Body Max (BM)!

Today I did Body Max for the first time.  I had traded for this 3 workout DVD awhile ago and it has been siting on my shelf. Anyway Body Max is a approx. 90 min (yes I said 90 min.) advanced cardio/sculpt workout lead by Cathe Friedrich. This is one tough workout.  The first segment is all step cardio section to pre-exhaust your legs that has 3 combos you learn and then put together.  The second segment is a Power Circuit Segment the will just finish your legs off.  This segment consist of 5 cycles of a short cardio step combo, a blast section and lower body weights section.  The next section is all upper body work.  Pretty much if you choose the right weights, you won't be able to move your arms either after this section.  Finally is Abs and a short stretch.

I did liked this workout but want to compare it to her more resent Body Max 2 workout she released in 2006.  She released the first Body Max in 2001 (I think).  I find I like Body Max 2 a lot more than the first Body Max.  I found the cardio more challenging and fun in BM2.  Plus She had much better music in BM2.  I did like the fact that I was able to get all of the choreography down in BM the first try and just by listening to her ques.  Usually I have to watch the TV and do a lot of rewinding.  I will be doing BM again and I am glad I got it in trade.  I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Hi/Lo Heaven

Today I did Christi Taylor's Hi/Lo Heaven approx 80mins. This is an all floor aerobics workout you will need light weights for the 3rd section of the workout. The intensity builds as you go through out the workout.  I am not a Hi/Lo fan but find I will put this one in my rotations.  This is one of Chirsti's older workouts so some of the music is dated but still okay.  I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Step & Core Pilates!

The second workout I did was Step & Core Pilates (Step section only) a 28 min all step section from Jules Benson.  I did not do the Pilates section because I really don't care for it.  I did like the step section.  You can tell Jules has taken lessons from Christi Taylor.  She uses a lot of Christi's terminology for the various moves.  I fun Jules choreography a lot easier to learn than Christi's but then again I do not have any problem getting Christi's choreography.  i give the step section 4 out of 5 stars. 

Misfit's Kettlebell Basix!

Today I did two workouts.  The first one I did was Misfit's Kettlebell Basix a 25 min kettlebell workout by Melissa Beaver a RKC trainer.  This one is good for those first starting out with Kettlebells.  It is a tough workout and I can see why good kettlebell workouts are short. I was switching from my 15lb to my 17.6lb kettlebell throughout the workout.  You do not want to use any lighter than those in this workout because it could lead to bad form.

Here are the list of exercises:

Two Handed Swing
Two Handed Push Press
One Handed Pull
Box Squats (with a High Step)
One Handed Swing
Cleans
Push Press
Tactile Lunges
Suitcase Deadlift
Combination that includes: Two Handed Swing, One handed Pulls and One Handed Swings

I will be doing this one again. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Important note to know; all of the true kettlebell workouts I have the instructors does not mirror cue.

High Intensity Step Mix!

Today I did High Intensity Step Mix from Tracey Staehle a approx.66 min. cardio workout.  A good friend received this one free with her order and so she sent it to me. Thank you Susan!
Tracie lead's you through a combo that is repeated 4 times and then she would do an interval.  The first set of the combos were very easy to learn but I found the second half of the workout confusing.  Tracey did crack herself up in one of the intervals where she would start counting and then start jumping.  Tracey's step is not as fun as Amy Bento's or Seasun Zieger's.  I found this one okay and can see myself finding room for it in my rotations.  Tracey would say some things repeatedly that would get annoying and this is of  the reasons I am not giving it 5 stars. One of the things she would say is "Right here. Let's go. Come on."  right in a row.  This was one of her first workouts and and you could tell she was nervous. I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

TLF Definging Shape!

The other workout I did yesterday was TLF's Defining Shape!  I did like this one better the second time.  Here is the review that I posted before: http://afirmrose.blogspot.com/2010/01/tlf-defining-shape.html

Cardio Coach Vol.2 (Revised)!

Saturday I did 2 workouts.  The first workout I did was at Gold's Gym on the Elliptical.  I did Cardio Coach Vol. 2 a approx. 37 min all cardio interval workout from Sean O'Malley.
Here is the Breakdown (From his website):

