Morning! Time for our Sunday fitness chat.

Let’s talk about…

Next Fitness Star: Power Sculpt Series

The folks over at Women’s Health recently sent me a copy of their new DVD, Next Fitness Star: Power Sculpt Series with Next Fitness Star competition winner Stacie Clark. Stacie was discovered by Women’s Health through a nationwide search for “the next fitness star.” Among thousands of applicants, she was awarded the title which included developing this original DVD series, appearing in the January/February issue of Women’s Health, and being a new face of fitness for the brand.

This DVD has four different workouts on it, all with the philosophy of “burning calories, not time.” I love that mantra! Here’s the description of each segment:

• 10 Minute Belly Melt: Designed to target your entire core, this workout consists of 10 exercises performed for 60 seconds each. You’ll get the “six-pack” effect, and you’ll feel great.
• 15-Minute Speed Shred: Tighten, tone and torch your entire body.
• 20-Minute Metabolic Boost: It’s all about timed-interval supersets. The result? Maximize your time, burn fat, and tone all over.
• 30-Minute Total-Body Blast: We’ll alternate between upper and lower body moves, keeping your heart rate up to maximize calorie burn and build lean muscle. Bonus for you? A strong core & butt burner to complete the workout.

These workouts come in handy if you are pressed for time, can’t make it to the gym, or prefer working out in the comfort of your own home. You’ll need little equipment, but at least a pair of dumbbells, a mat, and a bender ball (or another ball around the same size). My favorite segment of the four is the ten minute belly melt. The moves are tough (lots of plank work at the beginning!), and each move is done for 60 seconds with little to no rest in between. By the end my abs were definitely feeling it.

While I enjoyed the other segments and jotted down some new moves to use in my classes (always a bonus!), I found myself wanting a bit more out of the workouts. For example, when switching from one exercise to another during the thirty minute total body, I felt like I could have continued for more reps. Or maybe my at home weights weren’t heavy enough now that I’ve made the switch to heavier lifting? This DVD was the perfect choice for me last Saturday though, since I was sick and looking to take things down a notch. And I’ll definitely go back to these again on days when my time is really limited.

That said, I do still recommend this series if you are on the hunt for a solid workout DVD. I think it’s a good choice for those who don’t want to workout for more than 30 minutes or for those who consider themselves at more of a beginner to intermediate fitness level. I always have to remind myself that I’m just a weirdo who craves more than 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Let’s talk about…

My weekly workout log

Here’s the quick rundown of last week’s workouts:

• Sunday: 20 minute incline walking on the treadmill + this legs and shoulders workout
• Monday: 10 minutes rowing, the stability ball ab circuit from this workout, 10 minutes cycling
• Tuesday: 20 minute incline walking on the treadmill + taught my class with an upper body pyramid focus
• Wednesday: Rest
• Thursday: Taught my class with a total body supersets theme
• Friday: Rest
• Saturday: 2 mile walk/run intervals (working that strength back up in my ankle!) outside + 30 minute at home bosu workout

This week I’m subbing some extra classes at Oak Square if you feel so inclined to come to any of them. Along with my regular classes, I’m subbing 5pm spin on Monday, 6pm burn and build on Tuesday, and 6pm burn and build on Thursday (although I’m trying to get a sub for a sub for this one). Hope to see you guys throughout the week!

Readers, time to talk! Do you tend to workout more at home or at the gym? Do you prefer longer or shorter workouts? Ever heard of Stacie Clark or the Women’s Health Next Fitness Star? Think I should apply? 😉

For more Sunday Sweat Talk topics:

• My Hangover Workout
• January Joiners
• Helping or Harassing
• One Month of Heavier Lifting
• The Problem With Online Fitness Challenges
• Grip Strength and Ankle Update
• MMA Fighter Fit Certification
• Strength Training Plateaus
• Why I Love My Gym Friends
• Exercising While Sick

Disclaimer/disclosure: I was not paid to write this post, but I was provided the Stacie Clark workout DVD from Women’s Health free of charge. I also received a free copy of the January/February issue of Women’s Health magazine. As always, all opinions are my own.