Body Fusion
Cathe FriedrichYear Released: 2004
Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights) , Step Aerobics , Total Body Workouts
This DVD is a great bargain - it consists of Basic Step (30 minutes), Body Fusion (50 minutes), Lower Body Add-On (20 minutes), Upper Body Add-On (20 minutes), and Abs Add-On (10 minutes). Although Basic Step was a little tricky for me at first, after several times doing it, I just have it about down pat. The moves include basic steps, V-steps, alternating knees, repeater, corner to corner moves, rock horse, L-steps, A-steps, turn steps (horseshoe), and leg extensions, cha-chas, knees around the world, and Charleston kicks. I've really had fun learning this work out and Cathe teaches the moves pretty thoroughly. I was able to do this video on an 8-inche step with no problem.
Body Fusion is 50 minutes long and consists of alternating step and weight combos. Weight work consists of squats with overhead presses, lunges with side and front lateral raises, lunges off the back of the step, bicep curls, deadrows, deadlifts, dips, and push ups. The first time I did this video, I became so frustrated because I could not keep up, that I turned it off 20 minutes into it. However, I thought that maybe if I lowered my step height, I could do it. Ta-da, this worked! I was able to get through the entire work out fairly easily with a lowered step.
Upper Body and Lower Body Add-Ons: these use light weights and an Xertube. However, I used a little heavier of weights than they used in the video for extra challenge. This video provided me the perfect opportunity to use my Xertube that had been sitting around unused for months! Some of those moves with the tubing are tough, but worth it! They include overhead presses, squats, and leg lifts. Traditional push-ups are also included. Cathe continuously provided suggestions for modifications and Cedie demonstrated many of these modifications.
The Abs Add-On also allowed me to use my stability ball that I hadn't used in forever! Wow, abs on the ball provides an extra challenge! This is one of the first abs workouts where I can actually FEEL that I've worked my abs later on! It consists of crunches lying on the ball (forward and twisting to the side), crunches while lying on the floor with your legs at a 90 degree angle on the ball, reverse crunches with the ball, roll-ups with the ball, and a back strengthener while lying on the ball. As in the Upper Body and Lower Body Add-Ons, Cathe provides suggestions for modifications, which includes Cedie demonstrating the exercises without a ball.
This was my very first Cathe work out and I found it to be a very good introduction to her style. I would highly recommend it, but caution new users to be patient with themselves, as it may take a few or more times through before you feel comfortable with the Basic Step and Body Fusion work outs. I give it a solid A.
Instructor Comments:
Overall, Cathe cues well in these work outs and teaches the moves thoroughly, although I did find it somewhat difficult to keep up with her cueing during Body Fusion.