In Shape With Rachel Mclish

I actually first got this from the library and I loved it so much I needed for myself. The upper body workout is very easy, but very effective and you can feel that you are working every muscle in your arms. The lower body was a little harder for me but I knew that it had worked because the next day I was in pain, which is a good sign it lets me know I did what I was suppose to. Both are very precise and she tells you which muscles are being worked. I love it and continue to do it. I started out with 3lb weights and now I am moving up. Great VHS!

This VHS workout with Rachel is just like going back into time and watching her all over again! When I was weight training and teaching aerobics, she was what every women was aspiring to be! I love the concentration and deliberate care that is taken going through each of the movements and the techniques. I also appreciate the fact that you don't rush through this workout but learn how to do each movement to get the utmost benefit from the strength training. This workout is well worth the money spent! Too bad there weren't more workouts made by Rachel or I'd have all of them!

I used to have her book back in the day, I wanted to look just like her. Her work out is great, she pretty much shows you proper form, except to keep your knees over your feet, she goes overboard on that one. I did learn alot from this workout. I have been working out at home/gyms for years, I have a collection of DVD's. My only problem with this DVD is of course it's dated and I like the cardio sculpt DVD's because I get it all in one workout in 30 minutes. This does not get my heart rate going and it's longer than 30 minutes. I feel like I have to do a separate cardio after, I prefer not to do that, my preference though, overall it's a good workout.

This workout features Rachel McLish, former Ms. Olympia bodybuilding champion. She leads you one on one through a weight training workout that hits all the muscle groups in an hour. It is split up between uppper and lower body, each about 30 minutes. There is no warmup, so you should be warmed up before starting. Rachel uses only one set of weights throughout the whole workout, 8lbs which is comfortably challenging for her. One might want to use a few different sets of dumbells depending on which muscle group is being worked. A weight bench is also used though Rachel will show modifications or options for those who do not have one.Upper body is first, you will start with shoulders, doing side lateral raises, alternating shoulder presses, rear delt raises, and uprights, which is a variation of an upright row. Rachel demonstrates all the exercises before starting the set, most of which are 12 reps, you will do 2 sets of each exercise. You move on to abs, chest and back next, here you will do bench crunches, chest flies with rotation, and one arm lat rows. Then you will work your arms some more with tricep kickbacks, alternating bicep curls with rotation at the top, angled bicep curls, and more tricep kickbacks with a slightly more challenging twist. You finish out this segment with one arm lying tricep extensions and ribcage pullovers.More abs and lower body are next, all of which are performed on the floor. Here you will see a lot of different variations of bridge work exercises targeting the hamstrings and behind, all done unweighted of course. The ab work consists of more oblique crunches and other ab exercises. Following this you will do standing lower body exercises, starting with stiff legged dead lifts, then plie squats, then you will put down your weights and do side leg lifts with some pulsing variations and calf raises. Then you will pick up your weights again and do squats and forward and reverse lunges. Finally you will lie on your front and do some leg lifts which strengthen the back. Then you will do a brief cooldown and stretch.Overall, this is a solid weight training workout, although I would recommend it for those already familiar with weight training. Rachel is good with tips and emphasizing good form but there are some exercises where her form is not very good. An example is the plie squats, good form is stressed here as your knees do not go past your toes, but when actually performing the exercise she does just that. Someone not familiar with correct technique could really hurt their knees.That is really the only negative though, Rachel is a very pleasant instructor with an awesome figure that I certainly wouldn't mind having. She is encouraging with helpful hints and information and I thought she did a good job for the most part.She lets you know how many reps will be done for each exercise, which I find helpful. All in all, not a bad effort by Rachel. Recommended for those, who like but are already familiar with weight training.

Rachel McLish is a Great Champion, and is responsible for opening the world of bodybuilding to many Women. She is thoughtful in her tutorials and has tips for those who are not able to do a full workout, so that anyone can get the maximum benefit according to their potential.Her routines are primarily based on dumbells, are easily done at home, and do not require access to a Gym.Her fitness routines can be done by people of any age, and are very easily done while travelling. If you want a fitness regemin you can do for the rest of your Life... This is the One.

Aloha, when I ordered the tape of Rachel Mclish I didn't have any doubts about the quality of her performance; to the point that I had to buy a VHS player to follow her excellent routine. It's worth it!Enjoy!Fanny

Good purchase. And super trainer!

Perfect... Sure wish it came in s DVD . Thx