I recently borrowed a book with a bare-chested, camouflage-clad cutie called Special Ops Fitness Training that features “High-Intensity Workouts” from the military. I plan to devour, ahem, study it very hard. I would include a picture, but Greg would probably think I just got it for the hottie on the cover. The truth, well the rest of the truth, is that moves like push ups, squats, jumping jacks, lunges are hard to beat. They can be done anywhere at anytime and can produce some amazing results. Boot camps are awesome ways to kick start or ramp up a workout program.
An at-home alternative? Denise Austin’s 3-Week Boot Camp (Lions Gate sent me a review copy of the DVD that hit the shelves Dec. 1.)
My aerobics instructor, L, and I tackled two of the three workouts on the program on a recent Saturday morning. We tried the 20-minute Cardio and Strength Training Intervals and the six-minute Ab Fat Blaster. The DVD also includes a 20-minute Athletic Training session that uses kettleball-style (don’t worry a dumbbell is fine) training. It adds lifts to squats, knee ups to pushups and has exercisers pass the weight back and forth between their legs while squatting. (I excitedly called L as I watched it from my stationary bike exclaiming that’s way cooler we should’ve done that one. We’re fitness dorks like that.)
L and I both liked the ab session because it incorporated weights and moves that also targeted the back, like Superman. Planks, twists and other moves hit the whole core.
The Cardio and Strength Training Intervals included burst of cardio then weight lifting that targeted specific muscle groups. I liked that she mixed up the moves, adding a knee up to tricep kickbacks, leg taps to rows and so one. The cardio included kickboxing, jump roping and moves like squat and vertical jumps. Some of the moves required a bit more coordination than I possess, and in fairness L does too. But by the second or third attempt I’d sure we’d be fine.
The DVD is another example of why Austin is the blonde standard of the fitness industry. She’s fun to work out to and oh so familiar. Her catchy phrases “look great from behind” and “do what you can,” her soothing voice and fit, healthy body that’s also, gasp, real, make for a winning combination.
The women in her videos are also real. Which, really is my chief beef. Couldn’t she have Special Ops models?
Tags: DVDs, workout programs
Certified personal trainer Katherine Benenati offers guidance in working out, losing weight and eating healthy. She also discusses excerise wear and gear for moms.