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

I am not a dancer and don't really enjoy pure barre workouts; I prefer ones with a fusion feel. This workout had intrigued me for quite ahilw - a cardio ballet workout. I was engaged from the beginning and found that worked up quite a sweat while I did it.

Beyond Balletone, led by an extremely competent Shannon Fable, works on balance, muscle conditioning, strength and endurance, and cardio. The intresting thing is that it looks really easy - and turns out to be really be a more strenuous workout than you would think. What makes it such a solid workout seems to be the large multi-body-part movements that are used and kept up without a break. Shannon says that it is a deceptively hard workout and I found that to be true.

There are six segments to this workout.After the warm up, the first four segments focus on strength & balance and then the next two segments focus more on cardio. At the end, she offers the Allegro sequence, a chance to link all six patterns together for a 'grand finale'. All patterns are (or can be) low impact with intensity options. She establishes a pattern of movement in the first segment and keeps going back to that pattern throughout the workout. It makes knowing what to do next much easier. Additionally, Shannon is a good cuer and takes you through the movements with ease.

The music is well suited to this workout. It helps keep the flow of the workout going. The set is large and light - there is no problem seeing what Shannon is going at any point in the workout.

For me, this is a solid workout that doesn't take itself too seriously. My favorite line from the workout was when Shannon said, "Does it have to be pretty? Noooooo." In other words, do this move the best you can and don't worry about how you look!

I recommend this workout for those who want something different. It is not an "easy workout" nor is a traditional, stereotypical workout.

Instructor Comments:
She is a good cuer and is really supportive and encouraging in this workout.

Laura S.