Customer Reviews

Exhale: Core Fusion - Bootcamp

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just a warning for anyone looking for a barre style workout, this is not one. But it is a great workout and time flew! During the introduction, they say this DVD is a blend of Core Fusion Energy Flow and Core Fusion Sport. "After teaching the Lotte Berke Method and Core Fusion each for over 30 years, we are thrilled at how well our Core Fusion Core Energy Flow and Core Fusion Sport classes have been received by our Exhale students across the country.....We have taken the best moves from these core classes and put together a heart pumping workout....."

Here's a breakout of the DVD:

CARDIO FLEX (9:42, Fred, uses a single hand weight)
marching warm up
lunges, pivoting to each side
standing side bends
forward bend variations
cat/cow
low lunge stretch variations (briefly uses hand weight during side bend)
lunges, pivoting to each side, this time using hand weight
standing side bends with hand weight
skier's squat variations with hand weight

CARDIO SUN SALUTATIONS (10:16, Liz, uses a single hand weight)
Similar to those on their Core Energy Flow DVD
They pick up the hand weight about half way through and use it for some athletic chair pose variations during three rounds

JUMP BACKS PART 1 (9:44, Fred, uses playground ball)
jump backs (burpees)
plank and pushup variations
chair pose variations (raise/lower ball, pulse squat)
<repeat above>
swing ball over and in back of head and then forward again
tricep work holding ball behind back and bent over
stand on one leg with soft knee, pulsing up/down, alternate leg raised forward
< repeat burpees, plank/pushup, and chair pose variations>
lunges with ball over head and then moving in back of head

JUMP BACKS PART 2 (9:25, Liz, uses playground ball)
jump backs (burpees)
plank/pushup variations
chair pose variations
legs wide and rotate right to lunge then left in lunge
second position raising up on toes and down while moving ball up and forward
touch ball to ground and then raise overhead right and then repeat left, kicking alternate leg out to the side and slightly back
< repeat burpees, plank/pushup, and chair pose variations >
touch ball to ground and twist to swing over shoulder, alternating sides
leg raises: forward, side, back moving ball up & down

ABDOMINAL CURL WITH WEIGHTS (9:29, Fred, uses a pair of hand weights 1-3 lbs, can also be done with a single weight)
Rollups
c-curve variations, using hand weights for a portion

BONUS - STRETCH WITH BALL(6:55, Liz, uses playground ball)
(each of these uses the ball held between the hands, except for shavasana)
back extension work
child's pose using ball
bound angle pose variations
windshield wiper stretch
shivasana

BONUS - THIGH CORE WITH BALL (6:06, Liz, uses playground ball)
Less than one minute standing exercises with ball before moving to the floor
Lots c-curve variations using the ball (ball under feet, holding ball in hands, ball between thighs)

COMMENTS:

It's not a beginner DVD. I think you really need to know what your body is comfortable with when doing this so you can make any adjustments. For example, I left physical therapy for my knee last May and so pivoting lunges weren't comfortable for me. So, I didn't lunge as low as they did. Next time I might just do static full lunges in place. I also wanted to be careful for my lower back as many of the moves were new to me. For me, watching the DVD first really helped.

I loved having the yoga mixed in. It really fit for me. The sun salutations didn't have as much variation as far as different poses compared to their Energy Flow yoga DVD, but fast paced. I liked the addition of the weights during the chair pose. The sun salutations kept the heart rate up and prepared me for the jump back segments. Very nice.

The jump backs (burpees) are lower impact, meaning you don't jump into the air after each one. Each one is done in 6 counts and they are very good at giving instructions for them. They show a modifier that does them without the ball and as step backs. For me, I stood there with that little ball in my hand and knew that there was no way I was going to attempt a jump back while balancing on it. I don't remember ever doing jump backs (burpees) before so I'm sure that added to it. I did all of the jump backs as a jump as opposed to a step back, but I kept my hands on the floor instead of balancing on the ball. They always did some sort of plank variation after the step backs, so I would bring the ball in for the plank, or just after depending on the type of plank (e.g. didn't want to balance on the ball when doing one leg planks). By the end of the second Jump Back section, I was getting tired!

I did both of the core sections. I've always been a big fan of Core Fusion ab routines and loved these too. Fred's segment was similar to his other work, adding in weights with a few moves I don't remember before. It still seemed like something fresh and new. I used a single 2 lb weight for the ab work, again not wanting to take a chance with my back the first time through. I loved Liz's core segment. You roll the ball around with your feet while in the c-curve during part of it. I never get DOMS in my abs but I can definitely feel that they worked.

