As far as Spring Cleaning goes in the cyber realm:

~I’ve revamped my Pinterest because I had a lot of useless boards and useless pins. I’ve started collecting things like useful tips, homeschool information, gardening ideas and interior/exterior design plans. I don’t need a bunch of e-cards that nobody is going to look at, and most are only funny the first time (ya know?), but I’m keeping the animals. Those French bulldogs steal my heart.

~I’ve changed my username on basically every site I use frequently. No reason behind it, really.

And as far as outside of the cyber realm:

~Sean brought his steam-cleaner over and cleaned our carpets for us over the weekend. The texture is much better, but it still has a strange odor. Febreeze is only a temporary fix. I’m going to have to find some plug-ins for the bedrooms. Doing Pilates on the carpet is almost too much to bear while “inhaling deeply”.

~I’ve also consolidated about five boxes into one this week, including old photos of me when I was just a wee baby. I want to make a trip to the Dollar Tree for frames, but that will have to wait a while. As will collecting favorite current pictures of the kiddos to make prints of.  I threw away two bags of garbage I didn’t even know I had in boxes (not gross garbage,  just old papers and receipts, etc.).

~I’ve been doing my Pilates. I tried to look up a friend’s recommendation of LiveFit with Jamie Eason, but I don’t have an hour to dedicate to her every day. But she’s very thorough, complete with recipes on “eating clean”. I’ve seen the results on my friend after only five months, but she’s also got the time for it. I’ve only got my ten minutes a day. However, I’m sticking to a diet and I’m taking weekly pictures of progress. It’s slow, but happening. At least, that’s what my scale says. My reflection will argue that nothing has changed. I really like this session, though.

Spring Cleaning is also happening in my personal life and it’s something I wish we could avoid. Zac’s hours are getting cut and I didn’t get the sales lead position at B&BW in Slidell because I have no management experience so we’re in a bit of a funk. I was able to transfer to the Slidell location from Mississippi, but only to help with floorsets (right now), which means I’m driving 30 minutes out of town once a month just to change the layout of the store and put new products out. The local store (only ten minutes away) said to call back in April, but April is a little too far away for us. So I’m doing what I thought I wouldn’t have to do ever again: fill out applications. Ugh! I’m too old for this.

Fif-teen.

I walked in, did some strength training, gave the elliptical one glance, and headed the other direction to my car.

For whatever reason, I was just not in the mood for boring old gym cardio, so instead I went home, turned on Netflix, and clicked on the 10 Minute Solution – Kickbox Bootcamp video.

And–dare I say it–I liked it.

I have a history of getting sick of workout videos about 10 minutes into them, if not sooner. It’s usually a combination of thinking the instructors are annoying and the workouts aren’t sweat-inducing enough.

I like to sweat.

And sweat I did.

The video is 50 minutes long, split into five 10-minute sections: Basic Training, Ultimate Buns & Thighs, Arm & Shoulder Sculptor, Fat-Burning Blast, and Washboard Abs. The idea is that you can do as many or as few of the sections as you want…and I ended up doing them all.

First off, the instructor, Keli Roberts, is not the typical hyperactive-cheerleader-like instructor in most other videos I seem to come across. She’s more about punching your opponent under his chin…in tight yoga pants, obviously.

See? That’s me. And Keli. We’re buds now.

The first 10-minute Basic Training section was my favorite, probably because it was chock-full of badass kicks, jabs, and uppercuts. And the boxer shuffle (not to be confused with The Cupid Shuffle). The other four sections were also great, even though Fat-Burning Blast was pretty much all variations of burpees. Or as I like to call them, cruelty.

If you find yourself wanting an at-home workout that still gets your heart pumping and sweat dripping (come on, I can’t be the only one who likes that), check out the 10 Minute Solution – Kickbox Bootcamp video. It’s streaming instantly on Netflix…and is on DVD…and, let’s be honest, probably illegally online somewhere. So go find it.

Later at work, a co-worker of mine asked me to work out with her. I kind of hesitated about this, and then I thought to myself…I can do this. So I agreed I would.

