Pussycat Dolls Workout

WARNING! This is NOT a workout, no matter how hard they try to make it out to be. Never once was I sweating or panting.


Don't get me wrong, it's fun. I felt sexy and had lots of laughs with my sister. With a partner this is a blast and doing it alone is a whole other story.


The instructor, Robin Antin, breaks down the moves to each song, but you don't do the entire song-usually just the chorus and maybe a verse or two. Because you only learn parts of the songs, the first time you do this you'll have to rewind to get the gist of it. She adds on pretty quickly and doesn't give you enough practice time.


I compare this to low impact belly dancing. There are a few jumps, but they aren't high off the ground. You move your torso a lot, and there are a few squats, so you could consider this a very long warm-up?


Although you'll never get a body like these girls' by doing diet and this video alone, it will take you out of your comfort zone. You'll feel hot, sexy and glamorous when you're through. Maybe for beginners this would be the perfect motivational start. 


I'll give this two and a half out of five for fun and a decent beginner's workout.

Amy Bento's Kickbox Extreme

You will need at LEAST two bottles of water and a 5 Hour Energy to complete this workout. It is TOUGH! But so effective.


After a week of doing this every other day I already feel and look leaner. My muscles are more defined because I've burned the extra layer of fat off of my trouble areas. 

Integrated Strength Training

Jeffrey Scott is pretty cool, sort of acts as if he's... well, acting? I don't get the feeling of genuine excitement or encouragement from him. However, he's good at explaining the moves and variation levels.


I would almost classify this as a low-impact workout. It's fairly easy and doesn't take your breath away. You'll need a bottle of water, a set of light weights and a set of medium weights.


The workout involved strength training and balance, working every major body part. It's about 50 minutes long, which sounds like a long time but it goes by fast.


Sets and music are pretty boring, not much to brag about there. Most of the Trainer's Edge videos look low-budget. This shouldn't stop you from trying it, it's great for beginners and intermediate trainers. If you consider yourself advanced, I'd stray away from this workout. I didn't feel as if I got enough out of this; there was no burning feeling in my muscles, and my heart rate didn't elevate much.


All-in-all I'll give this three out of five stars. It's great for people who are just getting into weight-lifting, but they may find it a little boring. And it's not suitable for people who have lifted weights for a while.

You will need at LEAST two bottles of water and a 5 Hour Energy to complete this workout. It is TOUGH! But so effective.

After a week of doing this every other day I already feel and look leaner. My muscles are more defined because I've burned the extra layer of fat off of my trouble areas. You can guarantee at least a 600 calorie burn in this video.

It's long, about an hour and fifteen minutes, but luckily there is a decent length warm-up at the beginning. Amy Bento, a no-nonsense girl, pushes you through all of these sequences. Only problem is she tends to add on very quickly, and at the end of the week I was still stumbling and forgetting some of the moves. That makes it a brain-challenge too, though.

There is a lot of Plyometrics (jumping around) involved so make sure you  have good shoes as well. Unfortunately there aren't even any variations in this, unless you count the very pregnant lady doing low-impact workout... which was a little shocking, and strange, but good for her.

This DVD is absolutely not for beginners, or possible intermediate exercisers, so please handle this with caution. I was a bit nauseous after the first time I did this, so I took the energy level down a bit the next few times and built back up. If you feel sick or dizzy at any time you need to stop immediately!

Other than the fact this is very extreme, could possibly make you sick, and will totally kick your ass at the end, I give it five stars because it's hard finding DVDs for the advanced trainer.

10 Minute Solution: Kickbox Bootcamp

This was my first encounter with kickboxing. I had always heard how good it was for you, and thought it was time to try it.


Keli Roberts is the best teacher for introduction to Kickboxing. Also the instructor of Kick Boxing for Dummies, she teaches all of the sequences one step at a time.


10 Minute Solution Kickbox Bootcamp is a great full 50-minute workout or broken into segments for target toning if you're pressed for time. It works arms, abs, legs, hips and glutes. The last segment, Fat Burning Blast, is more of a cardio segment than kickboxing, but gets your heart going, non-the-less.


