The Charge

Feel the burn. FEEL IT!

The Case

Okay, don't expect the lengthiest review ever here. Trim and Tone: 20 Minute Workout is exactly what it claims to be (give or take a few minutes). The program is led by Mike Mayhew, a fitness professional who was also a Nike Training Champion, whatever that means.

There is no start menu, no scene selection, no set-up, no special features. Once this disc gets spinning, you have only the pause button at your disposal. So make sure you're ready to work out, punk!

The disc claims you only need dumbbells (misspelled as "dumbells" on the disc case, but hey, he was a Nike Training Champion, not a Nike Spelling Champion) to participate, but that's not entirely true. Many exercises require a bench, for dips and push-ups and the like. Just FYI.

As the program unfolds, Mayhew takes us through a whole slew of exercises, all of which work specific parts of the body. Trim and Tone: 20 Minute Workout is billed as a "total body program," and that's true; the guy covers all the bases. Each exercise carries a 15-rep requirement, after which Mayhew immediately launches into the next exercise. He keeps you moving and grooving through those 20 minutes. Mayhew employs an older guy and a girl who's pretty jacked to help demonstrate the exercises, while also using them to map out the precise muscles worked and the correct form. In front of the camera, Mayhew exudes the charisma of a birch tree, but he's got the know-how.

I'm no fitness pro, but it's obvious this regimen is geared toward exactly what its title says—the trimming and the toning. These aren't necessarily strength-building exercises, so don't expect the muscle mass to pile on after a few go-rounds with Mike and company. The dumbbells used are lightweight, and the quick reps and relatively low-impact exercises won't turn you into a colossus.

The overall presentation of the program is pretty low-budget. The film stock is of the same ilk as my home video camera, and the super-cheesy music is not a far cry from the crap you'll hear while waiting on hold for your credit card company.

Trim and Tone: 20 Minute Workout is a straightforward exercise program packaged in a rudimentary DVD. It may not do much to separate itself from the pack of similar DVDs, but it should still get you fit, you lazy slob.

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