Tamilee Webb's Total Stretch for Beginners (2001)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Instructor: Tamilee Webb

Features:

• two different stretching routines
• music only workouts
  
• interactive quiz
  

My Advice: Rent it.

Total Stretch for Beginners, led by exercise guru Tamilee Webb, contains two different stretching routines, Total Body Stretch for Beginners and Beginners Stretch for Flexibility. The idea is that everyone, from athletes to novice exercisers, can benefit from extensive stretching. The disc claims that stretching thoroughly on a regular basis can help to prevent sports and exercise-related injuries, improve posture and circulation, and relax you after a hard day. Like yoga, stretching can accompany an exercise and fitness regimen and improve its overall effectiveness.

Total Body Stretch for Beginners is composed of three different 10-minute stretching routines, geared toward being fit into a busy workday or whenever you need some stress-reduction or a bit of relief from stiffness. You can combine all three mini-routines into one longer one if you want more stretching. Beginners Stretch for Flexibility, the second half of the disc, contains a 30-minute routine is a comprehensive, full-body stretch meant to relax tired muscles.

Webb's instruction is quite good. She states what she wants viewers to do clearly and succinctly and demonstrates each move slowly. Alternate camera angles are available, as well. Her voice is clear and soothing also--not too high-pitched and squeaky--just the thing for a stretching video. Her routines succeed in being refreshing, as well as relaxing--tranquility and body-happiness being things we all probably need more of.

The moves themselves are not overly difficult or painful. Webb talks you through everything and warns viewers when something is potentially stressful for a given joint, like knees or lower back. I can say that my own neck pain and joint problems actually felt a bit relieved after viewing this disc and doing the stretches. I suggest consulting your physical or chiropractor, perhaps letting her view this disc also, and seeing how stretching could fit into your physical therapy or fitness sessions.

The features are perhaps a bit weak. While it is nice to have the music only option for doing the stretch after you cease to need her instruction, it would have been nice to have had some more information about the benefits of stretching, or perhaps a look at her program versus more traditional yoga or Pilates-based exercises.

All in all, Total Stretch for Beginners is a good change from the more "no pain, no gain" school of exercise tapes. Webb is motivational without being irritating or sadistic, and the stretch really does feel nice for those of us with back and neck problems. If you travel a lot, you'll love the ease of use in the three 10-minute sessions found in the first part of this disc, as well. I suspect this disc would also work as a good alternative for days when you don't want to do any strenuous exercise, perhaps when you are ill, injured, or on the road, but want to keep in your routine.