Friday, April 30, 2010

The FIRM Total Sculpt Plus Abs Review

The Firm: Total Sculpt Plus Abs
Jennifer Carman, 2003

This is a 60 min mostly strength workout led by Jen Carman. There are 4 background exercisers with Suzan showing the beginner modifications. This is the BSS2 set-white with blue accents on the walls. You will need a variety of dumbbells, the Firm sculpting stick (optional), and a Fanny Lifter or other step for this w/o.

The warmup is kind of long but I actually really enjoyed it this AM. You use the sculpting stick to warm up your upper body and do squats and such to warmup the lower body. After the warmup Jen moves right into a heavy squat set, back work, pliets, and lat pull down with the stick-I just used dumbbells since the stick is only 8 #'s. She uses the stick in other areas of the workout too and again, I just use dumbbells because the stick is just too light to do anything with.

The majority of this workout is strength and includes moves such as: leg press (just use 2 dumbbells, not 1 and the stick), bicep curls, 4 limb work that is similar to her 4 limb section in Firm Super Cardio-(which I love), french press, pushups, tricep pushups, and more. She varies the tempo alot and uses a pretty slow tempo for a lot of it to really allow heavy poundage.

There are a few cardio segments-one on the floor and one on the step. She finishes with chest and ab work on the floor before the cooldown. The ab section uses teh 6# portion of the sculpting stick and I found it fun and effective. Not so boring & repetitive like the other ab sections in BSS2.

I would rate this an intermediate w/o done as is. If you skip the sculpting stick, use heavy dumbbells, use the 8" section of the FL, add a few more plyos (she does include some though!), and put a little pep in your step you can get a great sculpting workout with the usual Firm cardio benefit.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The FIRM Cardio Sculpt Review

The FIRM Cardio Sculpt
Allie Del Rio, 2002

This is a 60 minutes AWT (though mostly strength work) workout led by Allie with 4 background exercisers. Libby provides the beginner modifications. The set is the bright white BSS1 set with blue-ish accents in the background. You will need your Fanny Lifter or another step and a variety of dumbbells for this one.

First off I have to say-I DO NOT do this one enough! Though not as challenging as the Classic Firms-it is really reminiscent of them. It has a weighted step segment like Vol 4 & Vol 6 and ends with floor work-pec fly & leg lifts and donkey kicks. She also goes slow enough to allow for heavy dumbbells. I was pleasantly surprised!

After a warmup up Allie goes into a strength set starting with hover squats and lat row. You do some leg press and other dumbbell work and then she moves into a cardio segment. She alternates the strength segments with cardio, but the strength work also gets your heartrate up with dips, lunges, leg press, and squats. The cardio is straightforward and athletic without being boring or repetitive. The cardio includes floor, step, and 4 limb step work.

She thouroughly works all the muscles though I did find the shoulder work a bit lacking. After the lying floor work you do an ab sequence that is comprised of crunch & crunch variations and then move into the stretch.

I would rate this workout a solid or maybe even high (?) intermediate if you use heavy weights. You can also up the intensity- I really heavied up on #age, used the 8" portion of the FL and added some plyos and jumps to my workout and felt I got a great strength AND cardio workout today. I must use this one more often (I know I say that all the time).

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The FIRM: Super Cardio Sculpt Review

The FIRM: Super Cardio SculptNancy Tucker, 2002

This is a 40 min cardio workout led by Nancy with 4 background exercisers-Libby provides beginner modifications. The set is bright and white with blue accents in the background. You will need your Fanny Lifter or another step and a set of light dumbbells for this workout.

This is a moderately choreographed (but nothing dancy or hard to follow) cardio workout. Nancy keeps things moving right along and really keeps the heart rate up. She alternates floor aerobics, 4 limb floor aerobics, step aerobics, and tall bax climbs to keep things interesting and prevent boredom.

The routines are your typical Firm fare without being boring or repetitive. Some of the aerobics include: tri-star, straddle step, V step, side step, grapevine, knee ups on the floor and step, ham curls on the step, tall box climb with dumbbells, and the likes thereof.

Done as is I would rate this a lower intermediate workout because Nancy doesnt really bump up the intensity all that much. There is a lot of low impact and they only use the short section of the Fanny Lifter. I wore my weighted gloves, used the 8" section of the FL, and added in plyos and bigger arm movements and I got a GREAT sweaty cardio workout. I enjoyed this w/o and dont use it enough!


Monday, April 26, 2010

Jennifer Galardi's Ballet Body Review



Review: Ballet Body, Jennifer Galardi, 2009

This dvd has 5 seperate segments that you can do individually or string together (play all). The total w/o time is just over 60 minutes including warmup and stretch. Jennifer works out in a nice open set w/ hardwood floors and pinkish windows in the background. There are 2 background exercisers-one shows beginner modifications. You will need one set of light/medium dumbbells for some of the sections. She recommends not wearing shoes-so I didnt! Love that. The music varies from upbeat classical to almost African sounding-it was all appropriate for each section and I really liked it.

Warmup: This is a very active, fluid warmup that gets the blood flowing nicely. It includes a solid pliet series and also works the arms because you are holding them out ballet style. You get some nice flowing stretching here as well. You could do this section on its own as a light w/o IMO.

