Well, That Hurts!
Posted: June 16, 2011 at 6:35 pmBefore heading out for my beach trip, I received a little something special in the mail.
Natasha from Physique 57 offered me a Physique 57 workout DVD to try out and review on the blog. I had heard others mention how much they adored the challenge of Physique 57 workouts and my intrigue quickly grew. I believe in trying new forms of fitness to continue to grow in strength and challenge our bodies in new ways. So, I happily accepted the offer and couldn’t wait to break out the workout.
Since I wouldn’t have access to a gym during my vacation, I figured completing the DVD as my strength training on the trip would work perfectly and give me the chance to fully try out the workout. Plus, I knew it would travel well as the workout calls for minimal equipment – a lightweight ball, 3-5 pound hand weights, a mat, and access to the back of a sturdy object such as a chair or couch.
the ball – seems so innocent, but a powerhouse tool in disguise
During our afternoon down time I popped in the DVD ready to see just what this Physique 57 workout could deliver.
I have a confession. I didn’t expect much of this workout. I thought it would be a neat way to switch it up, but not something I would love. I have my Cathe addiction after all. I will admit when I make a wrong assumption and, boy, did I assume wrong.
Tanya gave great motivation and instruction throughout the DVD and really created a comprehensive workout for the body. She focuses on good form, provides alterations with modified moves or challenges, and keeps the workout progressing smoothly. She knows just when to give you that little extra oomph without sounding annoying. I also appreciate that she emphasizes the hard work and consistency it takes to reap the full benefits of the workout. I love a realistic instructor who helps you believe in yourself to work harder.
And you will work hard. The 57 minute workout goes through a few different sections. You start with the warm-up which goes through some planks, standard squats, push-ups and arm weights. Yes - that’s all just the warm-up!
New rule: on vacation, wine bottles make the best form of weight resistance. Or they work in a pinch when you realize you left your 5 lb dumbbells at home. No matter what though, my arms were a-quivering by the end of the moves!
Once you finish the warm-up, you move to a lot (lot lot lot) of pulsing squats and leg lifts/hicks with and without the ball. Let’s just say chilling in a squat on your tippy toes while squeezing a ball with your inner thighs sounds fine and dandy. In reality, you will want to hurl that ball at the screen for the fire in your legs…but then remember how its helping your booty so instead grit your teeth and bear the (good) pain.
Eventually the DVD ends with some more upper body work. You complete more things like push-ups, triceps dips, and planks along with a series of core work that I can’t even begin to describe. I believe the best work for the core comes less with crunches and more with moves that focus on pulling in the core and tightening overall. Physique 57 provides just that and after 10 minutes of their abdominal moves I already felt like I had a tighter stomach. I honestly don’t think I have come across a more challenging abs focused workout on a DVD.
When all was said and done, I admitted that Physique 57 owned me. I fully intend to continue incorporating the workout as an additional challenge and variety. I’m pretty, okay very, picky about workout DVDs. I didn’t expect Physique 57 to impress me this much, but it certainly did. It’s a winner!
And speaking of winners – one of you will win a Classic Full Body Physique 57 Workout DVD of your own. Three ways to enter below -
- Leave a comment telling me a new workout you have tried recently.
- Tweet the following: I would love to try @Physique57 so I hope to win this giveaway from @TinaFFF - Leave a separate comment letting me know you tweeted.
- Like FFF on Facebook and leave a separate comment saying so.
Giveaway open to US residents only. Ends Sunday night at 9 PM EST. Winner announced on Monday morning. Good luck!!!!
I recently added swimming to my weekly exercise routine. Whether it is in a pool, lake or ocean. It is great work out for all the muscles in the body. I like to hold onto the wall and time as hard and as long as I can.:-) I agree with you. DVD workouts are hard to come by. Atleast the good ones any way. Good luck!
Tweet complete!! 🙂
I already like!! On FB 🙂
i just did a killer hiit workout on the treadmill that left me exhausted! it mixed up speeds and inclines and after 25 minutes i was dying! this looks like an awesome dvd to incorporate into a workout plan.
i tweeted! 🙂 (@sarahlearnsblog)
i like fff on facebook!
