jillybean
Cathlete
Okay, in a previous thread I promised I’d come back and post about the filming of Tracey Staehle's Sweatfest series. Well, here is that post.
The day of filming (January 20th) started early. I believe we arrived at the studio around 7:00 a.m. First up was Cardio Sweatfest, and the first portion to be filmed was the kickboxing. Greg Twombly (the producer) and the camera guys were ready to rock and roll so they took a few pics, set up the cue cards, and Tracey and her kickboxing FIT Team were good to go!!! The introduction to kickboxing involved Tracey and Jess going through some form pointers and brief instruction.
Jess is a martial artist who choreographed the kickboxing portion of Cardio Sweatfest. She is fantastic. The day before filming, we stopped by the studio to do brief run-throughs of step and kickboxing, and Jess and Barbie (the cast, along with Tracey, of kickboxing) went through each combo as I played ‘dj.’ Dressed in jeans, Jess could kick amazingly high. I had a blast watching them practice their combos and knew then and there that Cardio Sweatfest was going to be a workout I would be using A LOT in the future.
Filming of kickboxing began. The combos were choreographed perfectly to each song. I was amazed at this workout. As I said before – it reminds me a lot of the earlier Powerstrike videos in that it takes up very little space, is intense, and puts a strong emphasis on form and execution of movement. Jess and Tracey really got “up there” with their jump kicks while Barbie showed a lower impact modification. This workout, though a cardio workout, seemed to me to be almost a ‘total body workout’ as it appeared to really work the legs, core, and arms and shoulders. Tracey commented afterwards how incredibly tight her biceps were. I can’t wait to feel that burn myself once these babies are ready to ship!! Now, I know there’s been lots of ‘talk’ surrounding the pants worn for the kickboxing workout, but I thought they looked great when Tracey, Jess, and Barbie did their kicks. The green at the bottom of the pants just seemed so cool as the kicks were perfectly in unison. A few minor snafus aside (Tracey’s adorable braids hitting her microphone, etc), kickboxing went off with nary a hitch and it was over! I was blown away by this workout!
Next up was hi/lo, the second portion of Cardio Sweatfest. This involved Tracey, Donna (Jess’ mom, whom some of you will recognize from Tracey’s first series), and Barb. From the warm up on, I was in love with this workout. It just looked so fun! There is this move called the “superstar” that I had to do while watching the filming – I couldn’t wait. Tracey and team broke a sweat during this one. Oh, and they had cool appliqué dragons on the bottoms of their pants – wait until you see.
Break for lunch – woo hoo!!! Flank steak and chocolate cake. Color me happy!!!
Here’s my big moment – Sculpt Sweatfest is next. Tracey, Tyler, Elizabeth, Allison, and I get our equipment and go! The first part of this workout involves lots of core work, rehabilitation type movements, and some innovative shoulder, back, and hip/thigh work. I was really glad I practiced as much as I had because once you’re up there under the hot lights, having to do more than one take of something, you’re really, really thankful for any and all endurance you possess. Second section focuses on stability and balance. Yep, you guessed it – this is where the love-to-hate/hate-to-love kneel on the stability ball move comes into play. At first, I struggled to stay on the ball and became so irritated with myself! Greg yelled “cut” and we tried for ‘take two.’ Tracey and crew were great and told me to relax and not be so hard on myself. Second try, I got up there and stayed up there! I was too nervous and focused to be proud, but I was relieved once that exercise was over! There are also some unique squats on the BOSU in the second half of Sculpt Sweatfest that will challenge the most stable of exercisers! Due to time constraints, Tracey cut the final 30 min section, but capped off an already great 60 min workout with a thorough stretch. I was sweaty, sore, and fatigued after Sculpt. I honestly think you’ll find the 60 min challenging and tough. This is a workout to grow with, trust me!
