Showing posts with label p90x. Show all posts
Showing posts with label p90x. Show all posts

Saturday, July 16, 2011

P90X Plus - Workout DVD Review

P90X Plus - Workout DVD
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased the P90X workouts the Summer of 2008, and I loved the original workouts. They are a must for someone working out at home, who has gotten a little bored with their traditional workout. At the same time, I bought the Plus series too. They just don't pack the punch of the P90X workouts from the standpoint of routines, challenge, and production value. They simply aren't as challenging and intense as the originals.
IntervalX and Abs/Core introduces variations of traditional ab and cardio work. Some of the new variations are fun, but they aren't that different than other routines in P90X. With me being almost done with my second round of P90X, I use these workouts about once every two weeks on average. I've been critical so far, but I do like the Interval X workout for its quick cardio. You can get a good burn doing the short 30 minute workout. Tony takes you thru 12 different routines of slow, medium,and then fast. It gets the heart pumping and you get a good sweat from it.
Total Body Plus is a 40 minute workout with 10 minutes of warm up and cool down, plus around 30 minutes of actual workout. Tony takes you heat to toe working out shoulders, chest, back, arms, and legs. Its not overly challenging, but you can get a good workout in the 25 minutes of actually working out. You do a variations of routines with and without weights. From push ups to pull ups to some lifting, this workout will work your entire body. You won't be spent after the workout, so you could do some cardio or abs along with this routine. It too easy for me, and I'm looking for something a bit harder. That being said, my teenage daughter and wife loves this workout. They do it twice a week, so its almost ideal for a total body workout at low to medium intensity. I'm not saying this workout is for women only, but its not challenging enough for me personally.
Kenpo Cardio is another short cardio burn that IS more intense than the first Kenpo P90X workout. I actually use this over the original, because while shorter I feel it gives me a better burn. The original Kenpo was more of a slow steady burn for 40 minutes, while this is more of an up tempo 32 minute burn. It has most of the same moves but at a quicker and more intense pace. As stated earlier, I use this one exclusively over the 1st Kenpo.
Upper Plus is a good solid workout that isn't much different. It variations of all your normal back, chest, and arm workouts. It maybe be the most intense of the Plus series, but its nothing you have to have or didn't do with P90X.
I don't want to be overly critical of the Plus series, but Beach Body made these to capitalize on the original. I don't blame them, but I am disappointed and wished I hadn't bought them. They simply fall short in production value, intensity, and the results you get from them. These are shorter workouts meant to go along with the P90X workouts and not to replace them. You simply won't get the results as the original routines, but I don't think they are meant to. They only compliment the others, and so I could live without them. At 40 I'm looking for intense and challenging workouts to maintain what I got, and these don't do it for me. These are ideal for men and women who want a moderate workout in less than 35 minutes. If you haven't bought the P90X workouts, then I highly encourage you to do so. You won't be disappointed and the 12 routines will keep things really fresh. If you do have the originals, you really don't need these at all. They are nice complimentary workouts , and only ideal for someone looking for a moderate workout. I'm not a fitness trainer, so my opinion may not be worth spit. But for all of you guys, that are looking for a challenging to hard workout...don't buy these dvds. They are good but not worth the hundred Plus bucks you'll pay for them.

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If you love P90X and you're looking for a new challenge, the P90X Plus Series is for you. Professional trainer Tony Horton amps up the Muscle Confusion with brand new moves and never-before-seen workouts--all set to hot music created exclusively for P90X. The P90X Plus will break through plateaus with intense new cardio, muscle chiseling, and ab/core-ripping moves to ramp up your results.
The P90X Plus Series is for you, if you have achieved a respectable level of fitness and you have completed P90X. It will enhance any athletic performance and is the perfect tool to quickly build on your fitness accomplishments while getting you ripped beyond belief.



Five Extreme Workouts on Four DVDs:
Interval X Plus: A lot more effective than standard cardio, Interval X Plus propels your heart rate up and down with 3 speeds: recovery, medium, and full-out, creating the most dramatic change in the shortest period of time. (40 minutes)


Kenpo Cardio Plus: This advanced-level Kenpo, with new moves, will shred the most stubborn layer of fat with an all-out self-defense workout that builds stamina, balance, and agility.




