Hip Hop Abs - Cardio Groove Dance Party

Series:       Hip Hop Abs
Workout:    Cardio Groove Dance Party
Length:      41 minutes
Trainer:      Shaun T 
Calories:    379  |  9 cal/ minute


I have to start by saying two things- first, this series came out in 2003 so it may look dated compared to a lot of the newer series on Beachbody on Demand. And second, I love Shaun T so I may be slightly biased on this review.

With that out of the way, here is my FitBit breakdown for the 41 minute routine:

I decided to try a different Hip Hop Abs video today (even though I LOVE the Fat Burning Cardio 2).  This one doesn't make me feel my abs like the other, nor did I burn as many calories.  It's nice to be able to switch things up, but if I'm doing a longer workout like this, I'd prefer to be doing one that nets more calories.

It was fun, don't get me wrong.  The choreography was a little quicker than in at Burning Cardio 2 so that may have contributed to the lower burn (learning curve on movements).  Overall though, I'll be sticking with Fat Burning Cardio 2 as my weekly Hip Hop Abs fix.

Core de Force - MMA Shred

Series:       Core de Force
Workout:   MMA Shred
Length:      37 minutes
Trainer:      Joel and Jericho
Calories:    416  |  11 cal/ minute


TLDR; I LOVE this workout.  Love.  10/10 would recommend.

FitBit breakdown for the 37 minute routine:

This is easily one of my favorite workouts and one that I will be adding to my once-a-week calendar once I get enough programs.

MMA Shred is Muay Thai based.  It has the punches and kicks as well as lots of elbow work.  It is comprised of 9 rounds of different exercises which you'll do in a pattern- exercise, 30 second "spike", exercise, 30 second "spike".  The spike can be anything from lunges to high knees, to jump squats and are meant to increase your heart rate significantly.  After the second spike, you get 30 seconds to bring your heart rate down before the next round starts with a new exercise.

You're never on one thing long enough to feel like you need to quit/ take a break.  There's a modifier that you can use if you're unable to do the high impact work, but she still makes you work hard.  You definitely feel this one in the morning.

I don't do a lot of upper body workouts, so this one also made my back sore the next day (the good kind of sore).  Regardless, I've done this one twice (mostly because I enjoyed it so much) and will continue to.

Insanity: The Asylum Vol 2 - Off Day Stretch

Series:       Insanity: The Asylum Vol 2
Workout:   Off Day Stretch
Length:      32 minutes
Trainer:      Shaun T 
Calories:    77  |  2 cal/ minute


In my search for the perfect rest day stretch routine... I don't think this is it (unfortunately).

FitBit breakdown for the 32 stretch:

I'll say again that I love Shaun T.  He's incredibly motivational and I can see how this workout may be fantastic for someone who is in shape enough to be doing a program like Insanity: The Asylum- however, that's not me.  At least not right now.

I still have quite a bit of belly fat and my c-section scar tends to hurt here and there with sitting ab work.  This workout had very little of it which was nice, but the ones they did do hurt more than I expected.

I didn't expect to have much of a calorie burn for this since it's supposed to be a rest day, but I was surprised at how low my heart rate stayed the majority of the time.  I'm also not a big fan of yoga and there was only a few downward dog/ warrior poses which was also very nice.

Overall, very good stretch and I will likely revisit it in a few months.  However, for now, not the best for me and I'll continue to search for one that is more conducive to my current fitness and recovery level.