FitSugar

DVD Review: Zumba Total Body Transformation System

FitSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:00:33 -0700

If your home fitness routine is feeling a little dull, you can seriously spice up your workouts by having a Zumba party in front of your DVD player. Zumba is a dance workout that doubles as a tasting tour of popular Latin dances, from salsa to samba. You can experiment with shaking your hips and hone your shoulder shimmy with no one watching but your dog with the Zumba Total Body Transformation System ($60).

This six-DVD set includes a basic workout, which is a 60-minute tutorial of the "basic" dance moves used in Zumba; a 20-minute express workout; two 50-minute dance workouts; a toning workout; and an abs workout. The set also includes two fitness toning sticks - lightweight dumbbells that double as maracas to help you get your rhythm on.

See what I thought of the workout.

DVD Review: Yoga Booty Ballet - Goddess Booty and Yoga Core

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0800

Right around this time last year I felt my abs burn from the Goddess Abs workout by the two women behind Yoga Booty Ballet, so I thought it was about time that I tried a couple more workouts by the peppy duo. I was looking forward to testing the two-disc set that includes Goddess Booty (25 min.) and Yoga Core (30 min.), but my experience with these DVDs wasn't all-around positive.

Gillian and Teigh used yogic terminology so frequently that it seemed unnecessary and an attempt to distract me from the fact that I wasn't getting a workout. There was a lot of guided breathing and claims that they were feeling the burn, but I did not feel that the workout made any impact on making my booty beautiful, as they said it would. The pair was good at explaining what each exercise was targeting but stayed in each variation for so few reps that I couldn't feel the slightest burn in my booty. Their cheesy encouragement to "feel like a goddess, feel beautiful," was enough to make me irritated and not at all centered.

See what I thought of the Yoga Core video when you read more.

Yoga Core was much better than Goddess Booty but was still not challenging enough to make a real impact. There was a lot of frivolous talking and they encouraged me to recite the affirmation, "from my core to my character, I am strong and supple." Coming from a woman in pigtails, this simply didn't sit properly or make me feel more prepared for my workout. Pilates was largely incorporated and they introduced several plank variations that only succeeded in making me feel like I was warmed up. After 55 minutes total and feeling like I was slightly warm, my overall opinion is that these DVDs are just too easy.

DVD Review: Shiva Rea - Creative Core Abs

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I'm always looking for ways to sculpt and strengthen my abs without having to do crunches, so I was psyched to try Shiva Rea's Creative Core Abs ($9.99). I've loved her Yoga DVDs in the past (especially Fluid Power - Vinyasa Flow Yoga), so I had a feeling this would be just as great. Her voice is calming, her instructions are clear, and her routines are always challenging.

The DVD includes three short workouts: Water Core (10 min), Spontaneous Core (8 min), and Fire Core (10 min); you can do all three in a row, or choose which ones you want to do. The sequencing is very fluid and dance-like, so the time goes by really quickly. It definitely doesn't feel like yoga. Shiva encourages you to explore your range of motion, and even though this video was focused on the abs, the movements strengthened and stretched my upper and lower back, hips, quads, shoulders, and neck too. Cool to know that even Shiva Rea is all about the core.

If you're looking for a DVD that works your abs in a unique way you can order it here or rent it through Netflix.

Move It at Home: HoopDance

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Are you a little skeptical about how hula hooping can keep you fit? I was too until I checked out HoopDance ($24.99). It's an instructional fitness DVD that's perfect for beginners who want to learn how to move their bodies in a sexy way that tones and strengthens. Even if you can't keep a hoop in motion for more than two seconds (like me), Christabel Zamor, founder of HoopGirl, will give you tips on how to keep it spinning around your waist, and how to gracefully pick it up if it falls. Since I'm not much of a hula hooper, I spent the first 20 minutes trying to learn how to get this basic rhythm down, and I could feel my heart pumping, my abs, hips, and lower back working, and I was stripping off layers because I was working up a sweat. All that from the very first chapter of the video!

Want to see a clip of HoopDance? Then read more

Christabel is sweet, extremely encouraging and inspirational, and very descriptive in her instructions, so I was making real progress in my HoopDance skills. It's amazing how learning something new can lift your spirit. I found myself calling to my husband saying, "Babe, it's not falling. It's not falling!" Needless to say, I was very proud of myself, and totally energized from this surprisingly tough workout.

If you're looking to add a little fun to your fitness routine, I'd definitely pick up a copy of HoopDance (through the HoopGirl website). It's great even if you can't hula hoop to save your life, but if you stick with it, you'll be able to keep that hoop in motion and learn some cool tricks too. Thanks to Sugar user thirtythreezero for recommending this DVD. Now I'm off to learn how to "Booty Bump."

Move It at Home: Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:30:00 -0800

The DVD Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress ($14.99) is designed to wake up the dormant kundalini energy that lies in your fourth chakra. Once you wake up this energy, it will awaken your spirit, energize your body, and relax your mind. Too bad this DVD totally put me to sleep.

I did really like the calming all-white background and the melodic music Maya Feinnes (the instructor) made herself. The actual movement part was what didn't do it for me. She basically did 40 minutes of seated warm-up exercises to work the neck, spine, and hips. Forty minutes of sitting down! This is not at all like the butt-kicking yoga I'm used to. The movements were really repetitive, so it's great for beginners and if you're in the mood to move slowly, but really boring if you're expecting to move more.

She also says a lot of spiritual affirmations like "challenge yourself; release your old stagnant energy; your future is clear; don't give up; you're almost there," which are a little weird. The breathing and sound exercises really added to the whole snooze factor for me. This wasn't much of a workout at all, so it'd be perfect for someone who needed to release tension and stress.