That looks like a killer workout!
I tried part of the Yoga for Weight Loss dvd last week.
I just have to tell you that I love when little Miss M gets in on the workout photo-shoots with you!! It’s adorable! 😀
This is a home workout I’ve been looking for!
Hmm, a workout I recently tried? Spinning is the last new thing, but I want to try the Barre Method
Tweeted!
I’m @angienewton
I like you on Facebook!
I tried Cathe’s workout for the first time at Fitbloggin and really liked it!
I’ve heard lots of great things about this DVD/workout!
Tweet complete!
I already “like” FFF on Facebook
I recently tried the Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones. It was tough (since it was my first time through) but I enjoyed it. I will definitely give it another try!
Tweeted!
I recently tried a pure barre class. It was great, but this DVD would be a more cost-friendly option!
“Liked” on Facebook!
I’m incorporating Spinning into my routine once a week to boost my cardio and hopefully give me more endurance for running:)
I tweeted it!
And I’m already liking you on Facebook, although I’d “love” you on there if I could 🙂
I already like you on facebook!
Honestly, I felt the same way about Core Fusion, but I LOVE it. It’s a sneaky workout that gets you in unexpected places.
That’s awesome!! Physique 57 and all of those barre classes (like the Barre N9ne challenge Jess and I are doing) are SO much harder than they look!! Glad it got ya convinced!! I love this style workout SO MUCH and can’t wait for Cathe’s barre style workout to come out!
And consider it tweeted! 🙂
What a great giveaway! It’s not exactly new, but recently I did a kickboxing DVD that I own, but haven’t done in YEARS. I love it!
oh heck ya, love the wine bottles. Now if only we could keep them full. haha.
I’ve recently become addicted to HIIT because it’s fast and effective!
I recently started a Supreme 90 rotation. This is like the poor man’s P90X..lol. So far, I am loving it!
I have just started to incorporate yoga into my daily routine. I recently had a baby and this DVD would be awesome to help me workout at home!
Thanks for sharing this. I have added new exercises since a back injury – those include swimming which I enjoy ( and always have, but never really felt like it was exercise because its fun).
I appreciate getting a glimpse into others workout styles and habits/challenges – I am a ways from being able to do this kind of workout (given my back) but look forward to incorporating something like this when I am “all better.”
ive started running.. its been almost a month! i would love to try this dvd
I would LOVE to win this! A new to me workout lately… hmmm – I’ve been doing intervals of cardio/strength outside. It’s been great to break it up!
I tweeted!
I liked you on FB a loooong time ago girlie!! 🙂
I recently tried IntenSati and it was awesome! I hope to win this!
The newest workout I have tried is “Ripped”. I have been wanting to try body pump, but do not belong to a gym and I read that this DVD was very close to it, so I ordered it and have been using it for 3 weeks and love it 🙂 However, I am always up for a new challenge!!
I tried Barre 3 and it was great!!! I think it’s *sort of* like Physique 57 but I’m jonesing to give P57 a try….and I’m a poor student so I have not money to shell out for the DVD! (Feel sorry for me yet?!?!) haha
Just liked you on FB, too!
Double whammy!! 🙂
I left a tweet on giveaway. I really want to lose this baby weight. Please choose me!
I tried Zumba for the first time yesterday
I ran a complete hill-focused workout this morning! Which I never really have done before. Hated it but loved it at the same time!
ps. I see some fitbloggin’ socks!! 🙂
And your daughter is too adorable working out with you!
I tweeted
I tweeted!!
And I liked FFF on facebook 🙂
Ok, this sounds awesome. I need a new workout to kick my butt. I tried level 2 of Jillian Michaels’ kettlebell dvd and it nearly killed me. I need more workouts like that.
I’m so glad you liked it-Physique 57 is my all-time favorite workout! Because of that I never really ventured into other types of classes but the past few months I have been trying a lot of different types of workouts. The latest one I tried was Barry’s Bootcamp at their new studio in New York.
I tweeted. 🙂
I tweeted! 🙂
I recently tried out Yoga Meltdown – and really like it!