LITTLE ROCK — Title: Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge
What’s the goal:
To get a high-intensity cardiovascular workout in a minimum amount of time.
Who’s it for?
For any active person who wants a “scientifically sound” workout that is challenging but accessible for different fitness levels. If you can’t make it to the gym, this DVD is the perfect alternative.
Format:
The workout starts out with a vigorous five-minute warm-up, followed by four rounds of drills, with three sets of different exercises in each drill. Each exercise is performed for 30 seconds as fast as you can, with a 15-second recovery between each exercise. The exercise combinations are repeated for three sets.
Each round of the drills takes about nine minutes. After the initial rounds, there is a segment called “The Finisher,” which is six minutes of nonstop aerobics, combining all of the exercises in the four previous segments into one high-intensity set: 12 drills for 30 seconds each and no rest.
Finally, a five-minute stretch and cool-down ends the workout.
Segments can be played all at once, or customized to the type of workout you want.
Gear needed:
None
What is expected of me?
To be able to comfortably do deep squats and lunges, as well as balance in those positions while doing kicks and jumps. If you don’t feel comfortable following the movements, there is ample time to pause the DVD to catch your breath.
Floorspace required:
At least 6 feet by 6 feet; you should be able to move forward and back, and jump from side to side.
Can I do it barefoot?
No
Who demonstrates the workout?
Trainer Amy Dixon leads three assistants, who each perform the exercises at different intensity levels: beginner, moderate and advanced. Dixon performs the medium level workout.
She has a no-nonsense approach, with no fancy sets or props. Her assistants look like normal people, not fitness models. What makes the workout refreshing to watch is that while everyone is doing the same basic moves for the routines, they are not all synchronized like a dance troupe.
Dixon takes the time to show how to do each modification of every exercise, unlike some other fitness workouts where you are left to figure it out yourself by imitation.
Distractions:
The only real distraction is Dixon’s skimpy workout clothes; little is left to the imagination when she performs some moves. The assistants are adequately covered.
Workout developer’s credentials:
With 15 years of teaching experience, Dixon has a bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology as well as several fitness certifications. She is a former world-class competitive power tumbler and coach, as well as a contributing editor for many fitness and lifestyle magazines; she’s group fitness manager for Equinox Fitness Clubs in Santa Monica, Calif., and a member of the Gatorade G Series Fit team, as well as a master trainer for Schwinn Cycling and BOSU.
Price:
$19.99
ActiveStyle, Pages 25 on 07/09/2012