Strength: You start with a close stance pliets, pliets variations & relevettes. Then she moves into some standing ab work that I really enjoyed-it was very different than what Im used to! Felt very effective! She does standing ab scoops, side bends, and portibra all with a ballet flair-very active and fluid. She moves into a tough curtsey dip with oblique squeeze sequence that I particularly enjoyed! Then she grabs her dumbbells for rotator cuffs work, V raises, bicep curl variations, and a behind the back tricep squeeze.

Balance: She starts the standing leg work with a mini rondejon with a glute sqeeze and moves into what, to me, felt like standing table work. From there you move into a plank-tri push-up-down dog series and finished with some tricep pushups that really fried my triceps. This section closes with some unique table work.

Floor Barre: You start with some lower body work done on the floor and move into a rollup (V sit) core exercise, leg raises, and rolling into a ball. My arms were also being worked in a lot of these moves (in this and other sections as well) because you are holding them out. You do some lying inner and outer thigh ballet type moves and finish with some killer standing leg lifts.

Stretch: The stretch was very nice and welcome! It was done lying and was definately dance inspired.

I would rate this an intermediate workout but I am no expert on ballet or barre. Collage rates it intermediate/ advanced. It was an awesome change of pace from my normal workouts and we all know variety is not only the spice of life-but our bodies NEED it to progress. I just adore Jen as a lead and I really enjoyed this workout. It didnt make me want to die but definately felt effective. This one is now on my wishlist!

The FIRM Burn & Shape Review

The FIRM Burn & Shape
 Emily Welsh, 2007

This dvd got pretty bad reviews but really its not that bad. The w/u and one section are a bit *odd* but overall its a pretty good AWT w/o.

This is a 40 minute cardio alternated with strength w/o led by Emily. There are 4 background exercisers, Alison shows the beginner modifications. The set is the wooden floor w/ white walls kind of generic look set. You will only need dumbbells.

After a longish warmup you do some stretching and move into a strength set. She alternates cardio segments with strength segments but the strength segments actually got my heart pumping too. There is a lot of heavy 4-limb work in this so I really think its a pretty effiecient workout. The moves are combined well so you can actually use appropriate poundage for all moves involved.

She doesnt move too quickly and I didnt feel rushed at all but there is also NO downtime in this one. I enjoyed this workout and felt my muscles were worked pretty darn well and was pretty sweaty by the end. As usual, I modified the cardio up but w/ that mod, I got a great w/o!

There were a few *odd* sections-the warmup-it was a bit long and she moved pretty quickly on the choreo. Then one of the cardio sections seemed a bit scattered but besides that-a great w/o! I would rate this a solid intermediate that is easy to modify up or down to suit your needs.

And the winner of Amy Bento's All Pump Xtreme is....JENN!

Congrats to Jenn, who said... "Thanks for the break down of this dvd. The more I read the more awesome it looks. I really hope I win. Also love your pics. I got married in Vegas five years ago. The place is awesome."

Please send me your mailing address to lindseylu8 (at) netzero (dot) net. And dont forget to leave a comment here so I know to check that email address! Im sure you will get a TON of use out of this dvd-I know I did! Its a good one! Please email me by Friday, April 30 to claim your prize.

Thank you Amy Bento for her GENEROUS donation in the name of health, fitness, and FUN! And thank you everyone who entered. I will be doing another awesome workout dvd giveaway this week so stay tuned AND remember Amy donated two other dvds for future giveaways :)

For more information or to buy this or other Amy workouts check out her website and store.
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Friday, April 23, 2010

Review: All Pump Xtreme (3 Day Split: Back, Bi's & Tri's)


All Pump Xtreme (3 Day Split: Back, Bi's & Tri's)
Amy Bento, 2007

This premix is 42 minutes led by Amy with 3 background exercisers-one shows modifications. Amy uses tubing, dumbbells, a barbell, a weighted bar, and a step. You can easily get away with using only step, dumbbells, and tubing IMO-but I enjoyed using the bar for one of the bicep moves. This workout thouroughly works the bi's, tri's, and back before the cooldown/ stretch.

After the warmup you move right into back work starting w/ modified pullups. Amy has a weighted bar lying across 2 sets of a lot of risers and 1 b/g exerciser uses 2 chairs. I only have the Firm Sculpting Stick and I didnt really trust my body weight with that stick so I did a different back move (Im drawing a blank on the name right now-something pinch-someone help me out?), [ETA: rhomboid pinch-knew it would come to me sooner or later] from there she moves into T bar rows w/ a barbell (I used dumbbells), then a lying rear delt fly on the incline bench.

Next is the bicep work-she starts with the band handles around the bar. You hold the bar and put 1 foot on the band and curl-I could REALLY feel this, so if you have a bar & a band I would recommend not subbing equipment here. Then you do bicep curls & forearm curls lying on the incline bench. You finish (frying) the bicep work with tubing curls.

The last section is tricep work and boy will my tri's feel this tomorrow! You do tricep pushups on the bench with a one armed tri hold-ouch, dumbbell kickbacks and a seated overhead tubing tricep extension. You move into your cooldown to finish the workout-there is no core work in this premix.

I would rate this premix & the dvd as a whole a high intermediate w/o. This is a great strength training dvd and would fit nicely in all dvd collections. It is tough but fun and also very efficient.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Review: All Pump Xtreme (3 Day Split: Lower Body)


All Pump Xtreme (3 Day Split: Lower Body)
Amy Bento, 2007

This premix is 61 minutes led by Amy with 3 background exercisers-one shows modifications. Amy uses tubing, dumbbells, a barbell, a weighted bar, step, and (briefly) a med ball. You can easily get away with using only step, dumbbells, and tubing IMO. This workout hits all the lower body muscles and has a nice core section before the cooldown/ stretch.

