Abs Diet Workout

I picked this up the other day and it is a pleasant surprise. There is already a review breaking down the moves, so I will only add my opinions. I am currently in the low Intermediate range.

Pros:

Three different circuit workouts. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. You have a lot of options with these. You can do all three, or pick one and do it several times. You can use one weight, or do a pyramid. The chapters are well-done to personalize the whole experience. (No pre-mixes or programming options, though.)

I LOVE that he has proper stretches between exercises! Each stretch is held for at least 12-15 seconds.

Cons:

There are three different abs workouts. I hate abs work on the floor, so I won’t comment on these! I could turn this into a pro by doing standing ab work during the abs circuits, or even hopping on to the elliptical and doing some cardio. Or, go put the laundry in the dryer.

General:

This is at least an Intermediate workout. Not due to difficulty, but because Tom doesn’t do much explaining of the exercises. Or much in the way of showing modifications. Or many form pointers. This is fine if you know what you are doing. But, would be problematic for a beginner.

I don’t think you could go very heavy as he moves along at a moderately brisk pace.

The music is plain, sort of techno, with a good beat.

The set is very plain.

The cueing is pretty good.

I’d like to add that I bought the “Abs Diet” book, too. I can’t comment on that (except to say that is a hoot). I bring this up to point out the difference between the book and the workout. The book is absolutely aimed at males. The video is aimed at females. Due to comments by Tom about how great you are going to look in your bikini or miniskirt. I know that kind of talk bothers some folks, so I thought I would mention it. It doesn’t bother me.

This has to be the shortest total body workout on record. There are 3 workouts: beginner, intermediate and advanced. The only thing advanced about the advanced workout is you do compound moves (which I hate). I know this workout got some rave reviews, but it doesn't really have a place in my collection, so I promptly got rid of it. It is basic gym-style weight lifting, nothing more, nothing less. You would have to do all three workouts to get a decent workout. Grade: C.

In order to make this a little more difficult workout, I did the entire workout = 55 minutes. I also increased the difficulty by adding weights in the beginner section and modified a few of the exercises.

It is set up as follows:

Warm-Up

Beginner Abs:

Crunch

Bent Leg Knee Raise

Twisting Crunch

Bridge

Back Extension

Beginner Circuit:

Squat

Stationary Lunge

Plie Squat

Bent Knee Push-Up

Dumbbell Rows

Overhead Shoulder Press

Bicep Curl

Triceps Kickback

Intermediate Abs:

Raised Feet Crunch

Raised Knee-In

Corkscrew Obliques

Side Bridge

Swim

Intermediate Circuit:

Squat with Dumbbell

Stationary Lunge w Dumbbell

Plie Squat w Dumbbell

Full Push-Ups

Bent Arm Dumbbell Row

Side Raises

Hammer Curl

Tricep Press-Up

Advanced Abs:

Toe Touch

Bent Knee Pull-In

Double Crunch with Cross

Two Point Bridge

Superman

Advanced Circuit:

Squat with Side Raise

Striding Lunch with Dumbbell

Plie Squat with Bicep Curl

Striding Backward Lunge

Alternating Leg Push-Up

Bent Over Flyes

Tricep Dip

POWER STRETCH

A couple of comments:

- Music was some techno sort of music, basically looped over for the entire workout. Nothing too motivating.

- I found the advanced abs section easier than some of the exercises in the intermediate. None of the ab work was particularly new and exciting or extremely challenging, but the three workouts together make a decent ab workout.

- Lots of stretching between each exercise - for those who are also working on flexibility, you might like this.

- Overall a decent full body workout if you do it from start to finish and up the intensity from the beginning.