Well, I just coughed up $30 (including shipping) for Mindy's sports tape and must say that it's well worth the money. It's one of those body-changing workouts that is exhilarating enough to last for hours and hours.
After doing the workout several times, I couldn't help but wonder exactly what makes a good workout video, and, for that matter, what makes a bad one. My opinion? You're going to get more than your money's worth from Mindy. Having never been one to fuss over fancy choreography, preferring to get a kick-butt workout rather than dance on the step, Mindy's tape is grueling from the warm-up on. (Nothing against fancy choreography, but, hey, I'm a busy mom---I have to get in and out.) Unlike, say, Kari Anderson in Body Tech, Mindy actually takes advantage of video technology, saying, "Rewind this and do it again." Sometimes, I feel than video instructors spend so much time teaching a move, that they forget that the class is not live, that the participant can rewind the darn tape. (Praises to Cathe for getting this right.) For instance, after doing Body Tech three times, I traded the thing; I mastered the moves and couldn't stand the painfully slow teaching pace any more.
What else makes Mindy's tape successful? She and her colleagues are "honest athletes." Encouraging, without being overly scripted or annoying. I recall doing Aerostep-- another quick trade---and wanting to vaporize the models behind Gin making kissy faces at the camera. Mindy is an athlete--and is classy enough to presume that her viewers are too.
Sadly, I doubt if the "video gurus" will permit Mindy to do a second sports tape. Oh, they might create a tape with Mindy in it, but somehow they'll fail to recognize what made the tape awesome in the first place (brilliance and straightforward simplicity). Mindy's second tape will undoubtedly include overly complex choreography, ridiculous silicone chicks, and an "affected" script.
I know I'm rambling here...but I used to workout with Debbie Ellenberg--an awesome and inspiring instructor-- who was featured in CIA 2003 and 4004. Instead of playing up Debbie's athletic strengths, the producers had her doing such hokey moves ("cookie jar arms) in 4004 that the segment was no more a workout than, say, loading the dishwasher.
I don't get it. Where's the market analysis for advanced exercisers? Cathe has clearly cornered the market. What's so difficult about producing exceptional workout videos that appeal to our advanced workout interests.....Or perhaps it's our fault. Perhaps we don't demand enough. So, here's the question, if you were on the production team, what would you demand in an advanced fitness video? What would you trash?
After doing the workout several times, I couldn't help but wonder exactly what makes a good workout video, and, for that matter, what makes a bad one. My opinion? You're going to get more than your money's worth from Mindy. Having never been one to fuss over fancy choreography, preferring to get a kick-butt workout rather than dance on the step, Mindy's tape is grueling from the warm-up on. (Nothing against fancy choreography, but, hey, I'm a busy mom---I have to get in and out.) Unlike, say, Kari Anderson in Body Tech, Mindy actually takes advantage of video technology, saying, "Rewind this and do it again." Sometimes, I feel than video instructors spend so much time teaching a move, that they forget that the class is not live, that the participant can rewind the darn tape. (Praises to Cathe for getting this right.) For instance, after doing Body Tech three times, I traded the thing; I mastered the moves and couldn't stand the painfully slow teaching pace any more.
What else makes Mindy's tape successful? She and her colleagues are "honest athletes." Encouraging, without being overly scripted or annoying. I recall doing Aerostep-- another quick trade---and wanting to vaporize the models behind Gin making kissy faces at the camera. Mindy is an athlete--and is classy enough to presume that her viewers are too.
Sadly, I doubt if the "video gurus" will permit Mindy to do a second sports tape. Oh, they might create a tape with Mindy in it, but somehow they'll fail to recognize what made the tape awesome in the first place (brilliance and straightforward simplicity). Mindy's second tape will undoubtedly include overly complex choreography, ridiculous silicone chicks, and an "affected" script.
I know I'm rambling here...but I used to workout with Debbie Ellenberg--an awesome and inspiring instructor-- who was featured in CIA 2003 and 4004. Instead of playing up Debbie's athletic strengths, the producers had her doing such hokey moves ("cookie jar arms) in 4004 that the segment was no more a workout than, say, loading the dishwasher.
I don't get it. Where's the market analysis for advanced exercisers? Cathe has clearly cornered the market. What's so difficult about producing exceptional workout videos that appeal to our advanced workout interests.....Or perhaps it's our fault. Perhaps we don't demand enough. So, here's the question, if you were on the production team, what would you demand in an advanced fitness video? What would you trash?
