UnderReview: Kristi Yamaguchi’s Power Workout

I grew up idolizing Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. Although I couldn’t skate on ice to save my life (seriously, put any sort of contraption on my feet and the area in your brain that controls coordination just stops firing), watching Kristi effortlessly spin, jump and twirl on a surface that most people try to avoid slipping on, amazed and inspired me as a wee Fit Bottomed Girl tuned in to the Winter Olympics. So when we heard she had a new workout DVD, we were all “Sign me up to try that!” And try we did.

The DVD features three 10-ish-minute circuit workouts, plus an abs and chest segment. The circuit workouts are quick, yet get your heart rate up, with the first five minutes focusing on cardio drills and easy, basic floor choreography (if you’ve ever done a floor aerobics class, you’ll be fine!), and the last five featuring combination upper- and lower-body strength moves. While the first circuit workout on the DVD is easy enough for beginners, the second and third ones are definitely more challenging (and more creative, which I liked), and therefore better suited to intermediate workouters (I just created a new word!) or those who have mastered the first circuit. The bonus segments are a nice add-on to the circuits. While the chest one is somewhat random in my opinion (I’m not sure how many people wake up thinking, man, my chest could sure use some extra work today, but maybe it feels a niche I’m not aware of…), the abs one is a great quick session to get your belly burning. And, hey, if you do them all together you have one heck of a long and pretty challenging workout.

The best parts of this workout DVD though are the equipment (or the lack thereof) and the instruction. All you need for a pretty solid strength and cardio workout are dumbbells (5 to 8 pounds oughta do it), a mat, and a little space to move about for the cardio. Awesome. And the instruction? While Kristi gives some good tips here and there, her trainer Erin O’Brien (now that’s an Irish name) does most of the cuing, and she is spot on. Erin provides great alignment tips, cues like a pro and gives great modifications. The two of them really play off of each other well—being encouraging without being too corny and grunting through the toughest moves, making you feel more bad arse for working alongside an Olympian.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★

Fit Bottomed Line: If you’re a beginner or intermediate exerciser who is short on time and gear, you really can’t go wrong with Kristi Yamaguchi: Power Workout!

Want to try this DVD for yourself? Comment below to enter to win. Winners will be picked randomly in a week! U.S. residents only, pretty please. —Jenn