CIA 2201: Strength Express

Mindy Mylrea
Year Released: 2002

Categories: Balance/Medicine/Mini/Stability Ball, Gliding Disks, Total Body Workouts


In my opinion, whatever fitness level you are, this video will bring you up a notch even the first time you do it. Mindy somehow gets me to do things I would never think I could do, like stabilizing planks with both hands on the medicine ball, while lifting one leg. What is equally amazing is that despite the fact that this video presents you with some of the most challenging exercises you've ever done in your life, Mindy makes you WANT to do them, do them ALL and WANT MORE! There is something magical about her. She has a way of making the toughest workout feel achievable. She makes you believe you can be just like her (strong with great endurance).

This workout had me sweating up a storm, got my heartrate to soar, and made me feel great. The warmup starts out with standing and moving while holding a medicine ball (she has a 4-pounder, which is what I used also). I really felt like the warmup was more of a workout because there are squats and arms movements, and I felt it in both my arms and legs, and the heartrate got up there. I was already warmed up from doing cardio before this tape, and I think it's probably better to do some warming up before this tape. The beginning consists of some really challenging plyometric movements with the medicine ball, and interesting variations of squats and 3-way lunges. Mindy graduates up to a 6 pounder for a whole bunch of leg work and compound movements. She does some innovative exercises in this workout, using, of all things, paper plates (I know she wouldn't want me to spoil the surprise, but let's just say it was TOUGH, but you will LOVE IT!) There are exercises with the Body Bar, such as bent-over rows, military presses, biceps curls and some really challenging moves for shoulders. Nothing is ordinary in this workout; Mindy always puts in some type of challenging variation on the traditional exercises, all of which I thought were great.

When you finally get to the floor, it is a welcome relief. There is some fun chest work lying on your back throwing the ball up toward the ceiling. There are some challenging abdominal exercises, including variations of twists holding the ball, and full range sit-ups with the ball. Mindy's ball jokes were funny in context---you have to be doing the workout to appreciate them.

Mindy's cooldown is the most challenging of any I've done. She does a sequence of downward dog with legs wide, scooping into upward dog, followed by a push up low and then high. It was a nice flow but not easy. I don't think there's anything on this tape that could be classified as easy. It's definitely for advanced exercisers, but I also think that intermediates should do it because it is something to work up to. The day that I can do everything exactly like Mindy does in this workout will be a triumphant day for me. I highly recommend this tape! Grade A+

Instructor Comments:
I don't think there's any video instructor out there whom I enjoy as much as Mindy. She really makes me laugh. She's also a petite, lean, super-athlete! I just love her, even when she's torturing me.

Abbe

10/02/2002