did not indicate that with this workout. Also, my pedometer only indicated that I got in 1400 steps out of the daily 10,000 recommended steps. I think the title should have been changed to reflect that this DVD is predominantly a toning DVD.
  
  I enjoy Tanja as an instructor, and I do think that she incorporates a lot of dynamic movement into this intermediate level workout. She is positive, and you can tell that she truly enjoys health. I work out at least 6 days a week to fitness DVDs.I think I will only do this video about once a month or so.
  
  If you are a beginner/ intermediate exerciser who wants a serene workout for lighter days, you will enjoy this workout.
  
  
• Great fusion workout!
  By A3G9PUQ73YOILI on 2008-06-27
  I workout at a gym and at home using dvds four to five times a week. This workout, a yoga/pilates/cardio fusion, is so challenging and fun that I've been doing it instead of going to the gym! Tanja is great! She has energy, is encouraging (but not in a cheesy way), and she is an excellent instructor. Her cues and instruction are so clear that I was able to follow her the first time. She also gives very clear instructions for modifying each section so it is more or less challenging. The workout is exactly what the title says it is--a total body cardio workout. There is an option to use weights at times and all of the major muscle groups get used. The music is excellent and the scenery is wonderful. I have 3 of Tanja's dvds and plan to get her other 2 (not available at Amazon). I have an entire library of cardio, pilates, and yoga dvds, but Tanja's are definitely the best.
  
  
• Tanja's workout is FUN!
  By A1AJDQESLYSN9V on 2007-12-06
  Tanja is so inspiring. She has a shining and magnetic personality that keeps me fully engaged and focused. "Total Body Cardio" is a full body workout and the exercises are creative, challenging, and FUN. I can't wait to buy more of Tanja's DVD's!!
  
  
• Great Cardio Workout!
  By A2V98IHKN5CK3 on 2007-12-25
  I bought this DVD because I loved Tanja Djevelic's exercise ball cardio workout through Gaiam and figured I'd give the Total Body Cardio workout a shot. I do more than break out in a sweat with this workout and feel that Djevelic is so great at motivating and inspiring the viewer. Tanja is one of my favorite instructors because of her open and welcoming personality. She stresses that the viewer add his/her own "flavor" to the workout moves and how can one not put in 160% with someone like her pushing you to give it your all?
  
  I also love the fact that there is a condensed 30 minute version when I want to squeeze in a small segment of cardio. Weights aren't needed, but for some of the arm exercises, I do them in for an extra challenge. The ab section of the workout is a short one, but it is very efficient.
  
  Give this workout a shot if you're looking for a great cardio workout with an instructor that never fails to put a smile on my face, even if I can't stand plyometric squat movements.
  
  
• A workout for real people
  By A3SPKVBQT94V4 on 2008-03-17
  I don't normally write reviews but this is one purchase I'm super pleased with. When I get a new workout video I like to watch it first so there's no surprises my first time through. Just watching it I thought, "There's no way someone as uncoordinated as me could follow that!" Well surprise, I managed to make it through the whole workout first try and when I did miss a step or two it was very easy to pick back up. Tanja's queuing is spot on and she makes the workout fun. She is genuinely happy without a trace of that fake perkiness that turns me off so many instructors. I also felt like the workout was really solid. The fusion of cardio, weight traning (if you want it), and yoga is just my style. If you're wondering whether you should get this I say go for it; you won't be disappointed.
  
  
• Pleasantly Surprised!
  By A1S188V95WN93V on 2008-01-25
  In the past I have hated any aerobics type DVD's because the instructors always seem to be so perky I can't manage to take them seriously. However, I needed one and found this and was SHOCKED! She isn't painfully perky and it is actually a great workout and can be used from beginner to more advanced by adding weights. The music isn't too bad like in a lot of videos and it's a great way to vary your workout. For anyone who wants to try out a video and has been skeptical this is a good one. She also does a lot of core, stability exercises which is really good and is left out of a lot of videos. Good overall workout. I would strongly suggest it.
  
