Valerie Waters AHB dvd set

[mlmccauley]

There is another review on the YaYa board. The reviewer is on the fence about these too.
I think you have to join to read the forum.
http://firmbelivers.yuku.com

I'm assuming you are referring to arkady1? Her review hasn't frightened me nearly as much as yours (don't take that the wrong way - all I am saying is it is making me reconsider my purchase) but I can't really get a sense of her fitness level. I know you have done CLX, STS and Insanity so I have a better sense of where you are coming from. I have done STS and CLX and was getting ready to start Insanity before all the AHB hype began. Now I'm torn...

 

[AngelaP]

I'm going to stick with these for at least two weeks and see how I feel after doing all the Phase 1 workouts twice. The workouts definitely aren't as polished as a Cathe workout and that might be why I just could never get in to Tony's One-on-One workouts. I really want to see how my body will respond to something different though.

I will say that I'm feeling my shoulders right now and I just did the first DVD this morning. I just came off an STS rotation and I do Body Pump regularly, so its not like my shoulders aren't used to being worked. I used 12 lbs though instead of 10 like Val did. The speed of the shoulder presses may be why I'm feeling sore - just something different than my body is used to which is a good thing!

 

[kali1]

Cynthia, please post this on VF. I have a feeling that reviews on VF aren't as candid as they ought to be. I hope you get a speedy refund.

Yes, please post this on VF. I hadn't gotten my set yet but I appreciate candid reviews...

 

[kathryn]

BINGO. This is exactly what happened during the Wendilee thing. People were afraid to speak up about her lousy form because she and her pals were hanging around and defending her.

I don't think anyone is pulling punches because Ryan has posted in the past (he is no longer allowed to).

And I certainly don't remember people holding their tongue about Wendilee's crappy form and video production!

 

[fit44]

I'm not sure you caught this, but Ryan and crew were PM'ing a VF member during the live stream after a few negative comments were made.

It is true that the video production is not as polished as a Cathe production. I knew that before I bought them. I'm more bothered that Valerie's form is not polished.
I don't like the way she swings the weights. IMO she is using too much momentum. During tricep extension in Burn1, I found myself one rep count behind because I pause for one second at peak contraction.
I was very frustrated.

 

[kariev]

fit44: let me know how the return process goes. i want to send mine back too. i'm worried that the customer service is going to be difficult but i hope i'm wrong.

 

[fit44]

fit44: let me know how the return process goes. i want to send mine back too. i'm worried that the customer service is going to be difficult but i hope i'm wrong.

I will. They seem very responsive.

I would like to encourage you to try them for yourself first. You may like the system on DVD.
I think Valerie's circuits are great, but they are better on paper for me.
Every single video has some little quirk. I like Jari Love and many people do not. It all boils down to personal taste.
You need to give it a chance and decide for yourself.

 

[mlmccauley]

I'm not sure you caught this, but Ryan and crew were PM'ing a VF member during the live stream after a few negative comments were made.

I'm not condoning what Ryan did but even the VF member said it was no big deal. He was just asking her opinion on what they could do to improve things during the chat. She said he wasn't harassing her.

 

[fit44]

I'm not condoning what Ryan did but even the VF member said it was no big deal. He was just asking her opinion on what they could do to improve things during the chat. She said he wasn't harassing her.

I know it was very innocent, but the member said she felt uncomfortable. She said she would have rather not received the attention.

I went back to look at the thread, the member said she felt pressure every time she posted, a new pm would appear.
And there were complaints about Val's form in the sample clip that disappeared the next day. In was in reference to her struggling during a move.

 

[mlmccauley]

Also, a few people commented on Valerie's poor form in the sample video and the next day the video was gone.

Yes, I found that odd. I posted the clip and then commented on how it left a lot to be desired and *poof* gone.

I'm hoping I can get past any poor form issues (I think this will bother me the least since I *know* proper form - I just worry about beginners who may not know any better). I think this comes down to Valerie's inexperience at making DVDs. Had she know that the video fitness crowd was going to be evaluating and critiquing her every move, I'm sure she would have filmed/edited until every exercise was performed perfectly. I think we tend to forget others have been doing this for many years and this is only her first attempt - I'm sure their early attempts left a lot to be desired as well.

