Beginners Weight Loss and Toning Program

I don't get a lot of exercise in my job. I like this video because it has a simple scope of exercises that are doable by regular folks. I also like that Gilad makes it clear to do what you can do and gives safety tips so you practice correctly. He maintains good cheer and keeps it fun. This training video takes place on what appears to be a beach near a Hawaiian hotel. There's a semi-live band playing music resembling what I call lounge faux high life / calypso, ska-lite. (drum machine but live guitar, keyboard and bass and hand percussion. Gilad has around 20 or so (total) men and women (fitness assistants) following along with his moves on rubber beach mats placed on the sand. Gilad is on his own beach mat front and center of the camera, and alternating men and women located in the foreground on either side and then to about 50 feet back, all in sync with his movements. Most of the trainers appear to be late 20's to late 30's in age. The moves are fairly simple but if you're older and don't want to beat yourself up and yet be motivated...well.. I found it to be a good compromise. One set in the middle of the video went on long enough that I wish they changed the tune or modulated or something but that's a minor quibble. I'm guessing the aerobic training in the middle, is probably 120 - 130 beats per minute. If you're out of shape, just take smaller steps and then work you way up to (a week or so later) high steps (up to the waist). I do like that Gilad seems to believe in what he is doing and so when you are told things, it's encouraging instead of condescending. The camera cuts a lot to other workout trainee's, they all seem to be cheerful and energetic. Think of Gilad as a sort of exercise DJ keeping you on track. He seems to have come a long way.I also own another (earlier?) video of him which I can't recommend (60 & 30 Minutes Low Impact Workout) as he wasn't "baked yet". YMMV. It's just my opinion. On that other video, it's just him, 3 trainer ladies and another guy on a beach with some totally canned music and very static / boring production values. His hair in that other video looks a bit silly and his delivery and style come across as awkward, trying too hard, a bit less evolved / confident.SUMMARY: I can recommend this particular Gilad video ("Beginners Weight Loss & Toning Program"). I use it. I like it. It cheerfully encourages and motivates me and gives me a workout yet does not bark at me or make me feel like an idiot.P.S. I found it helpful to obtain a decent, large area (4 X 8 ft), foldable, cushy exercise mat and place it directly in front of my flat screen TV. I'm now able to do my workouts in the early a.m. before work without having to put on athletic shoes. It's easier on the knees and hips if you are older. The one I purchased off Amazon is: Bonded Foam Gymnastics Mat - 4' x 8' x 2" Blue by ORBRING It's in my other reviews.

I just discovered Gilad and I just love this workout video so much that I've bought his classics videos in a set of 5 from his website. Wanting to continue working out while on vacation after having returned to my pilates reformer a few weeks before, I purchased a kettlebell with a DVD from the local Walmart. My sister had several Gilad tapes which she brought along with her. We would do the 5 minute warmup (which in itself is a pretty good workout for a beginner) and then the first segment of the aerobic workout (about 12 minutes). We would then go into a kettlebell workout for 20-25 minutes more. After that, we would feel we had gotten a pretty good start on our day.Gilad is on the beach in Hawaii with several individuals working out behind him. He has a live band playing music with turtle drums, electronic piano, and other island instruments and I like the beat of the music. Like he says at the beginning, you can make the workout as hard or easy as you like by making bigger or smaller movements.If you are familiar with aerobic workouts from going to the gym, you will be familiar with many of the moves. For someone who has never done aerobics, you may have a little trouble with the cuing. However, when Gilad moves into a new move, he does it at least 8 times twice, then 4 times twice and builds several moves on top of the first one. You will then do all of the set of moves at least 2-3 more times before he goes into a new segment. The segments glide right into each other and you can either do the entire DVD for about a 50 minute workout or stop at any of the segments and move on with your workout routine with weights. Your muscles will definitively be warmed up. After a few times, even the most beginning novice will recognize the steps and be able to keep up. My goal is at least 20 minutes of Gilad, 20 minutes of kettlebell, 30 minutes of pilates on my reformer, and 10-15 minutes of weight lifting for a really good workout of all my muscles.One reviewer gave this video a low rating saying that Gilad did not cue into the next move. He does and he does the moves enough times that even if you lagged you can get caught up. But like I said a novice who is not familiar with aerobic moves might have a little trouble initially. But that's the beauty of a DVD, just step in place to keep up your heart rate and rewind!

This is a great workout DVD for those just going into exercise and those like me who are so overweight they feel the need to be 'weaned' back into the aerobics world through fear of collapsing on the floor!Once you get through the cheesy introduction and if you can deal with scantily clad women with costumes near enough cutting them in half, Gilad himself is actually a very good instructor. At all times he is looking at the camera and talking to you as if you were in front of him. His workout is easy to follow and he gives you instructions in plenty of time to keep up with the routines.The workout itself is very good for beginners. It is set at a good pace for those who don't want to be jumping around and it is broken down into sections for you to skip through to just the toning and conditioning section or floor work if you don't wish to do the aerobics.I found the beach background and workout to a band much more relaxing than pumping music too. A good touch.The quality of the DVD could be better, but it is a 16 year old DVD in comparison to the others on the market, so all in all, I would recommend this DVD. I have since gone on to purchase Gilad's other DVD's. Yet to try them but I soon will!Thoroughly recommended for those just starting out or overweight as there is not much jumping around.

Many years ago I had Gilad video tapes. So I'm very excited to have these on DVD. I ordered 2 Gilad videos. There was a slight delay for them to arrive, but not too bad. When the videos arrived they had a musty smell and had dust on them. Once dusted off it was fine. The musty smell passed. I LOVE the exercises. He has a well organized work out and way of speaking. He doesn't chatter on, but gives good direction. The music is the typical background music. It is a Hawaiian setting. The exercises are broken down into segments, which I enjoy. It keeps me from getting bored and it can also rest body parts, as well as work all areas. In my opinion this video stands up to the test of time.

Bought these for my wife. Even tho these videos are overs 20 years old she loves his workouts and finds that they are great if you have problems with your knees

Very happy to have found these great workout dvds. The only place I could find them was on Amazon. Thanks

It's all good. Arrived quickly. All in good order. No complaint at all. Is exactly the item I ordered. Nothing negative to report.