My journey to health of the last 3 years has included regular exercise, including both toning and cardio (mostly running with the dogs). The toning has progressed from easy to more and more challenging (see http://dbarfield.org/healthdiet/exercise/ for what I have used in the past as well as what Cathy has and is using).
But variety and changing up once in a while is good.
One day Cathy came across this system of 10 separate toning routines at our local grocery store for under $10. She took the chance that I could get that much value from it (you can get it via Amazon still for under $20.) If you want a solid, challenging, toning program you can do at home, with variety and minimum equipment, this set is a great value.
You don’t necessary need to keep up with the “athletes/models” on the video. As the instructor says over and over, challenge yourself with what you can handle in terms of weight and pace.
Below is a summary of the 10 CDs and how I use the system. I use 7 of the 10 CD’s, alternating with running (or using our elliptical in the winter).
Most of the workouts can be done in about 30 minutes; a couple of them are 40 minutes.
All the equipment you need is free weights. I current use 8, 10, and 15 pound sets. I may eventually get 20s. Women are challenged to get beyond light weights. Occasionally the routines use a large Swiss ball, but they provide alternatives if you do not have one.
The day will come when I will likely move on to something else, but for now, this is a great place for me. I have been reading more on exercise lately and these workouts seem consistent with current best practices in exercise.
Here are the 10 DVDs and their time outlines.
- Warmup (4:19): The warmup includes ab work (the core) & is (at first) like a mini-workout. At over 4 minutes, all of the DVDs except Tabatha Inferno has this warmup.
- Cool-down (5:57): These are stretches. All of the 10 DVDs have the same cool-down.
1. Chest & Back (32:30 total)
Workout (22:14): At over 22 minutes, they move fast on this first DVD.
3. Tabata Inferno (43:42 total)
Workout (37:45): This is long and tough but I like it. It includes moderate and tough aerobics, with some weight training. The exercises include jumping variations, core work, and the circuits don’t seem to end. When I am in a hurry, I leave out the last 5 minutes or so.
4. Shoulders & Arms (43:05 total)
Workout (32:49). This one makes my triceps very sore for a few days. It is getting a bit better as time goes on.
5. Cardio Challenge (41:22 total)
Workout (31:06): A good, challenging, cardio workout, alternating 30 seconds of aerobics, followed by 30 seconds of rest, followed by 30 seconds of using moderate weights in an aerobic fashion, followed by 30 seconds of rest, and then repeat the same pattern.
6. Legs (33:17 total)
Workout (22:51): This is not only leg work, including a fair amount of ab (core) work.
7. Total Body (33:33 total)
Workout (23:17). As the name implies, a good all-around workout.
8. Core Dynamics (28:22 total)
Workout (18:06): At just over 18 minutes, this is the shortest workout.
CD’s I do not use (and my substitutes)
2. Ultimate Ball (40:49 total) [I use Core Dynamics instead]
Workout (30:33): This uses the large Swiss ball. I just did it without the ball.
9. Back & Bi’s (56:38 total) [I use Shoulder/Arms instead]
Workout (46:22): This is the longest workout, at over 46 minutes.
10. Chest, Shoulders, & Tri’s (45:18 total) [I use Chest/Back instead]
Workout (34:52):