Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes
by Barbara Smalley, Teresa Tapp
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Book Reviews of Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes
Book Review: Truly "the workout that works."
Summary: 5 Stars
T-Tapp truly is "the workout that works." Not only is it a workout that can help tone and tighten, the workout is comprised of a sequence of moves designed to improve the mind/body connection and improve lymphatic function in the body. An exercise physiologist, Teresa Tapp created the workout to maximize internal as well as exteral health and fitness.
These moves, and the physiology behind them, are clearly explained and easy to follow in the book. I am more of a visual learner, so following the workout on the DVD helped me gain optimal form. It is like having a personal trainer in your living room -- there's no music to distract you, Teresa Tapp gives form tips and suggestions, and best of all, you need only your body and four feet of space. Using your own body resistance and muscle activation achieves improvement, as each move works 5-7 muscle groups at a time, from both ends of the muscle attachment to the skeletal frame.
But if your learning style is such that you can do a workout from a book, like some can do with those exercise cards in SHAPE magazine, for example, you won't need to buy the DVDs.
I was a skeptic when I first heard of T-Tapp on a fitness message board back in 2007. But after a year of extensive business travel, I had injured my shoulder and elbow from lugging a suitcase and roller briefcase weekly. I own many workout DVDs from various instructors, and upon hearing that one could improve muscle tone and physical condition in a 15-18 minute "Basic" workout, I thought, "No way."
But at the time, lifting dumbells taxed my shoulder and elbow, so I thought, "What have I got to lose?" and bought the book. After reading through it, I was intrigued, especially upon reading the personal experiences included, seeing the Before and After pictures, and reading how T-Tapp had aided in recovery in so many conditions such as diabetes, fibromyalgia, etc.
And T-Tapp rehabilitated an injury I had, as well -- I had tweaked my leg during a rebounder workout, and my right calf had a numb spot. The doctor sent me for a venus doppler radar to rule out a clot, and said, "Well, it's not a clot so if it doesn't get better, we'll need to get it checked and make sure it's not a disc issue."
I didn't want to face the possibility of disc problems and potential surgery, so just lived with the numbness.
After about a month of doing just the Basic Plus workout (Basic with an extra cardio move added), the numbness was gone. I was shaving my leg and noticed I could feel the razor in that area that previously had been numb.
The only things I changed were my shoes (got a new pair) and incorporating T-Tapp. So I fully believe T-Tapp rehabbed my back. If I go several months without doing T-Tapp (I am a fickle workout mistress and try new DVDs all the time), the numbness creeps back. But after a few days of Basic Plus, that problem is relieved.
A major benefit of T-Tapp for me is becoming more aware of my body, as hokey as that sounds. I can tell that I feel more sluggish if T-Tapp isn't in my routine.
T-Tapp was a challenge at first, as any fitness program is -- whether it's a book or a DVD. But the beauty of T-Tapp is that you don't outgrow it. The more frequently you do the workouts, the deeper you can go into the moves and muscle activation, so it is progressive. I read in the book that Teresa Tapp had the workout tested at Cooper Aerobic Institute to verify that it is indeed aerobic.
I like the freedom of it; like Yoga, once the sequence is learned, it can be done anywhere because no equipment is required, other than your own body, a good pair of shoes, and an open mind.
Book Review: Find your alignment again!
Summary: 5 Stars
Ttapp is a wonderful system for rehabbing the body. As many others have noted, it has also helped to fix my own body. Although I was not terribly out of shape, physically my body was suffering from years of misuse from dance and other forms of exercise. Ttap's emphasis on body alignment is so important, and it helped me tune into my body, re-learning how it needs to move so that it can stay healthy and pain-free. This book has so much detail, I keep it on my desk for quick reference. It's excellent, but it does require a little work, as anything truly worth it requires work on our part. We need to take responsibility for our own health and well being. Books can give us the wisdom, but we ourselves have to apply it.
I've been reading some of the comments here and I just wanted to touch on turnout issues, since some people have commented on it. If you're a dancer (especially ballet), you know that standing with knees turned out is not a proper way of expressing turnout. Very often, this is a concern with adult learners of ballet. You need to be aware that adult females who start learning ballet after puberty will have a more difficult time keeping a good turnout simply because their hips are already formed. Young female dancers (pre-puberty) gradually train their hip flexors as they mature, and thus have a much stronger turnout than adult learners. So please don't force your turnout! It's safest to stay at 45-60 degrees than shooting for a perfect turnout.
