Sylwia Wiesenberg's Tonique Premier DVD

I'm glad I purchased this. The workout itself demands a 5 star review, but the editing is a little sub par at times, hence my 4 star rating. I get it, though. It's low budget and obviously Sylwia's first foray into DVD territory, so I don't hold it against her. Just make sure to watch out for when to pick up and set down those dumbbells, because you might be caught off guard due to the editing.Another other small issue I have is the voice-over. I don't mind the voice itself, mostly the things that she says. There's a couple comments that I found so awkward, it made me uncomfortable. I'd be embarrassed for anyone to overhear the comments the voiceover makes while I do the video. The Tonique Premier soundtrack is uninspiring and somewhat inane anyway, so I suggest muting the DVD and trying Tonique Premier with whatever music inspires you.I've done this workout twice now. In order, there is a sequence of cardio drills, then squat-based exercises, then a lunge-based segment, followed by a mat workout (which actually starts off with a few brief cardio moves to get the heart rate back up, in case you aren't already dying at this point!). If you select the "Full Workout" option when you do this video, it will go straight into a cool down at the end. The cool down is nice, although weirdly edited. The DVD does come with a lengthy warm up option, but it does not automatically begin with the warm-up in the "Full Workout", so you'll have to choose that first if you wish to start out with Sylwia's warm-up.The first time I did this workout, I had to take a LOT of rests. I am used to doing Jillian Michaels videos, particularly Body Revolution, so I didn't have anywhere near this kind of endurance. Tonique Premier is a totally different animal from any JM workout. On my first attempt at doing Tonique, I got all the way to the lunge section and felt as though I was going to DIE after a few reps, so I decided to skip ahead to the mat workout. The mat workout, despite starting off with cardio, is actually a nice way to end Tonique Premier, since it lets the heart rate come down a bit while isolating those muscles. I was definitely glad to get on the floor after all those squats and lunges. Make no mistake, your butt will still be ON FIRE but you'll at least be able to breathe.The second time I did this workout, I used my own music. I found a hip-hop cardio playlist on spotify, and it really got me motivated. On my second attempt at Tonique Premier, two days after my initial workout, I fared much better. For each exercise I did 10-20 reps and gave myself a break for any remaining reps. In this manner I was able to keep up fairly well, and I will be able to increase my reps over time so that I can do the workout at Sylwia's pace... one day.I am a person who has had problems with relatively weak joints. I am taking a joint supplement and I think it has lessened any extra pain I may have suffered from this workout. If you have weak knees, ankles, or hips, you'll need to take precautions with this one, and maintain proper form. You might also consider doing fewer or slower reps in the beginning before taking things up a notch.I've been pretty critical, but I highly recommend Tonique Premier. It is a very solid addition to any Fitness DVD library.

This is a really great workout. It is really tough to get through the workout segments without stopping. This workout is designed to do a high amount of reps for each exercise to tone the legs and glutes and will also get your heart pumping so you get a good amount of cardio in while toning your tush and legs. YOU WILL FEEL THE BURN AND YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF GETTING BREATHLESS!!!Sylvia's interview is a seperate menu item on the DVD it also intro's at the workout. Would have liked the interview kept as a menu item only. The interview is a bit long winded and you have to FF or hit the next button to skip it.This workout incorporates some arms with light weights. Mostly biceps and shoulders and some upper back. She could have incorporated some triceps. Only use 2 lb weights like she instructs in the interview. However during the workout, you are not instructed when to pick up weights and when to put them down. Only once during the whole workout you are instructed to put down the weights. On one excersise she suddenly has the weights in her and you have to scramble to pick up your before she starts. Too late. you have to rewind and restart.On one exercise in the lunge section you see her doing the movement with her arms going up and down with the weights then in the next shot her arm are swinging down and out with the weights. The shots during this movement go back and forth on the arm movement. It is not said as a variation of the exercise or anything which can confuse you and make you think you are doing the exercise wrong.Other problems are with the timing. The editing gets the movement off beat with timing on a few occassions. The editing is somewhat amaturish in my opinion. I like the slow mo intro at the beginning of each segment. But they didn't edit this in at the beginning of the lunge section like they should have, making it difficult to start on time. It would have been a good thing if this was done for each exercise so you will be able to get into position and know what the movement is. Sometimes the instructions from the british voice over were off like saying "times" instead of "reps" for example, and some other misswordings.There is also a short but very effective ab workout at the end of the workout which I like very much. I can really feel the muscles I am working. My legs, abs and especially my butt are benifitting big time from this workout. Very rewarding.I was however, disappointed with the cool down section. The voice instructions and Sylwia were off timing. Bad editing I think. The editing didn't work well here. She is already stretching one side of her neck before you are instructed to begin. By the time you start stretching you neck with her she starts on the other side. Very little queing for the cool down. so you find she is doing something else while you still on the stretch before. I prefer staying in synch with the person I am working out with on Video. The instuction lacks a bit on the cool down.I still would recommend this workout however. Regardless of the editing mistakes that are on this DVD, this is one of the best cardio/butt/legs workout I have ever done.

Just when I think I'm in really good shape, I find out .. not! Or not exactly! This is a really tough workout, and I consider myself to be in very good shape; I do Jillian Michael's advanced level on her workouts. I got the Tonique DVD yesterday and had to stop repeatedly throughout the workout. It was tough, and I was sweating buckets; something I only do when I run. The reason for the 4 stars is because the functionality of the menu options is a bit confusing. There's not a clear workout option to select, per se. Rather, it's Play All, Warm-up (which came across like a video presentation rather than an actual warm-up), and then the chapters of the workout: Drills (cardio), Squats, Lunges, and Matwork and then a cool down. I did not watch the Intro, I fast-forwarded through it. So it took me a few mins to figure out how to actually get to the workout (maybe she explains it, I don't know - I just never watch the Intro). Anyway, she might want to produce her DVD's with a standard menu option so you can select the workout. I'll do my own warm-up - it was just too weird for me. I'm also not a fan of the voiceover during the workout; I found it annoying and a bit over the top (you can do it!). I'm being picky, I know. Overall, it's minimal annoyance compared to a very good, solid workout - one that I am determined to do all the way through without stopping! Sylwia is in incredible shape; she makes it look sooo easy!! It's an intermediate to advanced level workout - designed for those who require minimal to zero instruction around proper form, etc. You won't get it. She does not speak during the workout. It's just a video of her doing the moves with a pretty annoying voiceover! Haha, sorry, it just bugged me but it won't stop me from doing the workout!