I''ve been reviewing a lot of dvds lately because I''ve completely switched up my fitness routine these days. I''ve gone from lots of high intensity cardio and heavy weight training to full body workouts, yoga, and blended barre/yoga/pilates and dance programs.I would consider myself to be in good shape, but I need a change and this new direction has presented many challenges that I welcome. In recent years I''ve done extreme fitness programs like P90X and Insanity. In the past I''ve tried different pilates and yoga workouts, but quickly lost interest when they didn''t yield the results I was after. So I was a bit leery to revisit this type of programming.
However, I''ve tried several different series in the past few weeks and have had to eat my words. My latest is Physique 57. After hearing so much about it I had to give it a try. I did the 57 minute workout and was humbled when after a few minutes of leg lifts I could barely continue. I used muscles that hardly ever get a workout.
The workout is broken down into different sections: Arms, legs & seat and ab work. The arm work used light and "heavy" weights with variations of basic arm curls (bicep, hammer) and push ups. The participants used what looked like 3 and 5lb weights. Since I''m used to lifting much heavier the 5lb weights that I used only left me with a slight burn. But that is easily remedied by raising the weight that I use. Depending on your experience the 5lbs might be OK.
The leg work presented more of a challenge. By using the barre and a playground ball for certain exercises, my legs were on fire. Next the hips and seat were put through the ringer with standing leg raises and floor work. There were moments when I couldn''t lift my leg anymore! But this is something to work towards mastering.
The ab work had some familiar moves and a few things I''ve never seen before. I know I will be feeling this tomorrow.
Someone commented about the instructor. She was quite talkative, but when I''m concentrating on the moves that is of little importance if I feel like the exercise is working. The music was modern and motivating without being a distraction. Some of the other programs I''ve used, though they are challenging, have what sounds like elevator music in the background. Great music is always a plus.
Though this workout was not THE most challenging thing I''ve ever done, it was difficult enough to make me feel like it was getting the job done. In the past few weeks in replacing my heavy strength training with mat work, I''ve noticed changes in my legs and hips in just this short period that I had not seen with all of the extreme workouts that I''ve used.
This program is worth buying if for nothing more than the great leg/hip/bum focus.
*** an update the 57 minutes is over before you know it. That''s a plus. I''ve done hour long workouts when I can''t stop watching the clock ***
****another update 12/28/10 ... I''ve been doing this workout for over a month now and recently moved up to volume 2 when it was released ... I am hooked. Like someone else said I''ve always lifted heavier weights and didn''t think this program would be effective and I was wrong. I''m loving the changes in my body that I never got with other programs. And they present just as much of an challenge as other so called extreme workouts without all the high impact moves. *****
P57 is kind of diametrically opposed to the Tracy Anderson method in terms of presentation and approach, even though both systems strive for the same end goal (a tight, firm, and beautifully defined body). Tracy''s sets are muted and she''s always calm and solitary, whereas Tanya screams at you amidst a group of equally enthusiastic exercises on a bright blue set. It took me a little while to get used to Tanya, but now I kind of appreciate her craziness. If I''m still just not feeling her, I just mute the TV and put on a workout playlist of my own.
Where P57 and TA really differ is the cardio element of the exercise. You definitely do get some cardio in during TA''s DVDs (I think one reviewer said she burned about 300 calories during the TA Mat DVD), but you will DEFINITELY get your sweat on in P57. As a runner, I like the feeling of getting a lot of work done during workouts, and I get this sense more with P57 than with TA.
Most importantly, I''ve found that P57 really enhances the results I''ve gotten with TA. TA really helped to feminize my runner''s physique, and P57 has helped to chisel that leaner physique with muscle definition. I don''t look jacked or scary sinewy (no Madonna here) by any means, but I definitely feel like I raise an eyebrow or two (in a good way!) when I wear something strapless.
Buy The Complete Physique 57 Workout Kit 3 Disc Set With Exercise Ball Now
I started with dance-inspired workouts after I injured myself running too much; they are low impact, feature lots of stretching and strength conditioning, and ideally will give you the lean "dancer''s body". I have used Tracey Mallett''s Booty Barre DVDs and love them, and searching for related products led me to Physique 57. I really didn''t want to spend so much on all the Physique 57 DVDs without trying them first, so I ordered the volume 1 full body workout DVD by itself. I had to order it directly from the website, and had to pay the shipping. I liked this workout so much that I then ordered just volume 2, and again paid for the shipping. Well, I''ve gotten such good results from these workouts over the past three months, that I finally caved and ordered the entire set featured here. This means I got two DVDs I already owned, but I had blabbed so much about Physique 57 to my friends that they wanted to borrow the DVDs to see for themselves, so now I have two "loaner" discs. That way I can appear gracious and considerate to others, but still be self-centered and not worry about missing my own workouts. So here''s what you get:1. Volumes 1 and 2 total body workouts (57 minutes each): Both follow the format of arm workouts using hand weights (light and heavy sets), thigh and seat workouts using a ballet barre or your living room furniture, an abdominal workout using an exercise mat, then a back workout. Stretching is included throughout and at the end. You will need a playground ball off and on throughout all the segments except the arm workout.
