Sweat Summary: Founder and instructor Stacey Lei Krauss combined her background in dance classes and fitness to create a 60-minute fun, full-body fusion workout (performed barefoot!) that incorporates mind-body training with heart-pumping cardio. Sweat Factor: Medium: Leave time for a post-workout shower Mood: Energizing What We Liked: No equipment needed! What We Didn’t Like: Our only request—more push-ups (yes, you read that correctly) and varied upper-body exercises would have made this a more well-rounded workout. [sidebar]Rating: Sweat it, 4 remotes
Rating System
Full Review: No need to schedule multiple workouts, this cardio and strength training routine is a complete program that targets cardiovascular, flexibility, and strength training. After a long day of hoofing it around the office in heels, kicking off our shoes for a barefoot workout was a treat for our feet. If you’re new to barefoot training, be sure to take five minutes to go through the DVD’s footwork chapter, which reviews how to properly grip the floor as well as ankle-strengthening exercises. The warm-up was quick and easy-to-follow, with full-body exercises like the heart-to-heart plank (see below for a how-to). The 30-minute cardio chapter was quick-paced, featuring bodyweight exercises, core-centric balance work and tribal-like dance moves that rev up the caloric burn. A true fusion workout, we even noticed exercises from our favorite barre and kickboxing classes scattered throughout the routine. Each exercise is demonstrated at varying intensities, making the workout great for all levels. Expect to feel the burn thanks to targeted pulses and high reps. While the cardio segment focused more on lower body training, the flexibility chapter incorporates more core work and upper body strength training. Available at willpowermethod.com ($25).[pagebreak]Media Platforms Design TeamFavorite Move:Heart-To-Heart Plank 1. From a standing position with feet wider than shoulder width apart, bend forward and touch the ground (slightly bending knees if needed to touch the floor). 2. Slowly walk hands forward, away from feet, to plank position, keeping feet wide. 3. Create a triangle with pointer fingers and thumbs. Determine what this exercise will mean to you, ask yourself, “what will you give your heart to today?” Shift weight forward so that heart is aligned directly over triangle. Keep abs engaged and head in line with spine. 4. Hold for 10-15 seconds, then walk hands back to feet and slowly roll-up to standing position. 5. Repeat 3-5 times. Add a challenge on the last rep: instead of holding plank position, perform 4 pushups (modify by bringing knees to floor). Media Platforms Design TeamWhat To Wear: No shoes! You’ll be working out barefoot (schedule a pre-workout pedicure if exercising with friends!) so keep bottoms at Capri length or shorter to keep material from getting in the way during the quick-paced cardio chapter. Editor’s pick: Better Than Naked Race Cool Capri (thenorthface.com, $70) – perfect for hot summer days, these lightweight capris keep legs cool during sweaty workouts paired with Essie’s mojito madness polish. Love a barefoot workout? Here’s how to get started barefoot walking. Read another fitness DVD review from our Sweat It or Skip It series.
