OVERVIEW
I'm a 50 yr old guy and I thought I'd give Cize a try. I'm not a BeachBody coach and have no affiliation with BeachBody. I just want to share my positive experience with Cize and give a middle-aged guy's perspective. Bottom line, I really like Cize and recommend it highly for people my age. Unlike some of the other reviews, which I imagine are posted by much younger and more fit individuals, the workouts in this set made me sweat like crazy. They are a real challenge for me, but very doable and FUN. The best part about it; however, is that while I get a very good workout, I feel energized after the workouts are over. This is very different from my experience lifting weights or doing an intensive aerobics routine, where I usually feel tired and exhausted after the workout is completed. In the beginning, my wife made fun of me when she watched me to the routines. Then she tried one and said, "Wow, this is really fun."
In general, I love the dance routines, but didn't really like the abs workout or the cool down routines. The cool down routines are too short, fast, and are actually somewhat strenuous. The dancers don't really slow down from the routine which is odd, but then again, they're probably half my age and don't even notice ;-) The dance routines are definitely worth the price of admission. Below you will find my comments on each routine. Over time, I've added my sometimes changing views of each routine to give you a perspective of how you might feel with each routine after the first 1, 2, and even 5 months.
Go to the bottom of the review to see updates on my overall perspective of the Cize program over time.
REVIEW OF EACH ROUTINE
DVD 1: Crazy 8's: 30 minutes. This is the basic introductory program. Do not skip this if you're a guy and have as little experience in dance as I do. This is a great primer. In the beginning I only did it once, but it was a good intro and I recommend you do this at least once because many of the moves from this routine are used in more complex moves in following routines. This concept of introducing simple versions of moves in earlier routines and then building on this in later routines is a common theme. I recommend going through the routines in order for this reason. You can jump straight to later routines, but it will be a lot harder because you won't have any experience with the simpler versions of key moves.
* 12/13/2015 Update: I've gone back to this one and I don't like it that much. It feels more like an aerobics workout rather than a dance routine. Also, this one is much faster than all of the others. I much prefer the slower beat and more thoughtful dance routines in the others. If you don't like this one, don't give up on the program. Try the second routine, "You Got This" below. It's much different.
* 3/24/2016 Update: Still not using this one.
DVD 1: You Got This: 43 minutes. I did this workout for about a week before adding the first routine from the second DVD. I then switched back and forth between this one and "Full Out" on the second DVD. This is a great mix of routines that you can do for at least 2-3 weeks before moving to the next ones. I was able to learn this routine relatively easily (had it down after the third time I did it). I love this particular workout. I have lower back problems, and some of the later routines involve a lot of bending down which is a problem. You can always modify, but I really like this particular workout because its low impact and no bending down so I can do the full routine without needing to modify. It's a great workout for me and I'm drenched at the end of it.
* 12/13/2015 Update: I still like this one a lot and include it in my regular routine at least once every other week; see 12/13/2015 Update comments under Full Out below.
* 3/24/2016: I've gotten really tired of this particular routine and don't really include it in my workouts as much, but it was great for the first 3 months.
DVD 2: Full Out: 34 minutes. This is one of my favorite workouts, along with You Got This from the 1st DVD. When I first purchased this program, I switched these back and forth from day to day. I find this workout to be a little more challenging and it also incorporates a few more jumping moves making it a mix of high & low impact. At first I couldn't go all the way through without stopping, but after the second week I was able to go all the way through without stopping to rest.
* 12/13/2015 Update: I now have Full Out, Go For It, and Living in the 8's as my main 3 routines. These are far and away the best. I don't use You Got This that much - maybe once every other week simply because the moves are not as engaging as the 3 I just mentioned.
* 3/24/2016 Update: I still love this one. It's really great.
DVD 2: In the Pocket: 37 minutes. 12/13/2015 Update: This routine is not well positioned in the program. After doing Full Out, I highly recommend you go straight to Go For It. The reason I recommend this is because this particular routine is quite intricate, containing some fancy footwork and fast moves that I just wasn't ready for at this point. After I did all of the other programs, I came back to this one and found it much easier to do, especially after doing Living in the 8's. You can try it after Full Out, but you'll probably feel like the beginning moves are just too fast. To be honest, I don't really like this routine very much. Once you have the moves down, it's only about 1/2 as hard as the others and I don't really even sweat that much. It just doesn't feel like a very good work out. Shaun T pauses to go through all of the moves slowly more often than the others, which contributes to less overall intensity.
* 3/24/2016 Update: I still don't use this one. It just didn't work for me, even a few months later.