After a warmup & stretch you move right into a squat series: squats with the bar, 1 legged balancing squats (which also hits the core and works on balance), and hack squats where you elevate your heels on the step. Then you do a sit down on the step-stand up move with a barbell (or dumbbells), weighted curtsey lunge into a side lunge w/ a knee lift (again hitting the core & working balance). Then we move into deadlifts while standing on the box -my legs started shaking at this point. Then you put your tubing handle around your foot and do a kickback move with your leg-working your hamstring. We finish our LB work with a one legged bridge on the step.

Before the cooldown stretch you do the core workout using the gliding discs, a dumbbell and/or an optional med ball. The core work was fun and different from the usual ab work! There is a nice standing ab section: circling the dumbbell, a weighted sidebend, overhead reach, and a throw out/ chop with the med ball. She finishes with a unique floor section using the gliding discs for a roll out move (I used a stability ball instead and that worked perfectly!) and a crab pose-into a side plank-into a plank-and back move (tough!).

I would rate this portion a high intermediate strength workout. Like I said I didnt really heavy up (15# max) and I just know my LB will be feeling it tomorrow-I already can to some extent! The time went quickly and there is a lot of variety without being rushed. She gives just enough time to prepare and move into the next move without wasting time or having to push pause. Very efficient and fun! Great music, great lead.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

DVD Giveaway: Amy Bento All Pump Xtreme

This giveaway is now over! Stay tuned for new dvd giveaways each week :)

This weeks giveaway is courtesy of the wonderfully generous Amy Bento & NRG Fitness!!! Not only did she send All Pump Xtreme, she sent TWO other dvds for future giveaways. So Amy fans-you are in for a treat!

Amy was SUPER sweet & generous in her email. She was really excited to help others get and stay fit and healthy. She also hopes were all having fun working out with her. I know I am!!!

Amy is one of my favorite instructors because in her cardio workouts she presents advanced choreography in a way that makes it doable for EVEN me, and we all know I have no rhythm...AND her dvds always have a TON of premixes-so you are really getting a great value out of them. Most of the dvds have multiple seperate workouts on them, not just shorter premixes of the original footage. For example in her In The Ring, you can do kickboxing or drills, or any combination of the two.

I just adore her All Cardio Hi Lo Knock Out and In The Ring. All Pump Xtreme is the first of her strength traning workouts Ive tried and..... LOVE IT! Well, there is some strength work in her 10 Minute Solutions: Hot Body Boot camp and A-Team Bootcamp (also love these). All of her dvds have super-upbeat-make-you-wanna-move music in them and her cueing is also good! She has a great fun energy about her.



Today's Review: All Pump Xtreme (3 day Split, shoulders & chest)
Amy Bento, 2007

This dvd has EIGHT different premixes on in ranging from 42 to 82 minutes. The premixes are: total body, lower body, upper body, lower body timesaver, upper body timesaver, 3 day split day 1, 3 day split day 2, 3 day split day 3. The set is a hardwood floor with some blue doors in the background. Amy works out with 3 background exercisers. You will need a variety of equipment for this dvd but you could get away with using only a step and dumbbells really easily. She uses: dumbbells, barbell, step, med ball, gliding discs, tubing, and a weighted bar. One exerciser shows easier modifications.

Three Day Split, Chest and Shoulders: There is also a good amount of core in this workout, which was a nice bonus for me. In this premix Amy uses a step, barbell, tubing, weighted bar, a med ball, gliding discs, and dumbbells. I dont have a barbell or step and my bar is too light-I did fine with what I had and had no problems subbing equpiment out. I do enjoy variety and have a LOT of equipment so I enjoy utlizing different equipment. It eliminates boredom and works the muscles differently than using the same equpiment over and over.

The time FLEW by this morning! I couldnt believe how quickly the time went in this workout. You will start with some chest work -bench press & pullovers on your step (I used the TF on an incline) then onto pushups-pushing off your step up into the air (tough).

Then you move onto your shoulder work with a variety of dumbbell and tubing exercises. Overhead press using tubing, upright row with the bar, band throw backs (tricep extensions with tubing), and tubing shoulder raises.

She finishes with ab work using the gliding discs, and an optional med ball. The ab/core work was fun and different from the usual ab work! There is a nice standing ab section and a unique floor section using the gliding discs for a roll out move (I used a stability ball instead and that worked perfectly!) There is some stretching interspersed throughout the workout.

I would rate this a solid intermediate but as with many strength w/o's you can make them easier are more challenging by changing your poundage. The music is high energy and Amy is too-but she is by no means overly perky. She is fun and you can tell she is enjoying herself.

To Enter this Giveaway: Post a SEPERATE comment for each entry
  • Leave me a comment in ANY or ALL of this weeks posts about what appeals to you about that days w/o (you can enter each day).
  • For an additional entry check out Amy's website and tell me which of her other dvds look good to you.
  • For FOUR more additional entries (one each): 1. re-blog, 2. facebook, 3. post on a fitness forum, 4. tweet about this giveaway and be sure to leave the links below :)
  • The contest will end Sunday 4/25 at midnight. And the winner will be announced Monday 4/26 morning-so CHECK BACK to see if you are the winner!

Friday, April 16, 2010

And the Winner of Stephanie Huckabees PowerFit Harmony Set is...

