Functional Lower Body with the bonus workout

[nickisteen]

I am waiting on this one. I suspect I will use a lower step because of knee issues. This morning I followed the cardio from Cathe's Live 500 (which I love!), about 20 minutes, with the Bonus Balance on Functional Upper Body. Doubt I will be doing this one very much. It's all down on the mat, and the disks hurt my knees and my elbows and my hands. It was hard for me to concentrate on mastering the balance challenges when I hated the feeling of the disks. I have a knee replacement and it needs a soft surface, not this prickly thing. My other knee is okay, but I just didn't like the feeling of the disk, which left imprints all over me.

I used the smooth side of the discs. Not sure if that is correct, but I see what you mean using on the prickly side.

 

[Debinmi]

The balance disc section was great, too. I had to sub in a barbell bar for my balancing apparatus as I don't have a high-backed chair nor the bars she was using. The barbell bar worked pretty good for the most part, though I couldn't just go completely hands off like she did in some of the exercises.

I was thinking while doing the balance discs that I'm going to get some really strong ankles if I stick with the workout

IIRC, Cathe uses a BodyBar for balance in Legs & Glutes from the BodyBlast series too, so good thinking... use what you have, even a wall if needed.

I was just reading on the need to strengthen & improve mobility in ankles to protect our knees & meniscus, so another bonus!

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts!

 

[nickisteen]

I did the LFM Functional Lower Body and Bonus Disc today based on the reviews everyone gave them. I LOVE THIS workout!!
I was wary about the disc workouts but I am so enjoying them. This should improve my balance and strengthening of ankles, legs, etc. Can't wait to try the others.

 

[Kellyro77]

Did this for the second time, including the balance discs again as it came up in my rotation.

Just wow - I suspect that my only having a barbell bar to use as my balancing point (instead of the bar) makes some of these moves really tough. I'd be curious to see if anyone else tries it what your thoughts are.

It's mostly difficult with the single leg balances where she has you lifting you other leg behind you while you lean forward.

Only having the barbell also forces me to make some other decisions where balance work is concerned, too - like for the squats at the beginning where she has you remove your hands from the bar then touch them back. I put the barbell down entirely and just had to power through with no support at all. Did some arm windmills there a couple times.

My legs (glutes especially) are gonna be whining tomorrow.

 

[Lannette]

Did this for the second time, including the balance discs again as it came up in my rotation.

Just wow - I suspect that my only having a barbell bar to use as my balancing point (instead of the bar) makes some of these moves really tough. I'd be curious to see if anyone else tries it what your thoughts are.

It's mostly difficult with the single leg balances where she has you lifting you other leg behind you while you lean forward.

Only having the barbell also forces me to make some other decisions where balance work is concerned, too - like for the squats at the beginning where she has you remove your hands from the bar then touch them back. I put the barbell down entirely and just had to power through with no support at all. Did some arm windmills there a couple times.

My legs (glutes especially) are gonna be whining tomorrow.

I did this combo yesterday but I used one of Cathe’s dip bars. Maybe next time you could use fingertips against a wall or door? Or use the back of a chair? I would definitely be more challenged using a barbell.

For me the big reveal is how different my balance abilities are from right to left. I knew I have one leg that’s stronger than the other and has slightly more muscle. This workout really reveals how that translates into balance disparity. I believe that this rotation will help me even it out.

 

[rcsaros]

I did the balance disc workout again today, I think it is the third time, and I can tell my balance is getting a tad better. I can do the squats now without loosing as much balance. One side is definitely better at balance than the other side but it is a quick workout. For some reason today it seemed to fly by.

 

[Irolnnyl]

I threw in the balance disc bonus after a 30 minute spin bike workout, and I think I’ll continue doing it that way. The first section is so focused on ankle mobility that it just felt appropriate

 

[Debinmi]

I threw in the balance disc bonus after a 30 minute spin bike workout, and I think I’ll continue doing it that way. The first section is so focused on ankle mobility that it just felt appropriate

Good idea! I've been doing Kaleigh Cohen's spin workouts and usually do her stretches after. But a little added mobility & balance challenge would be good too!