Tal Reinhart Facial Workout: Because the Muscles Don't End at the Neck

As the other reviews attest, most users of the Tal Reinhart Facial Workout DVD will be women anxious to avoid plastic surgery (or reluctant or unwilling to consider it). Facial musculature, and its slippage over time however, is identical for both sexes and few males can deny that if we're fortunate enough to last to "a certain age" (49 in my case) we could most likely benefit from this sort of a program.And the good news for us aging XY's is that if you can overcome your "hell no I won't ask for directions" stubbornness, this program can REALLY do you some good. Tal Reinhart is not my first facial exercise guide; I've also done Carole Maggio and a couple other books, and those ARE helpful. Nevertheless I would recommend this as the place to start. First because VIDEO is by far the best way to learn these exercises. Although I do the Carole Maggio workout faithfully I am never 100% sure I'm doing everything correctly. Even the best descriptions and still photos can't demonstrate a facial move as well as video can. Second because Tal Reinhart is VERY well organized and presented. First time viewers can learn the individual exercises, practice them in isolation, then (quickly) advance to the full workout, offered without interruption at the end of the DVD. This is an EXCELLENT way to organize the material and demonstrates considerable foresight on the part of the producers to optimize our use of this material.The first part of Tal Reinhart focuses on each individual exercise, explaining not only the technique but also showing via computer graphics how age and neglect cause facial muscles to sag. It's a horror show indeed! House of Wax part 2! See once-supple faces turn into cranky grandmothers before your eyes! More than anything else these visuals reinforce why facial exercise is IMPORTANT to personal self-confidence and general ongoing maintenance. Indeed, if you're reading this, you are most likely getting much of that motivation already from your own saggy visage staring uncomfortably back at you every morning from the bathroom mirror.In addition to these eye-opening graphics (yes-intentional pun), the demonstrations are very slickly done and reasonably easy to follow. It sure doesn't hurt that the individual exercise demos are split between three gorgeous young Israeli models (actually the entire production is from Israel) whose faces are alabaster perfection to begin with. But who can fault the producers for using the beauty to which we aspire to motivate us? All three ladies are well experienced in the exercises they are demonstrating and as indicated earlier are easy to follow along with.But the critical question is of course does it work? My short answer is YES however I must qualify that response by adding that I am continuing with much of the Carole Maggio workout alongside this one so it's impossible to say where one leaves off and the other begins. The eye & upper face exercises are MUCH more comprehensible in Reinhart than Carole's books so anything above the nose I credit to Reinhart.In evaluating this question we need to carefully consider exactly WHAT counts as success. I realize no amount of exercise will shrink my Darth Vader helmet of a skull; I must also accept that pattern baldness is just an indignity that life commands me to endure, and like a woman refusing plastic surgery I will NEVER glue a rug to my scalp (or anything equally ridiculous). In other words, my expectations have to be in line with what can be achieved.Even within those limitations I'm satisfied that the results justify the effort. I started facial exercise (Maggio) back in June '06 and only picked up Reinhart in early '07. I have been doing both daily and fairly quickly saw my face firm up and take on a chiseled shapeliness that certainly wouldn't have happened on its own. Taming my tendency to a double chin has taken somewhat longer but with ongoing effort it is DEFINITELY receding and I'm convinced that this too is an important battle that can be won. I am slightly amused by other reviewers complaining that facial workouts create more lines than they erase. What you're seeing here (for the first time) is muscular definition; would you gripe if you could see a six pack on your abs after months of effort? EVERY change I've observed on my own face has been an improvement!An IMPORTANT (and possibly overlooked) point made on the video is that the "full routine" closing the DVD serves as a basis for constructing your own personalized facial workout (the full routine on the video takes about 20 minutes). In other words, don't just follow along with the "full routine" and wonder why things aren't shaping up as quickly as you'd like. I suspect most men (like myself) will require extra work and effort to sharpen the mouth and jawline. Be prepared to DO EXTRA reps for the areas you're particularly concerned about. This is where it might be useful for you to have a second book or video for another perspective. However I believe you CAN get good results using only the exercises demonstrated here, provided you'll customize your routine to match your needs.So then, fellow males, have I convinced you? If you're not happy with the face you're showing then here's your best chance to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

