Namaste Yoga Beginner Series Class 4: Episode 132

Zumba Class with Gigi Galante

Time:  29:33
Equipment needed:  None

I do like this workout by Gigi but not as much as the other one I've posted here on the blog.  I think my rhythm was a bit off today and I just like more of the songs in the other video.  This one is still good and still fun.

10 Minute Ab Workout

Time:  11:41
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat

This is a great ab workout.  It was tough.  I think she could have made more modification suggestions.

Full Upper Body Workout by Empower Your Body TV

Time:  9:25
Equipment needed:  Dumbbells

This workout is ok.  It's not really a follow along video and she doesn't explain that at the beginning.  I went ahead and just did what she did as she did them but according to her it's not enough repetitions of each exercise.  She does have some really good advice about proper form.

Full Body Stretch

Time:  9:01
Equipment needed:  None

This was a nice full-body stretch but it doesn't do quite enough arm stretches, so I added more stretching at the end.

Hottie Pilates Butt Burner Workout

Time:  13:28
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.  Tears.

This is one of those workouts that makes you curse at the TV, cry, and pray for it to be over.  "Butt Burner" ain't no joke... this workout hurts!  It really did make me cry.  I was already cursing by the time the kicks on my knees were done, then she goes and does a bunch of stuff in bridge, of which the bridge-work where we are on our heals made me cry, that seriously hurts and I called her a name or two.  By the time you go back to kicks at the end, those no longer feel like such a big deal anymore.  It's 13 minutes of pure torture but I made it through, I survived, and I didn't quit.

Namaste Yoga Beginner Series Class 3: Episode 131

Time:  54:27
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.  Two yoga block or a blanket.  Yoga strap or an exercise band.  Wall or tree or something else to put your feet up on.

This was a really great yoga class today.  I like Melissa's style and the way she's been doing this beginner's series.  Today's class did a bunch of preparatory poses all for doing an inversion pose, the shoulder stand.  Everything was slow and deliberate.  It all felt so good and so relaxing.  The preparatory poses really do make going into and holding the shoulder stand much easier.  I'm truly enjoying this beginner's yoga series.

Walking Cardio Shape-up

Time:  46:44
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.  Dumbbells.

This is a fantastic low-impact, high-intensity walking and toning workout.  Chris alternates between walking cardio segments and toning segments.  I used 5 lb dumbbells throughout the workout because my arms have already been worked out pretty good over the past few days.  This walking workout is much more intense then Leslie Sansone's walking workouts but you can tone it down to more of that speed, if you need to.  I worked hard and I felt so good after this workout was over.

The Beach Bum Workout: Bum

Time:  8:22
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat

This is a great butt and thigh workout.  Thank goodness it's only 8 minutes long.  I like that there are 3 fitness levels featured.  It's good to see the different modifications to each exercise.  I used the intermediate and advanced levels.  My butt and thighs were burning.

Abs of Steel: Program 1

Time:  11:35
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat

I remember doing this workout years and years ago.  Most likely it was something that my mom checked out from the library, though we might have owned the video, too.  I've always loved Tamilee Webb's workouts.  This one is no exception.  It is tough.  My abs were burning by the end and I was so grateful when it was over.

FigureRobics by Jung Dayeon: Figure Dance

Time:  30:05
Equipment needed:  None

I have been wanting to do this workout for weeks now but since I only schedule one workout per day, I had to wait.  It won't take you long to realize that the whole thing is almost completely in a different language.  Only the name of the program, some of the text on the video, and the counting are in English.  These few things are what make this video doable without understanding everything else she is saying.  It is a great workout and the movements are easy enough to follow just by watching.  My arms were burning by the end of the upper-body work.  They go through each series of exercises twice with a bridge in-between.  There is no cool-down stretching at the end, so you'll probably want to add that at the end.

eFit30 Pilates for Beginners

Time:  28:15
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat

This workout is a good workout for beginners but the video quality is so bad that it's a bit frustrating to follow.  It can be pretty pixely at times, her voice gets louder and softer throughout the workout, and the audio and video don't match.  For this reason, I gave this one 3-stars.

They suggest plenty of modifications for those who have neck or back problems or are just at a different fitness level.  I wasn't feeling very strong today, so I used most of the modifications plus a few others that they didn't suggest.  For instance, I kept both feet on the floor the entire time during the bridge exercise.  My legs and butt still got a good workout with that exercise but today I just didn't feel strong enough to do the bridge with one leg up in table-top.  It's a perfect workout for those just starting pilates.