My body is officially killing me. Doing 3 miles on the elliptical, then stretching, then walking a little on the treadmill, I am dead. But I worked out this morning to Jillian Michael’s Ripped In 30 and feel even worse. I wouldn’t say worse, but I feel like every muscle in my body is telling me that this isn’t the right thing to do.

I know that this is the right thing to do. I just need to not work myself to extreme like I did last night. If I keep doing that, I am just going to ruin myself.

I was looking through netflix and found out that they have a category for Sports & Fitness. Going through the category now, to see if anything interests me. You can see some of the following below…

Led by certified instructor Ellen Barrett, this revolutionary fitness program combines the benefits of Pilates and yoga. More Info

Starring: Ellen Barrett

If a long, lean body is your goal, these three 10-minute Pilates routines from celebrity trainer and fitness guru Ellen Barrett are just the ticket. More Info

Starring: Ellen Barrett

Ten moves are all you need to master to start dancing your way into shape with this fat-burning funk fest from aerobics champion Michelle Dozois. More Info

Starring: Michelle Dozois

Presented by experts Charles and Lisa Matkin, the Healing Yoga program uses yoga to address and correct chronic injuries and illness. More Info

Starring: Lisa Matkin, Charles Matkin

Director: Andrea Ambandos

Presented by experts Charles Matkin and Lisa Matkin, the Healing Yoga program uses yoga to address and correct chronic injuries and illness. More Info

Starring: Lisa Matkin, Charles Matkin

Director: Andrea Ambandos

Fun and easy to follow, Pilates trainer Lindsey Jackson’s holistic program aims to relax the mind while also strengthening the abs and back. More Info

Starring: Lindsey Jackson

These are the top 5 work out videos that netflix has.

And browsing further around, I also found this….

Instructor Keli Roberts is your guide through five hyperefficient strengthening and toning workouts inspired by military boot camps. More Info

• Starring: Keli Roberts

I will be trying some of these within the next coming week. Keep up the good work so far challengers!

There are many shoulder misconceptions. These misconceptions are held by coaches, parents, athletes, health care professionals, etc. These need to stop immediately, like people who go to the restroom and lay their pants on the ground…I’m not a germaphobe, but seriously, you want to lay your pants on a dirty, often times wet floor while you take care of your business…use some common sense and hang them around your knees!

Shoulder Squabbles

#9 Sit-ups are Irrelevant for Shoulder Pain

Now let me say this upfront, shoulder pain is not caused by crunches or spinal flexion exercises, but improper form and programming can lead to shoulder pain. With proper spinal flexion form, only the upper back moves, unfortunately many people lunge their next forward during the crunch, putting the shoulder (and neck) at risk for injury. Proper programming is also essential, I debunked the myth that crunches are dangerous on Swimming Science, Dryland Mistake: Spinal Flexion, but I made a point to emphasize poor programming can lead to problems. Spinal flexion exercises work the rectus abdominus. The rectus abdominus runs from the ribs and sternum to the pelvis. If this muscle is excessively tight it can cause kyphosis and a rounded back. After reading part I, you should know the importance of the thoracic spine for shoulder health. If you are doing the Herschel Walker plan (3,000 sit-ups daily) and experience shoulder pain, reconsider your programming and decrease your volume of crunches.

#10 If my Shoulder Hurts, I’ll Just Work my Legs with Squats…

Squats are a great exercise to improve strength of the quads and glutes (if performed in full range). Unfortunately, the typical back squat requires the athlete to hold a heavy bar on their shoulders. This position puts a lot of stress on the anterior shoulder. Higher anterior shoulder stresses can give to instability, the most common injury with overhead athletes. A simple fix is simply performing front or goblet squats.

Just Holding this Position Stresses the Shoulder

Much More Shoulder Friendly

#11 I’m Right Handed how can I give it rest?

