AB Workout Equipment: The Abs Diet Workout, Vol. 2 Review

I was expecting something along the lines of the book "The Abs Diet Get Fit, Stay Fit Plan," which offered a lot of variety. This is partly why I'm so disappointed. This appears to be "Abs Diet" in name only.

First off, all fitness DVDs should state up front what equipment you will need. This one does not. You'll need a mat, a pair of dumbbells, and for intermediate/advanced exercisers, a fitness ball to use as a weight bench.

Unlike the previous DVD, there are is no diet information - just workouts divided by frequency (3 to 6 times a week), and then by level. Regardless of which level you choose, you'll get the same thing: a 3-minute warm-up (static stretches and very light cardio), an abs segment, an intermediate/advanced weights circuit routine, and a cardio workout. The only difference in the entire thing is in the abs workout segment: beginners do 10 minutes, advanced do 12.

The exercises in the 25-minute circuit routine are straightforward, fairly standard (chest presses, shoulder presses, kickbacks, lunges, squats, crunches, etc.), and the same for ALL levels. Beginners will have to watch for modifications, even if they chose the "Beginner" menu item. Overall it flows well, and though the music is still a little annoying, it is not as bad as the first DVD.

For cardio, there's a 25-minute "speed interval" workout - a high/low intensity mix of jogging, straddle hops, squat jumps, jumping jacks, knee lifts, etc. There are no modifications, so this part of the DVD may be difficult for new exercisers, people very out of shape, or those with knee/back problems.

The breakdown in general is as follows:

3 Days a Week
Mon and Fri - Abs and Circuit training (35 min)
Wed - Circuit training and speed intervals (50 min)

4 Days a Week
Mon and Fri - Abs and Circuit training (35 min)
Wed - Circuit (no abs) (25 min)
Thu - Speed intervals (aka 'cardio') (25 min)

5 Days a Week
Mon, Wed, Fri - Abs and Circuit (35 min)
Tue, Thu - Speed intervals (25 min)

6 Days a Week
Mon, Wed, Fri - Abs and Circuit (35 min)
Tue, Thu, Sat - Speed intervals (25 min)

For mix and match, you can combine the 3-minute warm-up with either 10- or 12-minute abs, plus 25 minutes of circuit training (w/modifications) and 25 minutes of hi/lo cardio intervals.

My 3 stars are maily due to the lack of labeling about equipment, an intermediate/advanced workout labeled as beginner (if it's "Beginner," the workout should be tailored as such), a cardio workout that's the same for all fitness levels, and a suprising lack of variety. I'd recommend "The Abs Diet Get Fit, Stay Fit Plan" book over this DVD.

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Product Description:
David Zinczenko, Editor in Chief of Men's Health Magazine, with Ted Spiker reveal how to reshape your body in The Abs Diet Workout 2, as based on the new, best selling book The Abs Diet Get Fit, Stay Fit plan.The Abs Diet Workout 2 introduces a new workout system -ABS3- based on simple, highly effective principles to help you lose weight and tone your body.
The Abs Diet Workout 2 is the perfect home fitness program for beginners as well as those experienced with the Abs Diet system.The program provides motivation and demonstrates an excercise regime that anyone can fit into their day, and is designed so that viewers can watch it over and over.The Ads Diet Workout 2 is also incredibly flexible, providing workout programs for 3, 4, 5 or 6 day a week structures, along with excercise options of varying intensity as your fitness level increases.