I loved this DVD!! It is, though, the most challenging barre DVD I own (at least for me). It is rated Intermediate-Advanced which I think is fair. I think it does require good knowledge of one’s own body as far as what things you can or can’t do, skipping an exercise or using the modifier, or just doing fewer reps where needed. It certainly gives me something to work up to which I appreciate. Physical therapist and Pilates Certified Instructor Chantal Donnelly (Strong Knees DVD) performs the modified versions and I did need to follow her during the main Booty Barre workout.

I performed the entire DVD in one sitting after doing 20 minutes on the elliptical. I could also see breaking apart the different segments.

FUSION WARM UP (7:01)
A fairly intense warm up including a mix of calf raises, and variations on squats/chair pose, lunge/crescent pose, standing splits, wide leg squat with butt back, and standing side leg lifts while balancing.

KILLER ARMS (14:23)
Tracey recommends 3 or 5 lbs. I used 5 lbs but I’m pretty strong and think many might need 3 lbs. The first part is done with legs together and lifted on the toes which adds a nice balance challenge. Chantal does it with her feet flat instead as the modifier. I usually do mostly body weight exercises for upper body but like to include weights once a week (usually Squeeze Stronger Upper Body & Waist). Many barre workouts that include weights are pretty easy for me. While this one is not as tough for upper body as Squeeze Stronger, I really liked the nice combination of waist and upper body work on this DVD. This was a very unique routine and I liked the fast pace.

Tracy hits the biceps, shoulders, triceps, chest….in various positions – on the toes, wide leg squat, curtsy squat, side leg lifts, and also balancing on one leg in a high static single-leg squat. She adds some nice twists to hit the obliques and waist. You then move to the floor for tricep dips variations.

BOOTY BARRE & ABS (34:37)
(Need a playground ball and chair for support – I used my Fitball)
This is a ballet inspired routine with an athletic feel. If you are familiar with barre workouts and are looking for a challenging workout, this is it. I have hip dsyplasia and can’t lift my leg as high as Tracey does so I followed Chantal keeping my leg lower and also staying lower on my toes during relevé. These modifications worked really well for me. You move your arms constantly through this segment.

This section includes:
o First position plie variations, including alternating with passé, second position and fourth position plie
o Second position plies – she does one version with butt back and knees moving in and out that I really felt in the butt! Another version uses pelvic tilts to the front and sides.
o Brief cardio segment starting from plank and kicking both legs off the ground into a pike
o A variety of side leg lifts to work the glutes, obliques, and abs
o Cardio segment with low pulsing lunges, hands resting on the ground, quickly switching legs
o Parallel leg plies
o Static single leg plie with forward leg lifts – this might be too challenging for some to remain on one leg. I do single leg squats twice a week so this was a challenging alternative doing them in relevé!
o Parallel leg plie alternating with a forward leg lift, leg bent at the knee – works the abs
o Leg kicks forward and then to the side
o Warrier 3 inspired segment (I really liked this)- pulsing raised leg and one raised arm, then bending at the hip to touch extended arm to the ground and back up again, and then sweeping the raised leg out to the side and straightening the upper body
o Parallel leg plie moving hips in a figure 8, raising and lowering
o Cardio segment – plank tucking one leg up towards the abs, and then moving into mountain climbers
o Glute work with playground ball tucked behind the knee
o Plies squeezing the playground ball between the thighs
o Sit on chair leaning back in small c-curve, ball tucked between knees, legs bent – raising and lowering the legs to work the abs

CORE CHALLENGE AND CALMING STRETCH (23:43)
Using a 3 or 5 lb weight is optional in this segment – I skipped the weight.
o Brief c-curve segment (approximately 2 minutes)
o Mostly pilates inspired ab work including bicycle, can-can, reverse curl with weight between legs, classic crunch raising lower and upper body, oblique crunch, explode segment (start on back with legs in table, extend into boat/V with arms raised, includes rotation), roll over, single straight leg stretch, climb a tree
The ab portion lasts about 13 minutes.
o Back extension: cobra, swan dive, snake
o Pushups (20)
Stretching starts about 15 minutes into this segment.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

I really liked this DVD. It was fun and intense and for such a long DVD, time really went quickly. The Booty Barre segment is similar to her first Booty Barre DVD, but feels like a completely different routine. If you have her first DVD and liked it, I think you would probably like this one. This DVD makes up for the missing ab work on the first one.

My muscles felt nicely tight after I finished the workout, but because I had been careful to not lift my legs to high during the side leg lifts (followed Chantal) I didn’t have any muscle soreness to speak of. I did put in my Strong Knees DVD and did the stretch segment from it after I completed the workout (I like a lot of stretching).

Just as background, I’m 48 with hip dysplasia and some cartilage damage in one knee (although the knee doesn’t bother me much anymore). I consider myself to be advanced-intermediate for barre work.

kitty12