Want to see a clip of this DVD to see what I mean? Then read more

If you're still interested in checking it out it, you can by it through Acacia.

Move It at Home: Viniyoga Therapy For the Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulders

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

If you suffer from pain or tightness in your back, neck, or shoulders, then you might really benefit from using the Viniyoga Therapy For the Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulders DVD. The first part of the video explains why so many people have these pains in the first place and how yoga can be integral in healing these areas. The second part breaks down some simple exercises and poses to warm up and stretch the spine, neck, and shoulders.

If learning about the causes of your discomfort and working on basic exercises is boring, and you want to get right to alleviating the pain, then skip to the third part where you are led through 20-, 30-, and 40-minute sessions of yoga. Just so you know, this video doesn't involve a whole lot of moving around. The three practices involve physical-therapy exercises based on yoga poses, and a lot of slow movements to stretch and strengthen weak and painful areas. This DVD will be perfect for you if you are injured or dealing with chronic pain in your neck, shoulders, or back. It's also a great video if you are a beginner yogi who wants to do a low-impact practice to reduce stress.

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Circle Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

It is always fun to mix some accessories into a Pilates workout, and the magic circle is one of my favorite Pilates props. Marni Winsor (caution: The Winsor web site has automatic video/audio) has a 20 Minute Circle Workout DVD. This workout is short and to the point. Adding leg squeezes to ab work just seems to make the abs work more deeply. Plus it is nice to work lazy inner thighs! This DVD contains exercises that work all body parts, with an emphasis on the abs; it is Pilates after all.

In this DVD there are options for different levels of students. One of the three demonstrators does beginner versions of all the exercises. These variations would also work if you are dealing with a neck injury. One odd thing about the DVD is that the three demonstrators are all so well behaved, polished and choreographed there is an air of "finishing school" about the workout.

The DVD also includes a basic aerobic workout with Pilates lingo added into the mix. The aerobics or "Accelerated Fat Burning Workout" is fine, but I'll stick to Jamie King dance routines – thank you very much.

You can find the DVD on Amazon either used ($15) or new ($28). The DVD is available at the Winsor Pilates website but only in packages with other DVDs.

Move It at Home: Ballet Conditioning by Element

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

If you are looking to move it at home, but can't stomach another loud, in your face, overly busy workout DVD, I suggest you try Ballet Conditioning produced by Element.

Shot in a lovely garden overlooking the ocean don't let the serene environment fool you because this workout will make your legs burn. It is what I would have called in my dance days a quad gripper. The fronts of my thighs got a serious workout. The video runs just a little under an hour and the workout is more like a very rudimentary ballet class than an aerobics class. It is structured like a technique class with bar work (using a chair), and center work where you are forced to balance on your own (good for your core), a jumping section (petite allegro for all the bun heads out there), some very dancey ab work, and finally some stretching.

The movements are all reasonably easy to do. Someone who has never danced might find it a little challenging on the first go around but would definitely pick up the graceful moves on the second or third go round. This is not the best workout for a day after a long run; I learned that the hard way. The workout is very leg intensive from the big toe all the way to the upper thighs and booty.

Buy it for $9 from Amazon. Or just add it to your Netflix queue.

Move It at Home: Better Sex Through Yoga - Volume 2

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:00:00 -0800

A while back I reviewed the beginner yoga DVD, Better Sex Through Yoga, Volume 1. Well, I decided it was time to get a little more advanced, or rather intermediate and try Volume 2 ($14.95), the Intermediate edition. This isn't an erotic video with explicit instructions of the Kama Sutra sex positions. It's just like any other yoga video, except this 46 minute workout focuses on opening your hips, hamstrings, and lower back.

Although I really did like the creative sequencing of postures, I must say I found the close up shots of the instructor's shorty shorts, not only unnecessary but unprofessional as well. I thought Volume 2 was a bit more cheesy than the first volume since it included the same annoying music and even more repetitions of the instruction to "Breathe deeply into your sexual core." It also has more of a hint of sexuality, which aggravated me since yoga isn't about sex (for me anyway). I think I might buy this for a yoga friend as a gag gift, or for newlyweds, but aside from that, I'd rather practice along with the many other better yoga videos out there.

Move It At Home: Billy Blanks Full Throttle Amped

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:00:00 -0800

Did you know that Billy Blanks is still kicking ol’ school? He just released a new series of DVDs and the other night I checked out Billy Blanks Amped ($17.99). I was impressed that the DVD wasn’t over produced and you could tell that the workout was shot in one take with many cameras, so the folks exercising on the DVD were working with you. Billy Blanks does not slow down. He has, however, lost the ability to count and has hired a young, cute but fierce, fitness professional to count on set for him. Together they make quite a team.

The workout is tough and when using the amplifier sculpting bar, an extendable hand weight, it gets even tougher. The amplifier weighs just a little over three pounds (according to my kitchen scale).The workout is shot with only half the class participants using the amplifiers, so if you don’t have one there is still plenty for you to do. The class goes through many kick boxing motions at different speeds, so you're working both your endurance and your speed, your slow muscle fibers as well as the quick twitch. Bouts of straight up kick boxing moves are thrown into the mix ensuring that your heart rate stays in the upper zone of moderate and the lower zone of intense. I wore my trusty heart rate monitor and burned well over 300 calories for my time investment of just under 60 minutes low impact.

I love that you can see everyone sweating. It inspires you to work hard. Blanks likes to get up close to the camera and tell you to push harder and not to give up. It is part Mr. T, part inspiring coach and oddly effective.

To see what the amplifier looks like, just read more

You can order this DVD from Amazon. Or you could go for the entire Amped package for $39.95, which includes 5 DVDs, the amplifier body sculpting bar, and other health perks!