2. Volumes 1 and 2 express workouts (30 minutes each): Neither require weights, and are abbreviated total body workouts (for "people on the go"). Arm workouts are accomplished through pushups and planks. Thigh, seat and abdominal workout choreography is different from that featured in the longer workouts, so it''s not a ripoff.
3. Two booster workouts (one targets abs/arms and the other targets thighs/seat 30 minutes each): Again, completely different choreography is featured here, so it''s not a ripoff.
4. A Physique 57 playground ball with pump. I threw this in my workout box in case something happens to the playground ball I already have. It''s not the nice, high-quality playground ball you''ll see featured in the videos, but it''s a "free gift" so I didn''t really have high expectations for it.
In my opinion, these are some of the most effective, fun workouts you can get. You get out of it what you put in--they aren''t magic workouts--but if you do them regularly and put forth your best effort, they really do work. In the span of three months, I now look better and feel stronger than I ever did before (and I have been a fitness enthusiast for the past 15 years, running, swimming, rock climbing and doing step aerobics). If done properly, I found these workouts to be quite challenging, so it''s important to keep trying and not get frustrated or discouraged. One demonstrator performs modified versions throughout the entire workout, so hang in there. There is zero impact to your joints, so even if you have an old injury, you should be able to perform the exercises. The discs are expensive, but you get what you pay for. If you just want to try it, you can order individual discs directly from Physique 57, but ordering the package set saves you about forty bucks and you get significantly reduced shipping via Amazon. Oh yeah, and the playground ball.
I like longer workouts, so I usually do one of the full-length workouts in the morning, and combine the booster workouts back-to-back and use as a third full-length workout. I save the express workouts for evenings after work. The express workouts are NO JOKE, though; I''m usually more smoked after completing them, so don''t think you''re cheating yourself by working out for only 30 minutes. What can I say? Obviously I''m hooked; I even purchased VitaVibe''s freestanding portable ballet barre (Amazon carries that, too) so I don''t have to use the back of the couch as a makeshift barre anymore. Highly recommended.
UPDATE: I kind of hit a plateau doing just the Physique 57 workout DVDs, and was frustrated that there were not more available for me to mix things up. My solution was to add in running again--not a lot, but about 20-30 minutes prior to doing one of the Physique 57 workouts--and saw even better results than ever before. Keep in mind that this amounts to working out for a minimum of 60 minutes (if you combine running with an express workout) to 90 minutes (if you combine running with a full-length DVD). I know that most people DO NOT want to spend that kind of time in a single workout, but if you want results fast, it worked for me. Just thought I''d share. If running isn''t an option for you, I think any kind of intense pure cardio would work just as well. And please remember to hydrate.
Read Best Reviews of The Complete Physique 57 Workout Kit 3 Disc Set With Exercise Ball Here
This set is great and you will definitely get results, but don''t buy here. This same set, ball included, is sold on QVC for $43.12 + $5.97!!!Want The Complete Physique 57 Workout Kit 3 Disc Set With Exercise Ball Discount?
I''m pretty much a fitness & health buff ~ I''ve been active my whole life and spent my late teen years and 20''s dedicated to jogging and doing traditional strength training. Granted, I''ve never struggled with my weight, but like most women, I''ve consistently strived to improve what I see in the mirror.After doing ONLY P57 for several months, my body became leaner and more streamlined than ever before. My thighs especially became sleek (who thought that was possible?), more so than during all those years I spent jogging (which I hated!)
P57 delivers a full-body workout in under an hour. In my experience, spending more than 60 minutes exercising on any given day is like spinning your wheels ~ you''re expending energy and wearing yourself out, but you''re getting nowhere. There''s something unique about P57: you definitely feel "worked", yet energized, not wiped out or beaten up. It makes your whole body feel good, and elevates your mood, too.
These workouts are serious they''re not fluff. You WILL feel the burn, but you''ll love the results. You''ll become addicted. You''ll become toned. You''ll become lean. And most of all, you''ll become satisfied with your reflection and, more importantly, the way you feel in your own skin.
With the weather turning lovely the past few months, I''ve cut back on the frequency of my P57 workouts, and have been enjoying 30-60 minute walks most days (which are a wonderful compliment to P57, as I''ve maintained the lean, toned legs the DVD''s gave me). I tend to change my exercise routine now and then to avoid boredom and stagnation, but P57 will always remain in my fitness rotation.
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