EXHALE: CORE FUSION 30 DAY SCULPT

I am one and a half weeks in to the 30 day sculpt and I'm really surprised at the effectiveness of just a 20 minute workout. For about a month and a half before starting this I was going to the gym three to four times a week for an hour to an hour and a half at a time. I was doing both weights and cardio. I would feel exhausted, sweaty and spent after my workouts but it was time consuming. I travel 20 days a month so wanted something that I could do in my room. The reviews of this dvd were good so I got it. I thought I was in shape!! Each 20 minute section gets me into a good sweat and has my muscles shaking. I love it!My only suggestions if you buy the video:- Do your own stretching before you start each workout. With the intensity of the moves they do you can hurt yourself if you're not limbered up.- This is not a beginner video. My 72 year old mom wanted to buy it when I was telling her about it but I recommended she not, it's too intense. If you're way out of shape this will be too much.- It's most beneficial for people who already know basic yoga moves. There are technical moves that you need to go in and out of quite quickly and if you're not correctly aligned (from proper training) you will hurt yourself.- Have weights (2 x 5lb) handy as you will need them for several of the workouts. You will also need a chair for one of the workouts, blocks for another and space to sit along a wall for other ones. They don't tell you about this before you start.The instructors are great. Very clear on instruction and motivating. And who can beat a 20 minute workout? I'm going to start it again once I'm done the 30 days, it's perfect for my busy travel lifestyle!

These workouts are led by Fred DeVito & Elisabeth Halfpapp & are of the barre/yoga genre. This DVD is comprised of segments from 4 previously released Core Fusion DVDs--Lean & Toned, Bootcamp, Energy Flow Yoga, & Cardio-Pure Intensity. This program is set up as a 5 week program, with six 20 minute workouts per week. Each 20 minute workout is comprised of two 10 minute segments. There are 18 segments in total, breaking down as follows: 4 segments from Lean & Toned--upper body tone & stretch, thighs tone & stretch, flat/round back tone & stretch, & gluteal tone & stretch; 4 segments from Bootcamp--cardio flex, cardio sun salutations, jump backs part 1, & jump backs part 2; 5 segments from Energy Flow Yoga--energy flow, sun salutations part 1, sun salutations part 2, chi gong & hip opener stretches, & core & gluteal; & 5 segments from Cardio-Pure Intensity--energy moves, cardio flow, power flow, power sweat, & cardio curl.I followed the program completely, doing the 20 minute Core Fusion workouts six days per week for five weeks. I'm so proud of myself because I never do rotations. In addition, I kept up with my cardio doing elliptical usually 60 minutes 5 days per week. I did only a couple other workouts during my rotation, & I was doing all the cardio for months before. Therefore, my results were pretty much from just adding in the Core Fusion. As far as my results go, my midsection feels much more pulled in & looks more toned. My butt has lifted some. My thighs are slimmer. I can even do a few (up to 4 or 5) full pushups, & I could never do a full pushup before--I attribute this to all the planks & down dogs! I even lost a couple pounds, without really changing my diet. I was quite out of shape in terms of strength prior to this, as I had mainly been focused on cardio, doing only a couple yoga/pilates workouts per week. I am very pleased with my results. It's amazing what adding in a short 20 minute daily workout can do for your fitness!

I really love the Core Fusion workouts, and this DVD is no exception. I love how the segments are put together, giving you a different emphasis every day. It's very nicely balanced, and I have had sore muscles in different places every day since I started using it (almost two weeks now). The 20 minute segments are great because you almost always have time to fit them in.However, I do have some complaints. For equipment, the DVD case says you will need "light weights and a mat", and that's true. However, that's not all you'll need. At various times, you'll also need yoga blocks, a high-backed chair, and easy access to an open wall. You might also want a yoga strap for stretching if you aren't super-flexible. These all would be nice to know before beginning a workout so that you can have these things at the ready.My other complaint regards the modified moves. They do always indicate that one of the students in the background will be doing modified moves, but the camera doesn't always focus on this person, so you don't always know what the modification is. Also, if you aren't very flexible, some of these moves will be challenging. One section requires you to be in pike position - even for the modified pose. I personally can't do that, and it would be nice to have some sort of modification for those who are less flexible. Overall, you need to be careful doing those moves. If you can't do them yet, find an alternative that is more at your pace for that section. You'll still get a lot out of the DVD, even if you aren't up to the level of the instructors.Bottom line: This is a great workout DVD and well worth the price! Be aware that you may need to purchase some extra things in order to get the full benefit of the workouts, though.

Love the variety. It is a challenging 20 mins. that never gets boring because each day it is different. Definitely recommend.

I read great reviews about this DVD and I decided to try it. It is great! Lots of variety and it is designed to provide you with a 20 minutes workout everyday for 5 weeks. The workouts are mixed and matched by Exhale: you just put in the DVD and go with the daily mix. The only drawback is that the 20 minutes are composed by 2 10 minutes segments taken from other Exhale DVDs and they are not properly edited. In fact, you may finish the first segment and then the second one starts in a completely different set up requiring different props. It is not a massive drawback if you consider the wide amount of workouts that you get for the price and the effectiveness of the exercises: this is a great DVD. Additionally, some of the workouts are repeated during the different weeks but it is still fresh and fun as you will not do the same stuff everyday.Aimed at intermediate level (not beginners as the explanations are minimal and it requires a moderate fitness level), it is a mix of yoga, pilates, barre and light weights. There is one person in the video that does the exercises at beginners level: the problem is that she is at the back of the room and you will not be able to follow her the whole time - therefore I do not think this choice is very effective. I can easily fit 20 minutes in my daily schedule and I can see the results of doing a little bit of exercise everyday. The workouts are fun, very varied and very effective. This is in the top three of my all time workout/fitness DVDs. I really cannot get bored with this. And at the end of the 30 days ... I start over again!UPDATE - still a great workout but if you have problems with knee joints some of the routines are not suitable. I had to cut down the routines as some of them are far too taxing on the knees. Such a shame!

Quick and effective

Great combination of exercises and just the perfect amount of time. I do it everyday as a warm-up just before I go for a run since it is freezing outside. I'm already seeing an improvement in legs and arms as well as flexibility. I'm on end of week 2, can't wait to see the results after the full month.

Great workouts for those days when you are short on time.