FitSugar

DVD Review: Tracy Anderson Mat Workout

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I wasn't too thrilled with Tracy Anderson's cardio dance workout. It seemed more personal performance than cardio, but I was still interested in trying her Mat Workout DVD ($29.95). Tracy's approach to body sculpting is to tone without bulking, so she avoids working the large muscle groups as well as heavy weights. Muscles are worked from a variety of angles, which makes sense since muscle fibers rarely run in a straight line. Many of the motions are small and isolated targeting the smaller, underworked, supporting muscles. She calls this "strategic muscle exhaustion," and you will feel the burn. Much of the workout reminded me of the Bar Method with a dash of sexy jazz dance thrown.

As with her cardio dance workout, this DVD is shot in a very lovely studio, with just Tracy leading the workout and soft music with a beat playing the background. The workout is divided into sections: standing legs, arm work without weights, arm work with weights, standing ab work, floor work for the legs, and a variety of crunches. All in all, I felt pleasantly worked following the workout, and my heart rate stayed slightly elevated in a fat burning zone for the majority of the workout. The entire workout takes just under an hour.

I do have some problems with the workout. To hear my pros and cons, just read more.

The warmup is incredibly short and involves some intense stretching, which if you have tight hamstrings could be dangerous. I prefer, and think it is safer, to get my body warm and blood flowing with a little light cardio before I stretch. Now, I know many women worry about bulking up and fear lifting heavy weights for that reason, but I am just not one of them. I feel this arm workout might tone the arms and give them endurance, but I am not so sure it will make my arms stronger. So in the future I will probably skip those sections. I liked the standing abs and the wide variety of crunches included in the workout. Similar to the dance cardio workout, I feel like Tracy is not leading me, the DVD viewer, through a workout, but trying somehow to make pendulum standing leg swings look sexy. She gives so little verbal cuing that you have to watch the TV constantly or you will miss something, and the worst of this is the ab routine on the floor. I would be crunching with my head positioned correctly when I would glance at the screen and see Tracy had moved onto another variation and not uttered a word. Unlike the overly chipper demeanor of Denise Austin or the infectious enthusiasm of Billy Blanks, Anderson often looks either bored or shy throughout the video, which I just find odd and uninviting.

Since I am always looking for ways to tone my booty, running and lunges do wonders, but so do back attitudes on acute angles, so I will definitely do the legs and abs part of the workout again. The only problem is the workout portion of the DVD isn't formatted in chapters for ease of locating the section you would like to follow. For arm work I will stick to my push-ups, and higher weights for strength training. Have you tried this DVD? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

You can buy the DVD directly from the Tracy Anderson Method website.

DVD Review: Daily Energy - Vinyasa Flow Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:00:50 -0800

It's no lie that Shiva Rea is one of my yoga idols. Considered one of the best Vinyasa yoga instructors due to her calming energy and challenging sequences of postures, Shiva has created a new DVD. You know I was excited to try it.

Titled Daily Energy - Vinyasa Flow Yoga ($20), the new video contains seven 20-minute sessions to encourage a little time on the mat every day. Shiva believes a little daily yoga is more beneficial than occasional long and intense practices. The DVD is as flexible as its creator - you can practice for 20 minutes or longer by combining a few sequences for a longer yoga session. She has also created pre-set practices for you to experiment with if you're looking for longer combinations, with some practices being grounding and relaxing and others uplifting and energetic. Depending on your mood, you can choose which session will benefit you for the day.

I love that the video includes short yoga workouts, so you can always fit in a quick, yet complete practice. It's so much better than popping in a full-length video and following along for only part of the series. This video is great to do after a run or bike ride. The unique and fluid sequences strengthened my arms, core, and legs, but also gave me a good stretch. Shiva never lets me down and is always coming up with challenging variations of postures I've never seen before. Beginners and seasoned yogis will both love this DVD.

To see a clip of this video, read more.

DVD Review: Valerie Bertinelli - Losing It and Keeping Fit

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:47:59 -0700

Valerie Bertinelli dramatically transformed her body over the last couple of years, and to help others find success, she made a new fitness video, Valerie Bertinelli - Losing It and Keeping Fit ($15). It's led by her personal trainer Christopher Ross Lane, who has also trained Jillian Michaels.