... Karen who said "Would love to win these workouts! What appeals to me most is that the only equipment required is the band. Also love the 20-minute format. Thanks Lindsey and Stephanie for a fantastic giveaway! I'll be eagerly reading your reviews each day."

Congrats to you Karen! Im sure you will enjoy this set as much as I do. Please email me AND leave a comment below so I know to check that email address- lindseylu8 (at) netzero (dot) net. Please contact me by Wednesday, April 21, 2010 to claim your prize.

Thank you Stephanie Huckabee for her GENEROUS donation in the name of fitness! And thank you everyone who entered. I will be doing another awesome workout dvd giveaway next week so stay tuned (hint hint Amy Bento!).

For more information or to buy this or other Stephanie workouts check out these links:

-QVC link to PowerFit Harmony
-Stephanie Huckabees Website
-Stephanie Huckabees Facebook Fan Page
 
PowerFit Harmony is STILL priced under $30.00 so if you didnt win-its definately worth the cost for 10 dvds, 3 bands, and the motivational literature, meal plan, and exercise rotation. And while your there check out her other systems: PowerFit and PowerFit Plus!

And dont forget to exercise for me blog readers! I will be away from my computer until April 21, 2010.
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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Review: PowerFit Harmony



PowerFit Harmony
Stephanie Huckabee, 2010

Sculpt Strong Push (disc 2): This is a 20 minute all sculpt workout led by Stephanie with 2 background exercisers. I absolutely love the set they are in (my dream home gym). There is a warmup and cooldown in the 20 minutes but besides that its nonstop sculpting with the band. No wasted time here! I wore my weighted vest and felt that helped bump up the intensity! I would rate this as a high beginner w/o done as is.

After the warmup Stephanie moves right into a squat series with the band. You will do regular band squats then a squat w/ an abduction and a chest press with the band. From there you move into tricep kickbacks with the band, bandless squats, walking lunges with a torso twist, standing abductions (she doesnt use the band but I did to up the intensity), a quad kick-extension (again I used the band), pushups, table work with the band (I added ankle weights & used the band here and REALLY felt the burn), lying chest press with a bridge, tricep press, a pec fly & crunch combo, and a side plank before you cooldown.

Sculpt Strong Pull (disc 4): This is a 20 minute all sculpt workout led by Stephanie with 2 background exercisers. I absolutely love the set they are in (my dream home gym). There is a warmup and cooldown in the 20 minutes but besides that its nonstop sculpting with the band. No wasted time here! I wore my weighted vest and felt that helped bump up the intensity! I would rate this as a high beginner w/o done as is.

After the warmup Stephanie starts with a lat row using the band, then goes into a dip series. From there you will do an upright row with a side lunge -I really liked this move, it had a very functional feel and was a great way to utilize the band in a 4-limb type move. Then bicep curls and into a pliet series: pliets, pliet slides, & pliets with a leg sweep. Then you do a standing oblique bend, side & front shoulder raises, and dips and curtsy dips. Then you move to the floor and do a T-row with the band around your shoes, inner thigh floor work with the band, lower ab crunches, and full body crunches. You finish with a cooldwon stretch.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

PowerFit Harmony Reviews: Core Body Balance & Cardio Move It


PowerFit Harmony
Stephanie Huckabee, 2010

Core Body Balance (disc 3): This is a 20 minute core workout led by Stephanie with 2 background exercisers. The set is awesome-open and inviting. There is a warmup & cooldown included in the 20 minutes and there is some stretching interspersed throughout. I would rate this a high beginner core w/o. You will only need a band for this w/o.

Stephanie starts with a standing balance move-glute lift while extending the band in front of you. After that you move to the floor for a series of crunch vartions, she includes crunches, oblique crunches, and leg drops. Then she moves into some lower back work (my fav!) and a plank series.

Cardio Move It (disc 1): This is a entirely low impact 20 minute cardio workout led by Stephanie with 2 background exercisers. The set is awesome-open and inviting. There is a warmup & cooldown included in the 20 minutes but besides that it is nonstop cardio! I would say a similar intensity to Cardio Pure Power. I would rate this a high beginner cardio w/o. You will only need a band for this w/o.

After an active warmup and stretch Stephanie moves into floor aerobics-hamstring pulls, side steps, mock jumproping (low impact), grapevines and other easy to follow athletic type cardio moves. This w/o adapted nicely to the step. After the floor aerobics she moves into a mock step routine using the band on the floor. She includes basic step, v step, knee ups, hamstring curls, and knee repeaters. Again easy to use your step with if you want to up the intensity. Adding the step and weighted gloves really made this a solid intermediate w/o!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

PowerFit Harmony Reviews: Core Express, Cardio Speed Burn, & Lower Body Blast


PowerFit Harmony
Stephanie Hucakbee, 2010

Core Express: This is a 20 minute core workout led by Stephanie with 2 background exercisers. The set is awesome-open and inviting. There is a warmup & cooldown included in the 20 minutes and there is some stretching interspersed throughout. I would rate this a low intermediate core w/o. You will only need a band for this w/o.

She starts with some nice standing ab work using the band. You do a side squeeze move and then make it tougher by adding in a side knee raise, & standing crunches with the band. Then you move to the floor and go into some different crunch variations-shoot outs, oblique crunches, low ab hip lifts, and leg drops. You finish the ab exercises with side planks and move into your cooldown.

