Equipment needed: none for the cardio; Bosu dome or step for the strength training
Level: Advanced for the cardio, intermediate/advanced for the strength training
Bottom line: Amy does what she does best here: lead a superbly fun round of twirly floor aerobics. It’s the least intense of her aerobic routines, but it still works you out.
Equipment needed: 3-10 lb dumbbells, although travelers can use 2 liter water bottles (see my upcoming Travel Tips post for more)
New! See list of exercises in this workout
Level: Advanced
Bottom line: This routine integrates difficult athletic-style intervals with equally difficult yoga-inspired techniques, forming a challenging, unique, compact and highly enjoyable workout.
Equipment needed: a step; several sets of dumbbells (I used 5 lbs, 8 lbs and 10 lbs, but you’ll need at least one light and one heavy pair)
Level: Advanced, but could be easily modified to intermediate or intermediate/advanced
Bottom line: This workout mixes simply choreographed, high-intensity cardio intervals with short intervals of weight training to increase intensity and shake up the sets, but it should be considered a primarily cardio workout. It is extremely modifiable and could be used by almost all levels of exercisers at almost all levels of intensity.
Equipment needed: several sets of dumbbells (at least one light and one heavy pair, eg: 5 and 10 lbs), a step (optional)
New! See list of exercises in this workout
Level: Intermediate to advanced, depending on the weights used
Bottom line: this straightforward and no-nonsense strength training workout integrates exercises that will hit most muscle groups, and despite high repetitions, exercises are varied enough to prevent boredom.
Equipment needed: none required; I use 1.5 lb hand weights to increase difficulty
Level: Intermediate/advanced to advanced, depending on how you use the workout
Bottom line: although the fact that this is a compilation ends up highlighting the weaknesses of Tae Bo workouts, this difficult cardiovascular workout will work your lower body and core like no other!
