AM & PM Stretch
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Movie Reviews of AM & PM Stretch
Movie Review: My feet and quads thank you!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this DVD last year and when I fell off of the exercise wagon, this was relegated to a drawer in the entertainment center. After doing a Kathy Smith weight lifting routine last night, I picked this back up to stretch right before bed with the PM routine.
I'm 32, and have been underweight and very flexible my entire life. But even I needed improvement, and along with cardio and weight training, I've incorporated yoga and pilates into my recently revived exercise routine.
My feet hurt from high heels. My quads are too weak, and I fear hurting my knees until my quads are stronger. The stretches in the PM section for the quads and feet (love the massage!) were so good that for those reasons alone I'm committing to doing this every night to get the day's kinks out.
Lewis instructs you to start a stretch, contract a muscle, and then deepen the stretch. I haven't seen this technique anywhere else, and I think it's a wonderful method for improving flexibility.
Unfortunately, it's only Noon right now and nowhere near bedtime. I'm already looking forward to doing this one again. One day I'll get up early enough to do the AM routine....
Movie Review: Great routines
Summary: 5 Stars
I got this a couple of weeks ago. I was looking for something that would stretch the major muscle groups and help with my posture (I have quite a pronounced "swayback"), and it's exactly what I wanted. I've been doing the AM stretch most mornings and the PM stretch once or twice, and I've gained some flexibility and (perhaps more importantly) also find myself automatically correcting my posture throughout the day. The morning routine also includes some "core" exercises, so your muscles work to some extent too (good for getting warmed up in the morning).
The routines are filmed in a nice setting (mountains), and the stretches flow nicely from one to the other. I would guess that there's a lot of yoga influence in there - however, it's definitely a stretching routine and not a yoga routine. The instructor is very good - she demonstrates the stretches nicely and provides constant reminders to check details of the stretches to get maximum benefit (but not in an irritating way). Each routine is 25 minutes, including a short warm up. There's a 20-minute bonus "power stretch" routine, but I've yet to try that - maybe after some weeks of the AM/PM routines.
Movie Review: Love it so much it's almost worn out!
Summary: 5 Stars
We *love* this dvd. It has three different stretch routines which are all choreographed so by the end of each, I feel a blissed out sense of relaxation and my body being straightened out, all without being too hard to understand or execute at my own level (after a few times through to get familiar). We've almost worn out this dvd, we've used it so much. I hope they never stop making it because we will need replacements!
The only thing I'd criticize is that there isn't more time spent on the neck; it seems geared more towards people who work on their feet than people who sit at desks all day. Having said that, there is not a morsel of time spent on anything I don't actually need. Every routine is packed with stuff that makes my body feel better and longer.
I love M. Lewis' style and demeanor and the solitude and peace of the way the scenes were shot outside with her doing a voiceover rather than using a mic during the routines. Even though I know the routines by heart now, being guided through them is a relaxing part of the process; I get to just follow along. Her voice and the music are soothing.
This DVD is worth its weight in platinum.
Movie Review: Excellent Stretch DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
I really like these stretch routines - there are three routines, two 30-minute and one 20-minute. The instructor speaks clearly and very easy to follow along. The setting is outside and the music is very calming. No crazy workout girls with loud music! The two 30-minute routines flow really nicely from one stretch to the other and they are actually relaxing to do. You do get a nice all-body stretch and yes, the style is similar to yoga and pilates, but I wouldn't call these routines anything but stretching. This is nothing hard and you don't even break a sweat. I really have enjoyed the 20-minute power stretch. It goes by a little faster, with a little more intensity. I highly recommend this DVD for three wonderful body stretches. I also like 10-minute Stretch with Annette Fletcher, and the new Stretch and Joint Mobility Therapy also with Annette Fletcher. All three DVDs offer something different. The AM/PM stretch feels more like a flowing and relaxing stretch routine, 10-minute Stretch are quick routines that are just static stretches, and the Stretch/Joint Mobility Therapy is a more intense full body stretch workout routine. I enjoy all three!Movie Review: Best Stretch Routine Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD is a definite keeper. These workouts were the first that I've ever done that made me feel better afterwards, not worse. This is the first athletic-style stretch routine that I've done (I usually stick with yoga), but Madeleine Lewis has made me want to explore this genre some more. Also, the routines are not solely focused on flexibility. Many of the stretches require strength to control. The AM workout ends with establishing good posture while the PM one has a brief break for a foot massage. The scenery is as beautiful as you would expect from Gaiam, and the music is gentle and flows well with Madeleine's pleasant voice. Her cuing is very clear and straightforward, which is particularly useful because many of the stretches put you in a position where it is difficult to see the TV screen. I think that this DVD is really selling itself short; in addition to the two 30-minute AM and PM workouts, there is also a 20 minute "Power Stretch" segment. If you only own one stretching video, make it this one.