Super Fast Body Blast

Ellen Barrett
Year Released: 2013

Categories: Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance


Ellen is energetic and friendly usual. The first sequence begins with a step-touch move, which Ellen calls “Happy Feet” then we add alternating overhead arm reaches. We move into side lunges with “figure 8” arms; Ellen puts a little twist on this by pushing the heel (not the entire foot) on the floor; i.e., a flexed foot press. This really challenged my balance! From a lunge position, we move into chair pose by shifting our back foot forward w/knees still bent. We do this on the other side, then repeat alternating sides a few times.

The second sequence begins with giant steps (wide plie steps) to one side with an overhead arm reach, then the same move on the other side. We repeat these alternating steps a few times, then hold steady for toe-taps with an overhead arm stretch before transitioning to a wide stance with arms waving overhead. Ellen adds another layer by bringing one knee up diagonally across the chest, then returns us to wide-leg stance (aka “horse-stance”), where we stretch our arms out at our sides and flip our palms up and down (a Jane Fonda/later Tracy Anderson move.) We repeat the entire second sequence, then repeat both sequences several times. After a brief cool-down, we do some alternating side lunges stretches, then return to center for spinal roll-up and standing cat-cow stretches.

The workout moved at a nice, steady pace and provided me with fun low-impact cardio, albeit a bit repetitive. There were some decent toning benefits as well: I never fail to “feel the burn” when I have to continually hold my arms up, the lunges provided decent lower-body toning, and the flexed foot lunges really worked my balance. Overall, you get a pretty good bang for your buck in just 30 minutes! Oh, and I loved the Bollywood music, too – very upbeat!

Instructor Comments:
I want Ellen for my next-door neighbor; she seems like the type of person who would bake cookies!

Debbie J

03/11/2013