This workout has already been broken down thoroughly by RedPanda, so I am just going to add my opinions on the workout.

I used this for the first time yesterday, having bought it a while back but holding off as I have associated a dread factor with Patrick from using his original Hard Work Conditioning, the only other workout DVD I have of his to-date. Maybe it was due to other factors but HWC just seemed SO hard for me as an intermediate exerciser (although I enjoyed the workout and Patrick’s instruction very much and plan to master the video in time). But yesterday I needed a very quick workout and this was on the top of my pile of new workouts to try, and it fit the bill.

I am very pleased with this workout. While it quickly got my heart rate in my fat burning zone, and moved very quickly from move to move, it was very enjoyable and doable. I would say it is easier than HWC, though understandably so as the DVDs are designed with different goals in mind. While there is some toning aspect (I used a #5 Danskin soft medicine ball, which worked very well) the workout was mostly low impact core-focused aerobics, with some great core and ab work towards the end.

As advertised, this workout really is 30 minutes, unlike other videos who claim to be 30 minutes but with warm-up and cool down clock in more towards 40 minutes. With that said, the warm-up is minimal and the cool down/stretch is very brief. The music was very upbeat and motivating and the set was open and uncluttered.

I did modify at one point when you do planks with both hands balanced on the medicine ball – my ball just did not seem stable enough for that. I was worried about breaking the ball and/or my arms from a fall so just did the plank work with both hands planted safely on the floor. It looks like they were using the hard medicine balls while mine is sort of soft and squishy, which might make a difference. However I had no problem using the ball balanced under one hand for the pushup series.

All in all it is a very efficient, very fun medicine ball workout. Patrick used 6# and it looks like his two background exercisers (both girls) used 4#, and I found 5# to be about the right weight for me. I would consider this a solid intermediate workout with mixed intensity (mostly low impact), some light toning, some balance work, and some great ab and core work. If you like Patrick’s personality from his other workouts you will like him in this as well. For those who thought his HWC workouts are too long/hard but like Patrick I think this is a great place to start, get accustomed to Patrick’s style, then proceed to his more advanced workouts from there. I would highly recommend this. A+!

Instructor Comments:
I really enjoy Patrick in this workout as well as HWC. He is playful, jokes with his background exercisers, keeps the workout upbeat and enthusiastic. I might even liken him to a male Denise Austin! (although he is a little more toned down than that). He really put a smile on my face and worked me hard at the same time.

Emily B.