Cardio Barre: Four Workouts on One DVD

That is if they workout like this!I'm not a dancer and this is my first "ballet" workout so if I butcher the spellings/terms or leave anything out, I do apologize.I'll just say this off the top, if you're into visuals (like me) check this out on youtube before buying.WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Preferred flooring, according to Richard, is carpeted (though on the vid they workout on wood flooring) and should be done either wearing athletic shoes or barefoot (no socks). "Light weights" are needed but no specific size weights are given (I use 3 lbs. and they're perfect for me but those on the DVD look as if they are using lighter weights than I am), so you will have to determine what's best for you. You will also need a barre or a chair (they use a barre, I used a chair).WORKOUTS: This DVD has four individual workouts: Intro (20 min), Beginner (37 min), Intermediate (40 min), and Advanced (52 min) and, of course, builds in intensity as the levels increase (high reps done in 8-counts, number of reps increases with each workout and new moves are introduced). Each workout moves on with the assumption that you have mastered the one before it. They are typically broken down into sections: warm-up, plies, ballet, waist, cardio, barre thighs, upper body, abs, lower back, lower body, and cool-down. (I would break down each workout but that would take forever and this is long enough as it is.)The workouts are a combination of ballet, cardio, and traditional strength training moves. Warm-ups typically include back rolls, shoulder press, side lunge, flat back squats, back, arm and leg stretches, "Walk it out" (little walk in place while holding the barre), outer thigh presses, standing forward crunches, pelvic isolations, and inner thigh twists. Cool downs are just various stretches.BALLET/BARRE MOVES INCLUDE: Grand plies, baby grand plies, grand plies in releve' (that's heels lifted to you non-dancers), grand plies in releve' pulses, plies in first position (heels together), baby plies in first, plies in releve', plie' pulses, conru, arabesques, attitudes, "scorpion" lifts, angled leg lifts and extensions, straight leg lifts, rom . . . something (some swinging leg move), etc. (Heads up! They throw in extra balance challenges--with NO support from the barre/chair--throughout the plie sections. Ouch!!)CARDIO AND STRENGTH MOVES INCLUDE: Torso twist (yep, like in Taebo), press twist, pull twists, 90 degree (or "reach") torso twists. Extended body crunch (extend one arm and one leg and squeeze in), front knee lifts, side knee lifts, extended fly and heel toe combo), tricep extensions, triceps kick backs, modified push-ups. Crunches, oblique crunches, bicycles, outer thigh lifts, inner thigh lifts, ribcage isolations and ribcage reaches, overhead presses, back lifts, back flies, etc.STYLE AND MUSIC: This has a kind of retro `80s feel to me. I personally think the music was picked for pace than for content--kind of a generic exercise music mix. (I generally don't care about music in workout vids, so you'll have to be your own judge.)INSTRUCTORS: Richard Giorla leads the Intro, Intermediate, and Advanced workouts and Kelly Newkirk leads the Beginner workout (you'll see Kelly as a background exerciser in the Intermediate and Advanced workouts). I found both to be very encouraging and they frequently compliment their background exercisers throughout the workout. Kudos! Also they frequently give reminders: maintain good posture, stomach in, etc.OVERALL: This workout is pretty tough! The actual "cardio" section wasn't that challenging to me (I'm a Turbo Jam girl), but the rest of the workout more than made up for it. Don't get me wrong, your heart rate WILL get up and you WILL definitely sweat.While the workout is SERIOUSLY FAST PACED, I didn't feel rushed but I did feel that a few transitions between exercises were too quick (I'm sure I'll pick them up over time). The actual exercise moves, however, were pretty easy to learn.Ballet lingo is used interchangeably with regular words which can kind of throw you at first, if you're a non-dancer.Since these workouts increase in intensity, I feel that I could "grow" with this DVD and I actually like the fast pace--seems to make the time go by faster. I also liked that new moves are introduced in each workout so it doesn't get dull. Also, you can still get a pretty solid workout with the 20 min session if you're on short on time even if you've "mastered" it.I've just been using this for only a about a month and I've seen major changes in my legs, especially my calves (those stinking releves will kill ya!). My flexibility has increased, too.Very, very good workouts! Would highly recommend it!

Omg, I have found the perfect workout. I first saw a Cardio Barre Beginners workout on YouTube and discovered that I enjoyed doing the workout. The first time, I did it with 2.5 pound weights and that was extremely difficult. You only need one pound weights. I have used 16 fluid ounce water bottles for the past 4 workouts and they work fine. I would rather spend money on something else instead of one pound dumbbells. I especially like the no impact cardio you can get from these workouts. This is great for those who live in apartments and worry about jumping on floors and disturbing neighbors ( or being hard on your body or floors),Unlike some other reviewers, I do not find the music to be that annoying. The music is upbeat and goes with the workouts.The Intermediate and Advanced workouts really raise my heart rate and make me sweat.One con:Richard G., the instructor, has on these long pants in the video and it is hard to see what he is doing with his legs and feet. Luckily, there are other exercisers in the video you can follow. My favorite is Kelly. She seems to be the most enthusiastic with the most energetic movements, so if you follow her, you probably will get the most burn.I actually look forward to working out now and have done this consistently for 6 times in the past week. Too early for results but I feel great!

This is my first review ever on amazon. I was really hoping to like this DVD. I admit that it does make you sweat but alot of the movements and transitions seem spastic to me. I would also prefer a different instructor and music. I recently bought physique 57 which I enjoy alot more. Music is better, exercises are similar & done smoothly. Less likely to cause injury. I will probably end up selling my cardio barre DVD's.

It was good, but it would be better if they made it where you could buy the barre to use with it! The moves are kind of fast and it's not as easy using a chair with it! It's hard to find any free standing barre like theirs!