10 Minute Solution - Kickbox Bootcamp (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)As with the other DVDs in the 10-Minute Solution series, Kickbox Bootcamp features five 10-minute workouts. You can pick one for a quick 10-mintue blast, follow all five in sequence for a killer 50-minute routine, or mix and match them as you wish to get just the workout you want. The 10-Minute Solution series is all about flexibility-one reason why I own several DVDs of the series. The instructor on this DVD is Keli Roberts. The five workouts, all with some element of kickboxing flavor, are:
Basic Training: This segment is basically "Beginner Kickboxing"-a good starting point for people who haven't had much kickboxing experience; however, I still found it a great workout even though I have been doing kickboxing for about a year. While teaching you the basic punches and kicks that will be used throughout the DVD, Keli keeps your heart rate up with faux jump roping, boxer shuffle, and other cardio moves.
Ultimate Buns and Thighs: This segment incorporates kicks into a lower body workout that includes lunges and plies. The method Keli uses to teach kicking is quite simple and effective. This was a good workout. I didn't feel the burn as much as in the TamiLee Webb "I Want Those Buns!" workout, but then Keli doesn't use quite so much repetition and it therefore wasn't as hard on my knees.
Arm and Shoulder Sculptor: Here we switch to an upper body focus using light hand weights to get more benefit out of the punches. I started with the 5-pound hand weights I use for at-home upper-body work, but had to switch to 2-pounders to keep up with Keli's fast pace. She also does some quick punching sequences in between weight segments. I really liked this workout and, from the look of Keli's upper body, I'd say she knows what she's doing!
Fat-Burning Blast: This segment definitely puts the "Bootcamp" in the title. It begins (after the warm up) with a very difficult sequence-going from a stand to a squat to a plank (push-up position) to a squat to a stand over and over (and incorporating other-even more challenging-moves as the sequence progresses). Once you get past that sequence, there is a series of lateral agility drills-sliding, jumping and stepping side to side. By far, my least favorite of the DVD.

Washboard Abs: Keli definitely doesn't depend just on crunches here-she does planks, side work and a few Pilates moves as well as crunches to work out your obliques, upper and lower abs. This is a good workout, and I didn't make it all the way through on the first try. That's a good sign, though, because it gives me something to work toward.
Pros:
1. Keli doesn't use the same tired moves as every one else-despite the MANY exercise DVDs I've tried, there were many new moves on this DVD and I loved that.
2. The warm-ups and cool-downs, while brief, are excellent and tailored to each workout.
Cons:
1. There is almost no color contrast on the menu, so figuring out where the "cursor" is and which button you're selecting is very difficult. I found this highly annoying.

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NO TIME TO EXERCISE? We have the solution for you – the 10 Minute Solution! Instructor Keli Roberts has developed 5 distinctive and supereffective bootcamp-inspired kickboxing workouts, each one specially-designed to whittle your body into tip-top shape and each one only 10 minutes. Split them into 5 separate workouts, or mix and match to hit your own unique problem areas … or do all of them together for one total-body 50 minute workout!BASIC TRAINING This focused "get-you-going" segment really lays the groundwork for your total-body fitness goals. Use it as a starting point to prepare for the other segments, or as a stand-alone, calorie-busting workout.UTIMATE BUNS & THIGHS If a toned, tight, strong lower body is what you desire, you’ll find it here! These 10 minutes are jam-packed with fat-burning moves and some unique exercises you’ve never seen or done before – and they work!ARM & SHOULDER SCULPTOR Get ready to chisel and sculpt that upper body. This ultra-effective program leads you through punches, jabs and upper cuts and utilizes light hand weights for even faster results.WASHBOARD ABS Everyone wants tight, flat abs and with this program you can get them! Keli combines time-proven abdominal exercises with some ground-breaking techniques so that you’ll see REAL results … fast!FAT BURNING BLAST This energetic segment is all about getting your heart rate up and your body weight down! The Fat Burning Blast is an excellent complement to any of the other segments, or — done alone — it’s an action- packed, ultraefficient way to blast away calories and burn carbs