I'm still looking forward to these but not as much as I was. The reviews seem to be *mixed*. I have seen A LOT of rave reviews but without knowing where these reviewers are coming from (i.e. their fitness level, how familiar they are with Valerie (biased), or other instructors, etc.) it's hard to evaluate. Like you said, I'm going to have to try it and evaluate for myself.

 

[DDRdiva]

I'm still looking forward to these but not as much as I was. The reviews seem to be *mixed*. I have seen A LOT of rave reviews but without knowing where these reviewers are coming from (i.e. their fitness level, how familiar they are with Valerie (biased), or other instructors, etc.) it's hard to evaluate. Like you said, I'm going to have to try it and evaluate for myself.

Where did you see a lot of rave reviews? So far I've only seen four people who actually did the workouts and wrote up thorough descriptions. The rest are talking about the bracelet and the bonuses. Several VFers got the set over the weekend, and they're staying mum.

 

[mlmccauley]

Where did you see a lot of rave reviews? So far I've only seen four people who actually did the workouts and wrote up thorough descriptions. The rest are talking about the bracelet and the bonuses. Several VFers got the set over the weekend, and they're staying mum.

YYF, FYY, and Twitter. The Twitter ones I worry about the most since a lot of them, I suspect, are RCR girls and I believe biased to Valeries workouts.

I agree it has been quiet at VF, I keep asking for reviews from those who have done a workout...cricket, cricket...

 

[fit44]

The rest are talking about the bracelet and the bonuses.

LOL!
Well, one lucky person will get a chance at the bracelet because mine is going back!
I have too many useless gadgets from BB workouts.

 

[fit44]

I think this comes down to Valerie's inexperience at making DVDs. Had she know that the video fitness crowd was going to be evaluating and critiquing her every move, I'm sure she would have filmed/edited until every exercise was performed perfectly. I think we tend to forget others have been doing this for many years and this is only her first attempt - I'm sure their early attempts left a lot to be desired as well.

I agree. I'm trying very hard not to sound cruel. I'm holding back some things that bother me. Personal little quirks that have nothing to do with the workout itself.

 

[mlmccauley]

LOL!
Well, one lucky person will get a chance at the bracelet because mine is going back!

If you forget to put this in the box let me know, I love useless gadgets . I think I'm getting a pad of paper since they ran out of the bracelets.

Maria

 

[fit44]

If you forget to put this in the box let me know, I love useless gadgets . I think I'm getting a pad of paper since they ran out of the bracelets.

Maria

I would, but with my luck they wouldn't give me a refund!

 

[lorajeanne]

I won't post my long review here, as I'm one of the ones on VF that gave a good review of my first workout.

I've done all of Val's Ebook's and her Action Hero workouts from her Blog. I posted on a more recent thread of a review of AHB saying I liked this and my reviews are at VF as well. I'd copy and paste here, but it already sounds like everyone here has their minds made up.

I have a very open mind with instructors and workouts and I did not get annoyed with Val at all that I was a rep behind her cuz I was lifting heavier than her and watched my form. If I only get 8-10 out of 12 reps, it's not a big deal for me. Actually, I might even do these heavier in the future and only do lower reps with even heavier weight (after my body adjusts).

I'm an advanced exerciser and have done Cathe for years, have done Insanity workouts, STS, etc, etc. I do a lot of variety and a lot of different intensities. I like to mix it up.

I think Val's workouts are great for core work and she is known for creating a more feminine, fit physique. I don't really notice her form or that she is not as polished as Cathe, as I do so many different videos and hardly anything bothers me. I'm not an All Cathe type of person. That being said, I do enjoy Cathe and her intensity, but I believe as you get older that you need to keep your body guessing and I think Val does a good job of using unique moves that are not the same ol' same ol' traditional weight lifting moves that I do constantly! I think she offers a much needed breath of fresh air!

I don't work for Val and I've never appeared in her videos. I don't know her personally, but I think she seems like a very sincere person who has dedicated her life to fitness and I respect her.

I also happen to be biased, as her Blog workouts - specifically The Action Hero ones were the ones that piqued my interest in her programs.

I'm saddened that some peeps are sending these back and didn't end up liking them. Oh well, I guess we are all different.

 

[mlmccauley]

I won't post my long review here, as I'm one of the ones on VF that gave a good review of my first workout.

