Michelle Austin
I received my Fluidity last week and have done the Advanced workout three times
and the Seat and Thigh workout twice. I am really having fun with it and I can already
see subtle results in my waist and thighs. So I can already attest to the fact that
it is VERY effective.
The Bar came fully assembled, along with four videos, a ball and pump, two resistance
bands, healthy eating guide, and owner's manual. It is very, very sturdy and high-quality,
although it is very heavy and cumbersome to move. You can adjust the height of the
Bar to your liking, and it is very comfortable to hold on to. You can tie on the
resistance bands for the arm portion of the workout, and use the ball for many other
exercises. Overall I am impressed by the structure and sturdiness of the Bar, in
addition to the ball and bands.
The workout begins with a very short warm-up of knee lifts, step taps with arm sweeps,
and other exercises that prepare you for using correct form in the main workout.
It lasted about one minute. Then you take your Fluidity ball and place it between
your thighs, face the Bar, and do "parallel thigh work." This killed my
inner thighs and quadriceps. Next, you do fold-over seat work, which I found to
be very effective for the seat. You can perform this exercise in three different
positions, based on your fitness level. Next comes an exercise for the inner thighs
and quadriceps where you have your back against the Bar holding onto it, and do
simple leg raises with several variations. Following that is the pretzel, which
I recognized from the Bar Method. Fluidity's version is slightly more difficult,
yet still very doable. The most challenging exercise in the workout, IMO, is "flat-back",
which is performed next. You sit up against the flat board of the Fluidity Bar and
move your legs in different ways, often with the ball. I felt this in my lower abs
and hip flexors. Then you tie one of the resistance bands on the Bar and do a series
of arm exercises that work the rotator cuff, medial deltoid, and posterior deltoid.
More arm work follows with pull-ups on the Bar, tricep dips, tricep pushups, and
regular pushups. The conclusion to the workout is challenging ab work that builds
by adding subtle variations. After each exercise in the workout, you do a thorough
stretch which hits all the muscle groups worked in the preceding exercise.
The music was quite different, however I did find it to be somewhat pleasant. I
concur, though, that it could have improved. I liked the bright, airy set. The background
exercisers, Wintor and Erica, did the beginner and advanced modifications, respectively.
They looked very fit, but still healthy.
I really am glad I purchased this program. It is one of those workouts that you
look forward to doing and would even want to do it everyday. I do think you would
benefit having some familiarity with this type of workout, such as with Lotte Berk
or Bar Method, prior to making this type of investment. Nevertheless, Fluidity will
yield great results. I give it an A-.
Instructor comments:
I really liked the instructor, Michelle Austin. She seemed to be very knowledgeable
in human anatomy and physiology, safety, and execution. She reminds me a little
of Tamilee Webb, both in demeanor and appearance. She is a very skilled instructor,
IMO.
MariaKatherine
February 19, 2006
Wow, this workout was really tough! If you are a fan of Lotte and the Barr methods, this is for you! You will love it. The advanced workout is 42 minutes and begins with a short Lotte style warm-up (knee raises followed by side steps and then side pelvic tilt moves). The first set parallel thighs with the ball (a cross between a Lotte move and Grace's All The Right Moves)...then it's a squat like position still holding the ball and tilting the pelvis while holding onto the bar. Each exercise is followed by a short stretch. Next are bent over leg lifts (similar to Lotte and Barr Method). There are modifiers shown. Next is standing inner thigh work leg lifts. Down to the mat for pretzel. I'm used to the pretzel move from the Barr method but now that I have the bar itself and with some of the coaching from Michelle, I could barely do these!! Tough! After that you move to seated ball work holding the ball between your feet and lifting your legs..very challenging given you are keeping your back flat against the back of the bar mat-thing...no cheating :) Then you do some arm work with bands. I wasn't too excited about doing upper body but I actually liked the moves we did and felt them when done in a very controlled manner. Then there were pullups (looks kinda of like bridge but using your arms to pull up the upper body), she also does Lotte-style tricep dips and pushups. Moving on to abs.....holy guacamole I began to sweat at this point, it's done with the ball. The ab work was also very challenging but short enough to not have serious dred factor.
In summary, I'd say this workout is like many workouts, you get out of it what you put into it. If you focus and concentrate, you will feel the burn for sure. I also like that there are many sets but done with variations so it's not boring. For someone like me that sees fantastic results when consistently using Lotte and Barr, the Fluidity workouts are a must have for your collection.
In regards to the bar itself, I am so very happy I got it! I recently bought the Supreme Pilates as well and if I had to just choose one, I'd definately choose the Fluidity bar without a doubt. I can't wait to do my Lotte's and Barr workouts when I get bored with the Fluidity ones.
Instructor comments:
Likable, subtle but effective, encouraging, good form pointers
papaya
4/22/06