Unfortunately, not many of us are ambidextrous. However, there are subtle things you can do during the day to give your shoulder a break. If your shoulder is bothering you must to give it a break, especially if you are an overhead athlete. Whether you are a pitcher or swimmer, you are excessively stressing your shoulder for optimal sports performance. Then, if you head to school and write with your right arm, you are stressing your shoulder even more.

All of the above activities are hard to change, since not everyone can write with both hands. However, there are many activities you can alter during the day to decrease shoulder stress. Think, do you always wear your purse on one shoulder? Do you constantly drive with one arm? Do you lean on one shoulder? These are the changes anyone can make to decrease and distribute stress a bit more evenly.

Luckily, there are ways to decrease shoulder stress

#12 If I have Hypermobility, I don’t need to do Soft Tissue Work

I am a huge advocate of soft tissue. Whether you have shoulder, low back, or neck pain it is likely I’m going to give you soft tissue mobility. Soft tissue work is performed with tennis balls, foam rolls, or with a trained professional. I have had a ton of soft tissue experience and have found a lot of tricks to improve shoulder pain, luckily most of these can be performed with the help of a health care professional!

From my experience, the muscles that run rampant in shoulder injuries are the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, pectoralis minor, subscapularis, and infraspinatus. Not all of these muscles can be targeted with self soft tissue techniques, but most of them are accessible with the right tools.

Stay tuned for part III of the 10 minute solution for more information.

#13 Speed Work is Low Stress

Many feel speed exercises put low stress on the shoulder since low resistance is commonly used. However, decelerating a movement requires high levels of force and stresses the joint. Luckily, there are methods to use speed training safely…the compact position. Holding the shoulder blade down and back will stabilize the shoulder and prevent disastrous stress to the shoulder. Remember, protraction and instability are kyptonite to shoulder pain!

#14 All you Need is Strengthening…how about Proprioception

Too many people get the mindset that strengthening and stretching is all you need for success. Unfortunately muscle and joint timing are just as important, but often forgotten. The shoulder is like as a baseball on a tee. I’m not a huge golf fan, but I was to ask my semi-professional golfing Uncle I think he’d agree a baseball would fall off a tee. Luckily, the body has ligaments, tendons, and most importantly muscles holding the baseball on the tee. Muscles timing is essential to ensure force production. If the shoulder doesn’t lie in the correct position, the ligaments and tendons are at risk for being run over.

Firing patterns change in people with injured shoulders. Improved firing is essential to protect the passive structures (tendons and ligaments) and optimize force production. Proper timing at the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint) and scapulothoracic joint (shoulder blade against the back) will protect the essential joints in the shoulder.

The rotator cuff muscles hold the shoulder in the place and react to movement. These muscles suction the head of the humerus (upper arm) into the joint. Unfortunately, when these muscles fatigue the head of the humerus can migrate and pinch, rub or trample passive structures in the way. Proper muscle timing of the second essential joint for shoulder health. This joint is controlled by the upward and downward rotator muscle. These muscles work as a pulley system, rotating the shoulder up or down depending on the activity.

#15 Curls are for the Girls and Shoulder

I mean who doesn’t want big biceps. I’ll never forget when I was training in West Hollywood and saw the rapper Flo’rida (not a huge fan, but easy to spot with his Flo’rida tattoo on his arm) walk into Train West Hollywood with his entourage and trainer. His body guards were massive 300 pound World Strongest men competitors and his trainer was a ripped, vascular, defined, Russian female! I think, this girl had the most defined biceps in the world! Her arm was walking around with a baseball on the bicep. I have never seen a muscle that defined, ever, it was a little creepy.

Anyway, the bicpes are a popular muscle to workout. Unfortunately, the biceps attach to the shoulder joint and labrum (covering of the joint). When stressed and strained excessively the biceps tendon can pull and tug on the labrum causing increased stress to the joint. In unstable shoulders, the biceps tendon will try to stabilize the shoulder if the shoulder has poor muscle timing, but once again this pulls on a bad part of the shoulder and can perpetuate pain. Lay off curls for the girls, especially incline curls.

