This is the third workout I've tried from Ellen Barrett's Studio series. I first picked up FUSION FLOW and really enjoyed it, so then I moved on to SLIM SCULPT, which uses light weights. I found that workout to be just okay, but I thought I might prefer SKINNY SCULPT, another one of Ellen's workouts which offers the option of using very light dumbbells.

Ellen works out here in the same large, open studio used for FUSION FLOW. She is joined by Natalie and Michelle, with Michelle modifying the moves by using no weights. The Main Menu offers options for "Play All" or "Chapter Selection." I have provided detailed breakdowns for each of the chapters (including approximate times) below.

Warm-Up, 4.5 minutes
After a few deep breaths with plies, Ellen begins the warm-up with side overhead reaches and side punches, moving these into a combination. She adds a large Figure 8 move which stretches the entire shoulder girdle before repeating the sequence on the other side. This section had a nice flow and felt very good!

Series One with Weights, 9.5 Minutes
Here Ellen starts by repeating the same combination of side reach, side punch, and then Figure 8s, this time holding the weights. In between most of the movements, she performs "breathing arms," which involves simply lifting the arms up over the head with the weights, palms up, and then moving the arms back down, palms down. She moves into "star arms," spreading the arms on a diagonal while performing a moving plie from side-to-side. This is followed by an arm squeeze back to the rear, adding in a plie mambo to the side.

Series Two with Weights, 14 minutes
Ellen begins this series with a warrior lunge to the side, adding in a biceps curl. From here she goes on to a pulsing chair move. Coming back to standing, she performs shoulder presses both up and forward and then adds in side leg lifts. After repeating this sequence on the second side, Ellen finishes this section with some work in a wide legged forward bend position, including heel lifts and rear delt arm raises with a twist.

Abs with Weights, 2.5 minutes
This short series is performed in a slightly leaning seated position ("bucket seat"). Still using the weights, the moves include pull backs with both bent and straight arms as well as a rowing exercise.

Dancer Mat Work, 9.5 minutes
Ellen starts the mat work lying on the back for some bridges, adding pulses to these. Next comes heel beats: Ellen performs a total of 3 sets, alternating wide-legged straddle moves in-between. This is followed by a set of knee drops to each side, adding in a kick. The final move in this section is a wiper leg drop to further work the inner thighs.

Finishing Series, 5 minutes
For the stretching, Ellen begins seated in a side-saddle position for a thigh stretch; she performs a seated forward bend with knee pumps between sides. She concludes the workout with additional seated stretches for the shoulders and neck.

I definitely enjoyed this workout more than Slim Sculpt, as the arms work felt more balanced and there seemed to be more targeted leg moves overall, particularly in the floor work. I used 3 lb. weights, and I definitely would not go any heavier than this; in fact, I had to put the weights down for most of the "breathing arms" repetitions.

Overall, I think that SKINNY SCULPT is a very nice 45-minute workout that offers a bit of everything (i.e., light toning, a bit of cardio, and plenty of stretching) and is likely to appeal to a wide audience; I would definitely recommend it!

Instructor Comments:
Ellen is definitely bright and cheerful, but I certainly don't find her annoyingly so. I think she offers very good mirrored cuing in all three of the studio workouts I have tried so far. In her introduction, she does mention that this workout is specifically designed for women, so guys, you may be out of luck! ;)

Beth C (aka toaster)