Cardio Speed Burn: This is a entirely low impact 20 minute cardio workout led by Stephanie with 2 background exercisers. The set is awesome-open and inviting. There is a warmup & cooldown included in the 20 minutes but besides that it is nonstop cardio! I would say a bit more challenging than yesterdays cardio. I would rate this a low intermediate cardio w/o. You will only need a band for this w/o.

Stephanie starts with an active warmup and moves right into marches, mock jump roping (low impact), squats, grapevines, knee ups, side steps, and double side steps. After that floor routine, Stephanie does a cardio with the band (I could feel the tension in my UB by holding onto the band!). During this routine she does side step with a triple step, a football run, grapevine, and hamstring curls. She finishes this w/o w/ a mock step routine (I used a step) and she does some basic step moves: knee ups, ham curls, repeaters, and sambas. Then finishes with a cooldown. I would rate this a low intermediate/ high beginner cardio w/o done as is.

Lower Body Blast
: This is a 20 minute lower body band workout led by Stephanie with 2 background exercisers. The set is awesome-open and inviting. There is a warmup & cooldown included in the 20 minutes but besides that it is nonstop lower body band work! I really upped the intensity here by adding a 20# weighted vest to the band work and I will definately feel it tomorrow-this impresses me because I would normally be using two 20# dumbbells for LB work, so w/ only 1/2 the poundage + the band and in ONLY 20 minutes-my LB was sufficiently worked!

Stephanie starts with some band squats and goes into a nice leg abduction-which you can make more challenging by using the band on the leg youre lifting, a close stance squat, some fast tempo squats, running dips, crab walk type squats w/ the band, pliets, and walking lunges. Before the cooldown she does some table floor work. I added ankle weights and really felt the burn here! Done as is: I would rate this a low intermediate/ high beginner w/o. BUT I got a high intermediate w/o w/ the above mod's.

Announcing a NEW winner for Cindy Whitmarsh's Incredible Abs dvd- Debby

Unfortunately Barb S. has not contacted me to claim her prize so I have to choose a new winner for this AWESOME DVD! The new winner is Debby! Please email my by midnight Thursday, April 15th to claim your prize. My email address is lindseylu8 (at) netzero (dot) net. And be sure to leave a comment here so I know to check that email. Congrats to you Debby (entered with an aim account so I cant link to her page). I know you will LOVE this dvd as much as I did.

For more info or to buy this or other Cindy workouts check out these links:


-Cindy's UltraFit Site
-Cindy's Exercise TV site
-Cindy's Facebook Fan Page

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Monday, April 12, 2010

Stephanie Huckabee's Powerfit Harmony Review

PowerFit Harmony
Stephanie Huckabee, 2010
 
These are all 20 minute workouts led by Stephanie with 2 background exercisers. I really LOVE the set. Its a very nice open room with cute decor around the edges-if I were rich, this would be my dream home gym :) They utilize an exercise band and thats all you will need! These workouts has a real Firm feel to them-which is a huge plus in my book! The intensity for me seemed to fall between the original PowerFit workouts and the Firm 6 pack workouts- a lower intermediate/ high beginner intensity. But you can choose your band so you can up the intensity of the strength w/o's.
 
Core Pure Power (disc 6): This workout goes by fast and she keeps things moving right along. There are some standing ab moves, floor crunches, and yoga poses that work your core. I really enjoyed the yoga poses thrown in there because its not something I normally see in ab workouts.
 
There is a short warmup and cooldown incuded in the 20 minutes and there is some brief stretching interspersed throughout. You will use the band for many of the moves. She incorporates balance and stabilization into many of the exercises too-which I really enjoyed. And balance is my weak point fitness-wise so always more than welcome in my book!
 
Some of the exercises include: a twisting move using the band, standing knee lifts, crunch variations with and without the band, warrior pose, a runners lunge pose, table top knee pulls, a v-sit, and the likes. My core was definately feeling it by the end of the 20 minutes. I would rate this a lower intermediate ab/core/balance workout.
 
Cardio Power Up (disc 5): This is an entirely low impact floor cardio routine. The first half you will see a lot of traditional easy to follow moves such as grapevine, hamstring curls, step touches, and she utilizes the band as a prop in some of the moves. As always, Stephanie's cueing is spot on and you always know what to do next.
 
The second 1/2 is a mock step routine using the band as your step. I pulled out the 8" portion of my TF and used that to make it a bit more challening. My heartrate got up there nicely and I worked up a nice sweat. There is no tricky choreo in this-its all straightforward atheltic type moves and is not hard to follow. Some of the moves include basic step, V step, heel touch, toe tap, and a charleston move that really got my heartrate up using the step! Fun routines and the time went by quickly.
 
Upper Body Blast (disc 9): Stephanie fits a lot in this 20 minutes. She hits every UB muscle with a few different moves! AND she squeezes in some cardio bursts to get your heartrate up. We all know how I LOVE my splits that include cardio so this was a very nice surprise!!! She is really innovative in how she uses the band and I didnt have trouble with my band at all. She hits the bi's, tri's, shoulders, chest, and back. She does some 4-limb type moves too, nice way to keep working your UB and also get the heart pumping!


I received samples of these products to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Please see my disclosures page for details. Do not copy, in whole, or in part any portion of any postings on my blog. Do not repost my content on any other site without my explicit consent. All of my postings belong solely to lindsey8.blogspot.com

Barry's Bootcamp Belly Blaster Workout

Barry's Bootcamp Belly Blaster Workout
Barry Jay, Cindy Whitmarsh, 2008

This 15 minute ab workout was fun and challenging. Similar in format to the other workouts in the FatBlaster set. Each exercise lasts one minute with a 30 second rest inbetween each exercise. Only a beginner modificaiton is shown-maybe we are already doing the advanced move? This is10 of Barry's favorite exercises.

