Project: You - Full Body Circuit

Kathy Smith
Year Released: 2005

Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights)


This is the full circuit workout in the Beachbody Project You set. Let me preface my review, by saying that I really like the whole series, and I also have always liked Kathy's workouts.
The workout is 60 minutes, and there is a timer on the bottom of the screen throughout. Actually, the last 5 minutes are cooldown/stretches. This workout went surprisingly quickly. The cardio intervals are about 2-3 minutes each, and they vary each time. It is all hi/lo (and you can do it all lo impact - there is a modifier) - no step is used. You do not need much room, and the cardio is simple to learn. There are 2 punching intervals, and the rest are marches, knee-ups, runs, grapevines, etc. She repeats the moves, but with only 2 minutes, it doesn't get boring.
The weight sections are in between, and the lifting speed is slow -- kathy says to use a weight that will fatique the muscle in 12 reps - so you can lift heavy. You need weights, and a chair and an optional stability ball. All muscles are covered -- there is very few compound moves (I think she does squats with biceps.) She does chest flies & presses on the floor or the ball, and also does hamstrings and abs either on the floor or ball. The stretch at the end was wonderful (especially the lower body stretches.)
The first time I did this workout, it seemed a little boring - but the next time, when I knew the lifting speed was slower and I adjusted my weights, it flew!
This is a very good and thorough circuit workout - a bit harder that the Prevention 3-2-1 and Shape your Abs, but along those lines in terms of levels. I like the colorful clothes, and even the music was at a good beat (nothing memorable though) I only wish that there was an all-weight premix for it, but it is well-chaptered, and those of you who like to program DVDs can do it. This is a solid intermediate circuit workout.

Instructor Comments:
Kathy gives good form pointers, and looks, to be having fun, without going "over the top." She doesn't do all of the reps, as sometimes she is walking around correcting/explaining the moves on the different exercisers.

Jo

06/20/2006