Customer Reviews

The Method: Cardio Boot Camp

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I really enjoyed this workout. Although I consider myself in excellent shape, I get easily frustrated with most areobic videos because they are very "dancey." I just want to veg-out and sweat like crazy when I am working out, rather than pay attention to dancy little moves that make me feel like a clutz and don't get my heart rate up. This work out is very much like good old-fashioned calisthenics: basic moves, easy to follow and physically challenging. The pace is brisk and she never dwells very long on one exercise, which helps keep boredom at bay.

This is a good workout for people who know how to stretch, warm-up, and cool down on their own. These workouts have minimal warm-up and stretching, then go right into the meat of the aerobics. Most of the routines are high impact--lots of jumping. Don't buy this if you have any knee trouble. An intermediate exerciser will want to do all 3 workouts back to back to get a good workout. Having 3 independent 15 minute segments makes short workouts convenient. I have 20 aerobic and toning tapes and this style is different, which combats boredom. The movement style variations keep the workout interesting, but if you prefer dance-move workouts or popular music beats, this isn't the tape for you. It's more of a good gym class than a night club. The other reviews accurately describe the video format and contents.

I bought this video because of the interesting variety it offered. Three 20-minute workouts consisting of boot camp moves (pushups, jump rope, etc), kickboxing, tai chi, and dance. I have run through the video once, doing all three workouts.

The instructor has a cute English accent and gives frequent cues. The set was non-distracting and the background exercisers nearly flawless. The production quality of this DVD is very good.

Buyers frequently want to know "how easy is this video?" Cardiovascularly, it's a challenge. However, the choreography is quite easy to pick up. There is plenty of repetition of the sequences, and I was able to make it through all three segments without any moments of frustration. That said, there is LOTS of repitition. Segment 3 feels like deja-vu of segment 1.

Cardio Boot Camp made this veteran exerciser sweat. Although the warmups at the beginning of each segment did bring down my heart rate, there were plenty of high-intensity segments. Plyometrics were used, increasing power and calorie burn. There were also short segments of strength-training. 3-pound weights are recommended with this video, but I used a Go-Fit rubber tube instead. The weight-lifting segments often use multiple body parts, like doing lunges while also doing shoulder exercises. This kept my heart rate up as I strength-trained.

The frequent jumping and squats could be hard on some people's knees, although my knees didn't complain during this video (and they usually do hurt). On the other hand, I did experience some back pain for the first time. This is definitely a high-intensity video and is recommended for fit people with healthy joints.

If your looking for a boot camp like workout, go somewhere else right away. This video uses maybe two or three book camp-ish moves the rest is based mostly on modern dance, tae bo (kickboxing) and tai chi. There are three separate workouts. None of them really give a good cardio or a good toning workout. Put a couple of them together and it's decent, but not great. The middle workout is the only one that uses hand weights. There are several sections that are entirely too slow. Mostly these involve learning a dance sequence or doing tai chi. The music is pretty cool; there are some drummers in the background, and the instructor is annoyingly chirpy. I recommend the Crunch boot camp video instead which gives a better overall workout.

I have had this video for about a year, and have just recently started using it. I work for the military, and while I wouldn't necessarily call this very "Boot Camp"-like, it is nonetheless a very good tape. I really enjoy the fact that the workouts are divided into three, equally challenging, segments. I've been working out now for several months and I find that if I do two segments at a time I still feel it the next day. It's true that there are no real warm-up or cool-down segments, and that some of the background dancers look like they could have used some more training, but I still like the video a lot. Overall, I'd say it's great for those who want a high-intensity, sweat producing workout. Depending on your level of ability, you can do one, two or three workouts and feel like you are burning a lot of calories!

This video consists of 3 separate 15 min. workouts that you can do 1 at a time, 2 at a time or all 3 in a row. You will get both cardio and strength training out of these. The music is awesome, I love the drums and it gets you into that boot camp mode.