Make sure to have a lot of energy and a lot of water for this. It's pretty tough on people who are new to exercise, so make sure to talk to a physician before trying this. Also, if you're new to fitness, take this slowly: maybe one segment a day until you feel coordinated enough to do more.


The music is basic, as in all 10 Minute Solution workouts. Keli's Aussie accent is charming, and she gets high respect from me. 


If you like this DVD, try it out on Netflix in Watch Instantly, or buy it off Amazon.com for around $9 new. I give this five out of five stars, it's worth it!

Pick Your Level: Weight Loss Pilates

Ellen Barrett is so sweet. She has an amazing body and an amazing way of motivating you to get through the workout.


There is advanced, which most moves are, intermediate and beginner. The beginner ones are a little too easy, but going from beginner to intermediate is a jump if you're new to fitness. Definitely try beginner the first time you do this DVD so you can familiarize yourself with the moves.


If you're new to pilates this is a good start. She talks about the fundamentals and the workout isn't too long so as you're struggling to get through.


I first watched this on Netflix's Watch Instantly, and I'm surprised it's on there, to be honest. It's almost too good for their Watch Instantly workout options. Most are dull, strange, or just don't do the job. This one is great!


At the end of the workout I felt energized, well stretched and just a little like a ballerina. Pilates makes you feel as if you're dancing, or warming up for ballet. This definitely satisfied me.


If you're interested in owning this, it's available on Amazon.com for a little less than $8. If you have Netflix, definitely try it out.

The Trainer's Edge Killer Abs and Back

Boy was this workout weird!! A scary black man with a weird body and... an eye patch?


It was hard to take him seriously, his voice sounded like he had one too many cigarettes and eye patch (I apologize if it's a disability) was hard not to laugh at.


The set was dark, like I was working out with a man with an eye patch... in a cave. It was clearly indoors, but it seemed like the set was possibly an abandoned warehouse that just so happened to have nice hardwood floors.


The back up girls were no less strange! They never spoke, that I can recall, and did the moves as if they were fembots. Seriously, they didn't even smile that much.


I felt almost dirty after doing this, but not in a good sexy way, dirty like I had been trapped in the warehouse-cave with these strange people. The workout was okay, I did feel it a little in my abs and there was some decent, almost kickboxing-like, cardio in it. I wouldn't suggest buying this, but it's available on Netflix Watch Instantly. Try that first, see if you agree that it's only worth two out of five stars.

Elle Glam Fitness: Total Toning Workout

Alright, so I admit I was weary at first to try this. A girly magazine with this perfectly perfect cheerleader on the cover claiming she will tone your body in a forty minute workout... don't let her fool you.

This is intense, very intense. She takes you through some really different positions and targets places other videos don't even attempt. There are lots of reps, I tried to do these with 5lb weights and just couldn't. My heart rate was way too high and my muscles were getting fatigued quickly, so I had to switch to 3lb weights.

She builds on each major muscle group and then you combine them all at the end. The abs segment fell a bit short, didn't really feel it, but I was so tired by the time I got to that I might have been a little delirious.

If you want motivation to look perfect, this supplies it. There are back up girls that would make the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders envy. Thinking about looking like them really pushed me through the workout... if they can do it so can I!

Not a lot of variations in this one. The only variation I saw was a girl doing the exercises without weights, as if two 2lb weights would make a difference or not. So it's tough, don't attempt if you're a beginner. Doing this properly requires a lot of energy and a lot of WATER!

This review definitely earns a four and a half out of five for intensity level and motivation.

Jari Love's Get Extremely Ripped!

I do believe this DVD does exactly what the title says. Jari takes you through an hour long weight lifting workout that targets and tones your entire body.


This is sure to burn some major calories. There were times where I had to hurry and eat something in between because the burn was so great. I'd suggest drinking both water AND a protein shake during this, your muscles will need it.