DVD 3: Go For It: 40 minutes. This routine is more complex than "Full Out" or "You Got This," but I still found it relatively easy, probably because it uses many of the moves from the previous routines and then modifies them in a small but important way that really works in the overall dance routine - and the move feels different from the way I was doing it before (more on this below). This one is definitely harder than "Full Out" on the second DVD. I still have to stop it and take a rest when I'm about 20 minutes into the routine. My goal is to make it all the way through without stopping. I had to stop with some of the earlier routines, but can do them all the way through right now, so I expect I'll get better and stronger and will be able to do this routine all the way through sometime soon. 12/15/2015 Update: I can do this one all the way through now without stopping. Still really like this routine - it is probably my favorite (this or Living in the 8's below...).
* 3/24/2016: This is still one of my favorites. This and the "Full Out" are the ones I include on an ongoing basis to augment my current workouts.
DVD 3: Living in the 8's. 51 minutes. "Wow - 51 minutes..." is what I thought when I first did this routine. It's a lot longer and you're going to feel it. The moves are more low impact, and it is a fairly intricate routine, but still very fun. While it is low impact, it's surprisingly strenuous. The first time I did it, I had to stop at about the 30 minute mark. When I'm first doing a routine, I tend to rewind a lot to better learn the move, so while I stopped at the 30 minute mark (20 minutes left), I probably did 60-70 minutes total workout including all of the rewinding. This is a good routine, and it also leverages many moves from the previous routines. One of the things that I like is that Shaun T. adds something to the basic move you learned previously which changes the look and feel of the move altogether. This is one of my favorite aspects of the program. In many other programs, they'll use moves from previous routines, but it feels like I'm being cheated because its the same old move from before. In Cize, Shaun T. will start with a move used previously, and then modify it. So it's easy for me to learn, but totally different and I don't feel cheated.
* 12/13/2015 Update: When I first learned this routine, I didn't like it very much. It is now my favorite, along with Go For It. The pacing is absolutely perfect for me. Unless I've been working out regularly, I still have to pause and take a break to catch my breath once I'm about 2/3 of the way through it. When I was at the 6 week mark, I could go all the way through this routine without stopping; but Thanksgiving slowed me down ;-)
* 3/24/2016 Update: I still like this one a lot, but since it's almost an hour, I typically don't do this routine during the week. I use it less often, but use it sometimes on the weekend when I have more time.
At the same time I purchased Cize, I also purchased Shaun T.'s "Rockin' Body" (2 DVDs with 7 total workouts across both DVDs). I haven't tried these yet, but plan on integrating these with Cize. So far I've been doing Cize for about 5 weeks and I've lost 7 pounds. I'm not really trying to lose weight, but I've lost a little and wanted to report it. I just want to reiterate how much I've enjoyed the routines. I've been lifting weights, running and biking for over 30 years, and I was really needing a change of pace in my fitness. Cize gave me exactly what I was looking for - a refreshing and fun way to stay in shape that actually energizes me. Thanks Shaun T. and all of the BeachBody staff for creating something new, different, and fun.
EDIT: Experience 1-month after initial purchase. 11/16/2015
I've now been doing the routines for a month. I'm mastered all of them except "In The Pocket," which as I mentioned was not one of my favorites, but I'm thinking of trying it out again because it's the only one that is still kind of new to me. My favorite routines are Living in the 8's, Full Out, Go For It, and You Got This - in that order. At first I didn't really like Living in the 8's that much because I didn't like the moves that much, but now I do. I think Living in the 8's is the most strenuous. It's very deceptive because it starts out seeming like it will be easy, but the last quarter of the routine is actually very hard.
I can see why some of the other reviews say that this exercise workout set of DVDs starts out well, then you get tired of it and want to move on. It's true that once you know the routines, there's not as much to look forward to, but right now at least I'm still having a lot of fun with the routines and getting a lot out of it. I'll provide another update in a month or so to let you know how things are going. So far I'm really happy with the purchase and with the routines.
EDIT: Experience at 2 months after initial purchase 12/13/2015
I just mastered In The Pocket, but don't like it that much. The main programs that I like to keep in rotation are Full Out, Go For It, and Living in the 8's. I still occasionally go through You Got This, but don't like the moves as much in this routine as compared to the other three. I think I'm at the point where I want to try adding another program into the mix. I purchased Shaun T's Rockin' Body at the same time as I purchased this program, and I'm going to try adding some of these in the next couple of weeks. I'll come back and let you know how that goes.
