Power 90: Sculpt Circuit 1-2
Tony HortonYear Released: 2000
Categories: Total Body Workouts
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Yes, this series is 13 years old, but it's new to me. The previous review is quite comprehensive so only personal perceptions from me. I'm familiar with Tony from P90X and he is quite subdued in this.
The workout seems to be designed for beginners as the leg work is bodyweight only - walking lunges & squats, but an intermediate/advanced person could hold weights for those. The upper body exercises suit anyone by using an appropriate weight for 8-15 reps. I used 4kg (9lb), 5kg (11lb) and 6kg (13lb) weights.
Even though there was no music, the time went by quickly - 1-2-3 (circuits) DONE.
On the whole it's useful because it hits (almost) everything but is also brief. "Almost" everything because this has no abdominal work - that's in another one of the set. Tony finishes with a comment something like "see you for cardio & abs tomorrow" - assuming you're doing the P90 rotation.
Instructor Comments:
For those who find his usual style annoying - this probably wouldn't be the case. He's less playful, reining in his vivacious personality.
Circuit 1-2 Sculpt! is an all strength training 30 minute dumbbell or resistence band workout that was part of the Power 90 series from 2000. In typical Beach Body style there's the familiar countdown digital clock in the lower right hand corner as well as graphics for each exercise and stretch along the bottom of the screen. One of the more interesting aspects of the video, believe it or not, is that there is no musical accompaniment; Tony suggests you put on whatever music you like to exercise with if you want to. This is actually a plus since the exercises can be done at a nice, slow pace allowing you to complete anywhere between 8 and 15 repetitions, depending on the amount of weight you use, your general conditioning, and whatever BPM music you choose to work out to. The set is bland, all-grey, and void of any detail or interesting visuals, unfortunately. Tony has two students who demonstrate the exercises. Lisa uses dumbbells and Sean uses the resistence bands. Tony demonstrates each exercise with his students, then stops, assist, and comments on Lisa and Sean's form, then does the last few reps with them again.
The program begins with an 8-minute stretching warmup, then the 3 circuits. Each circuit consists of 1 set per exercise per body part. At the end of each circuit there's a short stretch -- then on to the next circuit. The body parts are repeated but different exercises are performed. Here's a breakdown of the exercises in each circuit:
Circuit I:
1. pushups-- hands 6" wider than
shoulders (chest)
2. "heavy pants" -- double back row
(back)
3. military press (shoulders)
4. "back scratchers" -- single arm
french press (triceps)
5. bicep curls (biceps)
6. lunges -- shown without weights
(legs)
7. stretch
Circuit II:
1. pushups -- hands 9" wider than
shoulders (chest)
2. back flys -- double back row
with bent elbows (upper back)
3. "swimmer's press" -- a.k.a.
"Arnold presses"; military press
with palms rotating at the top of
the move (shoulders)
4. open curls -- bicep curls at 45
degree angle (biceps)
5. kickbacks (triceps)
6. lunge/squat combo -- lunge
followed by 3 squats; shown without
weight (legs)
7. stretch with water break
Circuit III:
1. "7-7-7" pushups -- wide/narrow/
widest hand positions; 7 of each
(chest)
2. "lawnmower" -- single-arm row
with a twist at the top of the
movement (back)
3. lateral raise (shoulders)
4. chair dips -- straight legs;
Tony demonstrates easier variations
(triceps)
5. "21's" -- 7 bicep curls to
waist; 7 from top to waist; 7 full
range of motion (biceps)
6. 3 part squats -- narrow/wide/
widest leg positions; 8 each
position (legs)
7. stretch
There's no cooldown after the last
stretch so its a good time to pop
in another tape with some ab work
or do more intensive stretching on
your own.
What makes this circuit workout
unique is the 1 set concept allows
you to "go heavy" if you're an
intermediate or advanced exerciser.
The slow pace and count of each set
allowed me to use 20, 15, 12, and 8
lb. weights -- something I could
never manage in more fast-pa
Instructor Comments:
Tony is very confident and a bit of
a ham -- but in a likable way.
He's at his best when he's checking
his students' form and encouraging
them to work harder, rather than
hamming it up in front of the
camera. But his personality works
well with the w