FitPrime Just Right: Weights + Cardio + Yoga

This was a very different video! I'm not sure how it compares to other FitPrimes, as this was my first experience with the series. Although the name of the video is Weights + Cardio + Yoga, there was very little of the latter two, so I'd probably classify it as mostly a toning workout.

The workout begins with a 3 1/2 minute warm-up march; Anna uses simple foot patterns and arm movements similar to Leslie Sansone. Next comes three minutes of stretches using a balance stick--you could substitute a broom handle or skip this all together. Following the warm-up, there is an approximately 6 1/2 minute cardio section which uses light weights. This is very similar to Firm-style aerobics: your feet are constantly moving while your arms perform bicep curls, lat presses, etc.

I would have to classify the next 16 minutes as toning work, although Anna repeatedly says that you are "using weights for cardio." It's true that your heart raise does raise at times, but there are a lot of stops and starts. The moves include squats, step-ups using a tall box (I substituted a chair), a killer calf series, and more upper body work. One thing that I really liked about this section is that Anna has you focus on the weak side of your body: you always begin with this side and do more reps than on the dominant site. This was a unique feature which I've never before seen in a video.

Here's a breakdown of the final 12 minutes of the video: 6 minutes posture work sitting on the box (using weights), ending with a spinal twist; 2 minutes of abs work (really just some core-focused stretches), and a 4 minute cool down which consisted mainly of seated forward bends (other than the twist mentioned above, this was the only yoga in the workout). The total time came in at 42 minutes.

Overall, I found this workout to deviate quite a bit from how it's described on the box: there wasn't really much cardio/yoga, it was too easy in some parts but tough in others, and the abs work was practically non-existent. On the other hand, I really liked the uniqueness of some of the moves plus the focus on the weaker side of the body; I also liked that there was more upper than lower body work. I will probably use this workout as an alternate full-body toning program whenever I'm in the mood for something a bit different.

This was much more beginner-ish than I anticipated; in fact, it’s in the novice/beginner category. But I have to say it’s excellent! (For the right group, that is.) I would unhesitatingly recommend this to any beginning exerciser, especially older beginners. The variety is enough to keep you interested, while at the same time, there is enough repetition so that the beginner can get comfortable with the moves and not flop around all over the place trying to keep up with changes. But what makes it really stand out, I think, is Anna Benson. Now, I am not an Anna fan at all - quite the opposite, due to her business practices - but I found her to be very warm, knowledgeable, and encouraging as an instructor. Instructing is obviously her forte; she should leave business to others. She really impressed me in this video. She is extremely likeable, and even the “corny” comments that you sometimes hear in other FitPrime/Firm videos seem to come off well when she says them. Her instruction does not seem scripted, but very natural. (As opposed to, for example, Tracie Long following Anna’s scripts - some things just don’t sound right.) The production quality is not on par with the classic Firms, but quite acceptable. I’m giving this one an A. I think it could end up as a classic for beginners, if not for the fact that it’s been discontinued.

I did not have high hopes for this workout since FP JR FlexPosture really rubbed me the wrong way, but this isn't bad. Anna is still pretty goofy here, but comes across as more motivating than in the Just Right workout. I would not say this is a cardio workout- the few minutes of cardio here just doesn't seem like enough to bill this as a cardio workout. And the same for the yoga- there are yoga stretches interspersed throughout but I would not say its yoga tape either. I thought the focus was more on weights, with stretches incorporated and a very short cardio segment that felt warm uppy to me. I wish Anna would match her images to form instruction, especially since she seems to be billing the JRs as beginner workouts. She offers imagery for many moves but doesn't follow or precede them with more concrete instructions, so it feels incomplete. Also, she talks about the equipment for the workout and it would've been nice if she had given a little more info about how the stool would be used. I imagine many beginners could find something but they should know it needs to be sturdy and stable enough to climb on. Her form looks off in some parts of the workout as well, like her weights are behind her ears in the military press, which could bother some people's shoulders, particularly if they are prone to should problems. She has a strange combination of motivating expressions and cheesy ones, like saying choo-choo all the time. That really bugged me- I put it up there with tummy, fanny and stretchie as an annoying expression in a workout. Despite all this, I think this is a worthwhile workout, one that impresses on people the fact being strong is important and possible.

Anna's a goofy instructor, but fairly likable in this workout. Its too bad this workout seems to be quite hard to find- despite its problems, its a good workout, even if it isn't really the best choice for true beginners, which seems to be its target audience. It seems to be a good pick for intermediates looking for something new and different than the usual toning moves or a different pace than other similar level programs.