I tend to compare all of my basic low-impact workout (in terms of complexity and intensity) to Leslie Sansone’s walking workouts. This was a little more complex and a lot more fun. Even though this workout is supposed to be for people with “Type B” blood types, I don’t think anyone is buying into that; and if they are, they shouldn’t. This workout is for anyone and everyone. Consider some of the statements made throughout the workout: “Type B’s need to stretch after exercise” and “Type B’s should eat more grains and less processed foods.” The same could be said for everybody, not just people with Type B blood.

The warm-up was pretty basic: marching, side taps, rear taps; Ellen confides that she’s obsessed with working the foot. The Cardio Fusion section was pretty much the same as the warm-up, except Ellen jazzes it up a bit with jumps and triple step moves. She added a few new moves as well: arm “swooshes”, lunges with kicks, and lunges with pulses. I enjoyed this 20-minute section, although the techno music really didn’t seem to go with the calm tone of the workout. Thankfully, I was able to tune this out.

Next was toning work using sand weights; Ellen used two-pound weights, and so did I. The moves continued in the cardio-fusion vein: step-touch w/side-arm raises; side leg lifts w/arm raises; grapevine w/kicks; all kicks; squats w/bicep curls; then repeat with jazzed up moves including rear leg lifts and side kicks; still the same horrid techno music.

Working with the stability ball came next. We began by standing and holding the ball, circling it overhead in one direction, then the other. This is followed by wood chops with the ball; first on the right, then on the left (Ellen calls these “heave ho’s”.) After this, we move to the floor for pikes, obliques, and crunches on the ball. After 10 minutes of this mostly ab work, we grab a band for some stretches. I don’t normally enjoy band work, but these stretches (seated arms, supine legs to ceiling) were heaven.

Ellen has a nice, calm, girl-next-door appeal. I think she could make a terrific barre workout, and maybe a decent beginner kickboxing workout – but I don’t think she would be energetic enough (for my taste) for an advanced kickboxing workout. I’m making these comparisons because some of the moves in this workout were barre-like while others were kickboxing-like.

I received this as a free preview; my comments and observations are my own opinion.

Debbie J