Fat Burning Workout for Dummies (2002)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	Main Menu Audio
Rating
Year Of Production	2002
Running Time	53:42 (Case: 45)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	1,2,3,4,5,6	Directed By	Andrea Ambandos
Studio Distributor	Visual Entertainment Visual Entertainment Group	Starring	Gay Gasper
Case	Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI	$29.95	Music	Musicflex Power Productions

    For those looking at improving their fitness, Fat Burning Workout For Dummies is an easy to follow and fun introduction to the world of aerobics.

    The Dummies Guides have been with us for a while (www.dummies.com), and although I think they started out as software manuals, their topics now cover everything from travel to finance, from computers to fitness. Recently, the Dummies Guides expanded their format from book to VHS, and now to DVD, and this brings us to this particular DVD.

    "This unintimidating DVD explains aerobic exercise in easy-to-understand language. Not only can you burn fat more efficiently and change your body by using this video, but you may even change your mind about exercise. If you have trouble moving forward, backward, left, and right, and breathing at the same time, this program will have you moving effortlessly in no time. Aerobics are simple if you know the basics, and this DVD takes you through the steps with ease so that you too can maximize the benefits of aerobic exercise."

   Fat Burning Workout For Dummies is hosted by Gay Gasper, an aerobic instructor of 20 years, and a former National Step Champion. Gasper has appeared in over 25 fitness videos, and has a relaxed, yet confident style. Her approach is to change your mind, as much as your body, in regard to exercising and fitness generally.

     Gasper provides step-by-step instructions for ten basic exercises, which in turn build to make up an aerobic routine. Importantly, there are also some stretching exercises at the end to help you cool down. There are two different intensity options, and Gasper incorporates both high-and-low-impact choices in an aerobic workout designed to raise your heart rate, and thus help you burn more calories and fat.

    The actual presentation is very simple -- it's Gasper in an empty room. There are various camera angels, and if you've seen Aerobics Oz Style, you'd be familiar with the general look of the DVD. However, true to the Dummies style, along the way there are tips and trivia, and a "jargon alert", which helps make the content more interesting.

Video

    The transfer is taken from a NTSC video source which has been converted to PAL. Fat Burning Workout For Dummies first appeared on VHS in 2001. While as a DVD it's no demo disc, it serves its purpose without problem.

    The transfer is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, full frame.

    The sharpness is generally fine, but some of the long shots seem a little soft, such as at 15:39. The shadow detail is what you'd expect for a video shot in a studio, and the colour is also generally okay.

    There were no problems with MPEG, film-to-video, or film artefacts.

    There are no subtitles provided on this single-sided, single-layered disc.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
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Audio

    Originally released on VHS in 2001 in stereo, the DVD has one audio option: English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)

    The dialogue quality and audio sync are excellent throughout, which is important. Even as Gasper starts to get puffed, she remains clearly spoken.

    The musical score is provided by Musicflex Power Productions, and is comprised of a repetitive dance beat which plays in the background. This occasionally becomes a catchy Latin-flavoured dance beat.

    As a Dolby Digital 2.0 audio rack, there is no surround presence or LFE activity.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

    There are no extras -- not even trailers for other Dummies DVDs, which I found surprising considering that there are videos/DVDs that follow this one, such as Gasper's Intermediate Aerobics.

Menu

    A very simple menu with audio.

    Fat Burning Workout For Dummies was originally released on VHS in Region 1 in 2001. It has since been released globally on DVD, with the R1 and R4 discs being identical, except for the PAL/NTSC differences.

     While sitting on the couch watching DVDs might not do a lot for your health, Fat Burning Workout For Dummies is one DVD that might help you start a fitness regimen. This DVD is aimed squarely at the beginner, and those who lack motivation, so if you're already exercising, I'd look elsewhere.

    The video quality is fine for the content.

    The audio quality is also fine for the content.

    There are no extras.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall