If you are only going to get one Slim Series workout, it should be this one. Nearly every body part is hit in an hour, plus you get a little bit of cardio with the high-rep, light weight moves characteristic of the series. If you want something a bit more thorough and have more time, I’d pick the 70-some minute Shape it Up workout.

I use 3, 5, 8, and 10 lb. weights and ankle weights in this workout. I would say this workout is high intermediate. The number of repetitions makes it challenging, but the moves are simple, nothing more complicated than plies.

I like the standing ab work, but the floor ab work in this one is pretty boring, standard stuff. I’m also not a big fan of Slim Series stretches, so I generally skip the ab work done on the floor and do my own stretch. This one has a good outer and inner thigh sequence, as well as some pelvic lifts for the glutes. Slim in 6 has some thigh work, but no inner or outer thigh work, so I tend to prefer Slim Series for that reason.

The horrible form and goofy grin of Kevin, the background exerciser, really bother me, but now I find him more comedic than annoying. This is a workout I do on automatic—it doesn’t require much concentration, but at the same time, even after doing Firm workouts for a month, I really feel it all over.

While I am a big fan of complex, dancy choreography done to fun, rockin’ music, I find myself returning to Slim Series over and over again because it works FOR ME. High repetitions and low weights seem to work to make my body look the way I want it to look. Plus, it’s nice to be able to know I’m getting a good workout without having to think much. I wish the workout had better music, but thus far I’ve been too lazy to use the “music off” option and put on my own.

I could never do just Slim Series, it’s way too blah. I alternate the workouts with cardio from other instructors, or go running. I also generally add in some Pilates or other ab work, and as mentioned, can see changes in my body every time.

Instructor Comments:
Like others have mentioned, Debbie is generally jovial, but bland. Now that I’ve done this workout many times, I usually tune her out. Some of her form pointers are odd or even unhelpful, but she generally exhibits good form. The workout is simple enough to follow that it doesn’t matter whether she cues well or not. I’m not excited to be working out with her, nor am I annoyed.

Pratima