EXHALE: CORE FUSION BARRE BASICS FOR BEGINNERS

UPDATE Aug 2013: This workout gave me love handles! Not kidding. But it's a good thing ... here's why...The tightening of the muscles up and around the top of my hip bone is so intense with this workout that where I previously had a nice (apparently) smooth round shape, the underlying muscles got so toned that the remaining fat around my midsection suddenly appeared like love-handles. Amazing results. And I expect the fat-burning that's occurring because of the additional lean muscle tissue will take care of the mid-drift fat in just a few more weeks/months. Good-bye love handles ... hello sexy! :)I've been using this workout a few times a week for about 3 months now. I LOVE it! I've found that for me it's better if I still select to play the tutorials that come in between each of the 10-minute segments. I don't need the tutorials anymore. Instead I use the extra time to intensify my stretching. That has really helped my overall flexibility, wellbeing and lean muscle build-up.ORIGINAL REVIEW May 2013:This workout is challenging. I wouldn't say the workout itself is beginner level, rather the production of the video is extremely helpful for someone starting out. I say that because the tutorial segments are very clear and left no doubt in my mind about proper positions for the Core Fusion Barre method.In fact, the voice-over throughout is very precise and helpful. I felt like I was getting a personal trainer's help to optimally position my body for the exercises. I got this video today and that's actually what I currently appreciate the most. The instructions are clear without being annoying or too "cheerleader-y" which I find can be distracting when I'm trying to concentrate on my workout.I'm in my fifties and used to be a LOT more fit than I am now. Even so, I don't get winded going up four flights of stairs; and I can walk or bike for over an hour without breaking a sweat (flat terrain). So I have decent cardio fitness. But, this was definitely challenging to me ... I'm really feeling it... that inner-tingly feeling. And it made me wobbly in a good way :)I watched all the tutorials first and found them so inspiring, I actually proceeded to do the video right away rather than procrastinate for a few days ... weeks :) The tutorial segments made me feel like I could really do this and the clarity built my confidence.Then I tried to do it ... dang! I'm out of shape :) I couldn't finish a single one of the segments without taking a break.I think that's actually good though. To me, that means I'm going to get my money's-worth from this. In the beginning the most value will come from the tutorials. Then as I return to fitness, I know I'll be able to finish the segments. YAY! And the tutorials are optional. I'll be able to play the workout without them once I get the positions memorized.Here are the segments (IMPORTANT NOTE: Not all of the exercises use the barre, I'd say this DVD is about half barre, half floor & prop):Turned Out Thigh ------ Tutorial 2:45 mins, Exercise 10 minsParallel Thigh --------- Tutorial 1:50 mins, Exercise 10:50 minsStanding Glute Toner - Tutorial 1:40 mins, Exercise 10:50 minsGlute Sculpt ----------- Tutorial 1:20 mins, Exercise 10:20 minsPretzel ------------------ Tutorial 1:25 mins, Exercise 10 minsFlat/Round Back Core - Tutorial 2:35 mins, Exercise 10:50 minsPure Core --------------- Tutorial 1:30 mins, Exercise 10 minsThe times are rounded +/- a few seconds for ease of reading. Each of the exercise segments starts with a minute or less of marching-style warm-up except the Glute Sculpt section. There is no "cool down" section at the end of the video, rather there are a lot of stretches woven throughout the work-out. I really liked that. I can see where that will help restore my flexibility.The workout focuses on the lower body and core. Your upper body gets worked out, but not overly or explicitly. Let's put it this way ... all of the burn I felt was at my diaphragm or lower. And I'll credit the tutorials for that. Because I usually tense-up my shoulders while working out... not in a good way. So, the positioning instructions helped me avoid that problem.Two tiny things: The main menu was initially a bit confusing until I realized that the word "tutorial" should have really been a column header. If you get the video, you'll see what I mean. Just keep clicking to figure out how to play the segments with & without the tutorials. Not a big deal.The other small thing is the soundtrack. Music is such a personal thing. It wasn't terrible, just not for me. I'm sure someone else would really like it. But I found the soundtrack was a bit distracting at times. I really wish these videos would have an option to have instruction-only. I'd really like to have the option to lose the slightly-annoying soundtrack if it's just not my taste. That way I could play my own music (or not) and just hear the instructions from the video.All of that said ... I'm going to be buying more of these Exhale videos. This workout was awesome. I feel GREAT! And the energy encryption here is exactly what I'm looking for.

I was looking to mix up my normal workout, so I decided to try out this DVD. I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. First, ignore the cover. The girl on the front has zero to do with the DVD. I'm pretty sure she's just a stock photo they used for the cover. There are two instructors who have been teaching and training other teachers for longer than I've been alive. They take you through every motion and explain WHY you're doing it and WHAT it is working and HOW it is helping you. The DVD is broken up in to 7 different 10 minute workouts that can be played all together or individually with or without the instructional introduction. I especially love that they stress form above all else and give plenty of modifiers to help you along the way. They flat out acknowledge that the exercises can be difficult and that it is perfectly ok to take a break or to modify to the easier movement. And let me tell you, you will probably need to take breaks and to use the modifiers. These movements are easy and intense at the same time. After about 3 minutes of the 10 minute leg workout, I'm drenched in sweat and my legs are slowly turning to jello, but man, it hurts so good. My only complaint about the DVD is that the actual workouts are voice overs, so often times they start the new movement before telling you what they're doing.

If you haven’t done this type of workout before, prepare to be sore!It’s well done. Explained and demonstrated well and at a pace easy to follow.

This DVD helped me with my functional mobility/ balance/ tone/ flexibility. I recommend it to anyone wanting to get back to exercise or after training. I like to do 1-2 of these 10 minute workouts at a time as a cool - down after my kettlebell workouts. I don't get sore as I actively engage/ stretch the muscles and find these workouts therapeutic for muscle conditioning. I normally workout with a 20 pound kettlebell and will set it down for some martial motion like burpees/ sprawls/ and motions that used to be so tiring and too difficult. Now my balance is really good and I able to do workouts that I never thought I could handle. This DVD is great after a kickboxing and/ or kettlebell training. I also got other DVDs by Exhale and loving adding these 10 min workouts to my workouts. I feel it helped me with my balance so when I do the warrior pose and standing on one leg with a 20 pound bell I have no concern for injury or not being able to do it. My favorite one in this DVD is the standing glute exercises and a lot does happen with those small movements. I also like the core fusion power sculpt and they are more challenging then the beginner DVD but this DVD has the building blocks to empower you to do more.

Three of the seven exercises are NOT for the barre. They are floor exercises. I bought an exercise barre and purchased this BARRE video to do BARRE exercises. I do not want to do floor exercises. I hated them when I was 20-something and at that time switched to using Nautilus machines at the gym. I certainly don't want to do floor exercises at 50-something, which is why I won't even consider yoga.The 4 barre exercises are great, though. Short, which means I'll actually make time to exercise every day. They had my legs shaking and burning. Small movements, nothing jarring, and great stretches. Even though some of the stretches for the 4 barre exercises were on the floor, I was able to modify them so I could do the stretches off the floor. As a result, I will keep this video. I just wish I could be certain when buying barre videos that they are actually ALL barre exercises.