Some of the moves are standing ab moves, such as: torso twists with the band, side bends with the band. Some are on the ball-full sit ups using the band. Some are on the floor-bycicle holding the transfomer ball over your head, a V sit, and some plank moves. By the end of the 15 minutes my abs are definately feeling this! The time goes by fast.

The moves were different than the moves in the other 2 ab workouts. I found them unique and fun (still challenging of course!) Like the rest of the BBC w/o's, Cindy actually leads the workout and Barry Jay walksround for motivation and gives form advice. The set is different from the other Fat Blaster w/o's. Its a nice open room with about 6 background exercisers.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Denise Austin Blast Away the Pounds Indoor Walk Review

Denise Austin Blast Away the Pounds Indoor Walk
Denise Austin, 2005

This dvd has three 15 minute walking workouts on it. and a seperate strech section. You can mix and match and customize your workout-the dvd is programable. This w/o is beginner/ low intermediate. It has more variety than a typical walking workout but still very basic moves: march in place, walk forward and back, knee ups, kicks,

The set is very nice-tile floor with a yellowish wall and an outdoor mountain setting in the background. Denise works out with 4 different female background exercisers. One looks like she is doing slightly more moderate moves, but Denise doesnt point her out as a modifier.

The first section is "basic walk" and it is the easiest of the bunch. You will see your typical walking w/o moves in this section.

The second is "Interval Walk" where Denise adds in some power bursts to walking moves to get your heart rate up.

The third section is "Walk & Tone" and you use light dumbbells to get your heartrate up even more. The dumbbells she uses are so light and you dont do many reps so IMO you are not really getting a toning benefit from the dumbbells but it will get your heartrate up more than w/out them.

I like to use the segments as add-ons to tougher cardio or as a warmup or cooldown to other w/o's. Denise is not too perky or over the top but she is Denise. Her cueing is so-so (as always) but the moves are so simple it would be tough to get lost.

And the winner of Cindy Whitmarsh's Incredible Abs dvd is....

...Barb S. Congrats to you Barb!!! (winner chosen using random.org random number generator). Please email me your mailing address lindseylu8 (at) netzero (dot) net and be sure to leave a comment here so I know to check that email account. I hope you enjoy your new dvd! I know I did. I will def be getting myself a copy of this one! Feel free to reblog, tweet, or post on your favorite fitness forum about your win :) Email me by Monday, April 12, 2010 to claim your prize or I will have to choose another winner!

For more info or to buy this or other Cindy workouts check out these links:


-Cindy's UltraFit Site
-Cindy's Exercise TV site
-Cindy's Facebook Fan Page

Keep watching -next weeks giveaway is another gem :) And thank you to Cindy for her generosity, donating this dvd for a good cause-fitness!

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

Barry's Bootcamp Lower Body Fat Blaster Review

Barry's Bootcamp Lower Body Fat Blaster
Barry Jay, Cindy Whitmarsh, 2008

Lower Body Fat Blaster is 21 minutes plus a short warmup. The moves are typical bootcamp type moves and each exercise lasts for only one minute with a 30 second break inbetween each exercise. The 30 seconds is used to set up for the next move-get or put away your ball & bands, etc. They alternate between strength and cardio moves. Cindy actually leads the workout and Barry walks around with form pointers and commentary. Cindy & Barry work well with each other. There are a lot of background exercises working out behind them. Cindy does the intermediate level and there is an advanced and beginner modifier.

Some of the strength moves included crabwalks w/ the band, squats, pliets & lunges w/ and w/out the band, etc. The cardio moves include, mountain climbers, one legged hops, jumping back and forth, tuck jumps, etc. These last for a full minute and some of them get TOUGH by the last 15 seconds!

Following the advanced modifier & using the black band this is a pretty tough w/o! The cardio is pretty hard core and my buns/ legs were still this AM from Tuesdays w/o! My heartrate gets way up there during some of these moves and stays pretty high for the entire 21 minutes. I would rate this w/o as a high intermediate following Cindy but can easily be modified up or down to suit your needs. Great for all levels and really packs a punch in a short amount of time!



Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Denise Austins Burn Fat Fast Cardio Blast Review

Burn Fat Fast Cardio Blast
Densise Austin, 2007

This workout has four 10 minute cardio segments (kickboxing, retro aerobics, dance, and athletic intervals). There is also a 5 min warmup and a 5 min cooldown segment. Its fully programmable so you can mix and match as you like. I really like the fact that each 10 minute segment is a full 10 minutes of cardio-no warmup or cooldown-those are seperate segments. I use these as add-ons to other w/o's so a w/u and c/d would have been a waste of time IMO. There is a "music only" option if you dont want to listen to Denise.

Denise Austin is not known to be the best cuer, but she does pretty well in this one. None of the moves are complicated, most are pretty basic. Even the dance segment wasnt too difficult to follow (and Im NOT a dancer). Some dont like her but I enjoy alot of her w/o's.

The dance segment was the least challenging-probably beginner and the athletic the most-a solid intermediate. The workout as a whole is an intermediate w/o that can easily be modified up or down to fit your needs. Each segment has "mini-routines" in it that are repeated a few times and then you move on to a new routine.