The 1st workout involves doing a lot of push-ups, jumping jacks, jumping rope, dance moves and jumping lunges. This is all non-stop. The 2nd workout begins with soothing Tai-Chi moves, then it is followed by a kickboxing sequence and a strength training section with free weights, then more kickboxing and dance moves. The 3rd workout is a combination of the first 2 workouts. What's great is that you can alternate them and not get bored.

With these workouts, you will break an incredible sweat and it will definitely get your heart rate up. Your legs will also be sore the next day from all the lunges and jumping around. These workouts are not appropriate for those who have problem knees because of all the impact.

The only reason I took away one star is because the workouts don't have a cool down at the end so you have to cool down and stretch on your own.

I've been using this tape for about 3 months, in addition to other forms of working out. As someone who needs constant motivation to get out of bed and workout, I find I can always make time to squeeze in one of the 3 workout segments of this video. Each one is 12-15 minutes in length. Although this doesn't seem like much, the workouts are tough and you really end up feeling like you got a good workout. Plus, the fact that there are 3 different workouts keeps this video consistently in my workout rotation, and I still have not gotten bored with it, as I usually do with other workout videos. I consider myself to be quite athletic and in shape, and I still break a sweat. This video really works those problem butt and thigh areas, as well as the upper body. This video is also great if you have limited space, as I do. Tracey is great as an instructor, and keeps you motivated. Her style is spunky and her accent makes her fun to listen to. My only suggestion would be to try to stretch a little before and after each workout if you have time, as there is not much emphasis placed on this in the video. I highly recommend this video.

While I do like the concept of Cardio Boot Camp and I do enjoy the enthusiasm of Tracey Mallett and her moves, I believe this workout with it's 3 brief segments, doesn't give ample time for a real workout. I find myself fast forwarding through the warmup of the following section in order to maintain the momentum of the cardio intensity. A much longer cardio routine, with less segments would work great. The other drawback of this video, is the warmup and especially the cooldown section, is almost non-existant. These things are crucial, especially for a beginning exerciser, who doesn't know what to incorporate to bring the heartrate down when the cardio section is through. These few additions would make this video good. I do like Tracey's combinations and she keeps you psyched throughout.

I do this video 1 or 2 times/week on the days that I do not do Crunch Yoga DVD (Fat-Burning Yoga and Joy of Yoga), Minna Optimizer-Balanced Blend DVD(Fat Eliminator and Strength and Grace) or acutal Yoga class. Suggestions when buying this workout include:

1. Watch the entire DVD before working out. The instructor gives NO instructions, so you have to watch the DVD closely to get the moves down.

2. Warm-up, cooldown and stretch on your own as this DVD does not go through any of the necessary tools for a complete workout.

2. Turn the sound off. The music is cool, but the instructor is not. She's a hyperactive combo of Twiggy and Olivia Newton-John.

3. Do all 3 workouts. The 1st and 3rd sections are about 15 minutes each, but the 2nd section is only about 11 or 12 minutes. Section 3 is a combo of sections 1 and 2.

I've read other people's reviews here and am hoping that Crunch Boot Camp will be available on DVD soon.

First off, don't let the name fool you. These workouts are not much like a boot camp at all. So if that's what you're looking for, this tape may not be hard core enough. But this is definitely a good intermediate tape. What's great is the variety, there are so many different moves with dance, kickboxing, jumping jacks and lots of squats. It's so energetic and dynamic, with a fresh upbeat flare. I only do the first two segments. The first segment is very demanding and has lots of jacks, lounges, and pushups. The second segment combines a short kickboxing section with some weight training and is not as intense as the first one. Since this tape is intermediate, it won't give you that perfect body and doesn't really do much for your abs, but it's a good stepping stone. I definitely have noticed that this tape has lifted and decreased my butt and firmed my inner thighs. It took me awhile to get used to the routines however, and there's not much instuction included with the moves. But if you are sick of boring workouts and you can't stand to do 45 minutes of the same thing, buy this tape.