I also wanted to say that I am an ex-ballerina, had to retired after ankle injuries and such, so I understand about pain. T-tapp was instrumental in my finding alignment in my body again. As a ballet dancer (and I hate to say this because I've adored ballet since I was a child, and lived and breathed it until I was 26), we push and pull to very unnatural positions, and put our bodies out of their natural alignment. Sure, we're in proper "ballet alignment", but ballet alignment is nowhere near natural for the body. It was developed so that the audience could see a beautiful "line", but it's awful for the human body. I've known so many ballet dancers to get injured or wind up permanently crippled in some way. That right there tells you the alignment is not good for your body. However, in Ttapp, you turn out only from the hips while keeping your feet straight. It's more like riding a horse, if you've ever done that. You don't need to push your knees out, just concentrate on getting them more toward your little toes. This helps put your body back in alignment. My yoga instructors also advise knees toward little toes. It protects the body from improper alignment.
Chances are, if you're a dancer who is trying Ttapp for the first time and you're noticing pain, it is almost certainly a ballet/dance issue rather than a Ttapp issue. You may be feeling pain during Ttapp because your body is trying to get back to it's natural alignment, much like the discomfort you'd feel during physical therapy. Even though your knee, etc., may feel fine during ballet, chances are good that it's only USED to that position; it doesn't mean that that position is good for you.
Ttapp is very much like physical therapy and yoga. It brings alignment back to the body. It's a great gift to give yourself or a loved one. You only have one body. Take care of it!!
Book Review: If I could I'd give it 2 1/2 stars, some good points some bad
Summary: 3 Stars
I started T-Tapp last year and at first I was amazed. I did the freebies from the Web site. My abs (my problem area) really leaned out and my hips got much smoother. (Now I know that this worked because I used these exercises with pilates). I then began going hog wild and ordering everything. Once I started doing the total program my body just got huge. I'm usually a size 0-2 and I was starting to go to size 4-6 land. My thighs have never been so big in my life. I'm an experienced exerciser and this has never happened to me, even with deadlifting I never got such big thighs. For some bodies it may produce a curvier body but it also might be a bigger body. I even went so far as to got to a clinic to learn the proper moves. While everyone was lovely and helpful I still didn't get the results I wanted. In fact I would have been happy to just to maintain my (former 0-2) size just doing T-Tapp but obviously that was not meant to be. It was getting to the point where I was going to have to buy new clothes. The plies are especially problematic. Since most of the exercises are held in T-Tapp stance with knee to little toe, I can see how big thighs could develop because you spend so much time in that stance. If you look at the forums you will notice that a lot of women are having trouble and gaining especially in the thigh area.
The workouts are basically filmed in Teresa Tapp's living room which may disappoint some people. If I got the results I wanted I would care if the DVDs were filmed in a prison and packaged in a brown paper bag. I did read the book and honestly the book is well written; but it is hard to completely "get" how these exercises are to be done without a trainer. On the forum some folks mention that a fat shift might be taking place. I have never done any other workout program where I have first gained weight then magically lost it.
I will say that everyone I talked to including the T-Tapp staffers and forum ladies were always very helpful. T-Tapp has helped many people get in shape and heal health conditions. It just didn't work for me.
I so so wanted to like T-Tapp and I gave it a full year. I really enjoyed doing the program. I was hoping to quit the gym and save all that time. I will say that it's a very good "body building" program. If you have an area you want to build up do it; it does build muscle really fast. I still use Diva Derriere for my flat [...], the ab exercises, the twists and chest and arm movements. So it's not without merit. It's great for building up the bust, which can be a very youthening aspect to a fitness program. Actually the only area I lost weight in was my arms, which I didn't want to lose. If you try T-Tapp you may want to keep using some arm weights even if you use them just once a week. Every morning I was nearly in tears trying to find pants in my closet that still fit. Like I mentioned I still do some of the moves. I do think some of the exercises will enhance other programs. For example, you might get desireable results if you do the 15 min ab DVD in the book and then do a Pilates workout. I have to be honest and say there are no short cuts. Once I went back to the gym and my pilates classes I dropped the bulk----no more tears.
Book Review: Book is Wonderful - As Supplement to the Video
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is a wonderful resource in developing a clearer picture of the correct form for the T-Tapp exercise movements. Once you have an idea of the exercises from the videos (which I recommend watching once to understand form before actually starting), this book is great for clarifying the movements taught in the DVD instruction. I wouldn't recommend trying to learn the exercises just from the book, because it may be confusing.
