OUR INTREPID group of volunteers did a little stretching and strengthening en route to this latest round of guest video reviews:

"Moira Stott Flex-Band Workout" (55 minutes; $14.95; 800-910-0001; www.stottpilates.com). Reviewed by Alisa Ostgard-Murray, 38, of Gig Harbor.

At first, Ostgard-Murray thought it would be a good thing that "over 27 exercises" were included on this tape. However, "Stott moves quickly from one exercise to the next without any preliminary instruction," Ostgard-Murray said. "I had to rewind at various points the first time to see what she was doing, and still had difficulty with some of the exercises after several viewings." She liked the versatility of the Flex-Band and especially the resistance it added to abdominal exercises. But she couldn't tell when warm-ups ended and exercises began, wanted to know which muscle groups were being targeted by each exercise, and would have appreciated a demonstration rather than just a mention of how to use a pillow to ease neck strain. Ostgard-Murray thought this video could use an accompanying brochure with a list and photos of all the exercises.

"Body Bar: Kickbox Circuit with Alain Bissainthe" (60 minutes; $19.95; 800-280-0525; www.bodybars.com) Reviewed by Tracy Stivers, 43, of Seattle.

This low-impact workout, which alternates cardio with kickboxing toning intervals, quickly became one of Stivers' favorites. She liked the upbeat pop instrumental music and Bissainthe's instruction and cueing. She found the workout easy to follow and the 4-foot, 9-pound Body Bar ($29.95) challenging and fun (though hand and ankle weights could be used instead). "You start with the basics and keep building on the previous with a lot of jabs, crosses, kicks, roundhouses and shuffles for your cardio. Intervals of toning/strengthening target the arms, shoulders, abdominals and legs. I get a complete, total body workout along with cardio work and best of all, I have a great time doing it! If you're a beginner or advanced, you'll find this to be a good video to utilize no matter what your level is."

Fitness news you can use Grants and more grants • Balance Bar is awarding grants of $500 to $10,000 three times a year for amateur athletes, hobbyists or enthusiasts who pursue sports or activities that integrate all aspects of the body and mind. Next deadline is Feb. 15. For details, go to www.balance.com or contact Hunter Public Relations at 41 Madison Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010 or via fax at 212-679-6607. • Spokane Public Schools received $297,000 from the federal PEP (Physical Education for Progress) Grant program for its "Fit for the Future" program, which shifts emphasis from a curriculum based on skills to one based on fitness and health. Comparing treadmills? Treadmill shoppers can compare the specifications of up to four different models using the Treadmill Comparison Wizard at www.treadmillbynet.com Overheard "I don't train, I just recover."

"Body Bar: Hard Core Abs and Back with Keli Roberts" (30 minutes; $14.95; 800-280-0525; www.bodybars.com). Reviewed by Anne Kirk, 40, of Seattle.

Even Kirk's 6-year-old daughter, Katherine, liked this toning and strengthening video — especially the 2-foot, 4-pound Body Bar ($24.95). By Mom's second viewing, she could keep the moves flowing, but it took her three workouts to master the intense moves in the middle — "and I keep pretty fit. A plank move required strong arms and shoulders — not for beginners. The side plank with both legs extended was hard! Keli did show a slightly easier modification of keeping one knee on the floor. The side plank with rotation is extremely difficult and only for advanced exercisers." Kirk was disappointed by the abdominal work: "I've had much tougher abs work in my YMCA aerobic class." She would do the video for the good back workout, those plank moves and a few other exercises. Plus, "I know Katherine wants to try it again."

"Tamilee Webb: Beginners Stretch for Flexibility" (30 minutes; $14.98; 800-737-1825; www.naturaljourneys.com). Reviewed by Jean Deister, 45, of Kenmore.

"This is a great video to help all ages increase circulation, become more limber and relax body and mind," Deister said. After talking about the benefits of stretching and correct breathing techniques, Webb performs each stretch, describing the muscles that should be used, and viewers stretch along with her. "It is very easy to follow along no matter what your level of flexibility," Deister added. "She encourages you to stretch to your point of tightness, not to the point of pain. Even though it is a beginner's video, she carries the stretch to advanced flexibility if you can do it. It has a positive tone and it will make you feel good you did it."

Molly Martin is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine. She can be reached at 206-464-8243, mmartin@seattletimes.com or P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.

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