To start with some background information on me, I haven't yet tried a FitPrime that I didn't like; something about the quirkiness of these workouts just works for me. At just over 44 minutes, Crunch Time is a bit shorter than some of the other FitPrimes, but it still kicked by butt! For this workout, you'll need both light and heavy weights (I used 5# for 4-limbed cardio, 8# for most of the strength training--I didn't feel I could go higher given that it was mostly compound moves, but I did use 15# for the one-armed lat rows), a high step, and optional balance dowel and ankle weights.

Susan starts the warm-up with some simple stretches and then begins raising the heart rate with fast squats. Following this, she returns to stretching with some recognizable yoga postures, including warrior 1, warrior 2, side angle, and triangle; she doesn't offer much info about form, so those unfamiliar with yoga may wind up a bit off here.

This first 4-limbed cardio segment comes next. The moves felt a bit awkward to me here, and it didn't raise my HR into my target zone--but no problem since the strength work soon did! Susan starts with compound toning work, doing dips/hyperextensions combined with upper body work and then staying in the same position to do toe raises that really work the glutes! Before repeating on the other side, there is a nice little cardio interlude consisting of hops, skips, and little jumps; this was fun and DID get my HR up.

Next comes some upper body only work with lat rows and french presses (this was the only time I went heavier than 8#). Then it's on to leg presses, making it tougher by adding bicep curls, and another move that's tough on the glutes, a sort of squat on one leg (there's actually quite a bit of balance work throughout). Again, Susan inserts a cardio segment before moving on to the other side; this time it's fun, 4-limbed moves which incorporate side touches, kicks, a rocking move, and delt raises.

After repeating the leg press on the other side comes the final cardio segment performed on the box--this is what wiped me out! You start with simple chugs but then jump up just enough so that your chugging foot comes off the box--wow! I could barely make it through the second side. Plies with combined upper body work follows.

Susan then leads you to the floor for a few brief stretches, but you quickly move into tough triceps push-ups; not only does Susan do a lot of them, but also she does TWO sets! Then it's back to standing for triceps, again combined with balance work, and plies combined with both standing abs work (twists) and abductions. Calf raises finish the standing work, and then you put on your ankle weights to prepare for the floor work.

More upper body work comes first, with pec flies and pullovers alternating with an inner thigh squeeze. The abs work incorporates several Pilates moves, including rolling like a ball (performed very slowly), single leg stretch, and a teaser variation. Susan concludes with a final stretch that she barrels through at a pace too quick for my liking.

Although overall, this workout was a bit more traditional than some of the other FitPrimes I've tried, I still liked it a lot, especially the fun 4-limbed cardio, the use of the tall step, and the addition of balance work. Although this is more of a strength workout than a cardio one, my HR was in my target zone for 22 minutes, which was a nice bonus; it also showed that I burned about 250 calories. This might wind up having a slightly higher dread factor for me than my other FitPrimes just because it's so tough, but not enough of one to prevent me from using it often.

Instructor Comments:
My only previous exposure to Susan has been in the Firm Parts videos, where she seemed a bit over-the-top to me; I found her to be more toned down and thus more likeable here. She cues well using FitPrime's non-dominant side first principle.

Beth C (aka toaster)