The Transfirmer Series Supercharged Sculpting is a 37 minute power-packed weight training workout, that only lacks length to make it a really great strength workout. The fact GoodTimes chose not to chapter this DVD is unfortunate, because you could easily do some sections a second time to increase the length, thus making this even more challenging. It uses the Transfirmer box in both the stacked (14 inch) positions, the two parts next to each other, and in the incline position.

Pam leads this workout which starts with an 8 minute warm-up using the Transfirmer in the incline position. I like the music in this one a lot! It's less techno than in Ultimate Calorie Blaster. You can see all the instructors, and Alison Davis shows beginner modifications. In addition, it features a wonderful 12 minute bonus stretch section on the DVD!

After the warm-up are lunges onto the inclined box, and you can really feel the difference in your hams and glutes this way. We alternate those sets with squats in varying counts and tempos. Pam holds "heavy" weights - I used 2 12's and could have gone heavier. They don't do many reps, so you can go quite heavy.

Next are bent over rows with a bell in each hand, again using the incline position. This was nice because it helps you keep a flat back which is the safe way to do these. We also do upright rows, and they keep their height below or at shoulder level, which I was happy to see!

We then lie on the incline to work chest, and you work your core as well because it takes all your balance to stay on it! They acknowledge that as well. We do flyes, overhead press, and chest press. Again, you can go heavy because there aren't many reps.

On the floor for oblique work and planks. OUCH! Some really innovative and challenging work here! We then stack the Transfirmer and sit on it for those leg pushes in and out which really challenge me!

We then place the green part (6 inches) behind the blue part (8 inches) and stand on the blue part with weights, dipping to the very back over the green part. This is quite challenging and I wouldn't attempt it with very heavy weights. You can't see behind you and I can easily see someone not stepping back far enough and striking the edge of the green piece, possibly leading to a fall.

Leg press is next with the Transfirmer stacked at 14 inches, using weights. Traditional Firm move!

We then climb the 14 inch part without weights, and by this time my legs were fried.

Thank goodness we then went back to upper body! Clean and press and overhead presses with heavy weights. Then biceps still with heavy weights, then triceps kickbacks using lighter weights.

Keep the light weights for more biceps with side delt raises, then posterior delt work. We then do triceps dips off the 14 inch Transfirmer, alternating leg extensions for more fun.

Back to the floor for abs - more traditional crunches this time but with swivel moves as well for the lower abs. Some may remember these moves from Power Cardio (AKA Cardio Killer 2) and other older Firms. Spinal erector work completes this segment.

There is an innovative and effective stretch even without the bonus part! Overall I'd give this an A minus! I really enjoyed it! If you want a compact, decent intermediate strength training workout, this is perfect! If you're looking for a workout like Cathe's strength training or P90X, this, however, is not it.

Carol
:)

Instructor Comments:

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