This video includes two workouts: 20-minute Body Basics and 40-minute Keeping Fit. The first video, aimed at beginners, reviews basic strength-training moves as well as proper form. It's also a good workout if you're short on time, and let me tell you, the word "basic" doesn't mean easy. These challenging moves effectively target your glutes, quads, hamstrings, abs, upper back, and arms. You feel like you're joining Valerie in a private session with her trainer. The workout includes a lot of mat work like push-ups, Superman lifts, and reverse crunches, along with familiar moves like squats and lunges.

To hear about what I didn't like, read more.

The 40-minute routine contains both cardio and sculpting moves with and without dumbbells. Valerie puts in her two cents throughout the video, making comments like, "Oh I knew you were going to make this more challenging," and "Do we have to do the other side?" or "I'm going faster so I can get it over with," which I found this a little annoying. It gives the impression that she's lazy - not exactly a great way to motivate DVD watchers to work out. I do love Christopher's down-to-earth attitude though, and the way he gently pushes you to keep going, saying it feels good and will only make you stronger. Cranking up your own workout playlist would drown out Valerie's complaints, remedying the situation since the moves are easy to follow. I definitely felt worked from head to toe, a major plus, and I know Valerie was just trying to be funny, but I'd rather not hear her sarcastic remarks as I lunge, squat, and sweat.

Prep For Your Workout the Night Before

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:00:12 -0700

Once the girls are asleep, one thing on my to-do list before going to sleep is to get ready for the next day's workout. It's such a relief to avoid the stress of running around trying to find my favorite sports bra in the morning, and once it's all planned out the night before, it's more likely to happen. Here are some things you can do the night before to get ready for your workouts.

Do laundry to wash stinky gym clothes, towels, etc.
Lay your exercise clothes out or pack your gym bag, complete with sneakers, sports bra, and dry outfit to change into.
Pop a video in the DVD player, and get your mat, weights, or other equipment ready.
Make your pre and post-workout snacks.
Charge your iPod and other fitness gadgets.
Fill your water bottle and stick it in the fridge.
Iron out details with workout buddies or personal trainer, including time and place you're meeting.

FitSugar Readers' Top 8 Favorite Fitness DVDs

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:48:00 -0700

Every week I tell you about new exercise DVDs I've tried and would either recommend or throw to the curb. It's nice to get other people's opinions though, so recently I asked FitSugar readers to share their favorite Fitness DVDs. Check out the list below if you're looking for something new to try at home.

Self: Bikini Ready Fast: Ellen Barrett ($10) - If you want a "full body workout," urban chic 101 recommends this Self magazine video.
The Firm: Hard Core Fusion ($14) - An anonymous FitSugar reader is a fan of this Hard Core Fusion DVD, made by The Firm, and Flexrx is a fan of The Wave DVDs, also made by The Firm.
Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred ($9) - mng355 recommended this DVD along with many other Fitsugar readers.

To see the five other favorites, read more.

Exhale Spa: Core Fusion ($15) - Both Body Sculpt and Pilates Plus were recommended by Fawness because the core moves are effective and if you stick with them, you'll definitely see results over time. I'm a fan of them too.
Hemalayaa: Bollywood Booty ($15) - This upbeat video by Hemalayaa was recommended by a few FitSugar readers such as kedson and tamaradulva because it's a fun way to burn calories. I'm also a fan of Beautiful Belly and Bollywood Burn.
The Tracy Anderson Method Presents Mat Workout ($25) - FitSugar reader TA junkie who says, " I love the little-to-no cueing and the workouts are very effective."
Billy Blanks Cardio Bootcamp ($6) - SunnyMutt and a few other FitSugar readers are fans of Billy Blank's Tae Bo workout DVDs. He has many to choose from and they're all great because he's so energetic and encouraging. You get a great workout.
Workout: One-On-One Training with Jackie ($9) Many FitSugar readers including nikolem2 and witchbaby love Jackie Warner. They think it a great workout and clasen5 said, "Jackie's workout gets everything in - lower body, upper body and core. It is a great, make me really sweaty, workout. Give it a try."

