Killer Abs and Back is a program which focuses on strengthening the core area of the body, namely your abdominals and back.Instructor Michael Olajide begins with a few minutes of some simple stretches (these days, it is usually considered a no-no to stretch the muscles without first warming them up).The cardio warm-up comes next, which consists of several minutes of high-impact moves wuch as jogs, knee-ups, and jumping jacks; I found myself modifying with marches here.Michael then moves into the core cardio work, which was thankfully low-impact.The moves are deceptively easy-looking:there are a lot of kickboxing-type moves such as twists, knee lifts, and punches, but they are performed at such a fast past as to make them quite challenging.Furthermore, Michael adds light dumbbells to some of the twists, which further increases the difficulty level; I found myself doing some of the moves at a slower pace rather than trying to keep up with Michael's double and triple time.At one point, a body bar is used for balance, but you could easily go without.This section of the standing work was about 18 minutes long, and the time went by very quickly.To finish off the cardio, there is a short (4 minutes) but intense jumprope segment.I did this section without the rope, but I still really felt it, especially because you're again doing high-impact moves.Before moving to the floor, I liked that Michael took just a few minutes to allow the heart rate to slowly lower back to normal.In the 13-minute floor segment, Michael continues to combine traditional exercises with more unique moves.He begins with some basic crunches but does several variations with a high number of repetitions (usually 32, but he sometimes cheats and adds extra!).Michael adds ankle weights for just a single exercise (which I found to be a bit cumbersome):it's sort of like a Pilates teaser move in which you raise and lower one leg and then come up into a v-sit position; he then does a full v-sit move similar to a full Pilates teaser.The floor work finishes with a particularly difficult move in which you lie flat (supporting yourself with your hands under your buttocks), raise your head and shoulders, lower your legs to close to the floor, and then move your legs up and down in small range of motion.This was VERY challenging, especially since Michael performs MANY repetitions; I had to take breaks and substitute Pilates toe taps instead.Michael ends the program with a few minutes of seated stretches, bringing the entire workout in at about 40 minutes.
Overall, I really enjoyed this workout:I thought it was a nice blend of cardio and toning work, and at just 40 minutes, I know I'll be able to fit it in often.Although there didn't seem to be much work specific to the back, I felt it in my lats the next day as well as deep in my abdominal area.One thing I did not like is the way that Michael kept taking breaks from doing the exercises himself in order to instruct his two female background exercisers; he makes jokes about doing this, but I would have preferred to be able to watch him working the entire time.However, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this video to anyone looking for some unique core work.
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Product Description:
The Trainer's Edge Video Series was designed to bring the benefits of one-on-one training with the masters of the fitness industry into anyone's home. These talented and experienced trainers work with celebrity clients, professional sports athletes and other trainers to guide them to achieve weight loss, a tone body and overall optimal fitness. They are the trend setters and the source of what is new and innovative in fitness today. Michael Olajide designed this 40 minute program to work your body's core, the abs and back. The core is the center of your body's strength and by strengthening the core muscles you strengthen and tone the entire body. The program was developed through Michael's years of boxing training and uses twisting, punching, jumping and floor work with the body's natural resistance to achieve maximum results. Former Middleweight boxer Michael Olajide was a highly respected championship boxer whose fights were televised internationally.In 1991, Michael retired from the ring and created truly innovative and endlessly challenging fitness programs which he teaches worldwide.
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