Basic Ab Workout for Dummies (2002)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	Main Menu Audio-Bonus 10-minute Fast-Track Ab Workout
Rating
Year Of Production	2002
Running Time	42:55 (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	None Given

    For those looking to improve their mid-sections, Basic Ab Workout For Dummies is an easy to follow and fun introduction to the world of the lean waist and/or six-pack.

    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 program shows you how to train your abdominal muscles in easy-to-understand language. Not only will you flatten and tone your tummy, but you may even change your mind about exercise. Take the mystery out of effective abdominal training by discovering how to trigger your abs to contract and respond. Follow this program to work your ab muscles from all angles, and you'll see major results! Proper set-up technique and variety will help you maximize the benefits of this workout. Basic Ab Workout For Dummies offers step-by-step instruction of the ten best exercises for training your entire midsection and makes working out at your own level easy to do. This workout incorporates a progressive abdominal program that continually challenges your abs to give you a sleeker, more toned midsection in no time."

   Basic Ab Workout For Dummies is hosted by Gay Gasper, an aerobic instructor of over 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 ab exercises, which in turn can be combined into a routine. Importantly, there are also some stretching exercises at the end to help you cool down. There are two different intensity options, as Gasper incorporates both difficult and easy choices.

    As with the other Dummies fitness DVDs, the actual presentation is very simple -- it's Gasper in an empty room. There are various camera angles, 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 an NTSC video source which has been converted to PAL. Basic Ab 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 okay, but some of the long shots seem a little soft. 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 serious problems with MPEG artefacts, but the background image often appears slightly pixelated. The image suffers from some of the worst film-to-video artefacts, in the form of aliasing and edge enhancement, that I have ever seen. There is no problem with 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
Overall

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 fine throughout, which is important. Even as Gasper starts to get puffed, she remains clearly spoken (and smiling).

    The musical score is not credited to anyone, and it consists of a repetitive dance beat which plays in the background.

    As a Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track, 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 fitness DVDs.

Menu

    A very simple (static) menu with audio.

    Basic Ab 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.

    Basic Ab Workout For Dummies is aimed squarely at beginners, but there are enough difficult and varied exercises to keep it interesting.

    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