  
• very good Workout
  By A374E194BWKOWQ on 2008-02-02
  I bought this based on the reviews. I was looking for something a little different than waht I have been doing (not that I don't love my other DVD's). This is a different style workout - for me at least. I felt the instructions were good - lead ins acceptable (for moderate/experienced) - perfect pace to get your heart rate up and clean recovery periods. The name Cardio may be a bit missleading in that there is no hard arobics/dancing here! She uses Yoga, Palaties - and your own body weight to get your heart pumping - that's not to say you will not be jumping she does this at a controlled pace.
  
  The only thing I did not see anyone mention or recomend is some basic knowledge of yoga or pallaties is needed. If both practices are not done properly you will never get the full benenifts. I did not feel the instructions were at a beginners level.
  
  
• The Whole Package...
  By AR5GPVYQW981P on 2008-03-08
  This workout is nearly perfect! Tanja Djelevic is a terrific guide, and she leads you through a very energetic (yet not too intense) 50 minutes of total body conditioning. The first 20 minutes are devoted to raising the heartrate, followed by toning which includes elements of Pilates as well as yoga. Being a regular practitioner of yoga, I love a cardiovascular workout that incorporates these poses. There is also an "express" workout of just under 30 minutes, and a bonus workout. The setting is great, Tanja's cues are terrific, and she is appealing and motivating! I just completed this dvd for the first time this a.m. and it is in my top 10 fitness dvd rotation. I highly, highly recommend it!
  
  
• Great Workout
  By AKRR1GUX9AUUI on 2007-12-03
  I use fitness DVDs to stay in shape when I don't have time to go to the gym and Tanja Djelevic, the instructor in this film, is one of my favorite DVD instructors. For me she stands for great workouts, great energy, and great fun. She explains her exercises really well which make them easy to follow even the first time - but don't get me wrong, nothing is easy about the "sweat level" this DVD causes. I get really tired each time I use it. This is a great buy if you are looking for a fun and effective workout routine to do at home!
  
  
• Great work-out
  By A2WCDBSF5C41WO on 2008-04-17
  Terrific work out--keeps your heart-rate up all the time. Great moves which target many muscles in the body. It combines teh best of all worlds, yoga, cardio and an option for weight training for the upper body. Background music decent enough; only gripe is that it does not have an option to turn off the background music. But otherwise, terrific work-out routine that i highly recommend.
  
  
• Fantastic!
  By AU4EL5UHFDE43 on 2008-04-24
  This video is amazing. Tanja has such wonderful energy and she is truly pleasant. There are three segments: a 50 minute workout, a 30 minute workout, and a 10 minute bonus segment of Tanja's favorite ab exercises. The 50 minute workout goes by so quickly, and is unbelievably enjoyable! Tanja gets my heart rate up (and keeps it up!) while managing to move from one exercise to another at the perfect rate - as soon as I'm starting to get bored with one move, she introduces another. The 30 minute segment is just an abbreviated version of the 50 minute one, in case you don't have the time or energy for the longer workout. Even if I feel tired, I try to start the 50 minute one - when I finish the warm-up, I feel better and I'm able to do the whole workout. The workouts are definitely challenging - my heart rate goes up and stays up until the yoga stretch, and I feel like I've worked every major muscle group. The 10 minute ab workout is good, and incorporates some stuff that you don't see in the other programs.
  Tanja is joined by 2 other exercisers in the 30 and 50 minute segments, and is by herself for the ab workout. Tanja is fun and energetic - she never sounds fake or scripted, nor does she have annoying catch phrases to repeat. Overall, she is a joy, the workout is excellent, and these workouts have been my absolute favorites since the day I received the video.
  
  
  
• I give it a B+ or A-
  By A1NGXPZUZ6UYVK on 2008-05-08
  I love the fact that this video is 100 times LESS cheesy than most workout videos I've tried. The corny stuff is kept to a minimum and there's no obnoxioius intro. The women in it are of course attractive, but thankfully the camera man doesn't zoom in on their crotches and they don't wear ridiculously revealing clothing like in some videos. It really is a video about the workout. The background scenery is also really pretty.
  
