Last month, Acacia Fitness sent me a copy of Body by Bethenny at no cost. I was very excited for the chance to review this before anyone else was able to try it, but here I am over a month after the DVD was released, first writing my review!
First, let me just say this: I love Bethenny Frankel. I just love her. I think she is hilarious, intelligent, clever, beautiful and extremely hardworking. I kind of want to be her. I even watched her topless in the worst movie ever from 1994.
That said, I found it humorous that she would put out an exercise DVD. As good of a chef she might be, as experienced in eating to be Naturally Thin (although not so much at editing), as witty a reality TV star with her one-liners — who is she to do a workout DVD?
Turns out, Bethenny got a certified personal trainer, Pilates master, and yoga instructor — Kristin McGee – to lead the DVD. You might remember Kristin from her appearance on 30 Rock! Bethenny was more of a participant in Kristin’s class. I really liked this because I’m used to see yoga instructors do all the poses perfectly, and of course I can’t do them expertly myself. Who can? It was nice to have the yoga teacher Kristin and Bethenny, the “regular person” right next to her. Sure, Bethenny was imperfect. and that is what made this better to watch than other DVDs. Sometimes we need a reminder that we aren’t awful at yoga. I know I do.
Perfect example — check out the differences between Bethenny’s and Kristin’s raised legs in Warrior III:
(Source)
That makes me feel better.
And why would someone who isn’t a fitness instructor put out a fitness DVD? Because Bethenny gets asked all the timeabout her fitness regime. People want to know what workouts Bethenny actually does herself, and so many people asked that Bethenny, a very smart business lady, saw an opportunity to answer everyone at once with a DVD.
Here is the official description:
“People keep asking me how I get in shape, and this is what I do.” –Bethenny Frankel
Unleash your best body as you work out with Bethenny Frankel, celebrated natural food chef, TV star, and New York Times bestselling author of Naturally Thin and The Skinnygirl Dish.
Bethenny keeps her slim figure with simple, realistic exercise routines like this one. Celebrity instructor Kristin McGee joins Bethenny for a 40-minute yoga program that stretches and strengthens the entire body. You’ll get toned abs, thighs, glutes, and arms while increasing flexibility and balance. Follow it up with a focused, 10-minute strength-training segment to sculpt lean muscles and increase your metabolism. Then finish off with the 5-minute Booty Blast to learn fun moves you can do anywhere for a tight, firm behind.
Bethenny champions a down-to-earth approach to exercise that fits your lifestyle. No matter your size, shape, or fitness level, this program will work for you. You are a true “skinnygirl” when you feel your healthiest, so trust yourself, enjoy yourself, and make Bethenny’s workout your own.
Equipment needed: light hand weights and a mat
Body by Bethenny was divided into three sections.
- 40 minutes flow yoga
- 10 minutes strength training (arm weights)
- 5 minutes booty blast (glutes)
Yoga
I was impressed! My exact words, that I tweeted to Bethenny (and got a reply back!) were “This DVD is exactly like my favorite yoga classes.” And that really is the best way to describe it. Since January, I’ve managed to surprise myself and become a regular at yoga. I used to hate it and now I love it (but that is a story for another post). The classes I like best are the ones that keep a constant flow, are repetitive and easy to follow along, make my muscles work with challenging poses and make me feel like I got both a cardio, strength and flexibility workout afterwards. This is definitely a toning yoga workout. I especially enjoyed the side planks.
As someone who isn’t quick to catch on to dance combinations and sequences of exercise, I was excited about the repitition and how easy it was to follow along. As someone who is still new to yoga, I appreciated how this DVD is accessible to first-timers and those who are more experienced. When Kristin did more difficult poses, Bethenny would show modifications. I never graded a workout DVD before but I feel the need to grade each part of this one.
Yoga grade: A
Arms
This was a good, basic arm workout. It includes six different movements with weights, and you do two sets of each. So there are two sets of bicep curls, for example.
I’m used to very tough arm workouts from Core Fusion. I am used to very tough arm workouts via DVD from Core Fusion Body Sculpt and Pure Abs + Arms. In Core Fusion I use three pound weights and those were too light for Body by Bethenny. There are simply fewer exercises and fewer reps at a slower pace. I picked up five pounds and that is working pretty well for me here. I like this arm section as an alternative to Core Fusion for when I want a change or really, want a quick arm workout with a little lessburning. That said, the arms workout in Body by Bethenny is very good, especially if you are new to weights and want to learn some basics. If you use a heavy enough weight for your level, you will certainly build some muscle tone with this one.
And you get the added bonus of Bethenny’s quips.
Arms grade: B+
Booty Blast
This was a quick five minute section that was thrown on to the end. It doesn’t add much to the DVD, but it doesn’t hurt either. It was similar to Core Fusion gluteal work, small leg lifts, but on a much smaller scale. It was nice for Bethenny to include, perhaps some people will benefit, but overall there was not much to this section.
Booty Blast: B –
Overall, I was very impressed with Body by Bethenny! I like how Bethenny was upfront about the fact that the yoga section is what she always does, as well as the fact that she doesn’t do some of the arm workouts as much as she’d like. Also interesting is Bethenny’s comment that she doesn’t do targeted ab workouts (pre-pregnancy she had NICE abs), but instead she engages her core while doing her arm workouts. Good to know! Bethenny also explains that she usually does yoga and that is more than enough to tone her body — she just included the arms and butt sections as added bonuses. Bethenny is pretty self deprecating throughout the workout, which I love, and in my opinion, she is very real. I just like watching her. And did you know she was pregnant while filming this DVD?