1. 4:13 Warm-up - During the warm-up you will be asked to find a speed and resistance setting that is equal to your Level 1 exertion and will be responsible for gradually increasing your effort until you reach a level 2 effort or green zone heart rate before the beginning of the first challenge.
2. 7:49 Challenge 1 - In challenge 1, set your sights for 4, level 3 hill climbs. Each hill is one minute in length with a 1 minute recovery.
3. 8:24 Challenge 2 - The first 1:50 of this challenge gives you a quick level 1 or level 2 recovery. Then, it's onward and upward with a level 3 hill climb for 3 minutes. You will have a second brief rest once at the top but the challenge isn't over. Prepare for a 3 minute level 3 sprint as you zoom down the mountain.
4. 3:18 Steady State/Rest - This phase is designed for recovery after the 2nd challenge. Once recovered, jump back into your level 2 steady state phase and get ready for the final challenge.
5. 8:39 Challenge 3 - The 3rd challenge is optional in the Volume 2 workout and is designed for more advanced participants. Those who are seeking the challenge will be faced with 4 Level 4 fast paced hill climbs. Each hill is 45 seconds in length with a 1 minute rest in between. Both your speed and resistance settings will help you achieve close to your Level 4 effort. Heart rate should stay in the orange zone for most of the challenge and depending on how hard you work, you may just see some red zone numbers.
6. 4:59 Cool Down - Equally the most important phase of the workout! Make sure that you have recovered from the final challenge before getting off your exercise equipment.

I did like the workout and found it challenging.  I did not like the choice of music. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

TLF's Back Up!

Yesterday I did TLF's Back Up!  I liked it better this time than I did the first time I did it.  Here is the link to the break down: http://afirmrose.blogspot.com/2010/02/tlfs-back-up.html

I give this on 4 out of 5 stars.

TLP's Core Cardio!

Thursday I did TLP's Core Cardio again.  Here is the link to the review

http://afirmrose.blogspot.com/2010/01/tlp-core-cardio.html

TLF Staying Power!

I did staying TLF Staying Power again today.  Here is the review I wrote for this workout. http://afirmrose.blogspot.com/2010/01/tlf-staying-power.html

I think this one is my favorite of the TLF's.

TLF Step Forward!

The Second workout I did today was TLF Step Forward.  Here is the link to my previous review: http://afirmrose.blogspot.com/2010/01/today-i-received-tracie-longs-new.html

The only thing I wanted to add was that I liked this one better the second time.  I do find the choreography in the horizontal step section of the workout is much better that the vertical step section.

TLT Endurane for Movement!

Today I did 2 workouts.  The first one I did was TLT Endurance for Movement lead by Tracie Long.  A approx 60 min Cardio/Sculpt workout.  You will need light to heavy weights, rags/paper plates and a stability ball.  After a nice warm up with light weights Tracie has you planks, mermaids/frogs and shin roll with stability ball. Next is cardio. Next get your medium weight for side lunges w/rows, squats and over head press. next get your heavy weights for one legged squats and dead lifts with jumps in between.  Next get your medium weights for one legged squats with one arm rows and front lateral raises. Next get your stability ball for planks and superman's. Cardio is next.  Next get you medium weights for push ups, planks with rotations, and mountain climbers. Next get your heavy weights for one legged dips and jumps in between. Next get you rag/paper plate and one light weight for push ups and triceps extensions.  Then get your stability ball and light weighs for crunches on the ball.  Keep your weight but get rid of the ball for clock lunges/push squats and cobra.  Next get your heavy weights for side lunges.  Next get you medium for clean and press to balance and rows. Next if Abs and a final stretch.

I like this workout and try to do it often.  I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

TLT Better Burn Better Buns!

Today I did TLT Better Burn Better Buns! Here is the link to that review:
http://afirmrose.blogspot.com/2010/02/tlts-better-burn-better-buns.html

TLT Strength and Movement!

Yesterday I did TLT Strength and Movement a aprox. 60 min Cardio/Sculpt workout lead by Jen Carmon. You will need Light to heavy weights and a med ball. After an nice warm-up with the med ball Jen has you get one heavy weight for "Statue of liberty's". Then you get the matching weight for rows and biceps. Next get your med ball for cardio and abs. Next get your medium weights for side lungs/delt work, front Lunges w/ double arm Scapula, box squats, side lung w/ triceps work, and long lever triceps work. Next get your med ball for cardio. Next get you heavy weights for squats/overhead press, triceps push ups, and rhomboid rotations. Next get your med ball for cardio. Next get you heavy weights for one arm rows, static lung w/ one arm biceps curl, side lung w/ leg sweeps and one leg squats and superman. Next light weights for a delt work combo the hurts. Next is Abs, bridge and a finale stretch.


I really like this workout. I have a hard time picking which one of the TLT's I like best. I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

Day at Gold's Gym!

Wednesday I went to Gold's Gym and spent 1 hour and 15 min there.  I spent most of my time on the Eliptical and did some weight work.

TLP Dynamic Strength and Power

Looks like I am a week behind in posting my workouts.  Tuesday I did TLP Dynamic Strength and Power again.  Here is the link to my review: http://afirmrose.blogspot.com/2010/01/tlp.html

Ultimate Kettlebell: "Swings"!

