Core Secrets: 25 Minute Full Body Workout; Accelerated Core Training

25-Minute Full Body WorkoutThis short, intense workout leaves no room for excuses-you can squeeze it in to the busiest of days! Learn proper form as you work all the major muscle groups in just 25 minutes, toning your body from head to toe.Accelerated Core TrainingThe fast track to a slim, toned, sexy body! Using his effective 1-2-3 Core Technique, Gunnar will guide you through a challenging full body workout. In this 45-minute session, you'll tighten abs, tone arms, and target legs. Product Description

Gunnar Does It Again With Another Great Core Secrets Workout

I just did the 25 minute "Full Body Workout" part of this tandem this morning (I reviewed "Accelerated Core Training" by itself here on Amazon) and was again impressed by Gunnar's ability to design and execute great workouts.

To get this along w/ "Accelerated Core Training" is a great deal because they are both great workouts individually let alone as a pair!

"Accelerated Core Training" is definitely considerably tougher than the "25 Minute Full Body Workout" so you can choose the level of difficulty that you find most appropriate. I'm a big believer in rotating different workouts in order not to fall into a workout rut both physically and mentally.

I'm an advanced exerciser who has been using fitness VHS/DVD's for many years. I use a variety of disciplines from Strength training, to Yoga and Pilates as well as various types of cardio workouts. Stability ball work is something I'm relatively new to but it's quickly become one of my favorite ways of training!

Having done several of the Core Secrets workouts now, I can definitely say that I'm thoroughly impressed by them in every way.

This particular program gets a lot done in a short amount of time. You literally work your whole body in 25 minutes (which include the warm-up and cool-down in that time frame). I think this particular workout is the perfect follow up program to do after FUN-damentals.

It's a great workout for when you're short on time or lower on energy but still want to get solid full body workout in. I can see this also being great as a maintainance workout as well.

It utilizes a stability ball and dumbells, and it's a good idea to have a Yoga or Pilates type mat as well. I also recommend wearing athletic shoes for this (rather than doing it barefoot, you'll have better traction)

Here is a breakdown of the workout:

WARM-UP

bounce
hip circles
side-to-side rolls
forward rolls
leg lifts
shoulder stretch
triceps stretch
overhead stretch

Main Workout:

bent-over lunges
push-ups
reverse hyperextensions
lying side crunches
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bicep curls
leg extensions
tricep kickbacks
weighted angled crunches
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forward/side/twisting lunges
lat row/inner thigh squeeze
bridges
lying crunch holding the ball (these are hard!)
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one-armed chest press
shoulder press
hamstring press
crunch w/ball squeeze

COOL-DOWN STRETCH
torso stretch
torso stretch w/leg drop
kneeling stretch
kneeling lat stretch
drape stretch
calf stretch
hamstring stretch

Gunnar shows in these workouts why he is a master trainer. He does a great job explaining the movements without overexplaining. The workout maintains a great flow, and it's a lot of fun to do while being challenging enough to be effective.

HIGHLY recommended! December 16, 2007

Good beginner toning workout!

This Core Secrets workout on the fitness ball is a powerful one; using light hand weights (I'm using 3 pounds), Gunnar takes you through all the major muscle groups. The best part is, while it's not too difficult, you can feel a difference in your body very quickly. I have only had this video for a week, and I feel stronger already.

The 25-Minute Full Body Workout is just a shortened version of the Accelerated Core Training, which is 45 minutes. They use the same exercises, but the 25-minute version omits some of them. I find the short version a bit too short, since the exercises are fairly slow-paced and it seems like you don't get much done in 25 minutes. The Accelerated workout is a good length for this type of exercise, even for beginners like myself.

I've been doing cardio and very little toning, so this is a first for me, and it is a great fit. You can easily modify the workout to your own level by using lighter or heavier weights. In addition, one of the girls demonstrates easier versions of each exercise, especially those involving a lot of balance. Gunnar is a motivating and friendly instructor. I don't find him annoying; he is very down-to-earth. February 28, 2007

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