Bender Barre None Lean Cuts

This dvd has 3 main segments: Standing Warm-up, Strength Series, Floor Core Series

STANDING WARM-UP:

This segment calls itself a warm-up, but after the first 3-4 minutes it seems to move on to actual strength work. It begins with gentle movements in crescent pose -- bending and straightening the front leg to stretch the calves, hip flexors, and glutes -- while extending the arms straight overhead/in front. Weights are used to overhead press while doing knee lifts. Then using the Bender ball you'll push it forward, overhead & down, whilst doing forward lunges (very quickly). Then some leg lift variations, 1st side; this is followed by forward lunges with a rotation/twist and leg lifts, 2nd side.

Next is a tondu series (lift leg to the side/rear with pointed foot, then flexed foot, lift up & press in, circles). Then we move on to a complicated combination that includes a rear lunge that pivots into a side-facing plie that pivots back to the lunge position, then tilting forward into a single-legged deadlift with an overhead press. I found it a bit awkward & challenging.

STRENGTH PORTION:

pushups, triceps dips, pushups again

barre thigh work with the ball between the thighs (1st position plie in releve') -- and again later without

calf raises

static lunges (modifications are shown: without weights, using a chair)

ballet move where you do a demi-plie (??) and some front leg lifts

curtsey lunge series

upper body: military press at different angles, forward chest press, kickbacks, triceps presses

CORE SERIES:

forearm plank (rocking back and forth), full plank with side reach/twist

ball under back - lift and lower torso with a chest fly

"Bender Ball Get-up" - ball under back, holding 1 weight up. Not even a half get-up...more like a quarter get up.

ball under ribs - lie on side, lift torso

ball under lower back - feet in tabletop, toe taps

ball between knees - bridge sequence

feet on ball - bridge with a weighted fly

ball under tailbone - straighten/bend legs overhead

STRETCH:

Super brief and lacking, in my opinion. Just a couple of stretches for hamstrings/hip flexors.

Who WILL NOT LIKE this workout?

barre purists

form sticklers

those that like beautiful sets or if music is a big deal (nothing note-worthy about the music here)

if you're turned off by tag-team instruction

Who WILL LIKE this workout?

You might would find this a decent addition to your collection if you'd like a more athletic barre (similar to Squeeze or Turbo Barre, but definitely inferior in execution). But it's definitely more traditional with just some added barre flavor.