Paramount Studios presents

Carmen Electra's Fit to Strip (2004)

"Push back that couch, grab a bottle of water and put down that box of bon-bons. It's time to sweat."- Carmen Electra

Stars: Carmen Electra, Michael Carson
Other Stars: Staci Harper, Ashley Roberts
Director: Ed Lachman

Manufacturer: B 1 Media DVD
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nothing objectionable)
Run Time: 00h:54m:42s
Release Date: 2004-12-21
Genre: educational

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
B+	B+	B	B	C-

 

DVD Review

How many times have you participated in a female-dominated pastime, pretending you wanted to get in touch with "that side of yourself"? C'mon, don't be shy. Husbands and boyfriends, raise your hands

Carmen Electra's newly released workout DVD, Fit To Strip, is the followup to her Aerobic Striptease. Although my reasons to gawk are frivolous to be certain (I mean, what red-blooded gent would pass up the opportunity to watch a woman with a sensational figure working up a sweat for 50-plus minutes?), but after the initial disappointment of the lack of supremely sexy scenarios (save for the concluding minute where blinding graphics all but hide our button-up shirt dispensing goddess), I actually took the time to watch it in real time.

Divided into seven sections with each routine progressively more challenging, Electra teams with trainer Michael Carson for a multi-tiered program that takes us from a blood-pumping, calorie-burning warmup to a series of isolation exercises focusing on the problem areas for many: abs and the upper/lower sections of the body. In between, the two devote extensive time to floorwork techniques designed for increased heart rate in addition to prepping those troublesome sections for their individual workouts.

Taking into consideration that I haven't seen the first volume of this series, I don't know how much more intense these workouts are in comparison, but my guess is they have to be (I got winded just watching). So one of my few nitpicks is that there's no advisory as such to indicate, so for those tempted to dive right in beginning with this followup disc, I'd advise you to not do so, for this is no celebrity vanity project; Electra hasn't graced the likes of Maxim, Stuff, and other magazines without first workin' it in the gym. On that level, I came away very impressed with her low key but enthusiastic approach, in addition to Carson's refreshing lack of histrionics that sometime mar projects such as this.

Other impressive aspects of Fit include "Heads Up Display", a feature designed along the lines of subtitled trivia tracks on movie discs. In addition to other read-along exercise tips, there's also a handy countdown clock indicating how much time you have in each level to collapse. For the musically picky, there's a cool audio set up option that allows you to pick from the genres of rock, techno, and hip-hop for your melodic, body toning accompaniment.

Rating for Style: B+
Rating for Substance: B+

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	no
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Review: Very bright, colorful transfer, but a bit on the soft side at times. Sharpness is also wanting during the exercise sequences, but during Electra's introductory sequence featuring backup dancers and beguiling routines from her "Pussycat" repertoire, the visuals look perfect. But hey, who's looking at this for technological excellence? Work those thighs!

Image Transfer Grade: B
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
DS 2.0	English	yes

Audio Transfer Review: Exercise videos often have a poor mix of trainer and music (resulting in unnecessary SHOUTING from the former), but no balance problems here. Although I wish there were more rear presence to fill up the room along with more bass, this front-heavy mix is adequate for its purpose.

Audio Transfer Grade: B 

Disc Extras

Full Motion menu with music
Scene Access with 8 cues and remote access
Subtitles/Captions in English with remote access
Packaging: Keep Case
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extra Extras:

1. Photo Gallery (B-Roll; Routines)
2. Interview w/ Michael Carson (1:35)

Extras Review: Remaining extras aside from the ones spotlighted in the main review are inconsequential; a far-too-brief interview with trainer Carson (mainly extolling why an increase in heart rate is so important in the routines) and cheesecake photo sections of Electra in workout gear.

Extras Grade: C-
 

Final Comments

Carmen Electra's Fit to Strip continues her series of workout discs designed for the Pussycat Dolls and Chippendales in all of us. Those expecting to see more of the dream girl that launches millions of computer wallpapers best grab her current magazine layout instead; very little is on display here. But for advanced physical fitness advocates looking for something different from the norm, this series could be the best place to start.

Jeff Rosado 2005-01-05