Contenders Club
Robert ForcelliYear Released: 2003
Categories: Boxing/Kickboxing/Martial Arts
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This review includes The Full
Forcelli, Bunches of Punches
and Lotsa Heart because they
are all very similar in format with
only slight variations on the
theme.
All three videos have five rounds.
Each round consists of about
three sets of moves plus 10
pushups, which are done for the
first three or four rounds but not
in the fifth round. Most of the
sets are in counts of 10.
Typically there will be a punch
combination (as basic as
jab-cross in the first round,
going up to something like
jab-jab-cross hook by the
fourth), a lunge or squat section
(or jacks, fast-feet or other
simple cardio for Lotsa Heart),
pushups and torso twists (or
more punches, in the case of
Bunches of Punches). The fifth
round usually consists of
combining all the moves from
the first four together, sans
pushups.
All moves are done in a
measured, controlled fashion,
no double-times here. Overall,
the videos all gave me a solid
intermediate-intensity workout,
which fills a niche. The minute
breaks between rounds
seemed a bit long to me; I
sometimes keep doing jacks or
other cardio so my body doesn't
get out of workout mode. These
are definitely not for choreo
lovers. VERY basic moves. If you
like kicks, there's none of those
here--it's purely boxing moves.
The set is in a plain room
apparently in a city building, with
white walls and hardwood floor
and mirrors. Four or five women
and a guy work out behind
Forcelli. Music is the same in
each of the three videos,
instrumental and kind of mellow.
Olajide's Aerobox is far more
intense and sweaty but I can
see using these for days when I
don't have a ton of energy but
want a workout that's a little
more athletic based than say an
intermediate hi-lo video.
Instructor Comments:
Very no-nonsense and
businesslike. Has a
street-tough accent and
drill-instructor-ish style. Gets the
job done. One minor quibble is
that I feel he doesn't need to
remind people of the
modifications to pushups every
single time we go down to the
floor to do them.