Has anyone actually *done* Metaboost or Flexposture?

[KickDancer]

I know many have received this DVD by now (albeit not necessarily because they wanted it), but I can't seem to find any comments about the actual workouts. What do people think of them?

[getstrong]

I'm hoping for some too. YaYas has two reviews of metaboost in the review section, nothing yet for flexposture that I've seen.

[KickDancer]

Originally Posted by getstrong

I'm hoping for some too. YaYas has two reviews of metaboost in the review section, nothing yet for flexposture that I've seen.

Can you provide a link to these? TIA!

[getstrong]

http://p199.ezboard.com/ffirmbeliver...icID=291.topic

you have to be a ya ya member. Otherwise, I think Sassygirl visits here, you could bug her to post here. Jammin5 (Robin) did the other one. I'd copy, but that's probably not ok.

[SassyGirl]

Hi

I did post a short review over at Ya-Ya's today. I did Metaboost this morning and LOVED it. I would classify it as a solid intermediate workout - the intensity was about the same as the old FitPrime FTGU or Crunch Time (in my opinion). A few times I had to wipe the sweat off with a towel, so I was definitely working! I loved everything about the workout...the flow and selection of exercises, the music (which as always with FitPrime was outstanding), the picture and sound were crystal clear - loved the colorful set - the background exercisers seemed relaxed and enjoyable to watch, and Heide was extremely poised, comfortable and professional in this video.

As I said in my review, I think Anna finally got it right with these workouts. They seem to have the best features of the old Firm and FitPrime combined into this new venture with none of the things that used to annoy me (like the original Firm's cheesy music, FitPrime's cheap production and ugly set, etc.) When I was working out, I was thinking to myself that there isn't ONE thing I don't like! And for a picky person like me, that is amazing!

[getstrong]

Thanks, SassyGirl!

[Randi]

I've done them both, here are my first impressions:

I agree with SassyGirl about Metaboost. I loved it as well, though I'm not sure it's quite as hard as the older Fitprimes. I was sweating a lot but my heartrate only got into my low aerobic range and frequently dipped below that. It was a humid Florida afternoon so that might explain the sweat! My HR might go higher when I know the choreography a little better or if I use wrist weights. Besides the fabulous production values, I felt that it was a "kinder" workout than most others; it seemed like the movements were a tad slower and that helped me use my muscles in a more controlled way and protect my joints. The only thing I didn't do were the curtsy dips. It's a keeper for me!

I did FlexPosture today and I'm more ambivalent about this one. Tamela Hastie leads this one and she seems VERY serious compared to Heidi. The cueing is pretty good, but there were times when she didn't mention something important and I had to look at the TV to figure out what she meant. There weren't as many form pointers as I expect from beginner Pilates and yoga workouts, but many of the moves were modified for beginners and the full version wasn't shown. I did it after an hour of tennis practice and it made me feel much less tight, but so do most yoga tapes. There was a lot of variety and the time went quickly.

A negative for me: there was a lot of equipment moving/changing - it uses a stool, mat, yoga block, bar, dumbbells. I do a fair amount of yoga and I found the yoga too modified, next time I'll just do the full pose that I know rather than the modification that Tamela shows, and I might like that better. There was a fair amount of shoulder stabilization work, though, which was nice.

The workout is quite different than other yoga, Pilates or fusion workouts - it has short cardio sections in a couple of places that don't seem very useful. I'm going to try it again next week, but my feeling is that if I were to do something like this as part of rotation I'd be better off doing Karen Voight's YogaSculpt or maybe a 30 minute Pilates workout and a 30 minute yoga practice.

My opinion may change after I do it again, right now I'm on the fence about whether this is worth keeping for me or not.

[*pet*art*girl*]

I found it very fun! I think the pace is a bit slower than the norm. Having said that, I did get a good workout and I am excited about these new workouts. So much so in fact, that I plan to do them all week. They are fun and good workouts, but it doesn't feel like drudgery. IMO, "the magic is back". I've done Steamin Cardio + Metaboost and I thouroghly enjoyed them, as I would an old style Firm. Beautiful music, beautiful production, crazy neo-greek-princess set. The way the exercises were organized was classic Firm. Some of the exercises themselves are updated with a "FitPrime v.1" flair, yet they do not go so much in that alternative direction as to exclude those who may not have enjoyed the first set of Fit Primes, due to some of the more unusual moves, or things they would do (yoga in the middle of the workout, or going barefoot for the whole workout).
I fet like I was in old-school but new-style firm heaven doing the workouts. I look forward to collecting more of them and I hope I enjoy the others as much as I enjoyed these two (both Heidi's).

[bobbysgirl]

I have the original Flexposture. I have done it a number of times and like it. I have ordered the Metaboost/Flexposture DVD but haven't recieved it yet. From looking at the previews at WHFN I can tell that there is quite a bit of difference. The original doesn't use any weights, I don't think there is any cardio and it is shorter than the new one. I can see myself using both of these videos at differnet times and I plan to keep both of them.
Susan

[ronnee]

I did Metaboost this morning and really enjoyed it as well. I think the intensity is similar to FIRM Maximum Body Shaping (the tri-trainer one with Tracie Long); maybe a slight notch below. I was able to "go heavy" which I would advise if you want to work your muscles, especially your upper body. There aren't that many sets for the each upper body group -- I think bicpes and triceps get 3 each, the rest get 2 (with only one for the back). If you use slightly heavier weight than normal in the "four-limbed" sections, you can get some extra burn there too. Those sections move slowly so it's possible.

Heidi is wonderful in this workout -- poised, smiling but not overly perky; gives excellent pointers and looks lovely. I was happy to work out with someone who actually looks like a woman about my age, is fit, but is clearly not a fitness pro 24/7. Not that I mind that (I love Cathe workouts), but it was a nice change of pace. She looks "real" to me and I prefer her to the current incarnation of her "Crosstrainer" counterpart from days of yore (Pam Cauthen) who I want to send a care package to.

As others have mentioned there are some nice twists on conventional exercises -- plies squats with one leg on the tall box that make the workout seem fresh. I felt energized after it; it's wasn't uber-tough for me, but a solid workout.

One more thing; the colors on these new workouts are really vibrant! This one is a bit more calm because the colors are deep (reds), but Steamin' Cardio looks like it was filmed in Technicolor -- I get the feeling it will be like working out to a Doris Day movie. But oddly, I enjoy it.

Ronnee