Upper Plus: This monster upper-body workout will defy the plateau phenomenon by blasting all the muscles from the hips on up: chest, back, biceps, triceps, and shoulders, in a complete synergistic P90X way. After this one, you won't be able to pick up a ping pong paddle for a couple hours. (45 minutes)


Total Body Plus: By adding new synergistic moves, your muscles get pumped, then recuperate in stages until you've got nothing left. An unprecedented total-body phenomenon. (45 minutes)


Abs/Core Plus: This advanced new ab/core workout adds 4 different positions (hanging, sitting, standing, and plank positions) to intensify your ab work and shred your midsection even faster. Is a ten-pack even possible? You'll find out. (20 minutes)



Bonus Materials Include:
Fitness Guide with fully customized workout schedules showing you how to incorporate your new P90X Plus workouts into your complete P90X training system


Downloadable worksheets to record your reps and sets and track your progress.


24/7 online access to chats with Tony Horton and an amazing online community that will cheer you on.


DVD extras--Tony's Trainer Tracks with detailed professional tips on every move to help you achieve perfect form and even better results.




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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Beachbody Power 90 - 2 DVD Set with Tony Horton (The 90 Day In-Home Boot Camp for Total Body Transformation) Review

Beachbody Power 90 - 2 DVD Set with Tony Horton (The 90 Day In-Home Boot Camp for Total Body Transformation)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Power 90 is a 90 day program for men and women designed to transform your booty from NOT to HOT! The system includes 2 DVD's, a transformation tracker (paper calender to record your progress), descriptive booklet and guide to healthy eating.
To begin the program you record your weight and measurements. Then push play with Tony the instructor in your DVD player. You alternate between circuit days and cardio/abs days. The circuit days include exercises such as heavy pants, push ups, one arm triceps, bicep curls, back flys, lunges and more. The cardio/abs day includes kickboxing, leg raises, ab work and more. As you progress you move from the first DVD to the progressively harder second DVD. One very nice feature is each session is only about 30-40 minutes long. As the Beachbody company says from "power to shower in under an hour". Another great feature is the use of a sidebar on your picture screen. As you complete each exercise the color changes so you can view your time and progress.
Tony the instructor is a peppy guy with a sense of humor but not overdone. He is accompanied by a man and a woman in each set. Cueing is good with modifications suggested for those who need it. You may do the workout with free weights or purchase bands from the company. The bands are heavy duty and in my opinion make the workout much more difficult but may put strain on the back.
A simple diet guide is included in the program. Called "Michi's ladder" it suggests good foods to select from and eat most of the time. This is a simple brochure and more information is needed. To transform your body exercise is very important but what you eat counts A LOT! Not enough attention is paid to this.
Beachbody also recommends supplements which they sell of course. They claim that these will enhance your workout and help you achieve the body of your dreams at a much more rapid pace. However, when I checked into it, I found the studies they had done were limited and incomplete. Many of the ingredients are unproven. I would think twice about purchasing them. A "commercial" for the supplements is included on all Beachbody tapes.
I checked out the website over a period of several months and found a number of people who were happily shrinking in size and weight or gaining muscle. Many posted their pictures. Conversely, I also saw many who posted pictures and slowly faded from sight dropping out of the program, leaving their "befores" but no "afters" for all to see in cyberspace!
I really think the exercise program can be very effective, but it is repetitious. Day after day you will for 90 days be doing the same thing. But its a boot camp. For those who want to kick a** and don't mind repetition - this may be the ticket. Those who want to try it should also check out the free message boards at the companies beachbody.com web site.
Others may want to go with something simpler. Whatever you do, if you opt to go for it..stick with it a while before you post those "before" pictures just in case you never make it to the "after" stage!

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Two DVD designed to Sculpt, Sweat and Ab Ripper!

