The Kung Fu Kickboxing Workout (2007) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just rec'd this last week and I can't stop doing it. It's great to add on to a weight workout due to the segments each being 20 minutes. I have been doing weight circuits out of a book that which take me about 45-50 minutes to complete and then I tack on a segment of this to round the workout out to just over an hour.
The production quality is excellent (as is with all Acacia productions I've ever purchased). I love the music on it. It's very different and I recognize some of it from Duncan Wong's Yogic Arts DVD.I just love Tiffany (she's the is the one that instructs and works out with brother Max). Tiffany has a straightforward ....let's get down to business demeanor. She's really cool. I'd love to see more DVDs from her and Max.
They are both serious in this workout and if you put your "all" into it, you will get a good workout. Keep in mind that the cardio effect of this DVD is broken up a bit by going to the floor for different moves for the abs, pushups, etc. Therefore, it has more of an interval effect.
I have A LOT of kickbox and martial arts workouts and nothing compares to this. I really love it. You must try it. I've never written a review for a product on Amazon (and I buy a lot of exercise DVDs). I really hope they come out with more workouts, as this truly is in a class of it's own. Love it!!!

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Two champion fighters show you how to bob, weave, punch, and kick your way to a better body Chinese martial arts champions Tiffany and Max Chen share their training secrets in a workout program designed to get you in the best shape of your life. Their Shan Shou boxing style incorporates wrestling and kicking techniques that quickly build the strength, speed, agility, endurance, and reflexes of a fighter. This program allows you to choose the level of instruction and intensity you need, including a music-only option once you get the moves down. Whatever option you choose, you’ll get a heart-pumping workout that will tone your shoulders, arms, abs, glutes, and legs. Feel the burn and see results fast. Start with warm-up and stretching, then chose from three progressively more challenging workouts. Workout 1: The Basics -- Three-minute rounds of combat-oriented exercises (approx. 20 min) Workout 2: The Kicker -- A series of 30-second standing and floor calisthenics (approx. 20 min.) Workout 3: The Killer -- Repetitive cycles of challenging, explosive movements (approx. 20 min.) About Tiffany & Max: Taught by their father, Tai Chi Chuan Grandmaster William C.C. Chen, both fighters starting training at a tender age. A figure-skating champion as a child, Tiffany entered her first martial arts competition at age 16 and now has over 40 gold medals to her credit. One of the top full-contact Lei-Tai San Shou competitors in the country, Max has racked up 20 gold medals in just over a decade of competing. Both Tiffany and Max train and teach at their father’s New York City school.

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Shape: Best-Ever Hollywood Workout (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Shape: Best-Ever Hollywood Workout focuses on sculpting/toning. There isn't any cardio, and it lacks variety. The background music is like elevator music. Gunnar Peterson is calm, friendly, and gets to the point. The basic, simple moves are great for the beginner exerciser. Gunner demonstrates the move first, then you start the repititions. The low repititions made me question the effectiveness of this workout, then I woke up sore this morning?! I did all 4 programs using the custom workout option. Continuous play - this may be the first time Shape has made this option available. When bought new, the dvd comes with a slip to mail in & receive SHAPE magazine 1 yr free.
TWO THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
1.This is a SCULPTING workout, no cardio.
2.This was effective for me because I did all 4 programs in sequence.
The only things you need for this workout are dumbells and a mat. Gunner offers modifications for beginners.
The DVD is broken down into 4 programs:
*Total Body Toning 20 min.
*Power Burn 20 min.
*Amazing Arms11 min.
*Lower Body Blast11 min.
I'll do my best breaking down each program, please leave a comment if you have any questions =)
1. TOTAL BODY TONING
WARM UP - 4 minutes
Arms swing foward, then back, then across. Shoulder stretches followed by spiderman stretch, hip flexor stretch, hip opener & IT band stretch (great stretches!). Inner thigh stretch, then roll up. *these moves used in cool down*
- SQUATS
- PUSH UP with ROWS (use dumbells)
- BICYCLE CRUNCH
- PLANK POSITION hold one leg up towards end, then alternate to other leg
- HIP RAISE with CHEST FLY
- CRUNCHES
- SQUAT with dumbells, RAISE WEIGHTS UP (shoulder press) & PRESS UP ON TIP TOES
- HAY BALER - Side lunge with weights down, bring leg in, turn at waist & press weights out at eye level
- WOOD CHOPPER with 1 dumbell
- SIDE CRUNCH
- SLOW MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
- DIAGONAL BACK LUNGE with TRICEP EXTENSION (dumbells)
- SQUATS while holding dumbells above head
COOL DOWN - 2 min.
2. POWER BURN

