Great workout!
S. Dutta | United States | 07/31/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just tried this for the first time yesterday and am feeling the "good" sore. This was a fantastic work out. It's so hard finding at-home workouts for the intermediate/advanced level, but I would say this is defintiely for the advanced exersizer.
I did not find this as difficult as some of Jari Love's workouts (Get Ripped 1000 and Get Ripped and Chiseled, in particular), however, because of the legnth (about 120 if you do the entire thing) and the number of sets (usually 3 sets of everything), this is still a workout that will be added to my regular rotation.
This requires a lot of equipment: a step, dumbells, bands, body bar, and plate loaded bar. I do not have a step, body bar or plate loaded bar, but most of the sets that used this equipment was very easy to modify with what I had (plus a ball). I only had to skip about 2-3 of the exersizes (mostly with the body bar). Keep in mind, though, the only reason I knew how to modify was because I have been exersizing for a while- Amy does not show modifications with other types of equipment (like Jari Love does), so you're on your own for that.
There are pre-mized NRG workouts, so if you don't have time to do all 120 minutes, you can select to do a shorter workout (ranging from 45 minutes to 80 minutes). This would be a great time saver, I think. But don't be afraid of the whole 120 minute workout. Yes, it's a tough workout, but, unlike any other DVD I've done, about 20% of the time is spent changing out and setting up equipment (for example, adding risers or putting weights aside to grab a band). This is great because you don't have to rush around or pause the dvd so that you can get things set up for the next set.
Amy is great with cues and explaining correct form and is very motivating. The music is also great and keeps you moving. The only thing that could be improved is to show more modifications, as mentioned above. It would also be nice to know how much weight to use for the exersizes. Amy mentions what she's going to use for some of the sets, but not all. It would be nice to know if we should go heavy, light, etc. or maybe see what Amy and everyone else in the room is using.
I would definitely recommend this for the serious exersizer."
A Really Great Strength Training Workout!
Ashley M. Mott | East Dubuque, IL | 11/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As stated below, this workout does use a good bit of equipment.
Body bars, Plate loaded bars, a Step with Risers [Amy uses between 2 and 4 most of the time. One exercise though (chin-ups) uses 10 risers on either side (20 total) with a body bar on top for the chin up bar - a modifier uses two chairs instead of step riser], two or three sets of dumbbells, and resistance bands. They also use an optional medicine ball (dumbbell is shown as an option) and Glider Discs for the ab work (They look like Frisbees to me. You place your feet in them to add an unsteadiness to the ab moves which works your core more. - I used tin pie plates instead but I believe the DVD says a folded towel would be a possible substitute). I do not have a weighted body bar, so I modified with a light amount of weight on a regular bar.
On to the program:
The two hours goes by pretty fast, as you are challenging yourself for the entire program. Every muscle group has a segment featuring multiple exercises that are easy to perform (though some do require setting up your equipment.) but provide a great burn - my butt really felt it the day after. The DVD calls it "The Good Sore." The NRG mixes are a great alternative for the time pressed or for someone who would rather split up the muscle groups they are working over a few days instead of working them all at once.
This became my favorite weight training DVD the first time I did it. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a superior challenge."