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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program Review

Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I'm a former P90X junkie. That program literally changed my life and got me into the best shape of my life, even at 40 years old.
So I was pumped when I saw this one coming down the pike. Got it for my birthday last year. However, this is not P90X. That is not a criticism at all, just don't expect more of the same.
This is all floor exercises using your body weight with lots of plyometric and isometic exercises, cardio and core exercise that will work you - hard. And then it will work your core even more. Its primary focus is the core.
And it will get you into the best shape of your life. I say that with a few caveats.
It's broken into two four week segments with a "recovery" week in between. I completed the first four weeks, the "recovery" week and the first week of the second half of the program. Had to slow down the intensity because my job went to 12 hour shifts.
I now do it several times a week, when time permits. I can tell you this, though: I do the Plyometric workout from P90X when I need an easy day. My leg strength, especially the explosive kind, has increased tenfold. And my cardio is through the roof.
But this will kick your a** no matter what kind of shape you are in. Even the participants in the DVD have to quit and take breaks. It's that intense.
It is tough on the body, though, so be prepared. If you aren't in some semblance of shape, you may want to rethink this one. I pulled a neck muscle during the first week because I didn't breathe properly. It will tax your joints, your knees, your feet, your back. It requires serious focus. Breathing is key. Drink lots of water. And move at your own pace.
The caveat is really only this: you may lose quite a bit of muscle mass. This doesn't mean you will get less strong but with no exercises for the biceps or the lats (no pull-ups here), those "glamour muscles" will lose size.
People commented on my weight loss, even though I wasn't trying to lose weight. I just couldn't eat enough food. Your food intake will determine your results. So I shrank but, in many ways, I was stronger than ever. Size doesn't always equal strength.
You will notice your body change, your core will be the strongest it's ever been and you will be in incredible shape, even if you only do the program at half the intensity.
I give it a thumbs up but know what you want to get out of the program and understand what it is about before investing your time and money in it.

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Shaun T's Insanity workout is the best of its kind. No other workout can get you these types of results in just 60 days... Guaranteed!Shaun T's Max Interval Training techniques are a step ahead of every other fitness program ever designed. You get you a lean, muscular body in a short amount of time. The Insanity Workout is a difficult workout, but the results are phenomenal.Brand New, Factory Sealed Box Set. Complete set includes a nutrition guide, calender to track your progress, and 10 intense DVDs that all contain a GREAT workout. You don`t need exercise equipment. All you need is just a little space and a big heart!You will receive:-Elite Nutrition Manual -Fitness Guide -Fit Test Tracker -Workout Calendar 10 Insanity Workout DVDs1: Dig Deeper & Fit Test:To start, Shaun T will put your body to the test and see what you're made of.2: Plyometric Cardio Circuit:Burn fat with intervals of intense lower-body plyo and sweat-inducing cardio.3: Cardio Power & Resistance:Build lean muscle and upper-body definition with strength-training and insanity workout power moves.4: Cardio Recovery:Shaun T goes easier on you once a week so you're ready for the next Insanity Workout round.5: Pure Cardio & Abs:Skip the intervals-this nonstop cardio workout is all extreme.6: Cardio Abs:Do explosive intervals of cardio and core moves for rock-hard abs.7: Core Cardio & Balance:Take a break after month 1 of the Insanity workout and gear up for month 2 with this workout.8: Max Interval Circuit:The interval circuit that's more intense than anything you've ever done before.9: Max Interval Plyo:Push your legs 'til they beg for mercy with power and plyo, all at your MAX.10: Max Cardio Conditioning & Abs:Get pushed to your limit with this extreme cardio workout

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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bob Harper: Cardio Conditioning Review

