10 Pound Slimdown

Chris Freytag
Year Released: 2010

Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights) , Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance , Yoga


Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this workout.

I really wanted to really like this DVD. Chris Freytag has put out some workouts I love and I liked the idea of having short, yet decently intense, segments that I could do on their own or mix and match. The segments include five 20-minute workouts on it: total body, upper body, lower body, core, and yoga. All except the yoga section are set up in the same pattern: three cirucits that are done twice each with a cardio blast at the end of each circuit.

Chris often starts with the easiest and/or lowest impact option and then moves onto options that are higher in impact or harder. There are also multiple times that she is doing a move and comments on a way to alter the move. Those are the places where I miss having a modifier because I just don't process that type of off-handed comment in the middle of doing a move. First thing in the morning, all my brain processes are not firing.

My impressions of the segments are:

Total Body: The three circuits include combination strength moves. Some of them were fun. If you are leery of strength moves like upright rows and/or deadlifts, be aware that both are included here. The circuits were fairly fun here, although it was hard to have an appropriate weight since she shifted between moves that required different weights.

Upper Body: This is the segment I enjoyed the most and I'm not sure why. The circuits seemed to flow and I felt like I got a good, but not killer, workout in my upper body.

Lower Body: As Lindsey said, this segment has lots and lots of lunges, lunge variations, and side squats. My legs really felt this segment. I just went less low than she did with my wonky knees and felt like I got a good workout.

Core: This segment has one or two standing moves and the rest is on the floor. I really don't enjoy core work much and I followed along with more of it than I usually do in a DVD. There was core work and not a lot of crunches (which can quickly feel endless to me).

Yoga: I watched this segment and did not do it. There are a lot of moves supported on the hands, something I can't do with the arthritis in my hands and wrists. It seemed like a solid yoga flow workout. She gives good pointers, but doesn't explain how to do the moves to a beginner.

In the end, I decided my impression was positive, but not enough to keep the DVD. I liked the workout okay, but there are plenty of others I like more. I think there are lots of people out there though who want shorter workouts or workouts with shorters segments and this workout would be a good one for them.

I am an intermediate exerciser who is in her upper 40s and who has two kinds of arthritis - osteoarthritis of the knees and psoriatic arthritis that mainly affects the hands and wrists.

Instructor Comments:
Chris is just so professional and pleasant to work out to. Even with her workouts that I don't enjoy as much as others I like her.

Laura S.

11/11/2011