Ellen Barrett Live - Grace and Gusto

Ellen Barrett
Year Released: 2011

Categories: Ballet/Barre, Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance , Pilates/Core Strength


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

First, know that I am not someone who has all of Ellen Barrett's workouts - just my favorite few ranging from her Crunch workouts through this one. Also, I had Power Fusion and H-A-T-E-D it. It seemed really hard for some reason. I should have done it again, but it was such an intense reaction, I never wanted to see it again. So, I was a little hesitant to try another Live Workout by Ellen.

This workout, however, I like - a lot. People had said that it was somewhat like Fat Burning Fusion (my favorite Ellen workout) and I thought I might like it (which I did). I like the flow of it and the moves. Maybe I like the cardio aspect of it versus the more strength orientation of Power Fusion. Don't know.

Anyway, you probably want to know something about it. As I said, the workout flowed. There are a few moves in it I would either cut down on (like the arm twists) or that don't seem to flow as well as the rest of the workout (like the leg beats). Most of it not only was fun, but was intuitive in what she was going to do next. As usual, she does a long combination on one side and then repeats it. For me, this was fun and I enjoyed doing both sides. In some of her workouts, the second side can get kind of long.

The music was good and matched the workout really well. The background exercisers were so serene and added to the quality of and my interest in the workout. The woman showing the modifications was good and gave decent options for those not wanting as hard of a workout for whatever reason.

Ellen cued well, but maybe not as well as in some previous workouts. There were a few times I wasn't quite sure how to hold my foot or how to hold myself. Most of the time, it was fine, but there could have been a few more explanatory details given in a few places.

Instructor Comments:
Ellen is her normal cheerful, supportive, explanatory, enthusiastic self in this workout. I really enjoy her workout persona.

Laura S.

12/29/2011