By Red Panda (Australia)
"Tummy Trimmers", despite its horrid name, is a great little DVD. It contains five different 10-minute ab workouts which you can program to play in any order.
Standing Abs: I was a bit disappointed with this workout, as it is far less intense than other standing ab routines like Billy Blanks TaeBo Abs! Tae Bo or the "Core" section of Quickfix - Total Cardio Kick. However, it is designed as a warmup to the other routines, rather than a stand-alone workout, and in this respect it fits the bill. You could also use it as a warmup to other DVDs. After a quick warmup, Kathy moves into a series of twisting knee lifts, overhead stretches, side-to-side chops, and some standing balance work.
Core Abs: This section will be a favourite among the crunch-phobic. It combines a series of toe taps, planks with variations, back extensions, boat and half-boat poses and side planks with hip pulses.
Boot Camp Abs: This aptly-named workout includes a variety of crunches, including crunches while twisting your legs over to one side (I really felt this in my obliques), pulsed crunches, V-sits, and bicycles. The workout finishes with a quick cobra stretch.
Stability Ball Workout: After a warmup consisting of reaches and twists while straddling the ball, Kathy moves into a long series of crunches on the ball. This is followed by woodchops (you could add a light medicine ball to this bit), back extensions on the ball, roll-outs, leg lifts with your pelvis on the ball, tucks, and side crunches with one hip on the ball.
Pilates Mat Abs: This is a short yet effective series of roll-ups, single and double leg stretches, and bridges. Kathy continually keeps you focused on perfect form.
There's nothing new or innovative here - just a series of well-designed, effective routines which work all sections of your abs without a wasted moment. Throughout the DVD, Kathy says that, while everyone wants a six-pack, it's important to have a strong midsection to help us perform everyday activities. During the workouts, she often points out the muscles you are using on the background exercisers, and demonstrates easier and more advanced variations. And of course, she looks fantastic!
If you enjoy the format of this DVD, you'll like Star Trainers: Abs which also offers five 10-minute ab routines, from five different instructors.