Wrap-up

This concludes the 10 minute solution: shoulder pain part II. Next week I’ll have more videos and descriptions of the exact exercises to do in 10 minutes to prevent and alleviate shoulder pain.

John

Improve and prevent shoulder injuries today with the Swimmer’s Shoulder System.

Here are the B-E-S-T prenatal workout videos on the market:

10-Minute Solution: Prenatal Pilates is great when you’re tight on time.  Or, you can mix-n-match and do a few workouts in a row when you’re feeling really energetic.

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout is led by a Cirque du Soleil acrobat!  Love it!  I guarantee you’ll feel great when you are done with the workout.  But, be careful if you have bad knees.  There are lots of lunges.

The Lindsay Brin’s Complete Pregnancy 4-DVD Workout Set: Cardio, Toning PLUS Yoga comes with four DVDs (hence the name), which includes a workout for each trimester PLUS a postnatal workout.  This is a great option for those who are already in shape.

Ommmmm.  No workout library is complete without a yoga video.  I think the Complete Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga & Short Forms is one of the best for the pregnant gals.  This video is challenging.  So, be warned, this workout video may not be the best for baby yogis.

Summer Sanders’ Prenatal Workout video does not disappoint!  I love Summer from her days as host of Figure it Out on Nickelodeon.  I’m sure you’ll fall in love with this Olympic swimmer too.  The best part of the workout video is that she has a workout for each trimester.

Part of the routine is apparently ad hoc furniture kicking! Anyone that knows where I live, also knows I have very little room to maneuver around.  I also have a roommate, and as the social structure in this household goes, I stay in my room and out of the living room. I still managed to get a good work out in, although for the life of me, I can’t do THAT much hopping!

But still, a great break from my usual routines. Something different for sure, and it was challenging enough that I was dripping sweat afterward. Now… if only I had that cabana boy to come towel me off after shower…

Anyway, on to this specific workout.  The instructor is Lara Hudson, who has been in several 10-Minute Solution Pilates and yoga workouts.  She is an excellent instructor.  As this is a beginner workout, she explains every move very carefully and goes at a reasonable pace–not so slow that it’s dull but slow enough for the beginner to keep up without hitting the pause button repeatedly.  (I really hate having to hit the pause a lot during a workout myself.)

Here are the sections on the DVD:

• Core Basics
• Lower Body Basics
• Upper Body Basics
• Total Body Combo
• Long & Limber Stretch

I think the titles of the sections speak for themselves.  The moves are very classic Pilates moves–nothing fancy, nothing that’s ballet or yoga-inspired instead of straight-up Pilates.  It’s a very good introduction to these basic Pilates exercises.  I think they will be challenging for a true beginner, but doable (or at the very least easy to modify).  Sometimes she moves on to a more challenging move but says “If you feel strong enough,” so I assume these moves will be good to join in with as you get stronger with regular workouts.  I am not exactly a beginner (I’ve never been to a Pilates studio but I’ve done many Pilates workouts) but I am in many ways like a beginner again postpartum.  Yeah, the baby is now a year old, but it takes me ages to bounce back.  It’s embarrassing, really.  Also, I first tried this video while Cormac was awake and that didn’t work out so well–he just wants to climb all over me or pull my hair.  It just reminded me part of why it takes me so long to bounce back–limited workout time!  Anyway, as a beginner again, this seemed like an ideal beginners’ workout, but I could see keeping it in my collection even as I get stronger because it’s a good solid workout.

There were 9 comments but from only 8 commenters–so I used the number of people on the random number generator.

So the winner is commenter #1, Tricia:

Now all you have to do, Tricia, is send your address to me at fig[at!]fitfig.com and I’ll get this DVD in the mail to you as soon as I can.