I've done all of Val's Ebook's and her Action Hero workouts from her Blog. I posted on a more recent thread of a review of AHB saying I liked this and my reviews are at VF as well. I'd copy and paste here, but it already sounds like everyone here has their minds made up.

I have a very open mind with instructors and workouts and I did not get annoyed with Val at all that I was a rep behind her cuz I was lifting heavier than her and watched my form. If I only get 8-10 out of 12 reps, it's not a big deal for me. Actually, I might even do these heavier in the future and only do lower reps with even heavier weight (after my body adjusts).

I'm an advanced exerciser and have done Cathe for years, have done Insanity workouts, STS, etc, etc. I do a lot of variety and a lot of different intensities. I like to mix it up.

I think Val's workouts are great for core work and she is known for creating a more feminine, fit physique. I don't really notice her form or that she is not as polished as Cathe, as I do so many different videos and hardly anything bothers me. I'm not an All Cathe type of person. That being said, I do enjoy Cathe and her intensity, but I believe as you get older that you need to keep your body guessing and I think Val does a good job of using unique moves that are not the same ol' same ol' traditional weight lifting moves that I do constantly! I think she offers a much needed breath of fresh air!

I don't work for Val and I've never appeared in her videos. I don't know her personally, but I think she seems like a very sincere person who has dedicated her life to fitness and I respect her.

I also happen to be biased, as her Blog workouts - specifically The Action Hero ones were the ones that piqued my interest in her programs.

I'm saddened that some peeps are sending these back and didn't end up liking them. Oh well, I guess we are all different.

Lorajeanne,

I agree with everything you have posted here with the exception that this is my first introduction to Valerie. I jumped aboard the bandwagon based on everyone's reviews of her paper workouts. So I really went in with no expectations - well, they did get rather high in anticipation, dwindled with the wait and dwindled even further when the negative reviews started pouring in. I actually think it was the negative reviews that helped me like the program - kind of like when you go to a movie with low expectaions and you leave finding you actually enjoyed it. I do agree there are several flaws in this series, but like you I am easy to please. My only issue with these is that given all the flaws, the series is a little overpriced (I definitely would not be willing to pay $137 regular price for them). That said, if they make me look like an AHB - well, then, I say, money well spent.

Maria

 

[sancho]

I'm saddened that some peeps are sending these back and didn't end up liking them. Oh well, I guess we are all different.

I think overall these have gotten positive reviews. Sure there are some negative comments but it seems like overall people are keeping them (at least on VF).

Personally, I should have known better than to jump on the bandwagon. I'm fairly picky about my workouts. I like what I like and I'm not real open minded when something doesn't meet my criteria. I don't like to modify a workout. I want to do it as is. Others seem perfectly happy to modify. I also always follow recipes (though I only follow rules if I think they make sense).

Don't be sad. I think Valerie is going to do just fine with this business transaction.

 

[fit44]

I have used Valerie's paper workouts in the past and thoroughly enjoyed them so I didn't consider this program a bandwagon. Valerie seems like a sweet person that is true, but that is not a good reason to keep a $99+ program.

When I purchase a DVD program, I do so because I want to follow the instructor. I could not follow Valerie without sacrificing form. IMO a trainer/instructor should be there to remind you of form and keep you at a consistent pace. Valerie's pace is all over the place, and I'm not talking about changing from a 1 count to 2,4 count move like many trainers do. Several of the upper body moves are so fast you can not do full range of motion -or pause for a second to peak contraction. Heck, if you squeeze hard enough you do not need heavy weights.

I am an advanced exerciser and know proper form, but I think it is very easy to form bad habits and find them extremely difficult to break. When I use a DVD for instructions I am watching myself in the mirror and the instructor through peripheral vision. If I'm not going to follow an instructor in a DVD, I use paper workouts.

I feel it is important to mention that I use a variety of instructors (Tony Horton, Shaun T, Chalene Johnson, Jari Love, Amy Bento, Tracy Effinger, Debbie Siebers, and of course Cathe ) because I know some may assume I'm one instructor (Cathe) kind of gal.

Also, I will modify a program (I do for many of my workouts)to suit my fitness needs, but there were too many negatives in this series (for me) to consider it.