Now my job is done and I can relax. Tracey’s endless energy kills me. She changes outfits in a snap and is ready for more! Next and last – woo hoo – is Step Sweatfest. Tracey, Allison, Donna, Barb, and Elizabeth look fit and ready! The first 30 min are filled with straightforward choreography and intervals. Upon watching the filming I get all eager and realize that this, too, is a workout I see myself using over and over. Everyone seems energetic and happy. Allison’s bouncy style and smile kill me and she makes the whole room come alive. Tracey looks fresh and spry as well. It’s hard to believe she’s been at this for nearly ten hours.
Section two of Step Sweatfest looked sooooo fun! There’s this cool move called “the whirlybird” which I cannot wait to try. There is little to no breakdown in this workout – it’s simply ‘get on your step and move!’, but get this – Tracey is offering a free DVD containing a breakdown of this workout for anyone who wants it. I am slow to learn step so I think it’s great that she’s offering this option!! Step Sweatfest can be used as one longer step workout, or can be used as two separate step workouts. I can’t wait to use half of Step Sweatfest with half of Sculpt Sweatfest for a 60 min total body workout.
(And wait until you see the premixes we’ve got cookin’. I think you’ll be pleased!!!!)
Was it tough? Yes, and I only appeared in one video! But I had a blast and would do it again in a second. It was quite a learning experience and while I already admired folks like Tracey, Cathe, etc for all that goes into what they do – now that I know what a filming truly entails – I have the utmost respect for at-home video instructors. They are fit, fearless, and fabulous at what they do.
It was such a treat to be a part of this experience. I am not exaggerating when I say that Tracey’s FIT Team is made up of the nicest, funniest people around. We all got along smashingly and I felt as though I’d known them for years – we fell into conversation easily and had a blast the day after filming, hanging around in Philadelphia and acting like total goofballs.
It sounds like Greg is zipping through the editing on this project. Tracey and I are hard at work on the premixes. I can’t wait for these DVDs to be pressed and ready!!! I hope you guys are as excited as I am!!
The day of filming (January 20th) started early. I believe we arrived at the studio around 7:00 a.m. First up was Cardio Sweatfest, and the first portion to be filmed was the kickboxing. Greg Twombly (the producer) and the camera guys were ready to rock and roll so they took a few pics, set up the cue cards, and Tracey and her kickboxing FIT Team were good to go!!! The introduction to kickboxing involved Tracey and Jess going through some form pointers and brief instruction.
Jess is a martial artist who choreographed the kickboxing portion of Cardio Sweatfest. She is fantastic. The day before filming, we stopped by the studio to do brief run-throughs of step and kickboxing, and Jess and Barbie (the cast, along with Tracey, of kickboxing) went through each combo as I played ‘dj.’ Dressed in jeans, Jess could kick amazingly high. I had a blast watching them practice their combos and knew then and there that Cardio Sweatfest was going to be a workout I would be using A LOT in the future.
Filming of kickboxing began. The combos were choreographed perfectly to each song. I was amazed at this workout. As I said before – it reminds me a lot of the earlier Powerstrike videos in that it takes up very little space, is intense, and puts a strong emphasis on form and execution of movement. Jess and Tracey really got “up there” with their jump kicks while Barbie showed a lower impact modification. This workout, though a cardio workout, seemed to me to be almost a ‘total body workout’ as it appeared to really work the legs, core, and arms and shoulders. Tracey commented afterwards how incredibly tight her biceps were. I can’t wait to feel that burn myself once these babies are ready to ship!! Now, I know there’s been lots of ‘talk’ surrounding the pants worn for the kickboxing workout, but I thought they looked great when Tracey, Jess, and Barbie did their kicks. The green at the bottom of the pants just seemed so cool as the kicks were perfectly in unison. A few minor snafus aside (Tracey’s adorable braids hitting her microphone, etc), kickboxing went off with nary a hitch and it was over! I was blown away by this workout!