I love getting workouts like this because it hasn’t even been released yet! It will be in stores on August 3rd.  The instructor is Cat Chiarelli. I know I have done one of her workouts before–a Crunch DVD, I think. I seem to remember she had a good personality in that workout, but I can’t find that I blogged about it here.  The fact that this is all cardio appeals to me. I sometimes feel like I’d get a better workout with the 10 Minute Solution DVDs if they had a more singular focus (instead of 10 minutes of upper body, 10 minutes of lower, 10 minutes of cardio, etc.) so I like that they’ve done another all-cardio one (there are a couple others with all cardio already).

Here’s what it says on the back:

To win, just comment below.  Tell us if you use any of the 10 Minute Solution workouts. Do you do the whole thing or some combo for your whole workout? Do you use different segments as add-ons to other workouts? Do you combo parts of various 10 Minute Solution workouts to make one full workout (like I do)?

As always, you can continue to comment for one week.  Giveaway is open to anyone in the U.S. or Canada.  I’ll come back next Sunday or Monday (the 8th or 9th) and post the winner.  Good luck!

Congrats to Jody Saso of comment #2!

Now all you have to do, Jody, is send your address to me at fig[at]fitfig.com and I’ll get this game in the mail to you as soon as I can.

But I do salute the people who are willing to stick their necks and wallets out to give the rest of us an early warning.  Such is the case, unfortunately, with 10 Minute Solution for Wii.  This game was released 2 weeks ago, and since it licenses a workout video series that is popular in retail stores and familiar with many home exercisers, I thought there would be reviews, either by consumers on Amazon, or on those other lucky blogs that get these games for free.  (Hint hint nudge nudge!)

Instead, days of complete silence went by, which is never a good sign.  Finally a few reviews trickled onto Amazon, and sure enough, people were disappointed.  They cited that the moves were slow, music was bad, controllers were unresponsive, and they just didn’t get that great of a workout.

This DVD has more punch for your bucks

Outside of Amazon, Sara of My Basement Gym wrote a very detailed review of 10 Minute Solution.  She describes all the different activities, and concludes by saying there are much better choices available, such as Golds Gym Cardio Workout, EA Sports Active, and EA Sports Active More Workouts.  According to Sara, even the DVD on which this game was based, 10 Minute Solution Knockout Body Kit which comes with weighted gloves, is a better workout buy than the Wii game.  It goes to show, sometimes no interactivity is better than bad interactivity.

This workout video game looks fun.  Here’s what it says on the back:

Customizable and stackable workout sessions allow you to tailor your own workout experience. From cardio to strength training, 10 Minute Solution for Wii  is a total-body workout that delivers powerful results while easily fitting into your schedule.

Features:

• Easy, fun and stackable 10-minute workout sessions
• Compatible with the Wii Balance Board
• Health & wellness tips for a deeper all-encompassing fitness experience
• Bonus content: Video footage from 10-Minute Solution fitness DVDs

It looks like the Balance Board can be used with this game, but it’s not a necessity.  You just need a Wii remote and nun chuck.

So how can you win?  All you have to do is comment below. I’m assuming you already have a Wii (or are planning on getting one) if you want to win this, so just tell us if you already use your Wii for workouts.  Do you have the Wii Fit set? If so, do you use it?

As always, you can continue to comment for one week.  Giveaway is open to anyone in the U.S. or Canada.  I’ll come back next Sunday or Monday (the 18th or 19th) and post the winner.  Good luck!

I’m pretty sure I know your address, Ellen, but just in case I don’t, please email it to me so I can send this out soon!

You can see a full description and a clip here at Collage Video.

If you’ve read Fit Fig before, you know I don’t do workouts with the words Boot Camp in them (except for oldie but goodie 10 Minute Solution: Kick Box Bootcamp*).  It’s just not my thing.  But I’m happy to pass it on to a lucky reader. Perhaps if you win you can come back and tell us how you like it!

To be in to win this DVD, just post a comment at the bottom. Tell us if you’ve done any of the 10-minute solution workouts or how you would like to use this DVD.  Would you do 10-minute segments on different days? Tack on 10 minutes (or more) to other workouts?  Do the whole 50 minutes as a workout on its own? Or heck, just tell me why you want it.