The abs segment is my favorite, very extreme indeed. Only workout I've ever done where my abs actually hurt the next day. That's a rarity, folks, trust me. Especially when the tummies (and even more especially post-natal gals like me) are the hardest to rid. However doing a thousand crunches won't give you the six-pack. That comes with diet, diet and more diet. What you're putting in has the greatest effect on your midline. Biggest suggestion if you want the tummy but don't want to cut the carbs, eat your majority of carbs during the day, don't eat any after 7pm.


The music in this is especially good in this one. It's an industrial theme, so it really goes well with weight lifting. Some of her others have some weird techno music, or even tribal themes, but this is by far the best music I've heard from her yet.


She also talks a lot more in this one than she does in her others. Possibly because there are so many extras around her and so many reps that she has to fill the time somehow.


Definitely worthy of a five star review. Make sure to pick this up on Amazon.com for $9 new.

10 Mintue Solution: Target Toning

Cindy Whitmarsh, the trainer in this video, started me out with weight lifting. I saw how perfect her body was and I wanted it! So I started her workout every other day for a few weeks. I saw some minor results in my legs and biceps, but nothing significant to continue this workout.


She takes you through five segments, four workouts and one stretch. You really feel the workouts in each spot she's targeting, but not like a burn from other weight lifting workouts I've done.


The music is dumb, just basic workout music but some of it's catchy. She is pretty fake in her approach to this, I'm sure she's different in real life, but on here she just acts goofy and slurs some of her words.


Doesn't change the fact that this is a GREAT workout for people starting out weight training. It gets you familiar with basic lifting moves, terms, muscles and positions. She stresses good posture and pushing through the burn.


It's available on Amazon.com new for about $7 and available to Watch Instantly on Netflix. Really great overall, four out of five stars.

Jari Love's Get Extremely Ripped! 1000

This workout intertwines cardio and strength training (weight lifting) in one 45-minute workout. It claims to burn up to 1000 calories, but I have to find that hard to believe. Even burning 500 calories in an hour is impressive and means you're sweating your ass off.

A really nice feature of this DVD is that you can select to only do the cardio segments or only do the strength training segments. This way you can change them up according to your mood or goals. There's also an explanation of how to properly do each move.

The music is a little off. It goes from tribal to an 80s style Chacha style; some of it is fun, others are ok, and a few are just weird.

Jari is very explanatory and helpful, talking you through each move. It works out your entire body. My favorite segment is Abs- I really felt it where it counts.

It's available on Amazon.com for about $10 new. It's great for any Jari Love fan, but there are other DVDs by her that are much, much better. I give this three and a half stars out of five.

Crunch: Burn & Firm Pilates

This is the only Crunch workout worth doing. This instructor, Ellen Barrett, is great and she does a few DVDs apart from the Crunch series.


She explains these pilates moves, with variations, so anyone of any fitness level can start with this. Pilates is based on dance moves, focusing on balance and precision. If you think that may be difficult please consult your physician.


The music is moderately paced, and Asian inspired. It's nice, not terrific, but nice especially since we're talking about Crunch here.


There is standing work, mat work, stretching and minor balancing. She seems to only suggest balancing acts of you're advanced, understanding not everyone is as fit as she is.


I'm going to keep this one short and sweet. It's available on Amazon.com for about $9 used. It's ok, but probably not worth $9 when you can buy a better Pilates workout for the same or cheaper price.


Overall, and taking into consideration the abominations of  the other Crunch workouts, I'll give this three out of five stars.

Crunch Workouts

Grr... that's always my first reaction to these workouts, with exception of the Burn & Firm Pilates. I've tried all available on Watch Instantly-Netflix and let me tell you that's all I ever want to try!


These are really terrible. Most of them are too fast-paced and leaves you going "Huh? What's going on?" After every move, when adding onto the interval, they add another... and another... and another AND THEN we have to start from the beginning without practice and the instructors expect you to just remember all these moves... grr...


