10 Minute Solution: Belly, Butt, & Thigh Blasters

Jessica Smith
Year Released: 2009

Categories: Abs/Core , Lower Body Strength


This is an ab and leg focused workout from the 10 Minute Solution series, which utilizes a small loop band (they give you two bands with the DVD, but I found they broke quickly, and got higher quality replacements from Perform Better). I really enjoy using the loop band and was really excited to get this DVD (I got it when it came out in 2009 and have used it fairly frequently since) and Jessica uses the band really creatively and effectively. There are three toning chapters (two for legs and one for abs) as well as two cardio chapters (one leg focused and the other ab focused). I like to use individual chapters add-on style after heavy leg work, to really burn out the legs and work on endurance, or for a lighter cardio/leg day, or for travel, because the bands fit right in the DVD case and no other equipment is needed.

There is a small annoyance with the loop bands (which is consistent with different brands of the band) in that it bunches up and feels uncomfortable on your legs, and requires some readjusting every few minutes. Jessica didn’t seem to have hers bunch up too bad, but even her band slipped down her legs quickly. But I still enjoy working with the band too much to let this deter me.

Jessica moves things right along with a fairly short (0:30 minute) warm up and cool down in each chapter, and the music in this is fun. Lindsey already broke this down, so I’m just going to add my opinions.

-Better Booty Camp: As suggested by the title, this toning chapter really focuses on the glutes. All of the exercises are done standing. The band and choices of exercises really does allow you to work the glutes without working the hamstrings and quads, something I know people really enjoy about Beachbody’s Brazil Butt Lift (I have that too and think they are a similar style, but with some different exercises, and work nicely together).

-Strong & Slim Thighs: This all standing toning chapter works the entire legs, and when it is performed after already doing the first chapter (BBC), you will continue to feel it in the glutes. I particularly like that Jessica moves slowly enough in this section for you to achieve a very large range of motion (deep squats often touching the ground), while also working on your balance – you are often balancing on one foot in this one.

-Trim & Toned Tummy: Performed all on the floor, this toning chapter works the abs and core nicely. I thought it was pilates inspired and included long lever crunches with the legs which really worked the lower abs. There is also some side crunch and side plank work with the band around the knees. The pilates work uses the band around the ankles, and held in the hands while doing moves like the roll up. Very effective for the core area!

-Lower Body Makeover: This is an all standing cardio chapter focused on the legs. Using the band around the ankles (or mid-calf area, but it slips down on Jessica and on me too!) you do some faster paced toning moves mixed with some jack and jumping variations – very effective to keep the heart rate up, and if followed directly by the BBC and SST chapters, really works leg endurance by this point!

-Belly Flab Fighter: This is a primarily standing cardio chapter focused on the abs. You use the band in your hands in this one and Jessica does lots of twisting, crunching, and knee ins which really engage the abs. For some reason I do not enjoy the choreography as well in this one (although it is easy enough to follow), so this is my least used chapter.

Like the majority of the other 10 Minute Solution workouts, this is solid Intermediate level with some wiggle room to make it easier or harder, depending on the thickness of the band (I can use the slightly thicker hand for the toning sections but use the thinner band for the leg cardio). This is also one of those workouts that you get out what you put into it – if you put a lot of energy and large ROM into it, you are going to feel it a lot more (and get a more intense toning and cardio benefit) than if you just went through the motions. I really think this DVD fills a unique niche in that you get 40 minutes of varied and creative exercises using the band (discounting the BFF chapter which only uses the band as a prop in the hands) that I have not seen another exercise DVD offer. If you are interested in this type of exercise, I think it’s worth the (inexpensive) investment. Grade A!

Instructor Comments:
I think I have nearly all of Jessica Smith’s workouts by now, and she has yet to disappoint me. Her style seems to lean on standing core engagement, fairly high intensity cardio (with easy to follow choreography), moderately high rep exercises, large range of motion, and Pilates influenced core work, and she really has a knack for putting a creative twist on all of her exercises in her different videos (she has several 10MS videos and some other newer ones) which sets her apart from some of the other mainstream workouts. She is enthusiastic, upbeat, encouraging, and has good form pointers.

Emily B.

08/18/2011