KRISTI YAMAGUCHI: POWER WORKOUT

I love Erin O'Brian. She provides a no-nonsense thorough workout. I use both of her other dvd's weekly. I consider this one to be more cardio intensive and slightly more intense. She is working out with a gold medal winner, so the workout is a bit more challenging. You'll find some of the same moves as in the earlier Erin O'Brian dvd's but with a new twist. I have all three of her dvd's and use them as my base for my weekly workout. I quit my gym membership, where I was spending $60+ per month. I feel that I am getting a better workout and I work out more often. I also use Kathy Smith's newer dvd's and some yoga to mix it up. If you are looking to maintain a healthy weight, strength, and flexibility, Erin O'Brian is the best. Her workouts are not flashy, but they are effective. I love that they are so efficient. For me, that means I will be wiling to do it more often. I spend about 50 mins on this one. I might do this particular one once a week, but I work out daily. I have Bob Harper dvd's. He's great, but I really have to want torture to put his dvds on. I get a great work out with Erin and don't want to punch her at the end of the dvd. You can't go wrong with any Erin O'Brian dvd. I feel this one is the most intense but is also adjustable for lower intensity as well. I'm very happy with my purchase and know I will use it for years to come.

As you may surmise from my review title, I am an Erin O'Brien fan. :-D I think her workouts are safe, sound, and effective for all but truly advanced exercisers, and for me they are also great fun! Be advised that they are in no way "hard core" (Jillian she's not!) but they're generally appropriate - or modifiable - for most ages, levels and abilities. Although this particular DVD falls under Kristi's name it's very much an Erin workout, although this time it's a cardio/sculpt routine. As with Erin's other workouts this DVD is not glitzy, glamorous or over-produced. A simple home-like setting, basic music background to keep the beat (but for some reason doesn't bore me through repeat viewings as most videos do) and a minimum of equipment required. Don't forget to gently increase your weight load over time. Erin cautions not to exceed 8-pound dumbbells with all her videos, but I use different weights for different exercises and sometimes use 10. ;) Others have pointed out that legs are not heavily addressed in this video, but if you alternate this with Erin's other circuit programs Strong Body, Ageless Body with Erin O'Brien and Strong Body Fit Body you will resolve that issue. Using all three weekly gives one a nicely balanced variety of exercises and strength-training modalities. Just add some cardio with yoga or stretching on the alternating days and see what happens!

I want to start by saying the workout itself is pretty great. Erin O'Brien has become one of my favorite fitness instructors over the past couple of months. The only problem is that I have issues with my wrists which make part of this DVD too difficult to do. Workout 1 is fine. Workout 2 requires some plank work that can't be modified by going to your forearms since it's a plank to a downward dog. Workout 3 also has some plank work but this can be modified with a forearm plank. Usually when a workout is too hard on my wrists, I give it a lower review, but I think this DVD is so good that I couldn't bring myself to dock it more than one star. As others have mentioned, the dynamic between Kristi and Erin seems a little strained and fake, but if you concentrate on the workout you will be sweating. Each of the 3 10-min workouts starts with about 5 minutes of cardio followed by 5 minutes of sculpting/strength training. Then there is a 4 minute power workout where you combine all the cardio moves and finally some core stuff. My review is strictly on the 3 10-minute workouts and the power workout - I haven't done the core part of this DVD yet. What I did was tough enough. I think this is worth the investment (although I got mine with a Warehouse Prime deal so it was under $10). I do, however, wish there was a feature where you could choose your workout and create your own combinations. It's unfortunate that this isn't an option, but it doesn't make or break my desire to do this DVD again. Watch the video on Amazon (it's from the first 10-min workout) and decide for yourself, but definitely be wary if you have any type of carpal tunnel or difficulty weight-bearing on your hands/wrists.

I enjoyed this workout. I have done it before, when it was available on-demand. I have found it on YouTube, but the quality wasn't that great. I enjoy this workout so much that I decided to buy it. Heck, it was the cost of ONE fitness class, like Zumba! It is easy to do, and easy to follow. It is fun. And it covers all of the body parts for strength, with cardio in-between sets. You don't need much room or equipment. Just a mat and some hand weights (your choice of size).

I love Kristi as a skater, but hated this DVD. I want a hard workout, not cute little dances where I''m more concerned about following along than getting a workout.

This video is just Kristi working out with her trainer. I don't need to feel like I'm working out with someone famous. I though Kristi would have something to teach. But the trainer leads the entire workout, so they could leave Kristi out of it and it would feel more like a real workout.

I would say it is medium impact exercise. It suits my needs.

An overall Basic to Intermediate workout under 1 hour that can be completed in your home. Not a lot of room is required. Exercises target upper and lower body parts with cardio and strength training. Use of hand weights (3 - 8 lbs) and an exercise mat is mandatory.