The instructors are also too happy. I know, you're reading this saying "And that's a bad thing??" YES, it is. They make you want to smack them because no one is that happy! Especially when you're working out. You just want to get done, get to the end, and these people seem to be enjoying your suffering. Smiling at your suffering. Grr... again.


The music is stupid, honestly. It's not fun, but maybe that's just because you're so frustrated from the moves and the instructors that you just don't give a damn about the stupid music.


The intervals are beyond terrible, the instructors are annoying, the moves are too hard to understand and the music is stupid. I guess it's only saving grace is that any workout is better than no workout. I'd tell you how much it runs for online, but I don't want you to buy it.

Inten-Sati: Intention & Power

Patricia Moreno seems a bit off-the-wall at first, but please... please bear with her. She is definitely onto something...


I have never done a workout quite like this one. It's very mind-based and spirit-oriented, tapping into one's inner self. She speaks to you with such passion, and has you repeat what you're saying during the workouts. Lots of eye-closing and focusing here.


It's not quite pilates, not quite kickboxing, not quite cardio... hard to explain. She combines everything all into an hour workout. I needed water, but not as much as usual and definitely didn't sweat enough to need a towel. It was amazing to see how sweaty everyone in this workout was, makes me wonder if I was doing something wrong?


At the end you stretch and end up in a pose where you're lying back on the floor, limbs spread, eyes closed and she just speaks to you- tells you to envision yourself in your new body. I admit it, I cried. It was powerful to just lay their and focus on yourself for once. She has a powerful speaking voice.


The cardio was good, definitely didn't feel like there was enough. It's also not the best workout to add to your regime if you're focused on strength training. She adds enough of it that if you did this in between lifting days that it wouldn't give your muscles enough of a rest. I always suggest lifting every other day and cardio every other day, stretching well after each cardio session. This is too much of "a little of everything" to be able to work into a routine without it being the entire routine itself.


Music and setting was very unique: candles and strange tiki-like statues. I think it would have been better suited if she had been outdoors, indoors with the candles and such while you're doing cardio and strength training is... weird. But this is based solely on my personal opinion. Less is more, for me.


This is the only workout I could find by Patricia like this. It's available on Amazon.com for about $11 new from a third-party seller. Add it to your Netflix or watch clips on Youtube. It's an experience.

Jari Love Get Ripped! Slim & Lean

Can I get a "perfect workout" from you all? This DVD is AMAZING. I have seen the most amazing transformation of my muscles in just one month of doing this (I do it about 3 times a week.)


It's around one hour, if you pause to take a breath like I do. Make sure you stay well hydrated before, during and after this. Follow up with a chunk of protein too.


Jari is so sweet, as I've said before. She motivates you and keeps you focus through every exercise. The variations are endless- from doing more reps, lighter/heavier weights, no weights (you use only your body weight,) etc. During the push-up track (my least favorite exercise) she even says "And if that's all you can do, I'll take it!" Talk about making you feel good, and understanding that not all people are at the same fitness level.


She works every part of the body: arms, legs, glutes, shoulders, abs, obliques, etc. The stretch is just the right amount, as well. Music is good, well-focused. Great for men & women of all fitness levels. Always consult a physician (but how many of us actually do?) especially if you're over 40. It can get intense, always stop if it hurts too much. However when it comes to weight lifting, no pain no gain. Once your muscle builds up lactic acid to break it down (this is a good thing) it starts to burn and hurt- try your best to work through this.


My legs and butt look fantastic thanks to this. For the first time in my life I'm not self conscious about a single part of my body and it's all thanks to her. Amazon has this for around $10 new. BUY IT!!

10 Minute Solutions - Pilates Perfect Body

This DVD goes through five segments, as do all 10-Minute Solution DVDs, toning and sculpting through pilates. This was the very first workout DVD I ever bought, having no clue what Pilates was.


Pilates is based on dance moves, focusing on balance and precision. It can be done from basic-advanced learners, but does not have many variations, nor does she go into great detail about how to execute them.


The instructor, Suzanne Bowen, is very motivating and speaks very professionally. She talks just enough, not too much (as you all know I love.) She explains in detail how you need to breath during Pilates and how you need to keep balance and precision in your moves.