The other workout I did yesterday was Ultimate Kettlebell the "Swings" workout. This is a 15 min all Kettlebell swing exercises. This workout is lead by Alysia Gadson a certified RKC Kettlebell Instructor. You start out with doing 5 swings then rest for a little bit, then do 10 swings rest and on up till you do 40 swings and then you go back down the count till you get back to 5 swing.


It is a good hard workout that you can do if your short on time or as an add-on like I did. down falls to the workout is there is no music and I did not like the background. Other than that it is a good workout. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

About this set of workouts. This is a 3 DVD set. The first DVD is an instructional DVD with kettlebell exercises. The second DVD has three 30 min workouts on it "Triples", "Stacks" and "Ladder". The third DVD has the "Swings" 15 min workout and a relaxing stretch workout that you can add to any of the workouts. Down falls to this set is that Alysia only does the one swings workout with you and instructs the other workouts with someone else doing the exercises. Plus there is no music in the workout.

TLP's Core Strength!

Yesterday I did 2 workouts. The first one I did was TLP Core Strength a 50 min Sculpting workout that uses light to heavy weights and a stability ball. Like Core Cardio, this workout was also filmed on board the U.S.S. Yorktown in Charleston SC. After a light warm-up Tracie has you get your medium weights and you do pushups with rotations. Then she has you a move she calls "Thread the needle". Next she has you get one heavy weight and a pair of light weights plus the stability ball and leads you one arm rows and triceps kickbacks and delt work. Keep your heavy weights and she leads you through one legged squats on the right side and overhead press with both arms. Next get your stability ball and light weights for some delt and triceps work while sort of kneeling on the ball. Next get you heavy weight for dips with bicep curls. Next is one legged squats on the left side and overhead press with both arms. Keep your heavy weights and get the stability ball for bench press, bridge and Triceps Extensions. Keep your heavy weights for lunges and bicep curls. The next section is some minor plio jumps. Next get you Stability ball and light weights for dips with one leg on the ball and scaptions then into overhead press. Next keep you light weights and she leads you through a dips w/ rhomboid pinch, dead lift triceps extension combo that is hard depending on how heavy your light weights are. Then is core work with the ball and a final stretch. This is my second favorite workout of the TLP's. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

TLP's Functional Strength

Yesterday I did TLP's Functional Strength a 45 min Cardio/Sculpt workout. You use a lot of equipment for this one. You will need a step, light to heavy weights, a med ball, and a stability ball. Bonnie leads through a med ball cardio section using the step. Then you grab your heavy weights, one light weight and stability ball for wide rows, superman’s, peak flies, russian rolls, and ribcage pullovers. Next it is pushups with the stability ball. Next she has you get you heavy weights for what Tracie Long calls "Statue of Liberties" on the right side into one legged dead lifts. Next is more med ball cardio with the step. Next is the "Statue of Liberties" on the left side into one legged dead lifts. Next is med ball cardio. Next is side Lunge w/ Rows and rotations and One legged Squat w/ rotations with medium weights. Next is Core using the stability ball and a finale stretch. I think this is my favorite of the TLP's and try and fit it in my rotations as much as I can. I give this one 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

TLT's Better Burn Better Buns!

Yesterday I did TLT's Better Burn Better Buns. An 55 mins Cardio/Core workout that has some leg work. For this workout you will need a med ball, dowel stick and rags/paper plates. I love this workout. I have had in my collection since it came out. Tracie alternates med ball cardio with standing leg work with the rags/paper plates. She then goes to the floor for some core work, light hamstring work and then the final stretch. I give this one 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

TLF's Back Up!

I felt better today to do a workout so I did most of Tracie Long's new Back Up workout. I could not finish all of it because I got tired fast because of the flu I had last week. This is a Cardio/Sculpt workout approx 52 mins. You will need light to heavy weights and a weight ball. This workout combines some traditional exercises with functional fitness. Tracie starts you off with an warm-up that I thought was just okay. First is more of traditional exercises section. She has you grab heavy weights for side squats and overhead presses I used my 10lbs weights. Some of the exercises I could have gone heavier. Then she has you do pushups then single & double arm rows, triceps kickbacks, delt flys, dips with biceps curls and one legged squats. Then its a med ball "sport's" themed cardio section. The next section is more of a functional fitness exercises with light weights. I used my 5lbs weights here. Then you hit the floor for some quick stretches before you do some core/abs exercises and a final stretch. I am going to reserve my final judgment on this one when I do it again later in the month.

February's Rotation!

Well last week did not go as planned.  I was sick with the flu.  I only worked out 8 times last month!  I hope this month is a better one than the last one as far as workouts go.  Here is the plan for this month.  Click on the picture to make it bigger.