DVD Review: Bar Method Accelerated Workout

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0800

When it comes to mixing up my strength training routine, I am a fan of the Bar Method, a ballet based sculpting class. Full of deceptively simple exercises with a focus on micro movements, these hour long classes always leave me sore in surprising places. I was excited to try the new 55 minute DVD Accelerated Workout, because sometimes I really enjoy working my fanny in the privacy of my own home.

I think it is great that this DVD workout doesn't require any extraordinary props, just a mat, a set of two to four-pound dumbbells, and a chair to create your home version of a ballet bar. In this well-shot video, Bar Method creator Burr Leonard and three Bar Method studio owners lead you through a series of moves that work your arms, abs, back, legs, and glutes - in other words, your entire body. The instructions are super clear and easy to follow - a joy compared to some over or under produced videos I used in the past - and the workout flies by except for the quad work which always kills me. However, I felt there were less exercises in the DVD than you would experience in a class - I think because a little more explanation is required in the video format for the precise moves.

To see if the workout got my heart rate up too, read more.

Because I love my heart rate monitor, I wore it for the workout and my heart rate stayed fairly low throughout the class (average rate was 99 bpm) so don't count on it as an aerobic workout. As a Pilates instructor, I also don't like working in a "tucked" position, where you draw your bottom of your pelvis forward. The position feels bad on my back, and it is fairly subtle so without a live instructor correcting the placement I worry about other folks will over tuck and compromise their low backs. When I do this work, I mostly work in a neutral spine.

I think this DVD is perfect for someone new to fitness for the exercises are easy to do but will definitely work you, but for someone well versed in the Bar Method, this workout may feel too easy.

You can purchase the DVD directly from the Bar Method website for $20 and start sculpting and stretching.

DVD Review: Element Pilates Weight Loss For Beginners

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Although I shy away from DVDs with "weight loss" in the title, this one looked so appealing, I couldn't resist giving it a try. Element: Pilates Weight Loss For Beginners ($15) did not disappoint. Hosted by Brooke Siler of Re:Ab Pilates studio in New York, this 51-minute video splits its time between Pilates mat work and "cardio" moves, all filmed soothingly by the seashore.

Rather than explain the moves in the moment, Siler delivers directions via a voiceover. But I can't complain, since the voiceover is one of the most detailed and helpful I've ever heard. You could pretty much follow the entire workout without ever looking at the screen, allowing you to focus on maximizing the moves. She offers constant reminders - at just the right times - for what you should be pulling in, tightening, or thinking about, yet the reminders never feel repetitive.

For details on the workouts, read more.

I prefer to start with the prep and mat workout, which is fairly low-impact yet lively and varied. It really is a perfect introduction for beginners, but veterans won't be bored, especially if you use the workout to ease into the day. The different variations on the rollup move were particularly challenging.

The "cardio" portion isn't cardio the way you'd think; rather than get your heart rate pumping, you're working on midtempo moves mostly from a standing position. But for Pilates, it does feel like a moderately high calorie burn, and it's a great way to get moving after the more focused mat work. I've done both portions a number of times and will definitely keep this one around. Interested? You can get the DVD on Amazon for $7.49.

DVD Review: Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workouts With Gabrielle Reece

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

On the next stop in my Fit Momma series, I took on Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workouts With Gabrielle Reece. Let me start by saying I am a huge Gabby Reece fan. She's very inspiring so I was thrilled when she put out this video with trainer Mike Monroe.

All the exercises have been approved by a leading OB-GYN, so you know that you're not putting yourself (or your baby) in an unsafe situation. The DVD itself is broken down into the first and second trimester with workouts for each month of pregnancy up to the sixth month. That being said, if you're already in your second or third trimester, the workout is not going to be as appealing to you since you're already past half of the DVD.

Another point that is not made clear on the cover is the need for a lot of equipment to do the workout. You'll need: an exercise ball, a resistance band, a light set of dumbbells, a medium set of dumbbells, a towel, a mat, a chair, and a partner (if possible). I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things about DVDs is that I can do them at home with minimal equipment; this is not the case here.

