How much floor space is needed?
What impact level (low, high, mixed)?
Is it safe to do on carpet (i.e. not lots of pivots/turns)?
What is the length of the workout (including how long the warm-up and cool-down are)?
With strength work, I am an intermediate exerciser, who doesn’t really want to move up to advanced work. Most of the time, I do traditional strength work with weight. However, I have enjoyed branching out into Pilates and workouts on the ball as well. I especially enjoy fusion workouts, tapes that blend Pilates with other disciplines like traditional strength work, ballet, the ball, etc. That is why I really wanted to try this workout. I recently tried ALC II, but found it was too hard on my body. I don’t mind hard workouts, but I don’t want them to be hard on my joints. Someone loaned me this workout to try it out.

The way I would describe the series of exercises is as follows:

> Warm up
> Series of moves that include planks and work the legs. These moves are propped on your hands.
> Series of moves seated in what Kari calls an “S” shape. They work the legs and hips.
> Series of moves that work the legs while lying on your side
> Leg series while sitting
> Lying on floor – pelvic tilts and lifts
> Lying on floor – inner thigh work
> Ab work lying on floor and sitting
> Series of planks and pikes – moves require you be propped on your hands
> Stretches

Kari leads a group of background exercisers. She said at the beginning of the tape that they show different levels of flexibility, but in much of the workout I had trouble telling. They all looked more flexible than me. Kari gives form pointers and suggested alternatives throughout the workout. She also gives extremely detailed explanations about how parts of the body should be placed that flow with the workout. She explains as you do the moves; it’s not like you sit and listen to explanations and then do the moves. She makes me feel it’s okay if I can’t do the moves to their full extent, if I’m not flexible or strong enough.

The music is light pleasant jazzy music. She encourages you to use all the beats of the music several times, so she uses the music as a tool. She also has fun with some of the moves.

There are two sections with moves that require you to be propped on your hands – one at the beginning and one toward the end. This did not frustrate me as they were compact sections, instead of the moves being spread throughout the workout. Sometimes I will do them, other times I won’t. It will simply depend on how my joints are doing.

Overall, I like this workout. I need to see if I can get a copy for myself. I think it will be a good workout for days I don’t feel like lifting weight, but want to feel pleasantly worked out.

Instructor Comments:
Kari is probably my favorite fitness instructor. She makes me believe I can do her workouts and, if I can't, that it will come with time.

Laura S.