This morning I did a workout DVD called Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training. I wanted to do it last night but all the kids fell asleep in the living room (They were “camping”) so I lost my workout space. I’m actually glad I did this one in the morning as it helped to wake me up and get me going.
The DVD comes with a few 15 minute workouts, Total Body, Abs-Only, Upper Body, or Lower Body. Then there is a longer 40 minute Total Body Workout. I chose to do the 40 minute total body workout. Each segment in the workout begins with a series of three exercises and then a “Power Burn” segment where you combine the three exercises and repeat them in a shorter, quicker burst all together.
Style of Workout for Personal Training Power Circuit
This style was definitely more of a weight training style than cardio, stretching, or yoga workout. Weights were shown with every move (the beginner modified showed about half without weights) and the level of weights were changed depending on the exercise. She even said several times throughout “If you’re not feeling a burn by now, increase the weight to add more resistance.” It was nice to add a strength-training workout to the routine so this was a welcome style to me.
What I Loved About the Workout
I liked the Power Burn sections that would repeat the exercises we had just learned and done. Sometimes I had trouble mastering (or heck – even muddling through) one of the exercises so I was just getting the hang of it when we moved on to the next thing. Revisiting that move during the Power Burn allowed me the chance the really focus in on the exercises and my form.
I also liked that each section of the workout was broken up according to the area of the body worked. I think if I were working specifically to tone a particular trouble spot it would be easy to come back to these exercises and work more on those areas. Having said that, I’m glad I did the total body workout because I’m definitely in need of toning everywhere.
What Was Challenging About the Workout
I wasn’t familiar with Jackie and man was she cut! I know I will never be that cut and I don’t think I would want to be. I just want to be healthy, know what I mean? I’m not sure that’s necessarily a bad thing…she’s obviously in great shape but I know I will never work as hard as it would take to look like THAT. I want to be a healthy mom, not a professional trainer.
The main thing I would list as a negative on this workout is that the warm up session was a little short and the stretching session felt very short to me. Especially the cool-down/stretching session at the end. I’m used to stretching being incorporated into the entire workout and having full-body workouts like you see in Pilates, so I was a little surprised when it ended!
The stretching aside, this was a great workout for an introduction into weight training or strength training. Weight training helps build bone density in women and is easy to ignore in home workouts so this is a DVD I will definitely add to my regular routine from now on.
Glenda Free says
I am Sure it would be a great workout…Even when we are only at home and not in any Personal Training Studios or the likes…I would surely share it to my friends and start doing the workout flow.