[CIRCLES]

Hi

Can someone please share with me the difference in the WATP tapes. I have the set 1,2,& 3 miles with the weighted balls. Is there really a difference in the tapes? It seems like they can't differ but so much. If they do differ what would you recommened next?


Thanks

[lessofsarahtolove]

I have the following:

* WATP 1-3 miles
* 4-Mile Express Super Challenge -- much faster pace and more fun; if you want to incorporate weights, you can do so on your own, but they don't use them on the tape (I do)
* Walkblaster 3-DVD Set -- for use with her ramp; one is more cardio, one is more for firming (plenty of squats and lunges are incorporated) and the third is a combination of both; each is about 2 miles
* Power Walk/Power Firm -- older than WATP; the walk is 3 miles and a great workout (more challenging than the WATP tapes) utilizes weights; the firming workout is good for toning thighs and glutes

From what I understand, the WATP series is her easiest. It's been terrific for introducing folks to exercise and getting people moving, but it's not the most challenging workout out there.....nor is it the best she has to offer. I'm thinking of getting the Express Challenge workouts -- I love the 4-mile Challenge the very best (it seriously makes me happy,) and I suspect the others are more challenging and fun within their timeframes as well. Each contains some different moves than those in the WATP workouts.

And just in case I didn't understand your question, and you were asking about the difference between the 1- , 2- , and 3-mile tapes: the one mile is about 20 minutes, the 2-mile is about a half hour, and the 3-mile is about 45 minutes. The moves are pretty much the same between them, but it's generally accepted that the 2-mile workout is the easiest of the three. You can increase the weights if you want to increase the intensity. I use a 6 lb. pair of Ironhands instead of the 2 lb. pair of balls, and my arms, shoulders and back get a much better workout. Also, sometimes I wear ankle weights to utilize more muscle and increase the difficulty.

Good luck to you!

[aphil]

Her older dvds-where they say "1 mile walk" or " 2 mile walk" etc. with white backgrounds-the ones that don't use the "Walk Away The Pounds" logo have some different moves used in them that the WATP series don't-such as a grapevine step, etc. The choreography gets a tad trickier on those. They are walking workouts without weights. They are all similar-just go for shorter or longer walks depending on the mile walk you choose.
Her "Firm Up Fast" dvd was filmed during the same sitting as those-and it is a strength training/weights workout.

Her Walk Away The Pounds Series are really in two basic kinds-the ones that use the weighted balls or 2 lb. hand weights...and the "for abs" ones with the belt. One has a little extra work for the upper body...the other for the abdominals. The 1,2,3, and 4 miles tapes are pretty similar-they just go for a longer walk.

Her Walk The Walk videos and Shortcuts videos were filmed at the same time/setting. The Walk The Walk has a cardio walk video...and a total body strength training video with Christian music in the backgound. The Shortcuts videos are 30 minute strength training videos-divided into individual body segments-upper, lower, and abs-but they do not include Christian music or religious tones.

She has the ramp videos now that help with balance as well as strength.

The "You Can Do" series is beginner level dvds teaching basic yoga, Pilates, or stability ball workouts-if you want to "ease into" a new type of exercise before buying other videos on that topic.

Her new series contains "Power Mile" "Walk & Jog" and "Walk & Kick". The Power Mile is a faster paced 1 mile walk for when you are short on time...the Walk & Jog is a 2 mile walk...but more intense with jogging spurts here and there...and Walk & Kick is a walking video with spurts of martial arts/kickboxing type moves to spice things up.

So...there are a lot of differences in the videos while all being similar to the basic concept. If you can do her four basic steps-you know enough to branch out into any of her videos.

Hope that helps,
Aphil

[solarmama]

Hi there, all,

I've got the WATP Express, entire series. (4 DVDS - 1&2 mile walks, 3 mile, 4 mile advanced and "Walk strong" all of which came with the 'stretchy band' which is used to a greater or lesser degree in each workout) They do seem to be geared toward folks who don't like "regular" aerobics because they rely on difficult steps and moves. My friend who claims to be extremely uncoordinated, and my DH who really IS uncoordinated can both do any level of these workouts. The 1&2 mile workouts are easy, the 1 mile is so easy you have to really exaggerate the movements to even break a sweat. Keep in mind that I was coming to these after a lackadaisical gym schedule of 2-4 times per week with 30 minute cardio, more often 2 days than 4. So I don't consider myself an advanced, or even intermeidate, exerciser. I bought this series so that I could get up to 6 days a week where I was moving my thang, and it's excellent for that. I rarely did the 1-mile after the first week, and have just recently started doing the 3-mile on the weekends. That's a great workout! You really work hard, and I lost 2 pounds just by doing the extra exercise for two days, no changes in diet.

So, I'd say the express series is great, but that the 1-mile workout is more for those who have been mostly sedentary or are coming back from an injury. The 2-mile and Walk Strong are good beginner workouts, Walk Strong uses the 'stretchy band' for more toning than the standard 2-mile and involves interval work as well. The 3 mile is really good and the 4 mile is really really good! (only done it once!)

My only criticsm of this series is that the stretching period at the end seems inadequate. Even after the 3-mile, high-intensity workout, Leslie only does a 4-5 minute stretch, and focuses only on the lower leg primarily - even though we've been doing knee lifts and other moves that really work upper legs, and upper body work that made my arms tired. I found that I needed to put on some Enya or something and do an additional 10 minutes of stretches to really feel like my muscles had loosened up again after working them like that.

BTW - I bought the 1&2, and the 3-mile for my 60-something mom, who is frail and mostly sedentary. I have no doubt that the 1-mile will be fine for her for a while, and the 2- and 3-miles are goals to aspire to, but I also have no concerns that she will hurt herself by overdoing it in the early stages, as I would with some less-gentle programs.

Ciao!
Solarmama

[almostheaven]

They do seem to be geared toward folks who don't like "regular" aerobics because they rely on difficult steps and moves. My friend who claims to be extremely uncoordinated, and my DH who really IS uncoordinated can both do any level of these workouts.

Amen to your friend and DH. I have a Firm video and a dance video, and I seldom do either. I have to really force myself to do them, because I STILL can't get the moves. And even after doing a move over and over, I get lost and step the wrong way more often than I do the right way. It makes you just wanna give up in disgust. That's why I love WATP and I do the videos about 3 to 4 times a week. I usually do between 3 and 4 miles. But I started with the 1 mile when I first started exercising and it was plenty at that weight and coming out of a pretty sedentary lifestyle. I alternate the videos with running and have recently added jumping rope. But anything more complicated than that just isn't for me.

[aphil]

The best exercise is what YOU can do and stick with permanently...so sounds like you are doign exactly what works for you.