Title: Ellen Barrett Live: Sleek Sculpt Express
What’s the goal? The 30-minute workout aims to improve overall strength, balance and conditioning using light hand-held weights throughout the entire set.
Who’s it for? Beginners and couch potatoes could benefit from following the moves in this DVD without using weights. But performing them with 5-pound dumbbells or anything heavier would certainly prove challenging to those at intermediate levels.
Format: The disc is divided into eight sections: an intro, a cool-down and six middle sections - the first three work one side of the body while the second three perform the same moves on the other side.
The sets flow easily and gracefully from one to another at a relaxed pace. It’s a full-body workout that challenges multiple muscle groups at once as well as incorporating one-legged or traveling movements to increase balance.
If you’ve ever tried yoga or Pilates, some things will look familiar - warrior pose, runner’s pose, plie.
The exercises tend to focus on strengthening the arms, shoulders, back and core. Leg movements are worked in when arm movements are combined with calf raises or when a forward lunge position is paired with a cranking-the-lawnmower movement.
In short, this DVD will raise your heart rate and strengthen your body in a holistic way. Barrett and her co-exercisers seemed red faced and happy when the set was over. Well, everyone but the girl in the back with impressive biceps and muscular legs who scaled down the set by not using weights. She probably went to the gym afterward to do her real workout.
Distractions: Barrett seems to have a more spiritual than scientific approach to working out. She’s very encouraging, saying things like “Make sure your heart stays high” and “to be functionally fit is really the same thing as being cosmetically beautiful … in my eyes.” Yes, that’s lovely. But she also says if that you’re functionally strong, “You can go about your day like an athlete, like a high-level athlete,” which is somewhat delusional. Following Barrett will make you stronger - maybe even functionally strong, sure -but it won’t make you an NFL player.
Necessary gear: Light dumbbells, probably 3- to 5-pounds, but weights are optional. A yoga mat. And that’s it. You won’t even need shoes.
Credentials: Ellen Barrett was once called the country’s top fitness instructor by Self magazine and she serves on the Family Circle magazine advisory board. She began teaching aerobics at age 17 and attained a master’s degree in education from Syracuse University. She graduated from a health-coach training program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. She has consulted for Weight Watchers and Nordic Track.
Price: $15
ActiveStyle, Pages 23 on 06/24/2013