I promised I’d review this workout video a few days ago, but I figured I should actually do it again before I tell you about it. Plus, you know, holiday weekend.
It’s one of my favorites because I love kickboxing and the instructor is not annoying. Actually, she’s great. Jessica Smith is her name and she’s done quite a few of these old school videos. few other 10 Minute Solutions, a Look Better Naked, and a few others that I cannot recall.
Anyway, on to the review.
The DVD (or Amazon Prime video, like I used) is broken up into five 10 minute segments. You can do them all, or pick and choose what suits your mood and time schedule. If you were like me and you had a disgustingly large DVD collection way back when, then you also had this on DVD and it came with 1 pound weighted gloves. That are pink. I’m not a fan of pink, but okay. The workout is meant to be performed wearing the gloves, though it isn’t a requirement. You can still purchase weighted gloves on your own if you do not have these, though. I bought two pounders later on to kick it up a bit. I think they are made by Reebok, but I cannot remember.
Knockout Body Blast:
This is the first segment and it’s probably tied for my fave with section four, which we will get to. Jessica starts out by introducing the basic kickboxing punches that you’ll use throughout the whole experience. Jabs, Cross punches, Hooks, and Uppercuts. You move through to some squats and kicks, some jump rope simulations, and then she puts some combos together. I love the combos; they are good cardio and toning, and they are easy to follow.
Fat Attack:
Easily my least favorite, only because it’s the hardest on my knees (which are pretty bad from many years of extreme workouts and running), but it’s great cardio. Bonus, it has some toning as well. Look, I don’t believe that you’ll gain any serious muscle from videos like this, but it doesn’t hurt, right? And if you’re already in pretty good shape, doing workouts like this in addition to your regular routine will only give you that much extra. Anyway, this is a cardio segment that incorporates a lot of side shuffles, squats, jumps, and punches.
Ultimate Upper Body:
I really like this segment. Gets the heart pumping, definitely, but the toning moves from all the different punch combos is the best, especially with the weighted gloves. Jessica starts you out by putting some simple punch/step combinations together, then you move into a longer set of combos, finishing up with some specific toning moves.
Kickbox Cross Train:
The fourth section that I mentioned loving is this. It’s similar to section one, in which she takes you through the basic punches, but this time she focuses more on the intention behind the movement. Where section one is going to get your cardio up more, this one concentrates on toning. Especially in the legs. She throws in some really good dancers moves, and there are some lunge squat combos that felt good and did not bother my knees.
Fierce & Fabulous Abs
It’s right there in the title what this section covers. It isn’t all just boring floor work, it starts in a standing position for the first few minutes with lots of twists and turns. I like the moves she uses, a lot of them feel fresh and they do seem to hit the abs from all angles.
So, there you have it. A good video to add in to a more rigorous routine if you’re looking to get into amazing shape, or just a great workout to keep you moving and fit.
Couch Tomato 