This is my only “workout yoga” DVD and right now it is all I need. I’m very happy with the type, and level, of yoga, and I just like Bethenny. I’d recommend this DVD for anyone looking for a good yoga DVD with a bonus arms section.
Watch the trailer here.
Overall grade: A-
23 comments on Body by Bethenny Yoga DVD Review
2Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Body by Bethenny Yoga DVD Review
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[…] 21, 2010 · Leave a Comment Last week, Dori reviewed Body by Bethenny. She mentioned that instructor Kristin McGee is as much a part of the workout as Bethenny […]
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Alison Foster
June 15, 2010 at 7:11 pm (14 years ago)Great review! I too love Bethenny and was wondering what the video was all about. Now I have to pick it up. 🙂
Alison
Kristina
June 15, 2010 at 7:14 pm (14 years ago)thanks for the review; I have been wondering if it’s good; I get lost easily with a lot of dancy moves, and LOVE planks. 🙂 your review makes me want to try it.
I love Bethenny also – she is smart & witty and I love all the great things that are happening for her now 🙂
Angela @ A Healthy Fit
June 15, 2010 at 7:46 pm (14 years ago)Too funny–Kristin McGee is on most of my older MTV pilates & yoga DVDs.
Heather K
June 15, 2010 at 9:56 pm (14 years ago)I get the “you remind me of Bethany” a lot…maybe I should be happy with that since all the nice things you had to say
J
June 15, 2010 at 10:47 pm (14 years ago)I so want to rent Bethenny’s big screen debut lol I love her too. She is the reason I watch The Real Housewives Of NY.
MelissaNibbles
June 16, 2010 at 5:05 am (14 years ago)I love Bethenny, but I’m not a fan of the nutrition advice she gives out. In her book, it looks like she starves herself and I don’t think that’s a good message to send. I could be reading too much into it though and I still love love love her. Who is she kidding though? She did the dvd to make money! I’ll buy it because it’ll piss off Jill Zarin!! hahaha!
Scott
June 16, 2010 at 8:52 am (14 years ago)Great review, thanks. My only problem is that I think she is the most annoying person. I didn’t know she was liked well enough to put out a DVD, goes to show what I know.
Missy Maintains
June 16, 2010 at 9:30 am (14 years ago)I want this! Haha omg I forgot how horrible that movie with her was. So funny.
Lara (Thinspired)
June 16, 2010 at 12:45 pm (14 years ago)Really appreciate this review, Dori! I love Bethenny as well but was a little nervous when I first heard about her DVD. I will definitely pick it up now. It seems like a toned-down, relaxed version of the Core Fusion/barre workouts that we’re used to, is that right?
Great info here, thanks for breaking up each section.
Dori
June 17, 2010 at 9:12 pm (14 years ago)Hi Lara — This is actually nothing like Core Fusion/barre workout. It is like a vinyasa yoga class! Sorry if I wasn’t clear!
Melissa
June 17, 2010 at 9:48 am (14 years ago)My friend was raving to me about Kristin McGee’s yoga DVDs. She is totally hooked. She told me to try Kristin’s classes in the city. If you like BBB, than maybe Kristin’s other dvds are worth looking into. Thanks for the review!
Dori
June 17, 2010 at 9:12 pm (14 years ago)I’ll try her class with you! Let me know.
Katherine
June 17, 2010 at 8:25 pm (14 years ago)I’ve never seen this video before; her top with “skinny girl” right across the chest is just a little bold
Katherine
Diana (Soap & Chocolate)
June 21, 2010 at 9:50 pm (14 years ago)Thanks for this review! I’d been curious about Bethenny’s DVD. She’s def. my fave housewife too. 🙂 She is sharp as a tack!
Trinidad Pena
June 22, 2010 at 11:19 am (14 years ago)I’ve been meaning to try this out. It’s hard to find anything that I like better than my Corefusion DVDS.
Mary Winningham
March 3, 2011 at 4:34 pm (14 years ago)Dori, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this video. BUT, I would like to try some other yoga DVD’s that are similar to this one. I’ve bought a few that are nothing like BB and hated them. Do you happen to know of any other yoga DVD’s that are very similar to this workout???? PLEASE HELP 🙂
Cheryl Gademer
May 8, 2013 at 9:35 pm (12 years ago)This is such a great way to get into shape and release tension. I am 53 and just started doing yoga. I feel it improving my flexibility, tone and I wake up with less pain. Love it!
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January 24, 2014 at 4:27 am (11 years ago)Thanks for this review. Now yoga is rise in popularity. It’s not only helps to decrease the stress, but also it helps make you in perfect shape.
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July 5, 2014 at 9:40 am (10 years ago)After reading your review, I will try Body by Bethanny. I watched Inhale on the Oxygen Channel. It was a yoga show that featured Steve Ross. It was cancelled about 4 years ago and I can’t find DVDs anywhere to buy. I’ve looked on Oxygen’s website, internet, bookstores and even emailed the network. I really enjoyed it because it combined Steve’s sense of humor, contemporary music and yoga. Most days I was so entertained that the time flew by. Do you know of any Yoga DVD that features upbeat, contemporary music? All I’ve tried have “sleepy” music. I