Give Me 10: Core Cuts
Amy Dixon, 2012

This dvd contains six 10-12 minute core focused workouts. Amy leads with 3 backgrounders, one providing beginner modifications. The set is an open studio and you will need a stability ball and dumbbells for some of the segments.

Hard Core Definitions: This is a traditional floor core routine. Exercises include: crunch variations, bike, leg drops, Turkish getups, plank variations, and a low back series.

Yoga 6 Pack: This is a standing & floor core focused yoga routine.  Exercises include: tree pose & side bend, triangle side bends, warrior 3 & knee pull, some great balance work, down dog knee pulls, side plank leg raises, and a table top series.

Tight n’ Toned Tummy: This is a weighted core focused routine that will also hit other muscle groups. Exercises include: curtsy & chop, side lunge & overhead reach, side bend leg raises, plank rows & press or snatch, Russian twists, and V sit dumbell pass through.

Core Ball Breakthrough: This standing & floor ball routine fully utilizes the ball. Exercises include: standing twists, deadlift series, hi plank series, dip & side bends, squat & twists, plank & pike w/ knee pulls, and lo back work.

Core Ball Blast: This floor ball routine uses the ball in many fun & effective ways. Exercises include: crunch series, ball roll outs & pull ins, oblique work, bridge series, & kneeling lean backs.

This dvd offers a lot of great core work and also hits other muscles as well. The pace in these workouts is quick so you really dont waste any time. Amy is a great lead with great cuing. I rate these routines intermediate to high intermediate but a mod always shows options! I received this dvd to review.

Review: Fat Burning Hip Hop Mix
Billy Blanks Jr., 2012

Billy leads this fun customizable 47 min workout with 6 background exercisers in a nice lighted studio. There are three 10 min sections and a 6 min section that combines the routines for an all out dance party. It also includes a separate w/u & c/d. You won’t need any equipment for this workout.

The 1st 10 min segment (Basics) is straight forward hip hop that is easy to follow and fun! The next segment (Hip Hop Bollywood) is a unique combination of Bollywood style moves with classic hip hop dance. The final segment (Hip Hop Samba) combines hip hop dance with samba moves. The final 6 min segment includes the completed routines from the other segments for a complete dance routine.

I rate this a low intermediate workout in terms of both choreo and intensity. Billy includes a unique mix of hip hop with other genres to create a fun workout that moves along nicely. He is very encouraging & his cuing is great. Great “feel good” workout that is easy to modify up or down. I received this dvd to review.

Review: Boston Body Barre
Zayna Gold, 2012

Zayna leads this 56 minute fully chaptered workout in a nice ballet studio w/ 4 backgrounders. Optional equipment includes a playground ball, a barre or chair, and a band.

Matt: (20 min) Exercises include c curve, bridge variations, & crab tricep dips. Zayna makes good use of the ball to add variety & intensity. Also included is a 6  min stretch.

Barre: (24 min) Exercises include pelvic tuck, pliet varieties, chair pose w/ ball thigh squeezes, a standing donkey kick series, hip shifts & hip circles. I like the unique feel to this workout and the pace is right on.

There is also a 4 min cardio and a 4 min upper body segment included. Exercises include: step touch, toe tap, knee pulls, cross knee pulls with a hop, upper back band pulls and shoulder pinches.

I rate this workout a low intermediate. Zayna is very mellow & down to earth and the variety of music is nice (hip hop to mellow yoga type music). Great for barre fans and some new & unique variations added in to make this a nice addition to your workout library. I received this dvd to review.

For More Information:
Visit the Boston Body Barre website
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Subscribe to the Boston Body Barre YouTube Channel

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Ballet Body: Core Ultimate Tummy Tightener
Leah Sarago,  2011

Leah leads this 45 minute core focused ballet & pilates workout alone in a nice ballet studio. You wont need any equipment for this workout.  The workout begins with a standing core section, followed by  mat work, and a 6 minute stretch.

exercises include: toe tap knee pulls  leg raises, side leg raises that really hit the obliques, elbow to side pull, pliet & overhead diagonal reaches, knee raises, & single leg balance pulses, side plank variations, butterfly pulses, V sit variations, leg shootouts & drops, torso circles, crunch variations, a side lying leg lift series, table top work, superman, and bridge work.

