Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 30, 1993 TAG: 9310300325
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-18 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARTIE ZAD THE WASHINGTON POST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The video people are high on exercise titles, noting a downward trend in health clubs and an upswing in home workouts and videos. Fourteen home videos have sold more than 1 million, with "Buns of Steel" at the top with more than 4 million sold. There are also 21 others that have sold more than a half-million each.
That doesn't include Jane Fonda's 1982 original "Workout." Although Fonda people do not release official figures, the first title sold 1.75 million. In all, Fonda released 16 titles and sold 16 million videos.
Back to the current batch and Cindy Crawford: Some experts didn't give her first effort much of a chance a year ago. With more than 3 million sold, it has been No. 1 for the year and No. 3 on the all-time list of Video Marketing News, produced by editor Kathleen Silvassy.
In the sequel, "Cindy Crawford/The Next Challenge," Crawford again is aided by her personal trainer, Radu. The 60-minute GoodTimes Home Video, $19.99, was released last week.
The "Buns of Steel 2000" series features the talents and energy of three award-winning instructors, Tamilee Webb, "Buns of Steel" instructor, and Donna Richardson and Tracy York, seen daily on ESPN's "Fitness Pros" series.
The new releases add fat-burning aerobics to the toning pitch of earlier tapes. The five new Maier Group titles, 50 minutes and $14.95 each, are "Buns of Steel 2000," "Abs of Steel 2000," "Thighs of Steel 2000," "Arms and Abs of Steel 2000" and "Buns of Steel Step 2000."
Three of the new releases feature male stars. Richard Simmons, whose "Sweatin' to the Oldies" and "Oldies 2" are in the 5 and 6 spots on the all-time list, has "Oldies 3," released for general retail last month by Good Times Home Video, 60 minutes, $19.99.
Marky Mark, pop-music phenom and model for Calvin Klein underwear, last week released "The Marky Mark Workout: Form, Focus and Fitness," 70 minutes, $19.95, in three sections: a home workout routine, a gym workout routine and a segment on nutrition and dietary tips. New music, written, performed and produced by Mark, is included.
Fabio, the world's hottest male model, will be out with three GoodTimes videos in December, "Fabio's Fitness," a weight-based regimen, and non-fitness titles "A Time for Romance" and "Fabio: A Video Calendar."
Jackson's "Step Up With La Toya Jackson," was designed by Gay Gasper, a national STEP Challenge gold medalist, Parade Video, 69 minutes, $19.98, and features Jackson's own low-impact choreography and high energy music.
"Christy Curtis' Soap Star Workout," features seven of daytime television's most attractive young female stars in a low-impact, high energy Parade Video, 45 minutes, $19.98.
The stars, their TV roles and shows are: Sandra Reinhardt, formerly Amanda on "Another World"; Crystal Carson, Julia on "General Hospital"; Cheryl Richardson, Jenny on "General Hospital"; Tonya Lee Williams, Olivia on "The Young and the Restless"; Bobi Eakes, Macy on "The Bold and the Beautiful"; Melissa Reeves, Jennifer on "Days of Our Lives"; and Schae Harrison, Darla on "The Bold and the Beautiful."
by CNB