PowerFlex by Bally Total Fitness


Year Released: 1998

Categories: Total Body Workouts


Since Renee gave such a thourough review and breakdown of the equipment and video I will only make some comments about the video and equipment. The equipment is very much the same as we use in the Power Flex classes at the gym except this bar is in 2 pieces which you screw together and isn't quite as sturdy IMO. I do notice when I have the bar loaded with all of the weights (38 pounds total) that it curves slightly. But it is still very sturdy at that weight although I don't think I would load much more than that on it. I plan to use my much sturdier barbell (Firm) for some of the heavier lower body work. This is not a workout though where you need really heavy weights like for Cathe's MIS or PS series because you are doing more reps at a much faster pace. The pace of the workout feels aerobic to me and even the very short rests in between the 5 min. segments is barely enough time to change weights (and they also do very brief stretches in between). I love the format of the exercises used and there are some different exercises that you don't see on other videos such as "cleans and presses". I like how she does 2 different exercises one right after the other and then combines the 2 into a superset...all nonstop. Like Renee I also use dumbbells rather than using the plate weights that they use on the video..because I can't seem to grasp those plate weights too well. Also the next time I do the video I am going to load 2 seperate barbells (one for upper and the other for lower body) so that I can move quickly between sets (I knew there was a good reason to have that second Power Flex barbell :)! I also pause during some of the sets because she does for example a set with back and biceps so that I can change weights accordingly. Fortunately she does do all the back work first so then I can quickly pyramid down (by pausing the tape) to do the biceps. On the Chest/Tricep section however she does alternate between the two so its a lot of weight changing..so using 2 barbells next time will save a lot of time! Overall I really love the format of the workout...although I have found that with this video as well as the Power Flex classes it takes several times through the workout to find the weights that will really work the muscles because of the pace and reps done. The format of the video is different enough from my Power Flex classes at the gym that it gives some nice variety. I highly recommend the Power Flex set..the workout will be a regular in my rotation so I will get lots of use out of it!

Instructor Comments:
Michelle is the same lady that was on some of the Buns of Steel Platinum series. She is very likeable and cues very well. I really like her on this tape because she straight forward and pleasant.

Cheryl Shakespeare

03/02/1999