Crunch videos are very much hit-or-miss with me and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I ended up really liking it. The workout is about 40 minutes long: 20 minutes of standing cardio and toning followed by 15 minutes of matwork. Ravi, the drummer from such videos as Fat Blaster: The Next Step and Yoga Booty Ballet, is back. In the cardio section there are lots of plies and side lunges, so those with knee issues should beware. On preview, it looked like keeping my heart rate up would be a problem but that wasn't the case at all (I normally do intermediate level kickboxing and step for cardio). Even though it's a very low-impact workout, the big arm movements keep things brisk. Though the movements are not complicated or bouncy, Ellen reminds us constantly to focus on lifting and controlling the core. I found that by really focusing I definitely felt it in my midsection, inner thighs, and glutes.
The standing section is followed by 2 sets of Pilates pushups and the intermediate/advanced matwork. The matwork sequence consists of The Hundred, Open & Close, Single Straight Leg, Double Straight Leg, Leg Circles, Crisscross, Flight, Little Piece of Heaven, Arrowhead, Hip Circles, Reclining Twist, and Reverse Planks. Not for Pilates beginners, but modifications are shown.
I'm not sure how much true "fat burning" anyone will get out of this, but for days when there isn't time for both a full cardio and a toning workout this fits the bill nicely.
A word about the outfits: Maybe so many bare bellies are supposed to remind us subconsciously to focus on our cores, but I found it off-putting and frankly unflattering.

Instructor Comments:
It took me a viewing or two to warm up to Ellen; at first she seemed a bit too chirpy but I think it's just her voice. She cues very well and appears to really know her stuff.

Kate Hedstrom