But what did my pregnant pal and I think of the workout? To find out, just read more.

The workouts were definitely challenging. Since my friend was too pregnant to do any of the first trimester exercises safely, I did them alone and they were pretty similar to regular exercises I do now, except there is a lot of focus on breathing. The second trimester exercises were still hard but definitely more modified for pregnancy. It was interesting to have ab work in the mix since most pregnancy workouts ditch the crunches. We were both sweating in the end, and we both felt like we got in a good workout. My pal had to stop every now and again to catch her breath but that's OK. You should never push yourself during exercise while expecting - always listen to your body. Drink plenty of water and take rests when needed.

Overall I was not blown away by the DVD. I don't like that it would have been hard to do the exercises without a partner and all the extra equipment. Plus, some of the resistance band moves are quite complicated and required us to pause the TV to figure out what to do. This is definitely not a beginner DVD so if you were a couch potato before getting pregnant, you'll want to start with something less advanced. Pregnancy is not the time to try any tests of endurance or strength.

DVD Review: The Wedding Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you're going to be walking down the aisle you're probably in serious planning mode. One DVD that will fit right into your frame of mind is The Wedding Workout from Women's Health. Not only does it provide a great workout, but it's one DVD that lets you plan exactly how you want to do your workouts and when.

The DVD is divided into several sections by body parts: upper body, abs and core, lower body, and cardio. You can do the workout in a prebuilt schedule, which separates parts of the body each day of the week with one rest day, or you can create your own workout. You can also decide how heavily you want to focus on the upper or lower body (i.e. strapless dress versus hip-hugging dress). I just tried the prebuilt schedule and feel like I got a good workout. I didn't realize until I finished working out that all the exercise routines are the same, and you simply repeat the same moves on different days. This means if you're doing lower body on Monday and Wednesday those workouts will be exactly the same and this might increase the boredom factor of working out with a DVD. Furthermore, all warmups and cooldowns are the same each day of the week, making this part my least favorite aspect of the DVD. But if you can mentally get over the repetition, you will get a good physical workout.

You do need a pair of light dumbbells for the upper body, core, and abs portion and an exercise mat would make the whole thing a little more comfortable. The lower-body portion is heavy in squats and lunges - my legs were literally shaking - so if you have bad knees you should be careful or opt out. And as with all DVDs, I feel like the cardio is not sufficient enough so I would supplement with jogs outside and sessions on the elliptical.

Fit's Tip: The bonus segments that teach how to walk in heels, nutrition, and stripping 101 were unnecessary - I'd skip them altogether.

Be sure to check out all our exclusive wedding coverage on IDoSugar.com!

DVD Review: The Best of Tamilee's Buns, Abs, & Arms

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I didn't have time to hit the gym last night, so I decided to pop in a new DVD instead. I gave The Best of Tamilee's Buns, Abs, & Arms ($14.99) a go and it was tough. I am not sure if you've ever tried her Buns of Steel or Abs of Steel series, but basically The Best of video takes her favorite exercises from each of those workouts to give you a more total body workout.

The video is comprised of three 15 minute segments: Buns, Abs, and Arms. Tamilee uses light dumbbells, a step and an exercise mat. Since I don't have a step at home, I just did the whole thing with weights and a mat. The buns segment is a lot of squats and lunges. The abs segment is a lot of crunches and isometric "squeezing" and the arms segment is actually deceiving because you end up doing a lot of full body work and core work, not just your arms. There is not really any cardio to this DVD, other than the quick warm-up in the beginning. While your heart will definitely get pumping after you've been squatting for a few minutes, you may want to consider going on a light jog when you're done.

To get my final take on the DVD just read more.

Overall I enjoyed the workout. Tamilee has a no fuss approach to getting the exercises done. There is no clubby music. There are no crazy backup exercisers. To me, this made it a little more relaxing than the videos that are all hyped up. What's more? I can already feel it in my legs, which you know I love. I'd definitely recommend this workout to someone wanting a quick, no thrills, at home exercise routine.