Since I began working with Beyond Balletone, I’ve become even more impressed with it. In my review, I had said this was a fantastic cardio workout. Three weeks later, I stand by my statement.
I’ve been working with this DVD regularly and to my amazement and delight, am seeing some benefits. My belly has started to go down (though a friend of mine keeps warning me it’ll go down in history and nothing else) and my upper arms are thinner. Legs as well. Balance has improved. Lovely.
Why I think this workout works is because the movements used are large rather than difficult. There’s sustained activity for a whole hour (unless you want to stop earlier) and although the variety of moves is limited, the expansiveness of these moves keeps the heart rate up. Gradually, I find I’ve been able to do more and more of the workout at one go and am now 45 minutes into it. In fact, all that’s left is an express version of the workout, and a cool down.
As I’ve progressed with this workout, I’ve figured out what is it one can do to extend the challenge – not that it’s a low challenge workout to begin with.
1. Get into good form so that more muscles are called into play. Although Sharon Fable tells you it doesn’t “have to be pretty”, I disagree. Eventually, it must because as you try to conform to the right look, you work harder .
2. Enlarge the moves to make sure you are getting the most out of it So, if you’re reaching forward, focus on reaching further and further without compromising form and balance. This will enhance the stretch and will elongate and tone the body more.
3. Focus on flow and balance so that you use the core fully, strengthening it some more. End each movement with a foot or leg lift rather than letting yourself settle on the floor with the toes. Increase the height of the foot or leg lifts significantly to up the balance challenge.
These few things will increase the shelf life of the exercise program.
I tried this workout (only the first few segments, the muscle conditioning portion) for the first time last night and was very pleased with the cardio effect. I’m always looking for dance workouts like this. My form was not perfect partly because my husband kept interrupting me (and my preschooler loves playing with his cars, etc around my feet when I exercise!).
I also have the Sole Synthesis workout which I did last week–I found it was good but perhaps not as intense as Beyond Balletone.
I agree that good form is important–for me, particularly with any move resembling a squat or plie. If I don’t pay attention to good form, my knees complain the next day!
Ah, stick with it and you’ll see definite benefits. All the weight shifting and balancing will help other dancing quite a lot. Great stuff.
I too have Sole Synthesis and another one… what is it… Oh yes, Center Moves. I haven’t worked with those two yet.
Don’t step on a toy car though!