Tough; just wish it were longer
This video is led by Violet Zaki, and falls just shy of 29 mins (Warm up and cardio sculpt segments combined). Then, there is a cool down of about 5 minutes, which I usually omit, since I cool down on my own.
You will need weights for this workout; anywhere from 3-10lbs, one 'light' pair and one 'heavy'. This workout may not be ideal for people who have balance issues, as you do a lot of exercises supporting yourself on one leg, while the other is working. It can take some getting used to.
One exercise entails placing one leg forward and doing 3 standing hamstring curls with the other, then transferring your body weight back and lifting the front leg, knee bent. At the same time, you are holding weights, which are then brought up in a shoulder press and then down to a biceps curl as your front leg lowers back to the floor. It might sound a bit complicated, but the shoulder press/biceps curls actually follow the movement of your leg (knee up, shoulder press-- leg down, biceps curl). You of course later switch and repeat the process on the opposite leg.
Another exercise is a squat, wider stanced than normal as you hold a pair of heavy dumbbells criss crossed between your hands. As you squat, you do a biceps curl with the weights, and then raise your arms as you come up from the squat to do a french press for your triceps before lowering your arms and lowering back into the squat.
There are also a lot of lunges in this video, both rear and front. During some of these, you hold the lunge while you do various arm exercises with whichever weight is required. You do front shoulder raises (single and double arm) in one series. In another, you do side arm raises which transition to a hammer curl.
In another segment, you are on the floor, feet flat on the ground, hands positioned under your shoulders, fingers facing towards your heels as you support your body weight (hips and back are off the floor). You then raise/lower yourself in a triceps dip. Raising your hips higher, you remain in this position while extending one leg straight in front of you, raising it for 3 counts and lowering it for 1. You then switch legs. That series is a bit tough.
Most of the exercises you do, you can adjust your level slightly, if need be. (For example, if you don't want to do a jump/hop and would rather merely do a side step.) There is a lady off to Violet's immediate left who does modifications on the exercises which require it.
Also in this video you do some standing ab work, as well as ab work while on the floor.
It's a good workout and Violet shows you each exercise before you actually execute it. With a little patience, you should get the hang of things in no time, even if you are a little wobbly when it comes to some of the one legged balance type exercises. Just remember to tighten your core and focus on your form and you should be fine.
|
Incredible!
I bought this video after a friend recommended it to me. The first time I did it, some of the balance moves were a little hard and I didn't think I liked it. After the 2nd and 3rd time - I fell in love! This is a great video that really gets your heart pumping. The intervals between weights and cardio are great. If you find the moves challenging, hang in there becuase this is an awesome video. I started getting compliments on my body shaping up, within two weeks of using this workout!
|
Quick circuit training routine
This is a short but effective workout that includes cardio (low or hi-impact-your choice) ab work, push-ups, biceps/triceps work, lunges, shoulder and back toning, and a final stretch. Many of the moves are new and interesting to me, and I do A LOT of exercise videos. So it's a nice change of pace if you're bored with the same old stuff. Hi energy instructor with a sense of humor, without being annoying (I like the accent). Definitely worthwhile on days when you're short on time.
|