Review Rave: Center Floor with Kari Anderson

shelleyann · 05-31-11, 09:39 AM

Kari is so graceful and pleasant and calming. The music is a nice jazzy type and the background exercisers are her daughter and a friend. The dvd is chaptered and each section is rather short so it would be easy to make the workout any length you prefer. I will also say that you work balance as well as toning in this workout and there is a cardio-effect. Most of the movements are very fluid with little stand still isolation exercises. It is quite Reach-like (a modern Reach 2) and has more ballet influence than barre per se.

The first section is the warm-up and it is comprised fluid stretches and ballet moves...tondue, plie's, etc. The second section is more cardio in that you move across the floor with larger sweeping movements (think Beyond Balletone, if you know that dvd). One move flows right into the next and is easy to follow. The third section uses parallel feet and focuses on the outer thigh, but is still rhythmic, you don't really do any isolated, stand still movements. You will also do curtsey squats with side legs into leaps (as an option) so you definitely get your heart-rate up.

The fourth section focuses on leg extensions, attitude and developes and is mostly toning, while still being fluid. You also really work your balance. The fifth section is a combination of lunges (with Kari's unique twist) and stretches intermixed. The sixth section has a yoga-influence though it is not typical yoga. It has some plank (ab), thigh work and tricep work and again, very fluid and full of movement. The next section is ab work on your back on a mat. The next section is mat-based thigh, bridge and waist work. The subsequent section is a mat stretch followed by a standing stretch section which concludes the workout.

Overall a really nice workout that tones, stretches, enhances balance and has a cardio effect. It is fluid and pleasant a leaves you feeling worked, but calm and centered. I will reach for it again and again!

hotncmom · 05-31-11, 09:52 AM

Sounds fantastic

How long is the workout if you do the entire thing? Is it chaptered such that you can easily do the floorwork separately?

Pat58 · 05-31-11, 10:31 AM

Thank you Shelley! Oh I want it so bad!

ETA: Hmm, I reviewed the clip at Mary's and have to say I'm not wild about the music. Call me an old fuddy duddy but I hate the new trend of having rappish elements and some dude babbling away in the background. It just doesn't fit with a workout that I associate with elegance.

shelleyann · 05-31-11, 11:27 AM

That rappish music was only in one short section, so don't lose heart. The rest was nice.

The first chapter called Standing Center Floor Challenge was 32 minutes (but you can break each section down even further), the second chapter called Full body Mat was 13 minutes, the last chapter called Lengthening Stretch was 11 minutes. So a total of 56 minutes, if I'm doing my math correctly.

Pam61 · 05-31-11, 11:33 AM

I like the look of this too, Shelley! Thanks for bringing it to my attention...I think?!

Seems like it would work very well with my Classical Stretch added on!

Prefer Center Floor type workouts and would probably pass on the Sweat Express II (even though it's Kari, after all!)

Conni · 05-31-11, 11:48 AM

I think I need to get this one, I really love Sweat Express 2 and Kari really is unique.

FitBoop · 05-31-11, 12:10 PM

I ordered this one from Mary over the weekend (along with the new Booty Barre, and a few others), and am looking forward to trying it!

shelleyann · 05-31-11, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FitBoop

I ordered this one from Mary over the weekend (along with the new Booty Barre, and a few others), and am looking forward to trying it!

Oooh...what else did you get?

Pat58 · 05-31-11, 01:11 PM

Whew - thanks Shelley! Now I am definitely putting it on my list of videos to get soon.

Helen S · 05-31-11, 01:57 PM

Thanks Shelley for the review. I like what I see in Mary's clip and will add this to my very long wish list.