Some people learn the moves just fine from the book. It does give very clear instructions and offer illustrations. However, it does not illustrate in pictures every single aspect of every single move. The videos are more helpful in showing the actual tempo and positioning of the exercises. When it comes to exercise - movement - folks will easier time learning the movements from a DVD than from even the clearest written instructions in any book.
The book also does not lie flat, which impedes learning the moves from the book because of holding the book down. There are a few too many pages devoted to "rah-rah" testimonials, which while convincing, makes it come off as a hard sell. I found it distracting. Included with the book is a companion DVD which showcases only three movements, not the entire workout. The movements are extremely helpful for dealing with abdominal fat.
If you want to learn T-Tapp, a better bet than buying this book right away would be to go to the "Try Before You Buy" section of the T-Tapp website and try the exercises she posts there for free. THEN invest in the DVD's (the Basic Workout is about $40; the Total Workout is $80), learn the moves, and THEN read this book to gain a deeper understanding of form. Yes, it's a bit steep, but it's cheaper than a gym membership where you might pay $40 - per month. If you've satisfied yourself from using the free exercises that this program is worthwhile, I'd say getting the DVD's will likely be a solid investment.
The workout's creator has said elsewhere that the signature Total Workout is all people really need to start losing inches and get into shape. I've had the DVD almost two years and I still don't feel I've mastered it yet! T-Tapp also a message board forum for trainers and non-trainers alike to exchange form tips, information and support. If you prefer to work out at home, I believe this is a solid program.
That said, the devotion T-Tapp inspires in its proponents does border on fanatical. While I believe the program is genuine, some of the lovely people on the message boards get carried away purchasing multiple DVDs and accessories made available on the site. Try not to get swept up in it unless you want to lighten your wallet! I firmly believe that slow and steady wins the race, and Total Workout, sensible eating and a bit of discipline is all you really need. After a couple years I have not needed anything more than the Total Workout DVDs and the Fit and Fabulous book.
Book Review: gave me chronic pain instead of relieving it!
Summary: 2 Stars
I started the program on the recommendation of a relative. Did it faithfully for a minimum of six weeks and then discovered terrible pain in my feet, outside of right knee, right hip, etc, which has now kept with me for approximately 2 years. Used the (non-weighted) sneakers Theresa Tapp recommended, never went barefoot (until the time in desperation when I wanted to "mark" the workout lightly without shoes to make sure the pain wasn't being caused by my inadvertently scrunching my toes through the motions; I wasn't), studied myself in a full length mirror all the way and was making no "form mistakes". In fact, if anything my legs tend to do naturally what Theresa advises her students to do.
Coincidentally, about a year after I gave it up the relative mentioned above asked me what I was eventually diagnosed with, because she thinks she now has developed plantar fasciitis based upon pains in her feet. Nowhere does Theresa mention that people who already have high, rigid arches (as my relative and I do) probably don't want to have our feet "reshaped" or our arches lifted. Maybe it works out great for her patrons who have flat feet. I wouldn't know.
I now strain my feet on a regular basis (twice in one week for the left foot alone), spend a lot of time with my fourth and fifth metatarsals on both feet aching (balancing on the outside of your foot while working out is another T-Tapp tenet), have been diagnosed with bursitis (which one would think the workout is supposed to cure based upon testimonials). I have also logged a total of 12 weeks in a walking cast, and some $200-300 worth of insurance copays and x-rays for repeated visits to a podiatrist, who never determined anything more helpful than "your cuboid bone has shifted, which sometimes happens when you take up a new form of exercise" (it seems the cuboid, which I never knew I had before, kind of floats around in this cradle in your ankle and isn't really attached to anything). I have also been tested by a neurologist who determined that my pain is not caused by anything having to do with nerves from lower lumbar on down.
I admit I did see results in my body during those six weeks, which is why I'm giving two stars not one; but at what cost? If the workout is supposed to cure all manner of chronic conditions, I don't think it should have aggravated a tendency or possibly even landed me with one. I now know the hard way why they say "Consult with your doctor before embarking on any new forms of exercise." I was neither that obese (30 pounds over ideal weight) nor all that out of condition, and to say that I wish I'd never heard of T-Tapp would be an understatement.