Has your workout stagnated? You're an advanced exerciser but just not experiencing physical improvement anymore? Then you need to take an Ultimate Bootcamp Challenge with Sergeant M!

This revitalizing workout offers variations of push-ups, drill sequencing and explosive plyometrics. For instance, by changing the angle and center of gravity on the push-ups Mindy has increased the workload to produce strength gains. Speed drills are regulated from high intensity do-or-die to short recoveries. Finally the explosive bursts of tri-leveled squats provide plyometric muscle power. This and 2K02 are sure to develop a high anaerobic threshold allowing you to run, cycle, kickbox or swim longer and better. I loosely quote Sergeant M, "We know through research that anaerobic interval training is the best at working aerobic and anaerobic energy systems." Mindy utilizes authentic army training drills in a modified circuit to produce superior conditioning. The intensity, the bouts of push-ups and the short rests make for a killer bootcamp video.

I highly recommend previewing this tape to become familiar with the sequencing, equipment used, and space needed. The hour long video is filmed outdoors on a grassy lawn surrounded by lush foliage. There is a nice breeze fanning the plants; the day is sunny and butterflies flit about. This is not a Sara's City production but that of her own company, Jumpinc. The sound is very good. Although the day is bright there are often shadows across Mindy's face. Outdoor lighting or a strategically placed reflector may have alleviated some of this. It does not detract from the meat of the workout. The music is non-intrusive. The workout consists of a warm-up, anaerobic workout, floorwork and brief stretch. Mindy suggests using one of the many good stretch tapes on the market to supplement her stretch segment. She also cautions against performing this workout on concrete or even carpeted concrete. Hardwood flooring or outside is best.

Equipment: 4" step (keep risers at hand)
light body bar or dowel
5 cones or other objects for drill work
2 chairs

Warm-up
This is an active warm-up on the step. If you need a slower intro then add your own before starting. There are straddles, double-timed straddles, high knee lifts, hamstring kicks, pivot turns with squats, stomps and double-timed marches. As usual the work is punctuated by Mindy's "Wows and Whoas". Fartlek training
A workout involving speed and directional changes. Room is needed for these cued sprints and back-pedals, run-shuffle-runs and run-hop-runs. Calisthentics
You start with jumping jacks. The inside-inside-outside and outside-outside-inside variations challenge dexterity and balance. Mindy laughs as she misses a step and then ends with some intense crisscrossing. Push-ups
Mindy suggests using a table or chair to keep your head elevated above your heart...or if you prefer, do them on the ground. Her shoulders are buff! Body Bar lunges Pinwheel lunges, dips with butt kicks. Once the lunges are out of the way she places the bar on the ground and crisscrosses it with jumps and double-legged hops. Intervals Mindy repeats a sequence four times: plyo crisscrosses, scissors, lunges with a center squat and plyo jump squats. She reminds folks to keep the front knee aligned upon landing.

Randomly cued drills
Similar to 2K02 she begins with tri-leveled squats then moves on to a box drill where you mirror her sprints corner to corner. This is followed by a "grass drill" where you drop to the ground, rollover and get up. A table or chair can be used to mimic the drop to the ground part.

Push-ups (20)
Again, Mindy hits the ground but suggests using elevation to keep your head up.

Cone drills
These are "suicides" involving forward movement, back pedaling and lateral shuffling. She suggests holding a chair for the exercise she calls jumpovers.

Military boxing
This cooldown is straight-on cardio. It consists of boxing shuffles, jacks, simple front kicks followed by side squat kicks. She tries to elicit your last bit of energy by taunting..."the enemy is ready to come get your chocolate!"

Various floorwork
**Mindy uses two stools but strongly suggests using two hardback chairs with a body bar placed securely across. You assume a plank-type push-up position between the chairs and perform 20-22 push-ups. Then you get under the bar and do some tough pullups. The chairs and bar are put aside.
**Perform 20 staggered push-ups...one hand on bench, the other on the ground.
**Perform 10 side-to-side pushups
**Perform 10 down-forward-up/down-forward-down push-ups
**Dips from step. She uses her 4" step but suggests adding risers.
**Perform 10 push-ups with feet elevated.
**Short, effective abwork
**Perform 10 push-ups with one hand on step. Core stabilization movements are mercilessly interwoven.
Short stretching section.

Comments
Mindy states that the viewer has picked this video because "you know you're advanced...and willing to do it all!" I feel that 2K02 and Ultimate Bootcamp are top notch. Perhaps the Bootcamp video is tougher for me because the recoveries are tiny. As always you get what you put in.

Summation
Mindy is Queen of Drills. As usual she concentrates on balance, focus, power and endurance...things we need in everyday life. There are no fancy arm movements nor complicated choreography to hamper your all-out efforts. It's pure athletic encompassing enough lateral movement to provide a rounded workout. While delivered as high impact the workout can be modified. Form pointers and safety cautions are always included. She prepares you for a tough workout at the intro of the tape and suggests modifications throughout.

Her goodwill manifests itself through encouraging remarks and laid back humour. Her enthusiastic personality evokes the best you can be.

My husband, who never pays any attention to videos and their performers actually sat down recently and said, "Wow, she's fun!" This at a section where she declares, "I know this looks silly but do it anyway!" Five minutes later I reminded him of the long bike ride he was suited up for...

Finally, in this and other tapes Mindy says "wow!" a lot. This really typifies her fresh-eyed outlook. Her "wow!" rings of a kid's elation when performing an incredible skateboard stunt...and living to tell about it. She is vibrantly alive and her sense of fun, of having fun, is as valuable as the workout itself.

K.T.

09/14/2000