Customer Reviews

Cardio Coach-Fitness Music for Exercise: Sean O'Malley's Guided Workout Series 1 (Original)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sean's guided workout cd is phenomenal! His voice is mesmerizing, the music inviting and the work out is well defined and structured. A great way to spend thirty minutes!

If my treadmill suddenly came to life it would say , "Gina, what are you doing?" hehe..... I've used the cd everyday for the last 3 weeks at least 3 times a week and my treadmill is confused!! What i like the most is that I look forward to my workouts and I know that I'm working out harder than i usually do when I watch Matt & Katie in the AM....so, instead, i'm taping Matt & Katie and actually burning a few calories! thanks Sean.....can't wait for your next CD....Can you do special request for music??? I'd like to hear some different stuff

I have all the Shape CD's and I was looking to see if they had released a new one when I found Sean O'Malley's Guided Workout. At first I thought it was a bit expensive but after I worked out to it, I changed my mind. I contacted Sean (or whoever answers their email on the vo2maxed.com website) and they explained that more CD's are being released soon to accomodate different needs. That's why I gave it 4 stars. I would definetly buy the second volume and can see how this can be a really cool concept. Sean has a good voice and it really does sound like he's RIGHT there with you.
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I'm a little more advanced and teach my own SPINNING classes but it was nice to have someone instructing me. The intervals were good and I like that I can get just as good of a workout as someone who is new or a beginner. I would definately recommend this to my clients.....especially the ones that don't take my classes! I'm going to get another one for my parents. Lord knows how long it's been since they actually went to gym that they pay oodles of money just to belong to.

Great, that's all I need is some hot fitness guy talking in my ear while i'm sweating :) no, seriously, I too didn't know what to expect when i ordered the CD, it just appeared to be something that i would enjoy and i did! Sean's voice was mesmerising and very motivating. I received it about two weeks ago and i've already used it over 10 times....When's the next one coming out??

I'm use to taking the spin classes at my health club although, they have been cutting back on the classes. I tried a few videos but it's not my thing... I do however really like the stationary bikes and cross-trainers at my gym....When I searched on Amazon for some workout music and came across the VO2 maxed guided Cd, i didn't know what to think because i've never seen anything like it before. It's funny because I've used it a dozen times on the different equipment and each time, i really do challenge myself to do better than before...just like Sean says....it's pretty cool having him with me for the whole workout....i agree with the last review...can't wait for the next workout!

Sean's voice is incredible..... i'm one of those people that has contributed to the fitness money pit, year after year. I have treadmills, gym memberships, half full bottles of pills and electro magnetic muscle contracters....nothing has kept me inspired and motivated like Sean's voice.... Each time i come back to do a workout, I feel like he's my very own personal trainer....I also like that i don't need my TV and VCR just to do a workout....great idea Sean..you go boy :)

What a great idea.... Is there anything else like this out there? I realized it was designed for more of a beginner to fitness although, i still got a great workout. Does anybody know if there are more workouts? Great voice...actually felt like Sean was right next to me the whole workout...keeping me from slacking off and the music was pretty good to. Not that techno [stuff] that makes my head spin. I'm ordering a copy for my mom...Maybe she will finally use that treadmill that I got her for her birthday for more than just a blanket holder.

First of all thanks to everybody that wrote a reveiw! It's so helpful when I can see what other people think before i make a purchase. It's such a hassle to return something you but that sucks. I really enjoyed the workout. Didn't know what to think when I ordered it but it was a blast. I guess the most positive thing about the workout is that I look forward to my next workout. I actually left my CD player at home the last time I went to the gym to workout and got on the treadmill to do my workout and couldn't stay on without Sean (hey that rhymes)! I can't wait for his next CD!

I will admit...I disliked cardio quite a bit. I have always found it boring and can never survive more than a few minutes of it, especially when I was on my recumbent bike. I've gotten on track with doing regular home workouts several times a week, but my cardio sessions were lackluster and erratic because I simply didn't want to do them.

Then I got Cardio Coach Vol. 1. WOW! A whole new cardio life was introduced to me. My recumbent bike, which I had stopped using for several years, is now being avidly used 3 to 4 times a week without hesitation - all thanks to Cardio Coach. This has been my holy grail/magic bullet (along with Vol. 2, 3, and 4) for my cardio sessions.

This type of workout is great for everybody at all levels. Coach Sean O'Malley uses "perceived exertion" to guide your workout. He won't tell you how fast to go or how much resistance to use, as that will be different for everyone. But, he will tell you which levels of perceived exertion you need to achieve during the steady states, sprints, and challenges. The four perceived exertion zones are:

- Level 1: Blue zone is low intensity - 55 to 65% of your max heart rate (MHR).
- Level 2: Green zone is medium intensity - 65 to 75 % of your MHR.
- Level 3: Orange zone is moderate to high intensity, pushing past your comfort zone - 76 to 85% of MHR.
- Level 4: Red Zone is high intensity - 85 to 95% of your MHR.

If you have a HRM to assist you during your workout, all the better, but it is not necessary if you follow the perceived exertion guide.

Cardio Coach is practical for all kinds of stationary equipment, especially if it you can control the speed and resistance levels. But, I've also read how others are using it with rebounders, outdoor running, and walking. So basically, you can choose to how you want to utilize Cardio Coach.

Coach Sean O'Malley is personable, non-intimidating, and enjoyable to listen to. He has a very nice voice. He helps you to focus into what you're doing and creates mental images that make your cardio sessions come alive. You forget that you're working out in your living room or gym - you're in your own world where it's just you, the road, and Coach Sean.

In Vol. 1, Coach Sean guides you through warm up (blue zone), several steady states (green zone), two heart-pumping challenges (orange zone), then ends with a cool down and an ending chat. The challenges are grueling, but not impossible. The first challenge consists of 6 20-second sprints with rests in between (my favorite). Challenge 2 has four level 3 hill climbs for 1 minute each. This one is tougher, but survivable.

At the end, it's hard to believe (especially if you're a beginner) that you've just accomplished 30 minutes of heart-pounding cardio. Then you get that wonderful endorphin rush...WOW! The energy you acheive for the rest of the day is just tremendous.

Before doing Cardio Coach on my recumbent bike, I could barely do 7 minutes on my own, even when watching TV. I was bored to tears and my legs wanted to fall off. My speed was a steady but measly 7 mph. A week and a half later I got CC V. 1 - and I was shocked that not only did I survive 30 minutes, but I did it at an average speed of 10 mph with 15 to 16 MPH sprints. A month later, I'm now reaching 17 and 18 mph during the sprints. Coach Sean has not only helped me to realize that I had it in me to do it all this time, but also that I'm capable of achieving MORE. My heart is getting better and my body is getting stronger. For that, I'm forever grateful to Coach Sean and his Cardio Coach series. I hope his future endeavors continue to succeed.