LM&R Fn Core Fusion

[Debinmi]

Most of Cathe's core workouts are add-ons to the main workouts. LM&R's Fn Core Fusion is a stand-alone workout in that it has a warm-up and cool-down/stretch. I really enjoy core work using the stability ball as in the bonus in Butts&Guts and in Kick,Punch & Crunch - the ball feels good on my back. If you take out the W-up/stretch in Core Fusion, it would be about 20 minutes, so a lengthier add-on but still doable. Plus there are Timesaver premixes at just over 20 minutes - if you removed the w-up/stretch, it'd be even shorter.

This could also be done completely with a shorter cardio workout, like a HiIt, which is how I'll probably incorporate it.There is a bonus 2nd Level that's just over 10 minutes with no warm-up/cooldown if a typical add-on length is wanted - that little workout uses both the stability ball and the mini-yoga ball ... I liked that little addition!

This is not a strenuous core workout, yet I think it's effective and works the entire core. There are both familiar moves and new twists, especially with the little mini-ball - it's not really required but adds another little variation

 

[vivbc]

Most of Cathe's core workouts are add-ons to the main workouts. LM&R's Fn Core Fusion is a stand-alone workout in that it has a warm-up and cool-down/stretch. I really enjoy core work using the stability ball as in the bonus in Butts&Guts and in Kick,Punch & Crunch - the ball feels good on my back. If you take out the W-up/stretch in Core Fusion, it would be about 20 minutes, so a lengthier add-on but still doable. Plus there are Timesaver premixes at just over 20 minutes - if you removed the w-up/stretch, it'd be even shorter.

This could also be done completely with a shorter cardio workout, like a HiIt, which is how I'll probably incorporate it.There is a bonus 2nd Level that's just over 10 minutes with no warm-up/cooldown if a typical add-on length is wanted - that little workout uses both the stability ball and the mini-yoga ball ... I liked that little addition!

This is not a strenuous core workout, yet I think it's effective and works the entire core. There are both familiar moves and new twists, especially with the little mini-ball - it's not really required but adds another little variation

Thanks for the review, Debinmi. Sounds like there are a few good ways to use this one. I've been adding the bonus core Level 2 to my routine.

 

[aqua girl]

Yep, I love that revolving core exercise in the bonus!

 

[Kellyro77]

Did this workout today - didn't have time to include the bonus (was squeezing it in between work meetings).

If you're expecting to get your core completely fried with this, this is not the core workout for you.

While the above may sound negative, I'll say the positive side is that she takes a more holistic approach to core work to ensure all areas of the body that affect core stability get some love, and that includes hips and glutes. Instead of going through series of multiple crunches and planks, she throws in surprising moves like hamstring roll-ins/bridges and pushups.

A lot of the moves in this reminded me of the floor work in Butts & Guts, and To The Mat (another great workout that really would fit in the "restore" category, now that I think of it.)

Curious to see if I'll have some mystery soreness in my core tomorrow. Sometimes when I do a brand new workout, it *seems* really easy but the following day will tell me that I did some serious work.

Look forward to doing this with the bonus sometime in the future.

 

[Debinmi]

My abs weren't sore after doing both workouts, but my lower back was for two days. I'm going to divide it up to see if I can determine what specific exercise(s) contributed to the low back soreness. My sister said her mid-back, on one-side hurt immediately after the bonus workout so she did specific back stretches & foam rolling to alleviate the muscle strain - she thinks it was a muscle pull or strain as the stretching & foam rolling took care of it.

 

[Kellyro77]

My neck and shoulders are hurting today. I'm suspecting those saluting Supermans because I was feeling a bit of strain while doing those yesterday. I'm not saying this workout is to blame - I've been dealing with a lot of stress lately, so I'm sure it just exacerbated the tension from that position.

Glad you mentioned foam rolling, as I think I'll do some of that today, though it's difficult to get the neck and shoulders in particular. I have a tennis ball in a sock to help with that.

 

[Debinmi]

I did the main workout without the bonus this time - no lower back issues this time. I really focused on how my back was feeling with each exercise. Although I do Supermans frequently, I did notice the Salutes worked the lower back differently so I stopped at 12 reps. I also do weighted woodchops often, but noticed these felt a bit different too and those C-curve twists were different. So I'm not sure but I was glad to not be sore as it felt different than a DOMS soreness. I'll be doing the bonus separately to see if it was something in that workout.