Hardcore Fitness Maniacs Check In for Sunday April 2

lorajc

Cathlete
Morning Fitness Maniacs -

This morning I did Amy Bento A Team Bootcamp followed by the 2nd block of the CIA Step Generation DVD (about 15 minutes or so) and then I did Eion Finn's Power Yoga for Happiness "Daily Dose of Bliss" Premix (40 min).

Wow --I'm spent and my legs are toast. All of those deep warriors in yoga are really killer on the legs and glutes after a Bootcamp workout. My legs are quivering and sore already LOL! Ever since I started doing power yoga, a regular 15 minute stretch session just doesn't make me feel stretched any more. Yoga really opens your body up in places you don't normally get to and you find out places your storing stress and work it out of there.

The A Team Bootcamp was fun. There were some unique moves. My favorite was this move called Riverdance/double jacks. It was like doing plyo lunges with your feet crisscrossed and then moving into double jacks. She also did a drill with flying jacks like Cathe. I used the same weights as she did and I think I could have gone heavier. A lot of the moves have a "functional fitness" feel to them. The only things I did not like about this workout is that it required way too much equipment (have to drag mine all out) and you only use the resistance tubing for 1 exercise and stability ball for about 3 things. The weighted bar is only used for about 2-3 things. If I'm short I'll time, I may just use dumbbells. She also used a rag on a wood floor, so you'd need a gliding disc or paper plate and this is also only used for one thing.

Amy again is very vocal, motivating and professional. The whooping doesn't bother me and so far, I like her. I did have one point where my DVD was stuck. I hope I'm not going to have problems with these.

Did anyone see my post last night about the 1 cent DVDs at MTV.com? I got the Pilates/Yoga 4 pack from MTV.com last night for $2.38. It rang up 1 cent plus shipping. The girls at VF showed it to me and I ordered cuz these are supposed to be good DVDs. I guess it was an error on their part, as today the 4-pack is listed at $29.99. When I last checked though, the single titles (MTV Yoga&Pilates) were still only 1 cent. They didn't fix those yet. I got order confirmation from them. I wonder if my order will go thru as placed? We shall see.

Off to soak my yoga butt and aching shoulders in the tub. We're going to see Basic Instinct 2 today.

Have great workouts.
 
I am seriously modifying.
The hole in my chest is really pulling today.
I am going to try 45 on the treadmill with the skinny strap on my gut to hold it in place. Just a fast walk and maybe some leg floorwork if i don't feel pulling. I think i could do squats and static lunges with no weights.
Wish me luck???
I am being careful....
I feel like i just had a baby with the swoolen belly and gas they blew into my gut. I can't stand it....
In a week or two i should be back to normal.'
I hope.
Anne
http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina
 
I got the power yoga, yoga, and pilates mix for 1 cent each!!! $2.96 total!!! I have the pilates mix which I LOVE!!! I bought another one for my daughter.
 
Morning ladies!

Thanks for the info Lora! I just bought the DVD's individually for .01 each. So all 4 DVD's were .04. I had to pay $2.99 for shipping and then .20 tax so my total was $3.15. Still a GREAT price. The 4 pack was now 29 but they must not have changed the price of them singlely. I wonder how long it will take to get these. Let us know of more great offers Lora!! I love them.

Well I have 5 groups in come to my open house yesterday. Not too bad. I ended up getting in some walking lunges while no one was there. LOL! I managed to look at 7 houses that were open yesterday. I can see 2 not staying on the market long at all!! I would have bought them myself.

What is everyone up to today??

Not sure here since we are to get storms all day. Yuck!

I will be back later!
 
Here's a review of Amy Bento's Step workout from someone at VF:

Preview/Review of Advanced Step Challenge-Amy Bento
Hi all-
Fed Ex delivered this tape as a was just coming in from a run, so I'll be trying it tomorrow for the first time, but I thought I'd give you my impressions from watching it for the first time.

Chapters:
Intro
Preview-(Very short instruction on 4 of the hardest moves in the workout)
W/U
Combo 1-looked tough to learn because it is done off of the front of the step
Combo 2
Combo 3-probably the least intense of all the combos
Combo 4
CD very short with a couple of standing and hamstring stretches
Powerups- 3 longish intervals with short breaks-very plyoish and very tough looking

Just to give you some backround, for stepping I use mostly Cathe, a few Christi's, a Season tape (RSS) and Kristen Kagen's 2 tapes. I have a couple of CIA's as well but I rarely use them.