The stretch segment isn't a full body stretch segment, so I did some additional stretching after. I liked that they included the back extension work to help balance out all of the other core work. The windshield wiper stretch also helped to loosen up the lower back.

Really the only criticism I have is that the bonus Thigh/Core segment is after the bonus stretch segment. I'm assuming that was a production mistake.

All in all, I loved this routine. It had a very nice flow and each section went nicely into the next section. By the time I got to the abs I was ready to slow down just a little. The DVD is very different from their others, but I love it!

Let me start by agreeing that this is not a beginner workout DVD. Having said that, I want to add that I am a 3x P90X graduate, having done 2 full rounds of that program and continuing on with parts of P90X, Insanity and 1 on 1 with Tony Horton DVDs for cardio and strength training. I haven't found anything out there that in the strength/cardio realm of exercise DVDs that challenges me as much as P90X, etc, and that I enjoy. Until Bootcamp.
I have several Core Fusion DVDs. Before I started P90X, Core Fusion Pilates Plus and Body Sculpt were in my regular exercise rotation and until getting Bootcamp, I would say that they were my favorites. I also own three other Core Fusion DVDs but didn't feel as positively about them. I was excited to read the pre-release reviews about Bootcamp and thought that this might be a nice change from the P90X style of training, adding Liz's more feminine strength building touch.
I was not disappointed. As Yoga Girl said, I'll leave the details of each 10 minute section to the first reviewer. I did the entire workout with the addition of the 5 minute bonus boxing section, for a total of about 70 minutes. I used a 6 lb. medicine ball in lieu of a playground ball and can I say that this morning I am SO SORE in places that P90X doesn't get to? My booty is sore in new and wonderful places as are my intercostal muscles around my ribcage.
This is a great workout! I burned over 500 calories doing the whole thing and considering that included 15 minutes of abs and 10 minutes of back strengthening, stretching and shavasana none of which are big calorie burners, that is a great total calorie burn!
I too wondered about the sequencing of putting the back strengthening/stretch/shavasana bonus section BEFORE the 5 minute bonus abdominal section. It will be annoying to have to stop the DVD, skip a chapter and go back to skipped chapter to finish, but I'm not going to take away a star for it. I am a big grrl and I know how to use a remote control, so oh well.
VERY nice change up from prior Core Fusion DVDs. I am very happy with this and plan on putting it into my rotation and doing it again...as soon as this sore wears off!

I've been reviewing a lot of barre style dvds lately because I have become so enthusiastic about the results I'm getting in such a short period of time. I have collected just about all of the Exhale Core Fusion programs so I had to give this one a try because I still enjoy incorporating some short bursts of cardio into my exercise routine.

This is not a barre workout as the last review stated, but it is a nice change of pace for those who like their cardio served at a higher intensity level. I have been doing a lot of high impact, super intense cardio over the last few years. It was nice to work up a nice sweat and raise my heart rate without doing round after round of power jumps!

I won't give a breakdown of the program as the last reviewer already did that. I will agree though that I was also hesitant about doing burpees (jump backs) with only that playground ball for balance although I have had lots of previous experience with them. What I did instead was use a medicine ball for that move, it was much sturdier. The only problem with that option is my med ball is 12lbs so for the next moves I had to switch back to the playground ball because the 12lb ball became a bit heavy. Purchasing a lighter med ball could remedy that. That's the only reason I only gave the program 4 stars.

So far I've used this twice. I felt more challenged on the 2nd round because I was more aware of the moves.

As with all my experiences so far with the Exhale Core Fusion series, it was positive. It is a nice change of pace from what I've been used to because it involves more of a mind/body connection. If you're looking for something different that will give you an intense workout without lots of jumping and high impact moves give this one a try.

This was my first core fusion dvd I have done and I LOVED it! The Core Fusion Bootcamp DVD is broken up into 5 ten minute segments with 2 bonus segments, that have more thigh/ab work, stretching and a meditation. It is a little over 50 minutes and you get your heart rate up, while toning your body. Fred and Elizabeth take turns taking your through the moves, based on the segments. I love how little equipment you need to do this DVD, which is just a playground ball, light weights and a mat.

The 5 sections are:

Cardio Flex: warm up, lunges, stretching, side bends and more.