I rate this a solid intermediate workout. Lots of unique exercises and just the right amount of reps to get the job done but not kill you. Leah is a superb instructor with awesome form pointers and her cuing is spot on. I look forward to more from her in the future.

For More Information:
Visit the Ballet Body Website
Check out Leah Sarago ‘s blog- FREE DOWNLOADS!!
Like Ballet Body on Facebook
Follow @LeahSarago on Twitter

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Ballet Body: Lower Body Extreme Elongation
Leah Sarago,  2011

Leah leads this 54 min lower body focuses ballet style workout in a nice ballet studio. The dvd is voiceover & is not chaptered. You will need a barre or chair for this workout. Leah works out alone but offers suggestions for modifications for many exercises.

Standing exercises include: flexed & pointed toe lunges, pliet variations, close 1st position squats adding a knee raise, relavet, glute pinch, balance stick squats & curtsies, hip circles, hip tucks, and standing donkey kicks. Floor exercises include: single leg bridge variations, and single hamstring focused bridge work. Leah concludes with a 12 min stretch. She provides lots of unique exercises & adds in tempo variations.

I rate this a solid intermediate workout that is easy to modify to suit your needs. Leah is a fantastic instructor- precise cuing & excellent form pointers. I strive to achieve her muscle tone! This is a very unique ballet workout that is done at a great pace to really pack a lower body punch.

For More Information:
Visit the Ballet Body Website
Check out Leah Sarago ‘s blog- FREE DOWNLOADS!!
Like Ballet Body on Facebook
Follow @LeahSarago on Twitter

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Ballet Body: Upper Body Definition
Leah Sarago,  2011

Leah leads this 45 min ballet inspired upper body workout workout alone in a nice ballet studio.You will only need a set of light dumbbells. The workout is done voiceover & is not chaptered. The first portion of the workout is a plank series and is followed by standing upper body strength work with light dumbbells.

Floor exercises include: a very unique hi plank & side plank series with tempo variations, single leg pike & plank pulses, arabesque pushups, & tri pushup variations. Standing exercises include: arm circle & arm raise variations, balance stick delt fly and tricep work. TONS of unique moves and she really keeps things moving along at a great pace.

I rate this a solid intermediate workout. You may have to work up to the plank work if you have weak wrists. Leah is fabulously toned and provides excellent form pointers & cuing. She offers modifications to make the exercises easier. Tons of unique and effective upper body work. This is a great addition to anyone’s dvd library. I really like Leah’s instruction and the fun & unique exercises.

For More Information:
Visit the Ballet Body Website
Check out Leah Sarago ‘s blog- FREE DOWNLOADS!!
Like Ballet Body on Facebook
Follow @LeahSarago on Twitter

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Today’s Review: Transform Your Body with Brooke Burke: Tone & Tighten
Brooke Burke, 2011 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

Brooke leads this 61 min strength workout in an awesome warehouse type set. Brooke works out with 2 backgrounders, one of which provides intensity modifications. You will need dumbbells for this workout. The dvd is chaptered & customizable.

The first portion is chaptered as lower body but it is total body (27 min) utilizing dumbbells for the upper body & body weight only for the lower. Exercises includes: weighted punches, rows, dip & kicks, swimmer squats, squat & cross knee pull, pliet & W raise, and pliet variations.

The upper body portion (8 min) uses dumbbells and exercises include: outer bi curls, chest push outs, raise & chest scoop, rotator cuff, overhead tris, and one arm kickbacks.

The core section (16 min) is pretty tough & includes: plank variations, knee pushups with a leg raise, dead buy, sky push, double crunch, and finishes with an isolation hold.

I rate this workout intermediate done following Brooke. Add weights to the lower body work to up the intensity if desired. Brooke does a great job of keeping the legs moving during upper body work and really keeps a nice pace throughout allowing for heavier poundage. I really like Brooke as a lead, great form pointers and cuing. I really look forward to more from her. Very solid and well rounded workout. I received this dvd to review.