Strength & Core Fusion

Angie Miller
Year Released: 2007

Categories: Abs/Core , Total Body Workouts


INSTRUCTOR: Angie Miller
TYPE: Strength training, endurance total body workout
LEVEL: Intermediate
DURATION: 70 minutes, give or take
EQUIPMENT: Dumbbells, tubing with handles and an optional bench

This is a strength workout featuring Angie Miller. Many of the moves featured are compound moves where you might do a side lunge off the step while simultaneously doing an upright row. However, she will build on the move. First, she'll do the side lunge. Then she'll do the upright row. Finally, she'll combine the two. If you like compound moves, this is the DVD for you.

Angie has two background exercisers with her. They each demonstrate a different level of difficulty for the workout. They also have realistic looking bodies, which I liked. All of them stayed on beat with the music and had proper form for the most part.

She does a lot of twists on traditional movements without causing you to feel like she's being TOO innovative. I won't get into that, as they have already been broken down. There are some days where I just don't want to think, but want to feel the burn. I'll put in Jari Love or Cathe Friedrich. Other days, I need to be really motivated for strength work. Then, I'll put in Amy Bento. On days for something in between, this would be a great DVD.

There's also a functional fitness feel to the workout, as many of the moves mimic movements we do everyday and require a balance element. With every balance move, you strengthen your core, hence the "Core Fusion" in the name. There are many reps, making this more of an endurance rather than purely strength building workout. However, the pace moves right along, so there is also a cardio element to it.

The workout begins with a warm up followed by 25 minutes of dumbbell work and then 15 minues of tubing. Then, you move on to 17 minutes of ab work. Whoa! The DVD is nicely chaptered (Play All, Intro, Warm Up, Weights, Bands, Core, Cool Down), so you can pick and choose which parts of the workout you want to do.

PROS: The set is a lovely pink and white, subtle and uncluttered. Possibly the prettiest set I've seen for an indoor workout. And I don't even like pink :) Even with the pink, the dark exercise equipment gives it an edge and you think "these girls are serious". The music is also pumping and entertaining. The moves are also very good.
CONS: She talks NON-STOP!! Although I ordinarily like the talkers, she was too much. And her voice was sing song.

Although I liked the DVD, I didn't LOVE it. But many do, and this may be the DVD for you.

Instructor Comments:
Angie is encouraging throughout and gives great form pointers. She also has a great looking body that looks achievable and realistic. However, be prepared for her to CHAT YOU UP! She chats more than Leslie Sansone. But at least her comments are germane to the workout (Angie's, not Leslie's).

bubbles76

07/22/2010