Yes, this is the same as the Kelly Ripa stuff -- so much hype because of Kelly, I think. And yes, I'm still doing weights -- I think this is sort of considered "strength training" but it's very different, so I think nothing of doing a heavy weight day and then a barre the next day. I'm doing a really fun rotation now that is sort of like this:
day 1: total body heavier weights (like muscle max, say)
day 2: cardio coach w/ a short barre workout
day 3: circuit (drill max or shred, something like that)
day 4: cardio barre
day 5: kettlebell
day 6: another total body maybe lighter weights
day 7: stretch
I'm really loving the variety!!
As far as Cardio Barre and Exhale workouts...... I was hoping CB would have more of a cardio factor than it has -- my heart rate gets up there a little, but it's not anywhere near what it is for a typical cardio day for me or for kettlebells. They have two dvds out -- the workouts are all pretty similar but just done at a faster pace, from what I can tell -- there's a little variety, but it's not huge. I've only done one Exhale dvd because I just got the other two -- had ordered from amazon and because the one was a pre-order, they didn't ship either until it released. I like the Exhale workout I have done, but the common complaint is that there is too much "set up" time -- just too much time between exercises and so it's not as tough as it could be. But, they have good form pointers and it seems harder than the original bar methods.
Just a side story here..... when my kids were younger we lived in San Francisco and I had a period of time where I was really into the bar method and going to the studio almost every day for classes. There was another mom from the preschool who also went, and one time we were at some adult event, and one of the husbands overheard her saying to me "I haven't seen you at the bar lately." and his eyes got big thinking that this is what the moms do once they drop off the kids at preschool -- hit the bars!!
-Beth