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Winsor Pilates Basic 3 DVD Workout Set (Basics Step-By-Step/20 Minute Workout/Accelerated Body Sculpting) Review

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(More customer reviews)Mari Winsor's 3-DVD set is a great set of workouts for beginners and intermediates. By alternating the 2 workouts, I increased my strength and flexibility as well as my control. I also felt the difference in my abs after only a few sessions. Obviously if you are experienced in pilates these workouts may not do anything for you (although her other workouts available on the Winsor Pilates website are very effective for the more experienced). But if you are relatively new to pilates or are a bit familiar with it, you should find these workouts to be challenging and beneficial. Mari Winsor is excellent about talking you through the workouts and is constantly reminding you of the importance of correct positions and processes. The trick with this program is to be consistent and remember that pilates is meant to sculpt your body and increase flexibility and strength. Losing weight requires a healthy diet and other activity like walking or jogging to burn the calories! Do those things and add Mari Winsor's program and you will have the whole package!

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The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Last Chance Workout Review

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(More customer reviews)CALORIE BURN: I'll begin with this, considering that's typically why we all buy the dvd, is it not? (Well, you do get a health boost as well...)and I own all the Biggest Loser dvds for a good comparison. I wear a bodybugg (the black arm band you see on the contestants of the Biggest Loser with a monitor attached) to measure my daily caloric expenditure with the most accuracy. Because of this, I am also able to monitor how many calories I burn during a specific workout and how many calories I burn per minute of a workout and how much my calorie burn increases after the workout. I mention this only so you know what I say is based upon scientific measurement, rather than perceived exertion. And this dvd is a high calorie burner! I have quite an extensive library of dvds to compare it to since I use fitness dvds exclusively to get my workout in 6 days a week. This is a new favorite and truly, offered great strength, toning, and calorie burn. You won't help but get results here. While some of her dvds have more cardio to burn more calories DURING the workout, because of the good strength training, and "HIIT" training, you will burn more overall with this one. (see my notes under "effectiveness" as to why) It did, however, burn less than her "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism" and "No More Trouble Zones" dvd.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: one set of 1 to 10 lb hand weights, based upon your level, if you have a hard floor you may also want a mat for pushups etc. on the floor
EFFECTIVENESS: The beauty of this dvd is that it's not just cardio but, instead, a full circuit workout. Actually it's a "HIIT" workout which is a model for highest calorie burn. Studies have shown that when you increase your heart rate with cardio then keep it elevated while combining toning and strength exercises and utilize some core floor work in modules, you get double the results. Cardio burns calories during the workout but you recover quickly and your heart rate recovers and lowers. However, when you add strength training with cardio, you continue to burn more calories long after the workout is over and also add muscle which increases your metabolism and allows your body to burn more calories even while at rest--although strength burns less calories during the workout. So, combining the two is always going to give you better results and faster results which is the entire premise of the workouts you see on the Biggest Loser. An expert had the best analogy as to why you don't feel wiped out in a workout like this compared to an all cardio workout, but yet burn more calories: If you go 90 miles an hour in your car for an entire trip, you will use less fuel than if you go 90 then lower your speed, then rev it up for awhile, then lower it again...keeping your heart rate elevated but not at "top speed" and alternating it during a workout will actually burn more calories and, just like a car, use more fuel (calories) in the long run. Old school thinking was that you had to keep your heart rate at max level for best results. The most recent studies showed that the 30 second interval alternation will actually burn more calories. This is what's done in the workout and Jillian mentions the calorie-burn effectiveness of this.
SAFETY: Great instruction not just of how to do the moves, but of how to do them safely if you are a beginner.