Namaste Yoga Beginner Series Class 2: Episode 130

Time:  1:06:35
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.  Yoga blog or small stool.  Tennis ball.  Chair.

This yoga class is the second in a series of beginners classes.  You can find the first one here.  I really enjoyed this class today.  This series goes through everything very slowly and it's very basic but it's the perfect foundation to have to move onto harder classes.  Dr. Melissa West really explains everything very clearly, the hows and the whys.  I like her low-key style and how she takes her classes out into nature.  The tall grasses and the trees in this video remind me of one of my favorite nature centers nearby.  This video is all standing poses.  Very simple and very basic but done in a way that really prepares you for harder stuff.  I love how she has you set an intention at the beginning of the class and then has you reflect at the end of the class.  If you're looking for a nice relaxing yoga workout, this is perfect.  If you're a yoga beginner, this is perfect.  If you've been doing yoga for awhile and just want a refresher on the basics, this is perfect, too.

30 Minute Booty Boot Camp: Butt and Thigh Workout

Time:  30:28
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.  Dumbbells.

This is a great lower body workout!  I do expect my legs and butt to be sore tomorrow because this workout was tough.  The workout consists of 8 exercises of 14 repetitions each and 3 rounds through.  This is my second FitnessBlender workout I've had here on the blog and I really enjoy how they present the workouts.  There is one person explaining the exercises and another person showing you how to do them.  There is a brief segment before the beginning of each exercise that shows you proper form and how to do the exercise.  It does this before every exercise throughout the entire 3 rounds.  This not only shows you what's coming up and how to do it but it gives you a brief moment to get a sip of water, if needed, and to get into position for the next exercise.  The only time you'll need dumbbells is for the deadlifts.  I used two 5 lb dumbbells for this exercise.  You can use one heavy one, like they do, or none at all.

Abs Of Envy Workout

Time:  21:11
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.  One dumbbell.

This was a very interesting workout.  I like that most of the workout is a standing abs workout.  You don't get down on the mat until near the end.  There were quite a few ab exercises included that I had never done before.  I used a 3 lb dumbbell, I couldn't have gone any heavier than that because not only are you getting an ab workout, all of the arm movements are also working your shoulders.  If you notice yourself getting a little too tired using the dumbbell, then put it down and do the workout without it.  Your abs will still get a great workout.  They also do a plank crawl towards the end.  It's tough.  If you have a hard time keeping good form during the crawl, just hold the plank stationary.  The music in the background is a little quirky and just slightly annoying at times.  That's the only negative thing I have to say about this workout.

Total Upper Body Dumbbell Workout

Time:  The video is 11:37.  The workout will take longer.
Equipment needed:  Dumbbells

Mike put together a great upper-body workout in this video.  He shows you one round of the set and you are to complete 4 rounds total.  Be sure to watch the video for Mike's tips and to see proper form.  Be sure to use the full range of motion in each exercise.  It doesn't always look to me like Mike is doing that but maybe what he's doing is his personal full range, so it's hard to judge.  If you can't do clapping push-ups (I can't), then do regular push-ups, or push-ups from your knees.  Watch your form on push-ups, most people don't do them right.  Your wrists should be directly under your shoulders and you should lead with your chest, not your head.  This workout is not a race, watch your form and do the exercises correctly.  I used 5 lb dumbbells throughout the workout.  I could have used 8 lbs for both the rows and the curls, the 5 lb dumbbells just weren't heavy enough.  Next time I'll be sure to up my weight for those exercises.

Here is one round:



Back - One Arm Dumbbell Rows - 10 reps each side
Chest - Clapping Push Ups - 10 reps
Shoulders - Standing Dumbbell Press - 10 reps
Biceps - Alternating Dumbbell Curls - 10 reps each side, alternating
Triceps - Tricep Extension - 20 reps
Trapezius - Shrugs - 20 reps

Full workout:  Complete 4 rounds.

Warm-up & Joint Mobility Before Workout

Time:  6:16
Equipment needed:  None

This is a very basic warm-up routine with a few stretches.  There is no instruction, you just follow along with the video.  I think she does a good job doing what would get the joints nice and loosened up before a workout.  I take a bit of an issue with her inner-thigh stretches, though.  She bends fully down on her supporting leg and it's been known for years that it's best to only take your legs to 90 degrees so that your knee doesn't go past your toes and thus cause unnecessary stress on you knees.  The picture below shows the proper way to do this stretch.  Other than that, this is a pretty nice warm-up routine.  It covers everything from head-to-toes.

http://www.fitsugar.com/Stretch-Inner-Thighs-860401

15 min Beach Body Pilates Workout

Time:  16:18
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.

