Trainer's Edge Killer Abs & Back

Michael Olajide
Year Released: 2004

Categories: Abs/Core


I’m just going to write a brief review because I only did this a couple of times and didn’t keep it long enough to make very detailed notes.
This workout starts with 4 minutes of warm up, including stretches, then moves to 17 minutes of cardio with toning. There’s a 2 minute cool down before moving into 14 minutes of floor toning, which is followed by 4 minutes of stretching for a total of just over 40 minutes.
This workout focuses primarily on abs. I was expecting much more back work, so I was disappointed in the quantity actually included. While there is some, most of it isn’t deliberately back work. In other words, your back gets worked during the course of other moves; there aren’t many moves that focus primarily on the back.

I would recommend this to someone who’s at least a solid intermediate through low advanced level exerciser. Michael jumps right into high impact cardio moves, making this tougher than it already is. You need boxing, kickboxing, or other martial arts experience, and you should be able to pick up tricky abs moves. Michael does not include much form instruction; if I remember correctly he spent a good deal of time counting out reps and pointing out good form shown by the two young women who performed the exercise. Oh, some of the punches are very fast.

I remember recognizing some songs as being the same as those in a Karen Voight video (Burn & Firm?). The interior set had brick walls, but that’s all I recall. The picture was good, but the sound seemed a little muted.

You’ll need sneakers and 1 pair of light dumbbells (your choice of weight—1-2 lbs.). Michael uses a jump rope but offers modifications. He also has the women use a body bar for balance; you could hold onto a chair or wall instead.

I know this is a favorite and highly recommended on at least one fitness site. I’m not really sure why, but this workout just didn’t grab me, so I quickly traded it away. As I said, I was expecting more back work, so part of that is my false expectation. Also, I’ve come to realize that I personally like Pilates better than any other work for abs, no matter how basic or original, how easy or how tough. I think I sort of tried the floorwork once, and that was enough for me. And for whatever reason I didn’t click with Michael. I’m not sure there’s anything “wrong” with him as an instructor; he just didn’t do much for me. The only distinct reason I remember is that I didn’t care much for his “tricking” us into more reps; I like to know how many more are coming. He’s low key and seems nice, though.

Instructor Comments:
see above

KathAL79

08/31/2005