The music is basic, as in all the 10-Minute Solutions. Nothing too fancy, but not hard on the ears.


It's not a difficult workout, so if you're feeling as if you don't have enough energy to do a lot, but need to do something, this is perfect. You can do one exercise, all, or pick and choose depending on how much time you have or what part of the body you work out. She aims at arms, belly, buns & thighs, full-body and then a stretch. The stretch is particularly nice, but the whole down-dog with your leg in the air is pretty tough. Other than that it all feels good, and at the end you feel as if you've worked.


I give this four out of five stars. Amazon.com has this available for around $9 new.

Fat-Burning Kickboxing Workout for Dummies

First and foremost, this is definitelya five star rating. I have NOTHING bad to say about this DVD.


Fitnessmagazine.com gave this a raving review as well, claiming to burn up to 700 calories. It goes through Warm-Up, Fat Burning #1, Fat Burning #2, Fat Burning #3 and then the Cool-Down. Keli Roberts is great at explaining each detailed move in the Top Ten moves segment as well. She is not only in great shape and fun to work out with, her Australian accent is fun to listen to. She doesn't gab too much, just enough to explain what you're doing and about to do.


It takes a bit of concentration the first time you try this, especially if you're new to kickboxing like I was, but in no time you'll be fighting like a pro.


This DVD is also a GREAT stress-buster. Just think about someone you really want to punch in the face during this DVD and you'll have all the motivation you'll need to get through it. It's empowering! Kicking and punching in sequences really gives you the feeling of enlightenment.


The music is basic, but not bad. I like the music in the third segment the most, just because it's the longest and goes with the beat of the moves well.


This DVD is good for basic-advanced kickboxing enthusiasts. It burns fat, gets you sweaty and isn't too long that you feel you can't get through it. Amazing, amazing workout. Definitely spend the $9 to get a brand new copy off Amazon.com. It is well worth it!!

Insanity

Insanity is NOT for everyone. Definitely consult a physician before doing this, or even thinking about doing this. It is cardio/interval training in its ultimate form. NOT FOR BEGINNERS! It's a total transformation guide for men and women 16+, but I would not try this if I was over 40 unless in advanced-tip-top condition.


It goes through sixty days, working out almost every one of those sixty days. This is completely impractical, especially if you're new to workout or just starting out. After day one, I was so sore I could hardly walk, yet alone do another forty minutes of this. It's not good to work out with overly sore muscles, a little cardio when you're a bit sore is ok, but not hit-by-a-truck sore like this makes you.


There is a diet and nutrition guide, which I never followed. There were some nice recipes in it, if you have the time to cook all of your meals.


The first month is mainly cardio and some recovery days. The Plyometrics of the DVDs are great, the stretching is phenomenal, and the instructor, Shaun-T, makes you want to just give him a hug! You work at your own pace, going as fast as you can push yourself. There are 4-6, 30-1min. workouts, then a thirty second rest, and then continuation. Each interval is divided into three segments and each gets harder than the last. If you can take the push, it pushes to your last ounce of energy.


The second month is much more challenging, with some of the DVDs as long as one hour. This is where my friends got discouraged and quit. I tried to get through all of it, and I did every DVD, but I didn't make it two months doing this... insanity.


Music is extreme, DEFINITELY pumps you up and motivates you until the end. Another great feature is you can choose to shut the music off during any segment and play your own music, which I chose a few times. Loud music, to your liking, with a good looking instructor and adrenalin rushes is my kind of a good workout.


Make sure you have enough water nearby, and towel (which I used here for the first time in my life.) If you can get through two months of extreme workouts, and have 45-minutes a day to dedicate to fitness, this is definitely a butt-kicker. It's expensive, be sure to watch some Youtube videos before buying it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuf3pyfz9zo


Overall I give this four and a half out of five stars, just because of it's over-the-top intensity level.