Bob Harper: Cardio Conditioning
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
NOTE: So far, I've only done the full-hour, more intense workout, not the shorter 25 minute one. I consider myself somewhere between an intermediate and advanced fitness level. Six days out of the week, I run regularly, do sprint intervals/HIIT routines and strength train with high-rep workouts (e.g., Jari Love, BodyPump).
This disc has two options: The full, one-hour workout or a condensed 25 minute workout, which is recommended for beginners. I put on my big-girl pants and decided to go for the full hour. I must admit, after watching some of the trailers, I was a little nervous. And looking back, I had every right to be, because this. Was. HARD.
It started out innocently enough, with some dynamic stretching and some basic punching moves. Then, you're instructed to pick up a dumbbell (I grabbed one that's slightly more than 8 lbs) and start moving into deadlifts with rows. Wait, time out! Strength training? I thought this was a cardio workout? Well, be patient. The deadlift rows transition into squats with arm swings, which I later learned is a common move that you come back to as an active recovery between the crazier moves. So what are some of those crazy moves, exactly?
* Squat Jumps (still holding the dumbbell, plus some isometric holds)
* Walk-outs (walking down into a push-up and back)
* Mountain Climbers (instead of taking a break in between sets, he makes you do push-ups AND hold in plank position!)
* Jumping Jacks (both with and without dumbbells)
* Jump Rope (with dumbbells)
* More squats (both at regular and pulsing paces)
* Fast Feet (these eventually lead into jump twists a.k.a. 180-jumps)
* More Walk-outs with an added jump
* Scorpion Push-Ups (this was definitely a "WTF?" moment for me... From a push-up position, you lift one leg up high, shift it toward the opposite side and then do a push-up. Um. Yeah.)
* Squats with Knee Raises
* Speed Skaters
* Tuck Jumps
* Various standing ab movesThat's not even a complete list, people. You just keep going. And going. And going some more. As I mentioned before, you regularly come back to the strength moves introduced in the beginning and those are pretty much the closest things you'll get to a break. Technically, there is a "water break," but it doesn't come until the last third of the workout and lasts for only a few seconds. Then, you're back to the grind. You get to see a sadistic side of Bob in this workout, clearly.
As far as the instruction goes, I think Bob could've done a slightly better job in describing form. Although, this workout pretty much dives in at an intermediate-to-advanced level, so if you're still learning proper form on things like squats, deadlifts and push-ups, you may want to train in those areas a little bit more beforehand. Also, it would've been nice to see Bob doing more of the workout himself, instead of just instructing/watching his 3 assistants (two girls, one guy).
I also found myself kind of irritated with how the assistants were regularly out of sync, even with Bob's cues, but then Bob straight up tells you not to focus on their pace and to just pay attention to your own performance. I agree, but it would still be nice to look up and see some consistency.
One thing I loved was seeing the assistants drip with sweat, run out of breath and sometimes, flat out stop because they're just plain tired. It was refereshing to see the people on the screen struggling to get through an interval just as much as me! I get discouraged sometimes when I'm doing a DVD, sweating my ass off and trying to catch my breath, only to see some chick smiling back at me with her make-up still in place. The people in this DVD are definitely working hard and not always smiling and I personally appreciated that.
Overall, I was seriously impressed by this workout. It definitely lived up to my expectations, as far as delivering a high-intensity challenge. In all honesty, I could not keep up for all 60 minutes and really struggled to put forth 100% effort. But I view that as a positive because now I know I not only got my money's worth, but I also have a new level of fitness to work toward. Not that it needs to be said, but I was absolutely drenched after it was over, as if I had just ran 5 or 6 miles. Ridiculous (in a good way).
And that was just one DVD. I still have 3 others to try, haha. Bob hasn't scared me off quite yet, but he has made me a bit anxious. I read some of the other reviews on here for this workout and couldn't believe some people had the nerve to say this DVD was "long and boring." Um, seriously? First of all, it says right on the DVD that the first workout is an hour, so there shouldn't be any surprises there. Secondly, I don't know what workout they were doing, but I didn't have time to get bored! Bob keeps you going non-stop, so my heart rate stayed elevated. I dunno about you, but I don't sweat buckets and drop the F-bomb multiple times when I'm bored.
As you can tell, I'm officially a fan and have no qualms telling you to go out and buy this already!

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Bob Harper: Cardio ConditioningIf you've got heart, you can get results. Your heart is the most vital muscle in your body; the engine that keeps you alive. In this ultimate cardio workout, Bob takes you through a series of explosive, non-stop drills in all three planes of motion that get your heart rate pumping to maximum fat-burning capacity. Optimize your powerhouse and defy limitations, with a calorie-igniting, weight-loss-fueling workout. Increase energy and enhance endurance, so you... blaze away fat and transform your body!

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