Cardio Sun Salutations: Sun salutations and chair pose, half way through you pick up a weight

Jump Backs part 1: Burpees with a ball, plank and pushups with the ball, chair pose, tricep work, repeats

Jump Backs part 2: repeats burpees, chair pose variations, wide legged squats, repeats

Abdominal Curl with Weights: Roll ups, C curve variations

Bonus Stretch with ball: back stretches, child's pose, windshield wiper stretch, shivasana

Bonus Thigh Core with Ball: Standing exercises, ab work on floor

I didn't list every exercise, but just a few to give you an idea. I loved the play all option, so I went all the way through the dvd at once, but you can pick and choose the order or which ones you want to do if you don't have time. I do wish the two bonus sections were switched though so I could end with shivasana, but it's easily switchable through the dvd, just not as smooth. I did some variations because I don't have a playground ball, so I used a weighted ball or light weights when I couldn't use the ten pound ball.
It really gives you a great workout in the comfort of your living room!

Of the seven Core Fusion DVDs currently available, Boot Camp is definitely the most difficult and will pump your heartrate up the hightest. I have every single Core Fusion DVD, and I love them all, although they are each a little different. Body Sculpt and Long and Lean are both full body workouts, the latter a little more challenging than the former. Both Arms and Abs and Thighs and Glutes are self-explanatory. Pilates Plus focuses on abs/core work. And the yoga Energy Flow and the Bootcamp DVDs are cardio workouts, the latter more challenging than the former, although both are quite rigorous and will make you sweat buckets. I have taken both Pilates Mat and Pilates Fusion classes for a few years, and these DVDs are a wonderful complement when I am not in class, and in my opinion, are sometimes even more challenging than what I get in my exercise classes. I have tried a number of different exercise DVDs over the years, and these are the only ones I have ever stuck with. They are very enjoyable, challenging (but not so challenging that you give up), invigorating, interesting (they do not get boring because there is so much variety built in), and I have noticed some subtle differences in my body from my work with both the DVDs and my classes. To really burn fat, though, you have to alter your diet. These DVDs will help with sculpting muscle (like a ballet dancer's body), but not so much with fat loss (at least I have always found that my weight loss occurs with diet and not with exercise, but that's just me.) In short, money well spent, and I highly recommend the series.

I am an avid exercises and I've taken the Core Fusion Sport Class with Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito, and this DVD is the closest thing to taking the class. It is a great workout- the Jump Backs series are very similar to those in class. I all of the Exhale series DVD's, with the exception of "Total Body Conditioning" and this is by far the best one.

I have already ordered copies for many of my friends looking to get into shape.

This workout is amazing. I have several of the Core Fusion DVD's..I love the series..I started using them when I wanted to find something that would tone and tighten but not lose too much weight. After using this for about a month I have dropped a pants size, and developed muscle..and ladies, saw a definite decrease in cellulite!!!. I don't use a scale because weight was not so much my problem as was toning up. People ask me if I work out, or what gym I go to..best part is I only do 30 mins a day..switching the sets each day, but always starting with the Cardio Flex to get warmed up. Fred and Elisabeth are really likable too, for some reason breaking the series up into 10 minute intervals makes the time fly. I highly recommend all of the Core Fusion DVD's, but mainly this one to get started!

This dvd is tough and fun and a little different from the other Core Fusion dvds. Well chaptered, as always. I love the Core Fusions that have background exercisers most, as these have more "energy."

Everyone is coming to a DVD like this from a different place with different expectations. For me I give it two stars and if you're in the same situation then you might feel the same way. If you're not then this review isn't that valuable. I was just disappointed with all the 5 stars for a lightweight video.

I enjoy working out and take Pilates classes every week and Yoga classes off and on. I also practice at home. I play tennis in a league and on a team. I also try to find time to workout in a gym with free weights. I'm not someone thinking about being active as a new year's resolution. I'm out there 6-10 hours a week.

With that said I felt like this was a starter class in pilates in terms of intensity. Bootcamp but only for beginners. If you can run a 5K or even go dancing for a hour straight this might not be all that interesting or useful so beware.

On the other hand you're trying to get up to speed and push yourself into working out a bit more than 2x30 mins a week then I could see how this would be useful and you might consider investigating this further.

I do find the hosts distracting with their painted on smiles. I cannot imagine having to see them with repeated viewings. If they were more neutral they could fade into the background while I get on with the workout.

Great DVD. The husband and wife team do an amazing job of getting your heart going just in the right amount of time. I have them all now!!