Chalean Extreme

Well, I'll come right out and be honest with you, I haven't tried the entire workout package. My friend gave me a trial DVD, which is pretty cool. There is a 30-minute cardio segment, 20-minute stretching/yoga segment, and  a preview of her Turbo Jam workout.


The cardio, BURN IT OFF!, is wonderful! It really hits all those spots and gets your heart pumping. She gives s few seconds in between each exercise to catch your breath, which is definitely needed. You go through five exercises, a one-minute break, six more exercises and then a cool-down. The music is pretty powerful, keeps you on your toes. She tends to talk a bit too much, but it fits in with how fast-paced the workout is. The cool-down isn't much of a cool-down; you barely stretch and after a workout like this one you should take time to stretch everything. Always stretch when your muscles are warm, this prevents injury. I usually skip that portion and go right to the yoga/stretching segment.


The yoga section, RECHARGE, is a 20-minute segment where you calm down, close your eyes, and relax. The stretching goes from basic to advanced with plenty of variations for people of all levels of flexibility. The music here is really nice, a little Asian inspired. I always feel better after I do this stretching, and it's not too long that you can't fit it in a few times a week.


Now the part where this review won't do so hot: bonus TURBO JAM work out. Don't get me wrong, it's very popular and lots of people have seen results, I only got frustrated and lost interest. I'm no dancer, and I hope that a dance-workout would take you by the hand and help you figure out the moves. This does not. It goes very quickly, the music itself is an adrenalin rush, but she does not do a very good job at explaining what the hell is going on. I've never been one for dance-workouts, other than Zumba, but this one is ok.


I could not find anywhere to buy this specific trial DVD, but the entire set is available at Amazon.com for $80 used and $120 new. I would suggest asking your friends to borrow theirs or watch some Youtube videoes before commiting to something so expensive.


Overall it gets four out of five stars.

10 Minute Solutions - Quick Tummy Toners

Honestly, I have never seen any significant results with the 10 Minute Solutions collection, however they are fun to do! I love that they are broken down into five sections to do as a full workout or a couple if you're pressed for time.


This particular DVD goes through crunches, a bit of cardio, and some exercises that deal with balance more than anything. Most people don't have good balance, thus those are hard to do, but she gives variations. Yet the variations left me wanting a bit more; I didn't feel it as much as I did when I at least tried to do the balancing acts.


The cardio segment was my favorite, although it doesn't work the abs very well. I think it's more of a 10 Minute, all-over cardio workout than a segment specifying on abs. Which is a good way to get a flatter tummy, you just need more than 10 minutes of cardio. Something is better than nothing, I guess?


The instructor, Jessica Smith, is a sweetheart with a good attitude, but there is that "gabbing thing" I've mentioned in previous blogs. She tends to talk a lot, and some like that, but it's not a selling feature for me.


The music is pretty basic, a little boring. Nothing to write home about, but it gets the job done. It's available at Amazon.com for about $8 used.


Overall I give this DVD three out of five stars.

Jari Love Get Ripped!

I first found out about Jari's workouts on fitnessmagazine.com where they raved about her, and they very well should have. She delivers not only a wonderful, body sculpting workout, but a kind and polite attitude. Sometimes she answered my questions while I was thinking about a certain posture for a particular exercise.

She is the only one that I have seen immediate results with, as well. After the first workout my skin looked tighter and I had that "pumped" feeling all over.

In this particular workout she takes a few minutes to work each major section in the body: thighs, glutes, abs, abductors, arms, shoulders, etc. She doesn't talk too much during the exercises to help keep you focused (that was a major selling point for me because a lot of instructors seem to gab on and on.)

The music is my only complaint. It leaves something to be desired and just doesn't motivate well. The same style seems to carry on throughout all of her workouts. The beat is steady, which helps keep the pace with each pump, but it's not the type where you say "I just have to illegally download this!!"

Amazon.com has this DVD for around $6 used, which is what I went for. New is only a few dollars more, however. It's a great workout to have in your collection, and Jari is just a sweetheart. Overall, I give four and a half stars out of five.