After receiving a couple of emails from readers who enjoyed my earlier review of a Kathy Smith workout DVD (including some creepy guy who wanted a picture of my wife), I put off writing my other review of Kathy Smith Tummy Trimmers because...well...what else is there to say about a workout video? Aren't they all pretty much the same? The other review I wrote (you can click here to read it) showed genuine confusion on how to approach such an article, but I guess I came through it alright. But now? Tummy Trimmers? I mean...what am I supposed to do with that?

I don't even like that word: tummy. What are we, 6-years-old? But, as I wrote in the previous review, watching Kathy Smith work out is not a total waste of time, so for this review, I thought I'd 86 the wife (take that, creepy guy, if you're reading), and just do the exercises myself. No whining. No complaining. And no, no leg warmers.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this workout, except for the occasional vomiting and dry heaves (tip number one: don't do this after a full English). Now, you're probably going to need what they call a "stability ball" (which I call a "Big Bounce without that rubber handle"), even though the DVD says it's not required. One of the five separate workouts calls for it, so be forewarned. You might want an exercise mat, too. My wife wouldn't let me use hers (don't ask), so I had to make do with the dog bed (tip number two: don't use a dog bed for an exercise mat).

Kathy Smith Tummy Trimmers is broken up into five separate workouts: Standing Abs, Core Abs, Boot Camp Abs, Stability Ball Abs, and Pilates Mat Abs. According to the back of the DVD case, the Standing Abs workout "burn[s] mega calories with fun dance-style moves and standing exercises that strengthen the core and flatten the belly." Core Abs "whittle your waist and increase your functional core strength with moves that target the deepest abdominal muscles." Boot Camp Abs "challenge your abs and rediscover the power of the crunch with...[a] state-of-the-art approach to traditional ab work." Stability Ball Abs "improve your balance and agility, while sculpting a lean center, with movements used in everyday life." And Pilates Mat Abs "strengthen and lengthen your torso with precise Pilates movements designed to perfect posture and trim inches."

I quote all of this because quite frankly, I'm not sure I could have noted the difference between the workouts, while I was doing them (tip number three: don't try to take notes while working out - possible pen injury). It was all pretty intense, and things got a little hazy for me towards the end. It was only later that I found out I nearly passed out because I was "an idiot" (actual quote: "You're an idiot.") to do all of them together; my wife informed me you're only supposed to do one or two a day, if you're a beginner. And as a beginner, I have to admit I didn't understand all of the terminology that Kathy used. Phrases like "scoop that belly," "think long through the waist and engage the abs," "pull your navel to your spine," "stop at your hipline," and most gruesomely, "let's twist and go into a chop!" and a dire "Don't crunch the neck!" all received a polite, "Um...no, thank you," from me. I did the best I could to follow the routines. Most seemed easy enough the first or second time I executed the move, but keeping my balance was probably the hardest part (tip number four: put the handles from the "Big Bounces" back on the "stability balls"). Still, I most definitely felt these workouts the next day - actually, I felt them the same day, the next day, and to a lessening degree, for several following days (tip number five: don't work out to the Kathy Smith Tummy Trimmers DVD again). I exaggerate just a tad, but I could see how someone who's actually interested in maintaining their health ("?") would find these workouts quite invigorating.

The DVD:

The Video:
As with the previous Kathy Smith workout DVD, the full screen, 1.33:1 video transfer isn't pristine, but you're not watching it for digital clarity.

The Audio:
The Dolby Digital English 2.0 stereo mix is entirely adequate for what's involved here. Close-captions are available.

The Extras:
There are no extras for Kathy Smith Tummy Trimmers

Final Thoughts:
Okay; I worked out this year. What more do you want from me? Severe back pain and vicious bruising accompany the Kathy Smith Tummy Trimmers workout only if you get momentarily bored like I did, when I pounced on my "stability ball" and bounced off it, crashing into the coffee table. Otherwise, you'll find Kathy Smith Tummy Trimmers a pretty good way to vary your ab workouts, so you don't plateau (okay; that came from my wife). I recommend Kathy Smith Tummy Trimmers, and I do not recommend treating your "stability ball" like a "Big Bounce" and disrespecting your wife's nice living room, where civilized grownups don't act like that.