Exhale: Core Fusion Abs & Arms (With Resistance Band) (DVD)

 
I should have posted this review a few days ago but with Christmas, I've got a little behind - and a slightly wider girth than at the start of the festivities. So it's now well into the New Year and perhaps, like me, you're looking for a fresh start?  Maybe you're feeling guilty about all the excesses of Christmas and you've made a resolution to (finally) shed a few pounds, get fit and build a body that a movie star would be proud of. Guess what? This DVD promises that it will help you "Fast-track your way to a movie-star body." (But wasn't John Candy a movie star?). With all the snow and ice putting pay to my resolve to hit the pavements (yeah, right), this may well prove to be the best alternative yet!

I really like the idea of getting fit with a DVD. There's nothing better than relaxing on the sofa with a beer and some peanuts and taking in all the fine detail. It's got to be better than joining a gym and slaving away like a hamster on a wheel, right?


This DVD even comes with its own gadget (inside the case); a rubbery, balloon textured stretch band which offers 'resistance training', I guess a little bit like the old bull-worker. Only you couldn't stretch a bull-worker and ping other people in the house with it, like a giant rubber band. Only that's silly and potentially dangerous so probably best not to mention it at all.
 
Apparently a quarter of a million people have "transformed their bodies at exhale, the exclusive mind/body spa" and the organisation behind this production. (It must be a big place). But now, with this DVD, you don't even need to be American to get fit. You can get the self-same results in your own home.


'Chiselled arms and washboard abs can be mine with just 10 minutes exercise a day. It's got to be worth a punt.

So, without further ado, let's put on the tracky bottoms, the bandana, the sweat bands, the 'Fame' footless tights, the iPod, the sports drink holder, the light-up trainers and see what this DVD has in store for us.


Well, it appears to be neatly sectioned into five 10 minute routines, following an earnest and very Californian (and evangelical) introduction. These are keep fit fanatics who are living the dream and the husband and wife team (Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp) do look remarkably fit - unless they are both still in their twenties in which case I take it all back.
  
Though the disc comes with a stretch-band, I was surprised to discover that you will also need some light dumb-bells for one of the arm work-outs. No sign of those in the box. Other than that, you're set to go.


Each of the routines features the couple demonstrating all the techniques but using voice-over rather than shouting instructions as they exercise, and I must say that this works very well.

The bumph states that many of the movements are inspired by traditional weightlifting, Pilates, and yoga, and, in truth that word 'inspired' could simply mean 'copied'. Whatever the case, it feels like a balanced mash-up of techniques and it certainly makes for a fairly hearty and satisfying work-out.

The DVD is divided into five segments that run for a manageable 10 minutes each. Fred and Ginger, sorry, Elisabeth take it in turns to lead with Fred leading three of the five segments. What a Gent!


Here's how the segments work out.

1. UPPER BODY WEIGHTS - (Fred). This involves a fairly tough work out focussing on the 'deltoids'. These are small weight exercises in the main, holding them shoulder high then bringing them down to the hips, then 'rowing' them up to the chin and them lifting them up high. Then side curls and hammer curls. Finally there is a bit of muscle stretching with the band. (The elastic one in the box, not the one providing the music).

2. UPPER BODY RESISTANCE - Resistance band (Elisabeth). This is pretty much a resistance band work-out. It's hammer curl time again and then some shoulder squeezing to work those 'rhomboids' (are they making this stuff up?). Next are the triceps with arm curls and bending and stretching. Finally a bit of twisting makes this feel like a very thorough work out.
 
3. ABDOMINALS - resistance band & mat (Fred). This also uses the band primarily and involves a bit of lying down, which is nice. It's actually quite a tough work out though when you attempt to keep the shoulders off the mat and continue with twists (working the obliques, apparently), as well as some small crunches which I knew would appear sooner or later.  

4. ABDOMINAL CURL WITH LEG VARIATIONS - Resistance band & yoga block/rolled up towel (Fred). This starts with the band around the ball of the left foot and involves pressing against the resistance as the leg is raised. This feels a lot like Yoga (especially the falling over bit). Then more curls, twists and balancing. And that so-called 'Jack Knife' (with the arms lifting whilst the legs are going up and down not as easy as it looks.

5)  UPPER BODY, BACK AND HIP STRETCHES - Elisabeth. Really what it says on the tin and actually a good session to do in combination with one of the other four.


The picture quality is fine despite a clear NTSC to PAL conversion but this has been nicely shot on HD in a properly lit studio rather than with an OB crew in a gym.

There are some bonus pieces too, running for approximately ten minutes a piece, highlighting some related releases that have a similar focus.

1. Prone Strengthener & Stretch
2. From Exhale Pilates Plus
3. from Shiva: Creative Core Abs


Overall, I think this will make a nice addition to anyone's work out library, particularly if you are looking to really tone up the abs. The terribly earnest Americanisms can get a bit wearying if you let it so probably one to use every few weeks or so to give the abs some special attention. Before long you'll be able to do this with the audio off and your own favourite music on and then it won't be an issue.