The kickboxing segment includes a side lunge -punch combo, front and side kicks, jab and crosses, etc.

Retro Aerboics include old school classic aerobic moves: V-step, ponies, step touch, hamstring curls, etc.

Athletic intervals include: tire run, cross country skiing, side hops, etc. The moves build in intensity.

The dance segment has a lot of simple dance moves such as: mambo -chacha, chasse, side leap, etc

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Set



Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Set
Cindy Whitmarsh & Barry Jay, 2008

This set comes with 3 dvds. There is a lower body dvd, upper body dvd, and a code red (get fit quick in 6 days) dvd. The upper and lower body dvds each have a 21 minute w/o and six additional 12 min Mision Specialist w/o's on them. The MS w/o's and are: upper body-beginner, lower body-beginner, abs-beginner, upper body-advanced, lower body-advanced, and abs-advanced. The Code Red dvd is 15 minutes and is total body strength work-no cardio.


The kit also comes w/ resistance cord handles and 2 strengths of interchangable resistance bands. The green band is level 1 (beginner strength) and the black is level 3 of 4. The black band is pretty tough. It also comes w/ a torpedo shaped ball, the Transformer. The transformer ball is used as a weight bench, stability ball, and a prop for cardio & strength moves. The resistance bands can go around the ball while you are laying on it-so you can do bench press or pec fly for example.

There is a countdown banner on the bottom of the screen that counts down each minute. A buzzer goes off at the 10 seconds remaining mark and Cindy, barry & crew countdown. Cindy actually leads the w/o's and Barry walks around with motivational pointers and form tips. They work well together and have a nice repoir.

Each workout is short but tough! You can use them for time crunched days as is or combine a few for a longer w/o. I like to use one fat blaster w/o, a corresponding (UB or LB) mission specialist, and an ab w/o for a 50 minute w/o. I love that I can get in strength and cardio each day! The 1 minute format really makes the tough moves doable. I am able to really push myself because I know its only going to be 60 seconds.

This set is perfect for beginners, intermediates, and advanced exercisers. Cindy does the intermediate level and they also have a beginner and advanced modifier for each move. And you have your choice of band strength. Using the black band and following the advanced modifier I can really get a great, heartpumping, calorie burning, workout in!

Like I said, Ive had great results with this set. Lost 8 lbs (putting me at a lifetime low), gained cardio endurance, got to doing toe pushups, and noticed muscle definition in my biceps. Even after doing it for 8 weeks I could still feel it!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Upper Body Review

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Upper Body 
Cindy Whitmarsh & Barry Jay, 2008

The workout is 21 minutes plus a short warmup. It is led my Cindy with Barry wandering around. There is a beginner and advanced modifier throughout. Each exercise is one minute with a 30 second "rest" inbetween that is used to set up the next move and get your ball or cord ready. She alternates strength and cardio moves. Some of the exercises include pec flys on the transformer ball using the cords, burpees (including a hop at the end-TOUGH!), fast run then down to a Mt. Climber on Barry's cue, upper cuts using the cords, jumping jacks pushing the transformer ball back and forth, tricep dips off the ball (TOUGH), etc.

This is 21 minutes well spent! I am surprised how many calories I burn in such a short amount of time. For my UB day I love doing the Fat Blaster UB, a Mission Specilast UB, and a Mission Specialist ab w/o for a challenging 50 min w/o!

The bands seemed a bit too long when wrapped around the ball. So I usually use dumbbells for the moves where you have the band wrapped around the ball. You can use 2 bands in the handles at once, which would make it tougher but that seemed like a lot of extra work.

Cindy Whitmarsh actually leads the workouts. I think she is a good lead-not too overzealous, not too serious. Barry walks around and says things like "great abs arent made in the gym, theyre made in the kitchen so be sure to eat right too" and he pushes down on exercises shoulders for added resistance. He is quirky and I liked him too.

They show a beginner and an advanced modifier with Cindy doing intermediate. Using the black bands and following the advanced modifier you can get an advanced w/o! Most all of the cardio moves are quite challenging! And the strength moves are effecitve!

DVD GIVEAWAY: Cindy Whitmarsh: Incredible Abs



Review: Cindy Whitmarsh: Incredible Abs ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This dvd has three separate 20 minute active ab workouts that you can do individually or "play all" for a 60 minute ab challenge! The set is nice and open, hardwood floors and bright walls. Cindy works out alone and gives great form pointers and reminders throughout. You will need light dumbbells for some of the work.

I seriously can’t get over how unique and effective the ab work is in this. She does new fun moves, creating thoroughly effective core workouts. Each 20 minute w/o is the perfect intensity for me. By the end- my abs are screaming! But I can get to the end and finish strong. She hits the ENTIRE core here-upper, lower, mid abs, lower back, & obliques- nothing is missed. And my heartrate was up-BONUS! I would rate this as a solid intermediate ab workout.

The first workout has my new favorite ab move: runner abs- you’re on your knees and you move your upper body/arms like your running-your abs will feel this! Very functional and effective. She also does V sits, plank knee pulls, arm walks (ouch!), side bends & reaches on your knees, some unique crunch variations, rocker abs (hits the obliques), corkscrew crunches, and more. A great way to spend 20 minutes on your abs and like I said, my heartrate was up!

