Sylwia Weisenberg's Tonique CardioMAT DVD

Tonique 2 was the first Sylvia workout I did. I liked that one better.This workout, however, claims to be cardio, but it's not. Her other workouts I've tried are mostly lower body, but they do have that endurance factor, and Tonique 2 has actual cardio in it. This CardioMat workout, while a great lower body workout, is not a good cardio workout. If it weren't for the lower body portions, this would have gotten a lower rating.The workout is about an hour and a half. There's some ab work in there, too that I usually skip since I work my abs on a different day than on my leg days.There is no warm up, though. You start off doing jumping jacks, which is the only thing resembling cardio throughout the whole workout, but it's brief unfortunately. There's also this weird part where she just waves her arms. No weights, just odd arm flapping really slowly. I didn't feel anything with that.If you want cardio, look elsewhere. If you want a good lower body workout with some ab work thrown in, this works. It should really be advertised as a lower body workout, then this would be four stars. I had to dock a star for not getting the cardio from it that I bought it for.The background is all green and beautiful like some lucky person's backyard. (I assume it's hers.) It makes for a nice setting and is visually appealing. I will say for me personally I found it a little too relaxing. Beautiful setting, I just find exotic places like the desert or the beach more motivating to workout to, or studios even. That's probably just me, though.The two bonus exercises she shows you are only shown on one leg, so you've got to work the other one afterward. One exercise is doing the curtsy lunge in a really low to the ground position. You really feel that one. If I remember right, I think the other exercise before that is where you lie on your back and extend your leg out to the side, kind of like doing the abductor machine, only with your leg extended and no bending the knee.Just know what you're getting. It's a decent lower body workout. It you want lean, toned legs, this works okay. If you want size and strength, I'd go to the gym and work out the legs with heavy weights.

Okay. I have just discovered Sylwia Weisenberg's workouts. I have recently received Premier and this mat workout. Done them both. This one I did this morning. I love her and I hate her (no, I really do love her!). I had to pause multiple times and at one point stopped the video and started laughing. Really??? My butt was on fire and had to stop due to butt cramp! But you know what? I am hooked. I will keep doing her workouts and am currently back to order more. Sadistic as it sounds! I struggle and sweat and most certainly, curse through these workouts but I know that they will produce results. She is an animal with the energy and stamina of, as others have referred to as the energizer bunny. I laugh because I can not keep up with her but her energy makes me want to try to anyway...with many pauses in the video, however. This is a long workout and she does not let you go! This woman is amazing and very encouraging. Yeah, I've done Bob Harper, Jillian, etc. Let me tell you, you will be pushed to the max by this woman!9/6/13 I had to comment on this one again. I now have all of Sylwia's workouts and I really love them all. They are all so constantly challenging as I rotate through them. I really love this one and am surprised that more people don't. I love it because I keep the sound down and turn on my own music and just go. It sort of incorporates a combination of several of her routines and I just feel like it flows really nicely. I really like that it is live and she talks through it and I find her so encouraging. I would add that the setting makes it feel more relaxed as well, if that is even possible with one of her workouts!! I am so happy with my stumbling upon her and giving her a try. Her workouts are truly challenging and amazing with great results! Anyway, I just wanted to add to my review and give it two very big thumbs up!!

this is my 2nd tonique mat dvd, and i really like it. i didnt think i would like it after seeing youtube previews: it isnt 'studio-produced" but a 'live" nature-open air workout and no music (which is my first workout dvd to do so.). However, in spite of all of that i enjoyed it. For some reason as a person who hates to workout and needs some motivation, i found this dvd 'relaxing' (it must be the birds chirping and the wind blowing) even though the exercises are killer. i agree that most of workout is toning, not cardio which doesnt bother me. i'd say about 3/4 or more of the dvd are mat workout which i wanted. The first 15-20 min have lots of squats/lunges which i hate since my thighs get thick from doing too much of those so I substitute doing modified plies, etc. Great workout overall....i dont know how how Sylwia or anyone can complete this workout in one setting....i do 20-30 min and call it a day. then I do the rest some other day.

I love tonique but this dvd is almost impossible for the average person to complete. I bought this dvd for postpartum workouts and it's just much to advanced to complete more than 30 minutes at a time! You will get results though if you are able to do the thousand squats and lunges!

Oh my gosh-I loved this dvd!I love her Mat Workout but this one is a little more fun and the scenery is less dull-no music but filmed at a Nature Perserve.She really works your legs-as a matter of fact I had to modify several excercises.The only thing I did'nt like was that it was a little long-about 70 minutes and some of the Abs excercises I could not do-she seems Superhuman sometimes-I'm not as coordinated!I know that this will remain in my rotation.

I love all of Toniques workouts! If you are like me, you don't want to waste your workout time finding yourself bored or feel like you didn't get a good enough work out. I give this a 4 and not a 5 because I like some of her other workouts better. This one is a little less exciting- maybe because there was no back ground music- only birds and nature. Still a great workout- oouch!