Physique 57 DVDs: Review

Physique 57 is a terrific exercise studio that focuses on toning, strengthening and sculpting.  Not everyone lives near a location, or wants to pay the somewhat steep fees per class. 

Your solution?  Physique 57 offers workout DVDs that are absolutely effective and true to the live classes.  I own the Volume I workout (all DVDs found here), which includes the classic 57 minute full body workout, the express 30 minute full body workout and the arm and ab booster 30 minute workout.  My workout set also came with the Physique 57 exercise ball.  This set costs $59.95 plus shipping and handling.  Volume II is $10 cheaper, but doesn't include the exercise ball.  You can also buy both volumes, including the exercise ball, for $99.90 plus shipping and handling.

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I have used these DVDs several times and enjoy the workouts.  As mentioned in prior posts, I used to take similar barre-style classes at a different studio in NYC so I recognized many of the moves already.  The workouts on each DVD, even the 30 minute express workouts, are difficult and effective.  I definitely felt sore afterwards.  For moves that required a barre, I simply used the back of a sturdy chair dragged in front of the tv from the dining area.

I know people that use these workouts several times a week (I also know people that go to the studio several times a week for live classes).  Like everything else in life, you get out what you put in!  If you put in 100% effort and pay attention to form, despite the burn you will absolutely feel in your legs and abs, then you will benefit from these DVDs.  I incorporate these DVDs into my home workouts when I want to deviate from a straight cardio/HIIT/weights routine.

As a final note, I didn't pay the full price for these DVDs.  I bought my Volume I set on eBay, including the exercise ball, for a discount.  If you are interested in workout DVDs but you are looking to save money, I always suggest checking eBay first!

NBC's Spoiler Snafu

I spent all day yesterday avoiding blogs, news coverage and Facebook feeds in order to enjoy NBC's primetime Olympics coverage.  I was eagerly awaiting the swim competitions, especially Missy Franklin's 100 meter backstroke.  I had no idea what was going to happen and I watched an hour of coverage after getting home from work, waiting for her race!

Missy swam in a semifinal for a different race, then hopped into a cool-down pool waiting for her backstroke race.  "Right after the commercials, in under ten minutes!" NBC touted.  I eagerly perched on the couch.

And then NBC played the commercials, one of which showed a teaser for the moment that Missy Franklin saw her parents for the first time after WINNING her gold medal. 

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Thanks, NBC, for spoiling the race results that I managed to avoid all day just mere minutes before your own primetime showing of her race.  It was a suspenseful race, and had I not known the results I would have been biting my nails.  But thanks to NBC's inability to put that commercial on the air AFTER she won her gold medal, I watched her come from behind, already secure in the knowledge that she was obviously going to win.

Workout, July 29, 2012 (Treadmill and weights)

Workout: 3 miles (and change) on the Treadmill and a Kettlebell set

This was a fun Sunday morning workout, chosen specifically because I needed to watch the Olympics on tv!  My workout partially coincided with the U.S. v. France men's basketball game, and I also caught portions of the the women's biking race as well.

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I first embarked on a brisk 3 mile walk (actually slightly over 3 miles if you want to get picky), indoors on the treadmill (due to the aforementioned Olympics).  If you don't own a treadmill, because after all, if you are saving money buying a treadmill is sort of contradictory, then by all means head outside!  If you don't know how to measure a mile from your house, then you have a few options:  (A) Drive your car from your house and clock certain distances, such as 1 mile roundtrip, so you know what route to take and how long it actually is, (B) ignore the actual mileage and just focus on your time, by walking the same route but keeping track of how long it takes you to complete it, or (C) buy/find a tracking device, which I believe now you can just download on your phone.  If this is also not a feasible option (for example, you live in a bad neighborhood, the weather is very cold/very hot/pouring rain/etc., home responsibilities demand that you stay indoors), then substitute a brisk walk for something else cardio, like a HIIT routine or even dancing.

I followed my walk up with a set of the following kettlebell-oriented exercises (see this post for descriptions on these exercises):

• Bicep curls (10 on each arm, using a 10 pound kettlebell);
• Dead lifts (10, using a 15 pound kettlebell); and
• Bent Rows (10, using a 10 pound kettlebell).

I repeated the above circuit three times.  I also used a move from the Zuzana Light video in this post, the squat overhead press, using an exercise band held tight for resistance.  I did 3 sets of 10 as well.  I like taking moves from videos and incorporating them into my own workouts!

Adidas Techfit Tank

Last week my husband was shoe shopping at an Adidas outlet store while I was still at work and I asked him to pick a new tank for me, entirely at his discretion.  He came home with a great top!

(Adidas - find it here)

This is the Adidas Techfit Tank, a very lightweight top with a mesh back to allow for dryness and comfort.  It is on the Adidas website for $28, but my husband paid around $22 at the outlet store (and also scored it in a bright purple color, which is not on the website).  I've already worn it twice, and it definitely excels in the comfort arena.

But even more importantly... while watching an Olympics rhythmic gymnastics promo over the weekend, a gymnast was wearing this exact tank while practicing her ribbon routine!  I recognized the tank immediately.  If that isn't proof that this is a great tank, I don't know what is!

How to Quit the Gym

My husband and I are officially gym quitters!

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We marched into gym services this weekend and asked to speak to a representative in order to cancel our memberships.  We were ready for a fight, a hard sell, some battle back and forth.  We are both lawyers so trust me, we were ready for it.

Surprisingly, we were in and out of the gym in about 5 minutes -- the amount of time it took to find out membership information and print the paperwork.

It feels liberating.  We are no longer slaves to automatic monthly credit card charges of over $140 for the two of us.  What could you do with an extra $140 a month?  You could buy every video that interests you, a set of kettlebells and free weights, even save up for your own spin bike or treadmill.  You can work out on your own time without worrying about finding a babysitter.  If you only have a free 30 minutes, that doesn't leave enough time to get to the gym, do anything productive, and come home -- yet you can squeeze in a HIIT workout, some Pilates core moves, and anything else you desire at home.

Workout, July 28, 2012 (ZWow and Pilates)

Workout: ZWow #25 Butt Push and Strong, Shapely Arms Pilates

Today marked my first Zuzana Light video (a link to all of her YouTube videos can be found on my free online workout links page), the Butt Push! video.  This tough routine consists of burpees (ouch), plyo flys, squat overhead presses (use a weight, a broomstick, an exercise band, or whatever else you have around the house that suits you), lateral jump touches and ab splitters.  Clocking in at under 20 minutes, this workout will challenge your muscles without taking away hours of your day.

I followed up my first Zuzana Light workout with a Pilates mat video entitled Strong Shapely Arms (remember, you have to be a member on this site to see the videos, but signing up is free and so is usage of all of the basic videos).  The month is almost over, so I suspect that in a few days this mat workout will be replaced with a new mat workout because the site rotates the free videos each month.  This workout utilizes moves that work both the arms and the core and although only 12 minutes, believe me, burn will be felt!

Free Online Workouts Coming Soon!

After much research this past week, I have several new online workout sites that I am ready to recommend!  I am going to spend part of this weekend going through a few of the free offerings myself before I post updates, so please check back...  I am excited to be able to offer my readers even more affordable ways to stay fit and healthy at home.