Totally Ripped Core: DVD Review

I get bored real easy. This poses a challenge for someone who works out every day. I gotta change it up a lot. But this is a good thing because the more you change it up, the better it is for your bod. I have been rotating my Jillian Michaels ab DVDs for a while now and really wanted to add in another workout to shake things up a bit. It took me a while to find one I felt might be worth trying. Bob Harper's DVDs get really good reviews, so I finally settled on his Totally Ripped Core. Didn't hurt that its only $10!

So?

Meh!

Perhaps I am just uber picky because I am a fitness instructor myself, I don't know, but I am not sure what all the fuss is over this guy.

The DVD has a 50 minute workout and a 10 minute express workout.

Now I only have one other of his DVDs, his power yoga, which I also find just okay. Both have this weird split screen and fancy camera work thing going on, so I am guessing this is just part of his schtick, but its totally unnecessary.

But that's not really my biggest beef with it. Mostly, I just find it is disproportionally focused on obliques and spends far too much time side bending. Most fitness experts think its a whole lot more efficient and effective to do rotational work. I have no problem with side bending but enough already! I am much more interested in working my transverse and rectus muscles at the front, as I am sure most women are.

I guess if you absolutely hate planks and any sit-up/crunch variation, you will like this as there is much less than what you find on most core workout DVDs.

My other complaint is I just don't find it intense enough. At least Jillian Michaels does enough cardio intervals, and moves you from one exercise to another fast enough that you get your heart rate up. Harper has a few short intervals that get your heart rate up, but overall, I just find it less challenging.

So I would have to say I am disappointed, but I will continue to do it every few weeks, just to break things up a bit. Yet again, I still have to say that Jillian Michaels' Six Week Six Pack Abs is the best...and you know I am not biased because I think she's an arse!

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