Any Karen Voight fans?

[Jody]

I used to work out to Karen Voight way before I discovered Cathe. Although nowhere near the intensity level as Cathe, they have very similiar personalities - she is a serious professional, but comes across as being very easygoing and pleasant.

Anyhow, I noticed she has some new Sleek Essentials workouts out on dvd, which look interesting. The production value looks excellent (and she usually has great jazz background music), and I'm sure the workouts themselves are good. I did notice they involve a somewhat hard foam roller, which seems like it may be uncomfortable. She has one package which includes three workouts, plus the roller for around $50, which doesn't seem too bad, but I'm just a little nervous about this roller thing (plus I hate always having to buy some new workout gadget).

Anyone tried these workouts?

 

[EVCT]

I have a lot of her workouts that I never do any more. I have her Sleek Physique and used the stretching part of it. Now I only do Cathe.
Ellen

 

[sundari]

If you didn't wish to buy Karen's Sleek Essentials $50 kit. She has a Sleek Essentials II for $19.99 at Collage which is a 50 min. workout also broken up into 20 min. sections. You will need a roller for some portions though.

 

[LauraMax]

I'm not a huge fan of her home workouts, however I do find her very inspirational. That woman has an incredible body & looks amazing.

 

[kathryn]

I used to work out to Karen quite a bit. I still have several of her workouts, but I don't use them often. No real reason. I think she does a good job with high-rep/low-weight workouts, though she tends to use the same weight for triceps and back, for example.

I always like her form pointers, and she can kill the abs and triceps!

As for her being like Cathe, I agree in that they are both very professional, but the early Karen is very dry and serious (and I took some time off doing her workouts after she got breast implants).

I have her Sleek Essentials (Collage was selling it a while back for something like $39.95). I like the workouts: not as tough as Cathe, but some good functional fitness, a fun cardio workout, and some good foam roller work. Good for a recovery week, or when you want something a bit less intense than Cathe.

Don't be afraid of the foam roller: it's one of the best pre-hab/rehab tools to own. Karen doesn't use it for self myofascial release (which can be uncomfortable if you have trigger points, but helps so much in relieving them). She uses it as way of engaging the core while doing other work (like doing chest flyes, and alternating chest flyes, while lying on it), as a prop (using it to help with balance while doing 1-legged deadlifts), and as a stretching prop.

I like the set, but I don't think I'd pay the current price for it. The new DVD that someone mentioned above will give you a taste of what the workouts are like. From what I understand, the three sections are similar to what's in the three Sleek Essentials workouts, but different footage.

 

[Jody]

Thanks for the feedback, and to Kathryn for the info on the roller. I remember when they had the Sleek Essentials package on Collage for $39.95, and then before I had time to decide if I should get it, it was gone maybe two or three weeks later! I was a little annoyed about the price increase when it was re-released, even though it's still a pretty good deal for what you get.

I'll probably cave in and get the dvds...I'll let you know how I like them!

 

[bethj]

I got the set from Collage also when it was only $39 and I'm glad I did. It was a really good price for it. The "sweat" workout is a fun kickboxing routine. "Strength" is more functional fitness than heavy weights but well done. My favorite is "Sleek". It is a surprisingly tough yoga, balance, and core workout. Every muscle in my body is quivering when I do this one, to hold positions while trying to balance. I sweat up a storm too. I think it really is the "secret weapon" as Karen calls it of the 3. I also love using the roller for myofascial release of my traps, which get so tight and knotted up around the shoulder blades. Karen also does some very deep stretches using the roller that are unique.
Beth