This workout is completely different than any workout I own. There is almost NO breakdown of combos which makes it seem to me that once you know the moves, the intensity almost never lets up. I'll know for sure when I do it tomorrow, but the intensity throughout the entire workout looks to be on par with the challenge part of Cathe's Step Blast.

What really makes it look different is the amount of complexity COMBINED with the level of intensity. There are lots of turns, combined with jumps in new and interesting ways. The combos are short, but are repeated a bunch of times, and she puts some plyo moves right in the middle of combos to get your HR up even more.

The music is loud and good (IMO...funky). She has a TON of energy and does whoop it up quite a bit, but as I was watching I was thinking that I would appreciate that kind of encouragement to get through the workout. This is seriously fast stepping with plenty of intensity.

The set is light and bright, and I think it looks great for a first effort.

I'll add more after I actually do the workout tomorrow. I'd say from the preview that it looks like a winner. I'm glad I ordered.



Hi again!
I just finished and this is my new favorite step workout. It really is a ton of fun and a super-sweaty workout.

The feel is so different than other workouts because the combos are so short and repeated so often, but the complexity makes the combos so fun. As soon as you have had enough of one combo it's time to move on to the next. Time flew by.

I think if there were 5 combos instead of 4 I would have voted this the all-time perfect step workout. Without the Powerup section which is an add-on of about 5 minutes, the body of the workout is shorter (40min or so??) than what I'm used to doing when I step.

Next time I do this, I'm going to do the Powerup section after each combo. I think that would make it about an hour and probably give someone all the intensity they would ever want from a step workout.

Her terminology is different than other instructors', but once you understand what she is asking for, her cues are enough to get you through, and the repetition is enough to give you plenty of chances to learn it.

I have to give this workout a solid A. It would be an A+ if it was just a little longer.

BTW-The whooping didn't bother me at all, although my 8yr old daughter who has watched me do lots of workouts was watching and said, "I think she talks too much." I didn't notice at all when I was doing the workout itself.
 
Here's another review of the Step one and All Pump...........I'M ENABLING, aren't I????

My workout this evening consisted of Amy Bento's Advanced Step Challenge and All Pump. Together, they were about 80 minutes long. Advanced Step Challenge could have been longer had a I done the add - on at the the end (or you could put it at the beginning). I like this because these can stand alone at about 40 minutes or, if you prefer, add something to them -- I can see myself adding one of Cathe's Gym Style Premixes on to either one of these -- or pilates or yoga or callanetics.

Advanced Step Challenge is now tied with Seasun's Rock Steady Step as my favorite step of all tme. They both make me smile and I feel like a dancer when I do them. Both Seasun and Amy are encouraging but not sappy and the whooping ... well, I found myself doing it, too.

Lots of cool new moves were on both of Amy's workouts. The All Pump had some functional moves: I especially liked the way she works the lats. You pull the weight out and up and back rather than just up and back (can you picture it?). Also, there were squat curtsies with the bar bell (several sets of eight along with three sets of 16 squats). I loved the ab work with the stability ball especially the sunshines which worked the obliques -- while sitting on the step you pull the stablity ball down on each side so that you do an oblique crunch. I also liked the lunges with the front heel on a five-pound weight.

There were some new, cool moves in ASC also. Loved the back mambo -- I wish I could remember all of the names of these cool moves, but I just can't . I hope that someone else will be able to give really good descriptions. I can tell you, however, that this is not as hard as it looks -- especially if you watch the preview. I can also tell you that it really gives you a good workout! My heart rate was up and I was drenched with sweat! She added in some interval moves here and there like squats and lunges over the the step and after flying over the step, you drop into a curtsie on each side and touch the step -- wow! I know that I didn't make it look as easy as they did! Amy gives lots of pointers thoughout both ASC and AP. Finally, there is not a lot of TIFTing -- there's just enough.

Overall, both are excellent, and I'm glad I took the plunge. They, along with my new love of yoga, will add a dimension to my routing.
 
RE: Hardcore Fitness Maniacs Check In for Sunday April ...

Good Morning Fitness Goddesses!