As always, the winner will be chosen by a random number generator and I’ll announce it next Sunday (the 11th). That’s almost a full week to see who stops by to comment.  Contest is open to anyone in the U.S. or Canada.

*I actually reviewed 10 Minute Solution: Kickbox Bootcamp on Collage Video way back in March of 2007.  Here’s what I said then:

Really great workout and one of the best instructors. This is in my regular rotation of DVDs. I’d consider myself an intermediate-level exerciser and I only wish there were more high-intensity sections to this workout (like the Fat-Burning Blast section). The rest of the workout is also great, and some days it’s nice to just enjoy the kickboxing moves at a more light to moderate intensity as well. I like that there is not a distracting group of people in the video and I like the 10-minute segments so I can decide how much to do or add it on another workout. The best part of this workout is the instructor, though. Keli Roberts has a warm but not goofy style. She cues well and reminds you of good form without the chatter being annoying. I’ll be buying more of her stuff! – posted by Lainie on 3/19/2007

I’ve still got this one in my collection and it’s still good fun.

Speaking of Anchor Bay, I once sent an email to Andrea Ambandos, who produces and directs most (maybe all?) Anchor Bay workout videos.  This was before I had discovered Cathe Friedrich and some of my other current favorite instructors.  I had noticed that the workouts directed by Andrea Ambandos were better quality than most others I tried. So like I said, I sent her an email, just telling her how I appreciated that her workouts were better and how seeing her name was a good sign that it was a good workout.  I’m such a dork. She never wrote back. I saw her later on that Work Out reality show (is that still on?) when she was working with Jackie on a fitness video. Anywho, that was just a little silly Fig factoid for ya.

Just for fun, I decided to do another first impression review — just using the notes I wrote while I worked out (yeah, it doesn’t make for a terribly effective workout to keep pausing to make notes, but I already did my main workout for the day).  There are five 10-minute workouts, so I’ll break them down by sections. Then I’ll add a little conclusion of my impressions post-workout.

Better Body Camp — What is she, 12? Are middle schoolers leading fitness DVDs now?  I hope that tan is not natural — if it is she’s not going to look that young for long. If it’s not, then I want to know the name of her spray tanner.  Dude, she is really young; I feel old.  Generally like the band except when it bunches up and is less comfy.

Strong & Slim Thighs — I have to pause when she puts the band on or moves it around. I am so ungainly with this thing. Found the band to be more annoying when in this figure 8 position — it was all bunchy and painful. Ended up switching it to the regular position; figured I didn’t need the extra resistance since I’m so out of shape right now. Like the ballet-like moves the best.

Trim & Toned Tummy — I like the use of the band better on this one — except I’m still slow to move it around.  This is definitely not a beginner workout.  You can modify it a bit but she doesn’t really give directions for how to do that.  I’d say this is at least intermediate, perhaps advanced.

Lower Body Makeover — OK, figured out why I’m slower with the loop (besides just being older and slower than she is in general). She has smaller feet and legs and is not wearing long bootleg pants like I am.  It’s hard to get these big feet through that loop (I’m up 2-2 1/2 sizes since before I had my first baby).  I am enjoying this one the most for some reason.  It’s kind of fun and I’m really feeling it in my legs.  Also, I have made it more fun by throwing in some groovy dance moves here and there.  Yay me!  Some high impact moves here but she gives tips for doing low impact a couple times.

Belly Flab Fighter — I think she reminds me of Maya — the trainer on Xbox Yourself Fitness.  Yes, she looks like a video game persona.  She really is gorgeous, though.  Decent cardio moves but for some reason not enjoying i as much as the previous segment.  No wait — a bow and arrow move — I love those!

Overall seems to be a good effective workout, though challenging with my post-baby core weakness (I’m going to be milking that excuse for a while still).  I don’t know how often I’d do the whole thing straight through but it would be great to add on a section or two after other workouts.  I kept joking about how young she was (she really does look young to me) but that’s not a deal breaker unless I’m in a cranky mood and don’t want to be reminded that I’m not so young any more.

