[.ca] Crunch: Boot Camp Training

From Amazon.com:
This intermediate-to-advanced video from the trendy gym Crunch will work all your muscles, including your heart. The intense half-hour workout is divided into seven-and-a-half-minute segments. Instructor Susan Hitzman and her class of young, perfect hardbodies (showing off incredibly tight, sculpted midriffs) demonstrate strengthening moves that combine upper- and lower-body muscles, for example, doing an overhead press with weights and a squat simultaneously, varying the rhythm for intensity. And, of course, it wouldn't be "boot camp" without pushups. "Remember, I would rather you gave me 4 excellent pushups than 12 sloppy ones!" Hitzman announces. By the end you'll be begging for mercy, because each segment has progressively harder pushup variations, including some you've never tried. Hitzman also gives you your fill of lunges and cardio moves such as jumping jacks. Meanwhile the upper-body strength exercises get progressively more difficult with each segment, as do the abdominal routines. Hitzman is a fine, innovative instructor, cueing clearly with plenty of instruction for doing the moves correctly. If you think you've done it all, Boot Camp will make a man or woman of you! --Joan Price

Good workout but too short.:
I really enjoyed this DVD but just found it too short. I'm a mum of a toddler so I will use it as something to fall back on when I don't have time for a full workout. Its 30 minutes in total and when you remove the warm up and stretch parts there's not a lot left to get you sweating. I think the strength training aspect is very good and I really liked the combo moves, which really pack the muscle groups in. I would not call this a cardio DVD though. I used my heart rate monitor and my hr when into my cardio zone for exactly 3 mins and 53 seconds out of 30 mins! This DVD is ideal for adding to your existing workout, really good for strength training and great for beginners. I would not recommend relying on it for your cardio workout though.

whew!:
This is a fantastic 30 minute workout that will leave you sweating and burning in a short period of time. The workout offers great upper body moves, and it's broken me out of my at-home weightlifting rut. I strongly suggest that you continue to stretch after the dvd ends-otherwise you'll likely be sore all over like I was, and I am a relatively active person. Sue Hitzmann and her can-do attitude make you want to get that last push-up in- even if it takes all you've got, and the production quality is one of the best I've come across. A must for the time-crunched, and aren't we all?

Feels like you're in boot camp!:
Okay, I bought this video about 3 years ago and brought it out of retirement after 2 years and for only 30 minutes, this video kicks your (...)(!!! I was sweating more than I do at the gym, getting my heart rate up, my legs felt like they were going to fall off after the first time doing the workout, it was great! Highly recommended, use it in addition or as a substitution to your regular workout for about 6 weeks for noticeable results.

great cardio & toning workout:
i find this workout to be very effective, it is broken down into 3 sections rolled into 1 workout each one utilizes weights, squats/lunges, pushups, & ab work so the entire body gets a workout. each section gets a bit more challenging & you definetly work up a sweat. my only complaint in this dvd is the background exerciser who wears khaki shorts to exercise & laughs the entire time. i dont find exercising to be funny & dont know anyone else who does (including the others in the dvd).

Great 30 minute workout!:
This a great workout with all the basics plus some great two-in-one moves, like combining a squat and an overhead press. Basics include pushups, jacks, squats, curls, and lunges, but there is lots of variety, such as pushups with leg raises or jump squats with the jacks. Great mix of cardio and weights led by a really comprehensive instructor. Easy to follow and motivating. I've been working out for years, in class and at home, and really enjoy this one. Out of the 10 fitness DVDs I own, this is definitely top 3!!