LEVEL: Although you'll be well instructed if you are just starting out as to how to get your weight off, this workout will push you if you do the more advanced moves regardless of what level you currently are. You'll sweat. You'll get results. And several of the backup contestants are doing the "beginner level" moves so you can follow them until you get up to speed with the more advanced moves.
CAST: Jillian and past contestants. The beauty of the Biggest Loser workouts is that anyone doing them can identify with someone who is on screen because they don't just utilize their skinniest contestants. When you see someone far larger than you pushing themselves you do think "I can do this." and I like that.
CUEING: Excellent and easy to follow.
MUSIC: Upbeat and coincides with pace of the moves to keep you revved.
SET: Either it is the Biggest Loser set where they weigh in, or it's made to look like it.
CONTAINS: 3 workouts, warm up and cool down 55 minutes total
COMPARISON TO OTHER BIGGEST LOSER DVDS SPECIFICALLY. I own all of the Biggest Loser dvds as well as the ones individually by Bob and Jillian. This is one of the tops for calorie burning, second only to Jillian's "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism"
NEGATIVES: I hate to have to say it, but I had hoped Jillian had mellowed out some...not in her instruction but, rather, in being condescending. Her last dvd offered I think her best ability to shine through as an instructor. She pushed you, but she didn't have that nervous laughter she'd had in her previous dvds and she wasn't condescending for no reason and silly-fake-tough. Well, what I thought she'd pushed aside is back. For me personally, I prefer Bob's tough but positive approach that seems more genuine. But I know others may feel greater results with this approach so you be the judge. I gotta agree with the other reviewer that calling someone her "bitch" in this dvd just seems unprofessional in several regards and I think if a personal trainer said that to me I would have to wonder what testosterone-filled power trip they were on...also when she said "You messed up! HA HA HA HA HA!" and the person working out seemed not fond of that comment..it's just odd to me. However, Jillian is no doubt still an instructor who uses that same pushing to often make you continue when you want to quit so this has a positive aspect to such "toughness". And she really knows how to explain the moves and cue well and ensure you do them RIGHT for optimal results as well as compile the highest calorie burning workouts. So I have every dvd she's made. It's an annoyance factor for me, but the good of the dvd outweighs this by far. Also, it doesn't appear as though the team practiced this routine all that much. They are out of sync many times...I personally am not thrown by this and almost feel as though I'm in a gym because this is the norm...but this may be important to others so I thought I would mention it. It is a bit of a shame they don't have it all down but as long as I can do it, I'm good. :-) And, finally, if you were in a fraternity and had to do a shot everytime she said "Last Chance Workout" in this dvd you'd be dead to the world within about 7 minutes. Heavey marketing that this is the "last chance workout" to the point it's kinda funny.
CONCLUSION: A great addition to any collection that offers great instruction and results. And you can turn off the voice of the trainer and just have the workout on with the music once you get the moves down if you gotta.
ALTERNATIVE good circuit training workouts:
If you like the high calorie burn coupled with strength training and great instruction in this dvd you may also like (in no certain order):
1.Body by Jake Total Body Workout
2.Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism and No More Trouble Zones
3.Kathy Smith Build Muscle Shrink Fat
4.Crunch Total Resculpt
5.Star Trainers: Strength
6.Weight Loss Cardio Sculpt with Violet Zaki
All of the above dvds are tops on my list for measuring high calorie burn but also offering strength so you keep burning the fat even at rest, great cueing, motivational, and just all around good results.

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In the pre "weigh-in" workouts on NBC’s hit show, "THE BIGGEST LOSER,” you’ve seen contestants push themselves to the limit to reach their weight-loss goals – and now you can too! In this intense Last Chance Workout, trainer Jillian Michaels pulls out all the stops with three workouts that challenge your body to the maximum. But don’t worry, past contestants will be by your side every step of the way. With a unique blend of cardio and strength designed to boost your fat-burning potential, and the motivation to keep going, now’s your chance to step on the scale and lose more weight faster than ever!

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