  About the actual workout: The express workout is great. The longer workout is good too, but it starts to get too slow paced for me. If you like pilates and other slower paced toning stuff, you'll love it all. There are some parts in the longer workout that they do without weights in the video, but unless you are super wimpy or recovering from surgery, I would recommend having some light weights around to make those exercises seem worthwhile. While I do wish some parts of this were more fast paced and fun, overall it is a great video and I've found it to be helpful early in the morning when I'm crabby and have a lower tolerance for cheesy, condescending video hosts.
  
  
• Good addition to workout library
  By A2SBMVU492UTFG on 2008-06-19
  This is very solid, well taught and effective workout. The scenery is beautiful and the instructor is not annoying. I had not worked out in awhile (fell off the fitness wagon for a couple months) and I was super sore after just the quickie workout. I think if you are beginning to intermediate fitness level you will see definite, quick results from this. More advanced fitness levels might enjoy this for a light day workout. Either way, my opinion is, this would be a great addition to most fitness library collections.
  
  
• Fantastic
  By A2BMK0426UVWHA on 2008-04-21
  If you are tired of all the other cardio routines, try Tanja. She is so refreshing and her workouts are filmed outdoors. This workout is a nice 50 minutes if you do the full workout, which I think is great (all my other dvds are around 30 minutes). Tanja is inspiring and motivating, and very natural. I already own more of her dvds and I am waiting for the next one that I just ordered. Everything about this workout is great, the instructor, the moves, the instructions, the scenery, the music, the price ... go buy it.
  The express workout (30 minutes) is not just a shorter version of the full workout, it's a different workout, so you get two workouts on one dvd.
  
  
• nice energy
  By A37NVIWUQ0ALBE on 2008-05-18
  Like this dvd--the instructor has a pleasant and enthusiastic way. I love the natural setting, the mountains in the background are beautiful--inspirational. this dvd is a nice blend of yoga, pilates and aerobic movement. rigorous and strenuous at times--I'm a person who does 45 min of cardio daily, but a great work out.
  
  
• total body cardio
  By A1PE1O8ODVE9BQ on 2008-10-21
  Warning look at item carefully Gaiam repackages of previously released dvd and sells with a new title but old recordings
  
  
• Love it
  By A1HX1FC32YXI4C on 2008-04-12
  I actually look forward to doing this workout (and I can't do it every day, because my muscles (every single one in my body) need to recover)! I think it has something to do with Tanja's positive, fun personality; with the variety that comes from combining aerobics, pilates moves, strength training, and yoga; and the sense of exercising outside in the sunshine in the gorgeous mountains of Utah (which is really motivating when the actual weather where I am is cold and gloomy). Definitely my favorite workout DVD, and I have a lot of them!
  
  
• Makes you sweat
  By A3CDJDPV8ZLA3X on 2008-07-07
  This a great workout to build up the muscles in your legs and shoulders. It combines Cardio, Yoga and Pilates. It is pretty challenging, and can be even more challenging if you add weights.
  
  
• Ok workout but a little slow...
  By A2SHDQR5YWEUZL on 2008-10-27
  I agree with another reviewer that "cardio" should be taken out of the title of this. The reviews of this are so good but it just did not do it for me. I have too many other dvds that are more motivating. All I can say is that it is a little slow if you are a high energy cardio addict like me. I have had it for many months but have only done it once. I even put it in this morning to give it another try and the preview was so boring I could not hit play. I liked the idea of cardio/toning/pilates/yoga fusion, but as I said it is a little slow. For a toning fusion with higher energy I recommend Crunch's Burn & Firm Pilates.
  
  
• Great workout
  By A2CE2M7HFXONWB on 2008-02-13
  This is the first exercise DVD I've bought, and I was quite impressed with it. I do weight training in a class several times a week, but this adds a little variety and fun. I wasn't overly sore the next day, but I really got worn out during the actual workout. She switches up movement a good deal and really gets your heart rate up. Great host - charismatic and fun! After repeated tries, I got significantly better at the moves, but it is still challenging enough to be fun! I recommend it for beginners and more experienced exercisers.
  
  

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