Cardio Kickboxing (Arms & Abs)

Shelley Dose's cardio kickboxing workout is done barefoot and alternates ab and arm toning with light kickboxing cardio moves. This is a fun workout that gets the heart rate up while still being low impact. If you are looking for a super intensity workout, this isn't for you, However, for a low to medium intensity, it's a nice change of pace that keeps the heart rate up while also target toning triceps, biceps and abs.  The music kept the workout flowing without being distracting which I like. The workout was a little hard to follow as the cues were so close to the transitions that there was not much heads-up.  Overall this is a good, light cardio workout that I will most likely do again.

Cardio Kickboxing (Abs & Arms)
Target areas: cardio; abs; arms
Time: 35 minutes
Equipment needed: light dumbbells
Music: appropriate, not distracting
Level: beginner to mid-level
What I liked: workout alternated intervals of cardio and toning to keep heart rate up
What I didn't like: no countdown timer; cues are a little late for transitions
Rating: 3

30 Min. Pure Cardio Interval HIIT Workout

Do you want to sweat?  A lot?  Then this is a great workout choice! @YaBoyMillHoy has put together a 30 minute High Intensity Interval Training workout that alternates between medium to high intensity moves for 30-45 seconds and 15 second rests before the next one starts.  With 20 different HIIT rounds, this workout is a great cardio option. Impact is relatively light with jumping jacks being the highest impact.  There are no burpees and no tuck jumps which makes it a good option if you desire high-intensity, but don't need the high impact typically associated with HIIT workouts. The video is very well produced with previews of each move before the round starts. It is a more advanced workout, and I wouldn't recommend it for those just starting out as there weren't many modifications offered for beginners.  Definitely will be a repeat on my exercise video circuit!

30 Min. Pure Cardio Interval HIIT Workout

Target areas: full body cardio
Time: 30 minutes
Equipment needed: towel to wipe off the sweat, trust me
Music: none
Level: mid to experienced
What I liked: workout got the heart rate up quickly and kept it up the full 30 minutes
What I didn't like: no music :(
Rating: 5

10 Minute Ab Workout

I was in search of a short ab workout after a run this morning. Well to be honest I need a long ab workout as I'm on vacation and not eating very clean, but the family was anxious to get on the road so we compromised and I got a short workout in. This ten minute ab workout really hit the mark. It's set up so you could easily repeat the circuits if you had the time. Ideally I would have run through it three times and gotten a great workout! It's very instructional with previews of each move and a timer  to let you know how much time is left for each move. With some mountain climbers and plank jacks thrown in, there's a little bit of HIIT built in as well.

Ten Minute Ab Workout
Target areas:  abs
Time: 10 min but can repeat multiple times
Equipment needed: workout mat
Music: none
Level: beginner; advanced can increase reps and intensity
What I liked: simple instructions; quick change ups to get the most for your time
What I didn't like: purely instructional video with no interaction by instructor
Rating: 3

HIIT Cardio & Abs Workout

Fitness Blender's 30 Minute HIIT Cardio & Abs Workout hit the spot for a short cardio workout that also focuses on toning the abs.  The HIIT was Tabata style with 20 seconds on, 10 seconds resting for four reps each round followed by 50 seconds of ab work.  The cardio intervals are medium impact and as intense as you are willing to work. Although the workout was effective, I'm not a fan of the monotone male instructor speaking as the female demonstrates the moves.  I think if I do this workout again I'll mute the tv and just crank up my own stereo.  This is a good workout to mix things up if you are tired of the same old cardio and want some structured Tabata.  It definitely gets the heart rate going if you perform the intervals with high intensity.

HIIT Cardio & Abs Workout

Target areas: cardio & abs
Time: 30 minutes
Equipment needed: none
Music: none
Level: all
What I liked: Tabata style rounds were effective
What I didn't like: lack of interaction by instructor
Rating: 2

10 Minute Yoga for Beginners

I started this workout expecting to not like the instructor who was young and perky and a fitness model (I know, don't be a hater just because I'm jealous :) ); however, 30 seconds in I had changed my mind and really enjoyed Golden Moeras as she led me through some simple yoga poses. This workout is great for quickly waking up your body and getting your blood pumping or even using as a cool down after a run or hard cardio session.  I am going to bookmark this work out to do again when I'm short on time. If you sleep through that morning alarm and want to get the body going quickly, this is a great choice.

10 Minute Yoga for Beginners

Target areas:  full body flexibility and strength
Time: 10 minutes
Equipment Needed: None
Music: None
Level: Beginner
What I liked: quick yoga workout to get the heart pumping and body warmed up
What I didn't like: not having music made staying focused in a busy environment tough
Rating: 4

Quick Abs, Butt & Thigh Workout

This quick Jessica Smith Abs, Butt & Thigh workout is a great target-toning workout you can do anywhere (like a hotel room where I am).  I really like her instruction style. She's very informative and explains the movements well. Jessica incorporated a couple of moves I hadn't seen before and that's always fun and challenging. The workout is all floor work, so you might want to grab a towel or yoga mat. This is a workout that beginners can do and really get a start at toning those problem areas, and exercise veterans can focus on the intensity and get a good burn.  This is definitely a workout I will do again!

Jessica Smith's 15-Minute Abs, Butt & Thighs Workout
Target areas: Abs, Buns, Thighs
Time: 15 minutes
Equipment needed: None
Music: background music adds to workout without being loud and distracting
Level: beginner to advanced
What I liked:  Clear instructions, pleasant instructor, moves targeted specific areas as advertised
Rating: 4

What this blog is all about

I don't know about you, but I have a bazillion workout programs that I've purchased over the years.  I do them religiously once or twice all the way through the program's planned workout schedule and then they usually end up on the shelf gathering dust (or in the case of all my Buns of Steel VHS tapes, resigned to the attic in large storage bins).

Now, when I'm tired of doing the same old workout DVDs, I mix in some YouTube workout videos (gotta love technology!). However, when searching for good workout videos, it's hard to find the time to research which videos are worth doing, which fit my own personal workout style and which should really be assigned to "soft core porn" rather than the workout category (yikes, I don't need to watch a 20 year old in her underwear doing hip thrusts!).

In an effort to catalog and maintain a list in one location for the YouTube videos that I'm using for workouts, I've created this blog.  My goal is to review the videos from the fairly objective standpoint of me and my two workout cohorts, Karen & Tyree, who are crazy enough to come workout in my garage gym every week day morning at 5:00 am.  We are all relatively fit and aren't afraid to try new and different workouts. We are also not afraid to laugh at ourselves and we know our limitations.

As I review YouTube videos, I'm attempting to provide a catalog for a reference when I'm short on time and needing a "30 minute cardio/bun workout" or a "10 minute yoga session."  I'm hoping to add 3 new reviews a week so please check back often or subscribe to my blog so you will be the first to know when new reviews are available.