Next up was hi/lo, the second portion of Cardio Sweatfest. This involved Tracey, Donna (Jess’ mom, whom some of you will recognize from Tracey’s first series), and Barb. From the warm up on, I was in love with this workout. It just looked so fun! There is this move called the “superstar” that I had to do while watching the filming – I couldn’t wait. Tracey and team broke a sweat during this one. Oh, and they had cool appliqué dragons on the bottoms of their pants – wait until you see.
Break for lunch – woo hoo!!! Flank steak and chocolate cake. Color me happy!!!
Here’s my big moment – Sculpt Sweatfest is next. Tracey, Tyler, Elizabeth, Allison, and I get our equipment and go! The first part of this workout involves lots of core work, rehabilitation type movements, and some innovative shoulder, back, and hip/thigh work. I was really glad I practiced as much as I had because once you’re up there under the hot lights, having to do more than one take of something, you’re really, really thankful for any and all endurance you possess. Second section focuses on stability and balance. Yep, you guessed it – this is where the love-to-hate/hate-to-love kneel on the stability ball move comes into play. At first, I struggled to stay on the ball and became so irritated with myself! Greg yelled “cut” and we tried for ‘take two.’ Tracey and crew were great and told me to relax and not be so hard on myself. Second try, I got up there and stayed up there! I was too nervous and focused to be proud, but I was relieved once that exercise was over! There are also some unique squats on the BOSU in the second half of Sculpt Sweatfest that will challenge the most stable of exercisers! Due to time constraints, Tracey cut the final 30 min section, but capped off an already great 60 min workout with a thorough stretch. I was sweaty, sore, and fatigued after Sculpt. I honestly think you’ll find the 60 min challenging and tough. This is a workout to grow with, trust me!
Now my job is done and I can relax. Tracey’s endless energy kills me. She changes outfits in a snap and is ready for more! Next and last – woo hoo – is Step Sweatfest. Tracey, Allison, Donna, Barb, and Elizabeth look fit and ready! The first 30 min are filled with straightforward choreography and intervals. Upon watching the filming I get all eager and realize that this, too, is a workout I see myself using over and over. Everyone seems energetic and happy. Allison’s bouncy style and smile kill me and she makes the whole room come alive. Tracey looks fresh and spry as well. It’s hard to believe she’s been at this for nearly ten hours.
Section two of Step Sweatfest looked sooooo fun! There’s this cool move called “the whirlybird” which I cannot wait to try. There is little to no breakdown in this workout – it’s simply ‘get on your step and move!’, but get this – Tracey is offering a free DVD containing a breakdown of this workout for anyone who wants it. I am slow to learn step so I think it’s great that she’s offering this option!! Step Sweatfest can be used as one longer step workout, or can be used as two separate step workouts. I can’t wait to use half of Step Sweatfest with half of Sculpt Sweatfest for a 60 min total body workout.
(And wait until you see the premixes we’ve got cookin’. I think you’ll be pleased!!!!)
Was it tough? Yes, and I only appeared in one video! But I had a blast and would do it again in a second. It was quite a learning experience and while I already admired folks like Tracey, Cathe, etc for all that goes into what they do – now that I know what a filming truly entails – I have the utmost respect for at-home video instructors. They are fit, fearless, and fabulous at what they do.
It was such a treat to be a part of this experience. I am not exaggerating when I say that Tracey’s FIT Team is made up of the nicest, funniest people around. We all got along smashingly and I felt as though I’d known them for years – we fell into conversation easily and had a blast the day after filming, hanging around in Philadelphia and acting like total goofballs.
It sounds like Greg is zipping through the editing on this project. Tracey and I are hard at work on the premixes. I can’t wait for these DVDs to be pressed and ready!!! I hope you guys are as excited as I am!!
I can't wait to get these dvds they look so much FUN!! BTW you look AWESOME!!If you don't mind......may I ask what was your rotation while you trained to get ready for the sweatfest dvds?? 
