Kathy Smith is so upbeat, sensible, and easy to follow that if you abide by her instructions, you can't help but get a good workout. Functionally Fit: Peak Fat Burning should definitely be one of your keepers. Smith's tried-and-true workout method here combines six two-minute intense bursts of aerobic activity, spliced between recovery exercises, which include loads of lunges and squats. The pace is just right for intermediate to advanced students--the high-energy segments really fly by. The presentation is clear and very easy to follow (it helps that the moves are very simple, even when done at the maximum-intensity level). The session includes 6 minutes of warm-up (some of which is vigorous enough that total beginners should plan to take it very easy), 25 minutes of the interval-and-active-recovery workout, and 7 minutes of cool-down and stretch. True beginners, while given options of following some low-impact moves, may find the overall intensity level too high. The upper body doesn't get much attention here, but this video is topnotch for lower-body toning and overall cardio fitness. --Anne Hurley

Average Customer Review: ( 155 customer reviews )
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No equipment is neccesary for this workout. You'll burn lots of calories but don't expect to get a very good upper body workout.

23 of 23 found the following review helpful:

Short but sweet!Jan 30, 2000

The aerobic portion of this video is fairly short (there are only six, 2 minute intervals) but amazingly, it works! At least if, like most women, you are looking to get rid of those "saddle-bags". I had been faithfully using Tae-bo (advanced) but noticed that my legs were actually getting bigger in the areas I was trying to get smaller. However, in using Kathy Smith's Peak Fat Burning video 2X per week for the past 4 weeks (w/o a change in diet), I have finally reduced those areas of my legs that needed it! This is the first video that I have found that actually worked in that way! The work out itself is not the most challenging, but it is easy to follow if you give yourself a day to learn the routines. This is because, as I have found in all of her other videos, she is not the best at telling the viewers the steps in advance. Regardless, she makes it fun and the minutes just fly by!

22 of 22 found the following review helpful:

A Great Motivator!Feb 13, 2000
By Morgan
I have been trying to get into exercising for about 6 years now to no avail. I ordered this video to give it a go and I absolutely love it! I can't wait to come home and get moving. It's great for me being a beginner with the low-impact people to watch, or more advanced people like my husband w/ the high impact people to follow also. It fits for whatever your level of fitness. The intervals go by quickly and the recovery periods really work on your lower body. Kathy is wonderful at explaining everything as she goes and previewing all the moves before each interval. The warm up is also great, and the stretch at the end is invigorating. I will definitely be purchasing another Kathy Smith workout!

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