WARM UP - almost 3 min. *mainly same moves (leaves a few out) as TBT, adds hamstring stretch/inner thigh stretch*
- FULL SITUP w/ STRAIGHT LEGS
- WOOD CHOPPER CRUNCH (use dumbell)
- WOOD CHOPPER STANDING (use dumbell)
- SQUATS with dumbells - pull dumbells up under arms while pushing up on toes
- JUMP SERIES - up & down, side to side, single leg, narrow feet up & down, ski jumps
- SPLIT LEG SQUAT using dumbells
- SPLIT ARM PUSH UPS
- SQUAT - push up, press up with rotation (dumbells)
- CRUNCHES - crunch alternated with cork screw crunch (one dumbell)
- REACHING LUNGE with LATERAL RAISE (dumbells)
- CURTSY LUNGE with LATERAL RAISE (dumbells)
- BICEP CURLS with BALANCE CHALLENGE - single leg (dumbells)
- SUPERMAN using one dumbell
- CLOSE GRIP PUSH UP
- KNEE-INS while in plank position
- SEATED TORSO ROTATION w/ dumbells
- SUMO SQUAT - up & extend (one dumbell)
COOL DOWN
3. AMAZING ARMS
WARM UP - arm circles, shoulder stretch, side stretch. Grab Dumbells =)
TRICEPS
- Tricep extensions
- Tricep kick backs
- Close grip pushups
BICEPS
- Bicep Curls w/ balance challange
- Side Curls - arms at 90 degree angle
- Hammer Curls
SHOULDERS
- Lateral Raise
- Arnold Press
- Rear Delt Raise
- Half Press alternate w/ Full Press
Then Gunner does curls, tricep kickbacks again & lateral raises again.
COOL DOWN - same moves as warm up
4. LOWER BODY BLAST
Start with hamstring stretch, inner thigh & hip stretch,then spiderman stretch, quad/hipflexor stretch & IT band stretch.
- Squats
- Hip bridges
- Hip bridge with single leg, opposite heel to ceiling
- Squat Hops
quick stretch
-Slightly bend standing leg, opposite leg floats - reach down to touch ground.
-Cursty squat, touch ground
-Squat with reach & extend (on toes)
COOL DOWN Stretch- quad/hip flexor, IT band & calves
The positive aspects of Shape: Best-ever Hollywood Workout include; Gunner has a calming effect, no tricky movements/choreography, no cardio (for those who dislike cardio), because he switches between floor & standing exercises - the time goes by quickly & the customize workout option. A long lasting workout since you can increase the weights as you progress with these multi-muscle exercises.
The reason I gave it 4 stars is because it was bland & the movements were basic. I am not a low key type of person. I love unique workouts with challenging moves....I get bored too easily. Power Burn sounded like it would be somewhat tough, but it just got my hopes up - Power Burn is a little misleading. BUT, I did wake up sore after doing all 4 programs.
As a mom of three young children, I don't really have the time to workout for an hour in order to get results. I do highly recommend this for beginner & intermediate exercisers, the 20 minute segments will be sufficient plus you can tack on one of the 11 min. workouts. You'll feel it the next day =)

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Trainer and creator of Core Secrets, Gunnar Peterson shares his formula for keeping his celebrity clientele fit and red carpet ready. Gunnar incorporates his exclusive muscle confusion methodology to challenge your body and get the most from your workout in the least amount of time. His varied pace sequencing is applied to all his moves which not only tones the entire body, but burns calories simultaneously. DVD INCLUDES: 4 Express Workouts Total Body Toning (20 mins) Power Burn (20 mins) Amazing Arms (10 mins) Lower Body Blast (10 mins) Customize your own workout optionBONUS: Workout tips from Gunnar Peterson

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