She moves very fast — which is good if you can keep up because you won’t be bored.  She packs A LOT in.  Definitely not for a beginner. Even though I’ve done Pilates plenty of times before I feel like I’m a beginner again postpartum.

Description from the back cover:

The list price is only $20, comparable to Golds Gym or My Fitness Coach.  I’ll keep an eye out for screen shots, videos and more info.

In the interest of full disclosure and in compliance with a new FTC rule (seriously, can you believe the FTC cares what I write on this little blog?), I received this workout DVD free, compliments of Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Now that we’ve got that out of way, I decided my review this time would start off with just copying over the little notes I took between segments, so you can really get my fresh first impressions.

Here’s what I wrote for each segment:

Fat Blasting Intervals — challenging cardio sections; weight sections don’t feel very effective so I guess it’s mostly about the cardio.  Feeling a bit nipply, Amy?

Pro: great cardio moves; minimal equipment/space.  Con: had to clutch my boobs during jacks — need new bra! OK, never mind, that’s my own problem.

Belly Fat Burner — I just realized Amy’s personality/style seems different from her usual workouts. It’s like Michelle Dozois has possessed her.  My mat keeps slipping — am I losing the sticky bottom?  Should clean soon.

Pro: variety — not your standard crunches.  Con: standing work doesn’t seem very effective — the floor work is better.

Lean Body Sculpt — liked compound moves — love how efficient and gets heart rate up; feel uncoordinated on some of them, though.  Floor work all good.

Pro: all felt challenging, effective, fun. Con: not long enough — oh wait that’s what this whole DVD is about — quick workouts.

Cardio Kickboxing — problem with a 10-minute kickboxing segment is by the time you teach the combos, you don’t have much time to actually get the heart rate up — probably not effective first time but would get more effective with subsequent workouts.  Love the fun combos.  Eek jumping not so good with current bra.  Her personality is back on this one — yay!

Pro: really fun combos, goes quickly.  Con: hard to keep up first time.

Power Yoga– nice that they finish with  yoga.  Was very excited to do some yoga until I remembered it was power  yoga — too fast for little ol’ me (or big ol’ me as is more accurate at the moment).  Ewan (my 4-year old) wanted to joined me so I had to pause and get his mat out.  He likes yoga but thought she was too fast (he also likes slow yoga).

Pro: not that kind of yoga that annoys me with the spiritual mumbo jumbo; also very doable but still challenging. Con: moves fast (which is fine if you like that, I’m sure).

So now you know the kind of stuff I am thinking while I do a workout.  As you can see by the names of the workouts, there’s a lot of variety on this one.  The reviewers on Collage really seemed happy with that.  It is fun to do 5 different 10-minute workouts and feel like you pack in a lot of variety, but I think I generally prefer the 10-Minute Solution DVDs that have 5 different workouts but focusing on the same body part. Like 10-Minute Solution Quick Tummy Toners, 10 Minute Solution: Belly, Butt & Thigh Blasters.  Usually they will have a particular focus such as all Pilates or Kickboxing but the various segments are all for different body parts.  I wish they’d do an all upper body workout that could be paired with an all lower body workout. Then I could just choose how long to do each one and feel like I worked different parts more thoroughly.  That being said, the variety is indeed fun when that’s what you’re in the mood for, and these are a nice choice to add just a segment or two on another workout when you feel like you want just a little more.

The best thing about this workout (and any 10-Minute solution workout) is that it doesn’t take a lot of equipment or time. I did all 50 minutes today but of course you can choose to do anything from 10-50 minutes.  I was also happy to work out with Amy, one of my favorite instructors. The worst thing is just the fact that it’s really hard to pack a tough workout into just 10 minute segments. On the cardio segments, by the time you get your heart rate up, it’s time to bring it down again. On the weight segments, you don’t have time to work up a good burn in the muscles.  So I don’t think I’d make it my only workout, but I think it’s a keeper for the odd day when I just want that variety or can’t decide what kind of workout I want to do.