CORE SECRETS KIT with Gunnar Peterson: 2 DVD SET (3 WORKOUTS)

I bought this off of an infomercial three (maybe more) years ago and I still love the workouts. The DVDs give you the option of running through the workout in order, or using shuffle to change it up. The 25 minute core workout is effective given the short time frame and the advanced workout is truly challenging. I actually enjoy that Gunnar has the viewer standing, sitting and moving around. It helps pass the time. I''m glad to see that Amazon still sells this as I''ve recently recommended this workout to several friends. My stability ball has survived two moves and is still going strong. Overall I was very happy with this product and only wish that Gunnar made more workouts for me to buy.

I suffered the worst back injury of my life in early 2003. I saw all sorts of doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, etc. I "hurt it" (at least accutely) reaching down and across my body playing tennis, but even with all sorts of tests, exams, etc. it is difficult to know what "caused" it whether it was that action, years of wear, etc. I had only had one back incident in years of playing football, powerlifting, and all sorts of other sports. It was almost intollerable pain for many months, nagging problems for at least a year, with flare ups for 2-3 years. In those early months especially, it affected my work, my sleep, my health, my relationships every part of my life. I even considered back surgery at one point. Below is a rough outline of the major steps in my path back to health. I have shared them with my friends and others who ask, and hopefully they might help some others out there (I plan to post it under a couple of the products listed below). I especially encourage anyone to try some of these things before surgery, extended narcotic use, or more extreme treatments:

1. A conservative neurologist and a conservative physical therapist encouraged an intense stretching routine. I am not talking about a few stretches, with half effort, when you feel like it. I am talking about several times a days, stretching intesely, attacking the problem, and giving your body a chance to begin to heal itself.

2. The "Core Secrets" program by Gunnar Peterson was a God-send and the first major step. It was focused on stretching and strengthening, but was difficult enough to push my body some and begin to get back in overall shape. I challenge anyone with back problems to try it for at least a few weeks or months and see if it does not help greatly (but not instantly!).

3. Swimming mixed with frequent hot tub therapy to get to the next level of fitness.

4. The book "Back Sense" by Siegel, Udrang, and Johnson was helpfull, especially on this main point: the best thing for the vast majority of back problems is not taking it easy or addressing some structural defect, but getting back to normal movement. I am not a doctor or back expert, and I cannot vouch for every idea and part of the book, but this was certainly an encouraging book for me in my particular situation and might be for you too.

5. Pilates at first but then yoga, especially "The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga" with Bob Harper, helped get me to the final stage of flexibility and strength where I felt comfortable getting back to more demanding activities such as tennis and jogging. A few years ago, if someone would have told me about yoga, I would have thought they were crazy and likely would not have listened. But I cannot tell you how much this product has helped me especially in managing and preventing back pain.

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The ball is fantastic, it really takes out the boredom of regular sit-ups and crunches without straining your back.

The workouts however were a bit disappointing, there was no continuity you had to get up then down, stand by the ball, then sit on it, then stand again, then lie on it. It was very disjointed and prevented me from really getting into it, there weren''t enough reps either so just as you got the hang of what to do you had to get into a completely different position again. I felt it was unprofessional and ineffective but I was very happy with ball and use it inconjunction with all my other workout dvd''s when they start crunching and press-ups.

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