Let me just say, thank goodness this workout is only 15 minutes.  Sol gives us a super simple workout that's nearly tough as nails.  My arms are going to be so sore tomorrow.  I have a tender lower back, so there's an ab move that she does with her legs up in the air and she's moving them side-to-side, that I had to be careful with because it was bothering my lower back.  I didn't take my legs as far over to the sides as she did.  I also didn't do the body rolls or the roll-up from my back to my feet.  I don't need to bruise my lower back like I did a few weeks ago during a yoga workout.  Sol does give you different levels of each workout, so you can tailor it to your fitness level.  Her personality is great, too, which makes it pleasant to workout with her.

Make Your Own Sports Drink... Ditch Gatorade and Powerade

After watching today's BeFit in 90 Trainer Tip, I decided to see what sort-of homemade sports drink recipes are out on the Internet for those of us who prefer not to ingest chemical-laden, HFCS-laden, mass-marketed sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade.  You'll also cut down on the consumption of disposable plastics, too, by making your own, and you'll save money!  We're all about saving money around here.  The blog is full of FREE workouts, you know.  ;)

So here are a few links to the recipes that I've found.  They all look super easy to make and definitely look more appealing than a bottle full of corn syrup and chemicals.

Two variations at Sports Girls Play.
One using maple syrup & Himalayan crystal salt at Quantum Balancing.
Some really great varieties at BRT Insights.
Two different variations at Lifehacker, here and here.
One at The Consumerist.
Last but not least, as this looks interesting using herbs, this one at eHow.

Yoga for Complete Beginners

Time:  20:03
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.

Yoga, as a practice, is highly based upon breathe, and in this way, this can be classified as a yoga routine.  If you are looking for a routine that shows you poses and does anything more than stretch you out, this is not it.  I am basing my rating on the fact that this is labeled as a yoga routine and not a yoga-inspired stretching routine.  This video would be great as a cool-down stretch but for yoga, it lacks content.  I do like the music in the background and the atmosphere of the video is relaxing, though the sound quality is lacking, but it's not a professionally done video so that's understandable.  This certainly wasn't a waste of my time.  It felt good to do such gentle stretches but it's not a yoga routine.

Janis Saffell Kickbox for Weight Loss

Time:  55:36
Equipment needed:  None

Hair soaking, sweat dripping, fantastically fabulous, kickboxing workout!  Wow, what a workout! Love, love, love!  I did really well until about 30 minutes in and then I hit a wall, wham, and had to lower the intensity for a bit to get my groove back so I could finish it strong.  The workout is simple enough that you don't need to watch it ahead of time.  Janis' instruction is fantastic.  Watch the other woman on stage if you need a bit of modification.  She modifies throughout the workout. Janis does an ab roll-up with a jump towards the end of the workout.  I passed on doing that knowing how easily I can bruise my lower back doing those roll-ups.  Do what you can and try to keep up.  The natural high that's surging through my body right now is amazing!

Zumba Class with Gigi

Time:  49:46
Equipment needed:  None

FAB.U.LOUS!  I have been eyeing this workout since I found it last week.  It looked so fun and I love to dance, so I threw that in this evening as an additional workout for today since no one was home for me to make a fool of myself in front of.  I can't wait until I better learn all of the steps for each routine.  I'll really be able to get into it then.

Denise Austin Abs & Lower Body Workout

Time:  12:34
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.  Dumbbells.

I recommend watching this workout beforehand.  Denise's cues are off on this one and she moves very quickly between exercises.  Other than that, it was a nice and quick workout for the abs and lower-body.  It was just what I needed on such a busy day.

FitnessBlender 20 Minute Home Upper Body Workout

Time:  20:03
Equipment needed:  Exercise mat.  Dumbbells.

This was a good upper-body workout.  The instruction is well-done and there is plenty of time to rest or change weights in-between each exercise.  You will go through 3 rounds of 6 exercises with 12 repetitions each (or as many as you can do while keeping proper form).  Today was the first day I was able to do push-ups from my knees without bending at my waste at all.  My plank from shoulders to knees was completely flat.  I could only do about 8 repetitions in the time allotted but I wasn't thinking about that at all.  I was just happy to see that in 2 short weeks of consistent exercising, I could get strong enough to do them properly from my knees.  There is a really good upper-body stretch at the end, too.