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05-31-11, 09:39 AM
shelleyann Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Castle Hills (North Dallas), Texas	Rave: Center Floor with Kari Anderson Kari is so graceful and pleasant and calming. The music is a nice jazzy type and the background exercisers are her daughter and a friend. The dvd is chaptered and each section is rather short so it would be easy to make the workout any length you prefer. I will also say that you work balance as well as toning in this workout and there is a cardio-effect. Most of the movements are very fluid with little stand still isolation exercises. It is quite Reach-like (a modern Reach 2) and has more ballet influence than barre per se. The first section is the warm-up and it is comprised fluid stretches and ballet moves...tondue, plie's, etc. The second section is more cardio in that you move across the floor with larger sweeping movements (think Beyond Balletone, if you know that dvd). One move flows right into the next and is easy to follow. The third section uses parallel feet and focuses on the outer thigh, but is still rhythmic, you don't really do any isolated, stand still movements. You will also do curtsey squats with side legs into leaps (as an option) so you definitely get your heart-rate up. The fourth section focuses on leg extensions, attitude and developes and is mostly toning, while still being fluid. You also really work your balance. The fifth section is a combination of lunges (with Kari's unique twist) and stretches intermixed. The sixth section has a yoga-influence though it is not typical yoga. It has some plank (ab), thigh work and tricep work and again, very fluid and full of movement. The next section is ab work on your back on a mat. The next section is mat-based thigh, bridge and waist work. The subsequent section is a mat stretch followed by a standing stretch section which concludes the workout. Overall a really nice workout that tones, stretches, enhances balance and has a cardio effect. It is fluid and pleasant a leaves you feeling worked, but calm and centered. I will reach for it again and again! __________________ Shelley Exercise should enhance your life! It should make you feel good & be fun, not drudgery or a beating. "When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." Marcus Aurelius

05-31-11, 09:52 AM
hotncmom Join Date: Jan 2009	Sounds fantastic How long is the workout if you do the entire thing? Is it chaptered such that you can easily do the floorwork separately?

05-31-11, 10:31 AM
Pat58 VF Supporter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut	Thank you Shelley! Oh I want it so bad! ETA: Hmm, I reviewed the clip at Mary's and have to say I'm not wild about the music. Call me an old fuddy duddy but I hate the new trend of having rappish elements and some dude babbling away in the background. It just doesn't fit with a workout that I associate with elegance.

05-31-11, 11:27 AM
shelleyann Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Castle Hills (North Dallas), Texas	That rappish music was only in one short section, so don't lose heart. The rest was nice. The first chapter called Standing Center Floor Challenge was 32 minutes (but you can break each section down even further), the second chapter called Full body Mat was 13 minutes, the last chapter called Lengthening Stretch was 11 minutes. So a total of 56 minutes, if I'm doing my math correctly. __________________ Shelley Exercise should enhance your life! It should make you feel good & be fun, not drudgery or a beating. "When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." Marcus Aurelius

05-31-11, 11:33 AM
Pam61 VF Supporter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The Ocean State!	I like the look of this too, Shelley! Thanks for bringing it to my attention...I think?! Seems like it would work very well with my Classical Stretch added on! Prefer Center Floor type workouts and would probably pass on the Sweat Express II (even though it's Kari, after all!) __________________ Pam April Focus: Linda Stejskal Wooldridge (Barlates) Dean Pohlman (Man Flow Yoga) April 8th Everyday Yoga Four Week Challenge Jessica Smith Cardio Walks/Pilates Fusion Lee Holden Qi Gong 30 Day Challenge

05-31-11, 11:48 AM
Conni Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: ohio	I think I need to get this one, I really love Sweat Express 2 and Kari really is unique. __________________ Conni

05-31-11, 12:10 PM
FitBoop VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	I ordered this one from Mary over the weekend (along with the new Booty Barre, and a few others), and am looking forward to trying it!

05-31-11, 01:11 PM
Pat58 VF Supporter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut	Whew - thanks Shelley! Now I am definitely putting it on my list of videos to get soon.

05-31-11, 01:57 PM
Helen S VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Utah	Thanks Shelley for the review. I like what I see in Mary's clip and will add this to my very long wish list. __________________ Disclosure: I have appeared as a cast member for several workouts. Please see my profile for details.