I actually bought this on ebay several years ago and need to pick up a new copy and am so glad I found it again on Amazon! My DVD copy stopped working and I eventually stopped doing these and will be starting back up again soon as I get my new copy! Folks tell me still though that I look a lot younger than my age - I even got ID'd when trying to buy a lotto ticket last month. You have to be 18 in my state to by Lotto... I'm 43!! O.O To be fair, part of that might be good genetics but I do give some credit to this dvd because I used to do these exercises pretty faithfully and have recently begun to see gravity taking over again after I stopped doing them over the last couple years... :(This Facial Workout is actually quite amazing! The DVD gives you a great introduction as to what muscles you are working, and has a great computer-generated display that advises which muscles you will be working in each step, and tells what working those muscles will help prevent. It makes a lot of sense and explains what each muscle group causes when the muscle declines as we age.This is not only incredibly informative, but it is also a GREAT stress reliever especially if you get eye strain from working at a computer or any other eye-intensive work. If you've ever had a great workout that leaves your body feeling energized, this DVD does the same thing for your face. I was really surprised at how much tension I carry just in my face and around and behind my eyes since I stare at a computer all day - this actually helped me dispel a headache I'd been carrying around for nearly 2 days back when I first started the program.The DVD works out the muscles in charge of keeping your eyelids from drooping, your forehead muscle to help the forehead stay firm and keep your eyebrows from drooping too. It also works your cheek and jaw muscles to help keep you from getting that "jowly" look. It even works out the eyeball muscles (which is my fave part personally), and the muscles around the lips, which keeps your mouth from drooping and your lips actually looking youthfully fuller, longer. It's very well explained and displayed in the video. It also works your tongue muscle, which seems is responsible for getting that dreaded double or droopy chin. The exercises are odd and kinda funny looking, but if you do them right, you really CAN feel them working.Also, the ladies who display the exercises in the workout video are well chosen, as they make the exercises very easy to follow and display them perfectly and in a very serene setting. This video is not at all obnoxious, the way some videos can be. If you are at all concerned about the effects of gravity and simple aging on your face, investing in this DVD would greatly benefit you. And if you understand the principles of how working out your muscles helps keep you in better shape, then it's easy to understand why working out your facial muscles is important too!If you spend tons o cash on expensive creams, lotions, etc., do yourself a favor and invest in this - it will only cost you $ once instead of repeatedly, but will give back a lifetime of results that no lotions or creams could duplicate.Might even save you major $$ if you're planning getting a surgical procedure at some point in the future. No surgery can replace muscle tone or exercise, even if it can have a similar effect on your looks - kinda like physical therapy. You can have a corrective procedure, but it's not nearly as effective unless you get those muscles back in shape ;). Or, if you've already had some procedures and want to keep that look longer, start doing these exercises to keep your benefits. Your plastic surgeon may not be as appreciative, but your wallet will!

An oldie but a goodie! I first saw this on YouTube many years ago, and despite learning the routine so I didn't have to watch it each time, I should have ordered the DVD back then (maybe it was only a tape then)! Anyway, I've watched many of these type of facial workouts but have never seen one as do-able and comprehensive as this one. I'm glad I was able to get this DVD even if it is a bit pricey.

I'm using these exercises and find them both effective and easy to do. The one thing missing with this DVD is a pdf file or insert with a listing of the exercises ..... I'd like to be able to keep a print out of the names of exercises/(or even better) a small diagram of each in my purse so that I could do them while I'm waiting, stopped at a light, taking a break from work etc. Most often I try to use those spare here and there moments to get everything accomplished in the day. I decided to try to make this list up myself but found it very time consuming and hard to get all the info while playing the DVD. I'd love to be able to contact someone about supplying this list but don't know how to reach them. Would love to be able to make this happen.

I love this facial workout. Just wish I had been aware of the importance of working facial muscles earlier in life. Have been doing the workout faithfully every day for 3 weeks and am starting to see improvements in the eye and mouth area (I am 56). Have always worked out but never gave any thought to the muscles in the face which are no different from other muscles. If you don't use it, you'll lose it!

Great. easy exercise. What is very imported the exercise are working and my face start looked more fresh and elastic.

Good step by step tutorial, very simple to follow, and nice calming music. You must first learn to isolate face muscles in order to fully get the benefits but with time and patience if will happen. The eye exercises are great.

A good book with pictures

I find this video very well done and easy to follow.Some of the exercises take a few times to master as they are not usual facial expressions,but I highly recommend this dvd.