The second workout is what I would classify as core cardio. Which I LOVE, I have 2 others core cardio w/o's and I use them constantly! She does a few ab/ core moves and then a nice cardio burst. Some of the moves include jump rope w/ knee pulls, a side lunge/ leg lift swing move, standing crunches, rocker abs (oblique bends), bob and weave, burpee/ blowout into updog, side plank w/ a twist, plank jacks w/ a knee tuck (tough!).

In the final workout Cindy does a 10 minute routine -first the right side, then the left side. Then she finishes up with 10 more minutes of ab work. This workout is all standing or in plank position. Some of the moves include a dip w/ an upper body twist, a dip with a dumbbell chop, a 1/2 moon (pull knee up to side and arm down to knee while standing), plank w/ clock toe taps, a dumbbell pulldown, and lower body pull, etc. This workout flew by! Lots of good active, purposeful ab/ core work.

While I truly enjoyed all 3 segments, this dvd is worth the purchase for w/o #2 alone. Core cardio workouts are excellent add-ons OR as stand alone workouts when you are time crunched. I add on ab/core work every day so these workouts are a welcome addition to my collection. No boring crunches! All fun effective and ACTIVE! Highly recommended!!!!

Friday, April 2, 2010

4.2.10: Trying to avoid the Noid....See's Candy AND Donuts!

I got into work today to find a box of donuts in the conference room. Then on my desk was the cutest glass bunny bowl filled with See's Chocolates and a yummy smelling candle from a coworker. Every holiday seems to bring me a few unwanted pounds...

Today's Workout:
-Firm Total Body Toner
-10 Min Sol Knock Out Body (UB & Crosstrain)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch








Today's Review: Firm Total Body Toner
Allie Del Rio, 2007 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This is a 40 minute dumbbell scultping workout led by Allie with 4 background instructors. Emily shows the beginner modifications. The set is the white brick walls/ windows with hardwood floors. You will need various sets of dumbbells for this workout.

There are a few brief cardio bursts (plyo lunges, plyo squats) but this is a sculpting workout. A lot of the moves will get your heartrate up though. Allie thouroughly hits each muscle in this workout. There is very little wasted time and the babytalk is minimal in this one. I actually really really enjoyed this w/o! Some of the Pink Firms arent my favorites but I always forget how much I like this one. It is very efficient in only 40 minutes and includes a great ab segment at the end!

Some of the moves combine upper and lower body in one but all of them fit nicely together and arent at all awkward and the poundage worked for all moves involved. Some of the exercises include a lunge w/ a bicep curl, a dip with an military press and a back leg lift, pliet with a bicep curl & tricep kickback, some squats, pushups, plank & crunch variations, lateral & frontal raises, and the likes.

I would rate this a solid intermediate workout that youc an easily modify up or down to suit your needs. I was really able to heavy up on a lot of the moves because the pace is not super fast.

Today's Tip: 16 Simple Ways to Eat Less (From Prevention, some of these are good!)

1. Plate your main course in the kitchen
2. Don't jump up to clear the dishes
3. Use smaller plates and tall, skinny glasses
4. Save wine for dessert
5. Stop, look, and listen while you eat
6. Divide the food on your plate
7. Chew gum while baking
8. Keep baby carrots nearby while cooking
9. Serve your kids smaller portions
10. Teach the kids to clear their own plates
11. Don't miss meals
12. De-stress by taking care of yourself
13. Close the kitchen 2 hours before bedtime
14. Keep snacks out of sight
15. Brush your teeth after dinner
16. Make TV a food-free activity

Today's LOL:


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Thursday, April 1, 2010

The FIRM: Tough Aerobic Mix Review

The FIRM: Tough Aerobic Mix
Susan Harris, Janet Jones-Gretzky, Sandahl Bergman, Jayne Poteet, Kai Soremekun, 1996

This cardio workout is compiled from the original Firm Classics (with the exception of Volume 5- LaReine Chabut isnt in this one). It is 43 minutes of step, floor, and four limb aerobics. You do use light weights in some of the segments. In between segments a fitness model lady briefly introduces the next segment and tells you which props you will need. Its a good way to tie the pieces together.

Kai Soremekun opens with a warmup from Vol 4, followed by Susan from Vol 4 w/ a quick stretch. Then you start to work. There are three step aerobic segments from Volumes 6, and 4. Two use light dumbbells and one no weights. The step segments are actually low impact but the three floor aerobic segments include high impact. One being the classic soft weight segment from Volume 1, there are also segments from volumes 2 & 3 that fit into this category. There are two segments from volume 2 & 3 that have some lunges interspersed with jumping jacks and running.

The step work from Volume 4 (Kai) includes a lot of arm work and the step segment from Volume 6 (Jayne) has you kind of squatting off the box while holding dumbbells so you get a bit of leg work too. I used 3# dumbbells for the entire time because I was a bit low on energy today and to keep it light for a cardio day.

I would rank this workout an intermediate. Not super challenging-it was a good fit for my low energy day.

And the winner of Stephanie Vitorino's Ultimate Body Shaper W/O is....

...JBK! Congrats to you!!! (Winner was chosen using random.org random # generator). Please email me your mailing address and I will get this out to you ASAP! lindseylu8 (at) netzero (dot) net. And please leave a comment here so I know to check that email. I hope you enjoy your new dvd, I know I did :) And feel free to reblog, facebook, tweet, or post on your fav forums about your win :)

If anyone wants more info about this dvd or other of Stephanies workouts check out these links:

-Stephanies VBody Site
-Stephanie's Exercise TV site
-Stephanie's Facebook

Keep watching -next weeks giveaway is another gem :)

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