EDIT: Experience at 5 months after the initial purchase 3/24/2016
I originally purchased this product in late fall of 2015, and I've continued to post my thoughts over time. I used it as my only workout routine and followed the program per the instructions for the first 3 months. I was very satisfied with the results. Overall, I lost 11 lbs, got more lean, and felt great - and that met my target goals. After the first 3 months I got really sick (January 2016) and couldn't work out for awhile. It took a long time for me to "get back on the wagon" and start working out again. I just started in mid-March and I've been using a combination of Cize, Power 90, and Power Half-hour, and the first 30 minutes of the Yoga routine from P90X. In the long run, I imagine I'll always use Cize to augment whatever future routines or programs I do in the future. Right now I'm using it twice a week in a 5-day per week workout schedule.
4 stars and above
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From the manufacturer
Shaun T's CIZE Dance Workout Program
Shaun T - Your Personal Choreographer
Shaun T has danced for the biggest names in the music industry and knows a thing or two about busting a move. Now, he’s going back to his dancing roots—and sharing that passion with you. He’ll be there every step of the way, guiding you through simple sequences that lead up to one seriously impressive dance routine that will get you moving—and into incredible shape.
Shaun T's CIZE Base Kit - Dance Workout Program
The End of Exercize
CIZE is a dance program for everyone and makes exercise something to look forward to! Professional choreographer and trainer Shaun T breaks down dance courses step-by-step, move-by-move, so that anyone can dance their way to fit in just four weeks.
CIZE may be the end of exercise—but it’s not the end of hard work. CIZE keeps you moving the whole time by constantly introducing new moves that give you cardio training, strengthen your core, and tone every muscle—all at once. You’ll be so in the zone mastering the moves, you’ll forget you’re working out—and getting in the best shape of your life. The more you get into it, the more you get out of it.
Plus, as the courses progress, they get more challenging. And that means more moving, more sweating, and more calories burned.
- Six Dance courses and an Ab Workout on 3 DVDs.
- Get Started and Eat Up Guide.
- Beginner and Advanced Calendar.
- Weekend Survival Guide
Six Dance Courses and an Ab Workout on Three DVDs
Our cast makes it fun to learn to dance in these exhilarating, calorie-scorching dance courses. They break down each routine, step-by-step, move-by-move, slowly building up to a full combination. At the end of the session, you'll perform a full routine to a song from the CIZE playlist. But don't be fooled, as the program progresses, the courses get more challenging. You'll get better each time—and by the end, you'll be totally confident in your dance skills and sexy body.
1. Crazy 8s -35 minutes of dancing and sweating to our favorite moves, many of which you'll see throughout the program. At the end you get to perform the routine to Hands In The Air originally recorded by Timbaland.
2. You Got This - We pick up the pace and give you an intense sweat, with fresh moves and a whole new vibe. You'll put it all together to Treasure, originally recorded by Bruno Mars.
3. Full Out - You've made it to Level 2 so get ready to get winded and wowed in this over-the-top, all-out, sweaty dance routine set to Lose My Breath, originally recorded by Destiny's Child.
4. In The Pocket - Crank up the energy and the pace. Now you're ready for even more new dance moves created and inspired by professional dancers, all choreographed to Problem, originally recorded by Ariana Grande.
5. Go For It - Ready to challenge yourself and show off your moves front and center? Before you know it, you'll be performing to Pass That Dutch, originally recorded by Missy Elliott.
6. Livin In The 8s - CIZE can teach anyone to dance—any style—any pace—to any type of music. This final routine is a completely different dance experience, with an emotional finale to Sia's Chandelier. Get ready for your music video.
7. 8 Count Abs Workout - Strong abs and core are key for every great dancer—and sexy body! Work your abs on the floor and then perform the ab sequence to the song Headsprung, originally recorded by LL Cool J.
Get Started Guide
Eat Up! Meal Plan
Beginner and Advanced Calendar
Weekend Survival Guide
Videos
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My latest exercise obsession is Beachbody videos. They are fun and energetic. Cize is my fourth set of DVDs and they do not disappoint. I have purchased all 4 sets through Amazon so I do not know about the coaching or their supplements. Shaun T is a very good teacher and the hip hop routines are challenging but fun. Cize is more intense than Hip hop abs. Cize goes directly into working eight counts and putting the dances together. The great thing about them is they are fun and don't feel like exercise, yet you definitely feel it the next day. I say this as someone who does exercise daily but would not call myself a hip hop dancer. You also get a calendar to tell you which workouts to do and some advice on diet. The cons to this series is that unlike 21 day fix there isn't anyone teaching a low impact version. Cize is definitely high impact on the knees and hips. I would not recommend it for someone with serious knee issues or has issues with falling. I would also recommend dance shoes on a hard surface or dance socks for the carpet. You also have to listen to the Beachbody advertisements each routine. Cize is an excellent resource in my exercise routine.
Images in this review