Lora - THANKS so much for the reviews!!! WOW! She does look good. I'm still going to wait (remarkable restraint on my part, isn't it?!?), until summer as I have my P90X rotation coming up (scares me just to think about it!)

I ended up buying two set of the yoga/pilates workouts and a hip hop workout. My oldest DD is into yoga, so I figured I'd get a set for her, and my youngest is into Hip Hop dance, so I figured this might be fun for her - at $7, it's still a good deal even if she doesn't like it. That one's on backorder, but I figure she'll get it when she gets it. What a deal - thanks for pointing it out!

Sabrina - good luck with your open house today! Have fun!

Good news on my bad Friday - I did not gain a pound. I was very happy!

Today I'll be doing something. Cardio and Yoga. Not sure exactly what yet - probably PowerStrike 1 and Rodney Yee's Power Yoga. Oh, and 100 push ups to get ready for P90X. I'll do those through out the day, though. I hate rainy weekend as they mess up my outdoor plans! Oh well, soon enough we'll have all sunshine. It rarely rains in California in the summer.

Waves a merry hello to all who follow!
 
RE: Hardcore Fitness Maniacs Check In for Sunday April ...

Hey Lora - I have a question for you. Have you noticed improved strength and flexibility since starting the TLT's? I did Rodney Yee's Power Yoga today, and was stunned because formerly difficult poses were easier (not easy per sae, but a lot easier), and I can do a lot more full push ups as well. The only real change in my routine that I've done is add the TLT's, so I'm wondering if you've noticed anything, as well. I noticed the same thing during Leaner legs - I was able to go down further and I didn't start groaning until the 10th sit and stand (I usually start around the 4th), but I attributed that to being very warmed up after IMax2. Now I'm wondering...
 
RE: Hardcore Fitness Maniacs Check In for Sunday April ...

Just got home from the Mall. We went and bought the DH 2 pair of shoes. He got Timerbland's and Born's....I have good taste!

I just wanted to say that my DH is grumpy and he yells a lot but he did something today that reminded me of what a big heart he has. We were on our way to the movies (on the Interstate) and we saw a little dog running on the interstate right by the median. He pulled the car over, got out of the car and called the dog. THe dog was friendly and came right over to him and he carried it across the other side of the interstate and put it in the residential area that was off of the freeway. I hope the little doggie gets found by his owner. I'm such an animal lover and I hate seeing this! I'm always rescuing stray cats and taking them to the shelter. My DH is a real animal lover also!

The movie stunk BAD. I wasn't expecting much though.

Christine - the only thing I noticed from the TLTs, other than maybe slight definition in my legs from BBBB, was improved posture and awareness of holding my core tight. I'm not allowed to do some of the planks and different body weight moves, so I'm sure I don't get as much out of them as you do. What I have noticed is really making me be able to lift heavier is YOGA. Ever since I began doing yoga a couple times of week, I'm much stronger on my lifting days.
 
RE: Hardcore Fitness Maniacs Check In for Sunday April ...

Hi ladies,

Ii didn't check-in the last couple mornings. No real reason I just didn't :) I did workout yesterday and today. But I bet you all knew that anyway:) Been a quiet weekend and except for some shopping and friday night Dinner with a friend nothing to exciting.

Christine-I keep meaning to tell you that I am so envious of you living in California. Someday I really want to live in San Diego!

Lora-Thanks for the reviews.

Sabrina-How did your day go?

Hello to everyone else.

Terri
 
Good evening everyone,
Today I did 2 miles on the treadmill watching part of M & Mrs Smith the P90X stretch. My daughter came over last night and we watched Last Holiday. I thought this was a very good movie. I totally enjoyed the midieval fair today. Lots of booths, demonstrations, musicians, dancers, and theme costumes that you could buy and many were wearing around the park.

Lora, thanks for the reviews. I hold off till I see reviews and then I decide. Sometimes it takes me awhile to anylize whether the person is at an advanced level or likes music a lot etc.. It helps in my choices.

Christine, I bet you like P90X. I am so much better with my pushups. Flexibility is great here. I have gained upper body strength and have maintained with lower. I did add extra lower work (some here and there)and cardio so my lower body has been sore often anyway. Even the recovery weeks are tough. Lots of light weight and stretching. Different from Cathe and between the two I think I have gained a lot.

Hi to all
Diane Sue
http://wd.1ww.us
 

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