Dream Body Cardio Series is here
 

My new Dream Body set is here in Florida. I ordered June 13th. I never received a shipping notice but my set is here anyways.

I was just going to post that mine just arrived with today's post! I'm opening the box as I type...yipee!!!

Kris :love:

OMG - I need reviews!!! I'm dying I ordered from Mary....

I'm trying to decide which one to preview first....lol. They have them numbered on the side, so I suppose I should start with disc 1..lol.

Disc 1 - M.I.L.F (55 Minutes) - Started previewing this one and yes they are chaptered!! I'm previewing the music option and the music is generally the same as the other Dreambody DVD's, but as there is a music free option don't let lackluster music be a deterrent. The first 30 minutes are cardio and the last 25 to 30 minutes are toning. She jumps right into the workout so it's a fairly active warm up if you want to call it that but if you like more time to warm up then you'll need to do that prior to starting the workout. The pace is faster in certain areas but it's not frenetic and feels more manageable. There are plyo moves throughout the workout but there is a modifier for all the moves and it's certainly doable or you could use a rebounder as an option to do full plyo with no impact. In the cardio portion there are about 12 different exercises that are treated as a circuit and that circuit is repeated 3 times. The exercises are either do in intervals of a minute or additional bursts of 15 seconds. In the toning portion for some exercises you can use a wall, stacked risers or as a modification keep your feet on the floor. The bridge section in the toning portion looks evil :eek:. Donkey kicks and leg lifts with the band look brutal but the pace isn't an overly fast pace. The floor circuit in the toning section looks to have 9 or 10 exercises and they are repeated twice. Most of the moves are done in 1 minute intervals. The toning section finishes with an ab circuit and then a cool down.

Disc 2 - Intense (60 Minutes) - Comprised of "6" 10 Minute HIIT blocks. You can rest in between each block but they pretty much move right into the next 10 minute block. The 2nd 10 minute block has an intense arm section but you're also in a shallow squat position with a ball squeezed between your thighs. This entire section is done with your back against a wall or in their case a ballet barre. This workout is chaptered but I don't think it works as well in this format because the chapters don't take you to the beginning of the next 10 minute block or at least it doesn't appear that way to me but you can chapter backward and forward to certain points which is better than the previous DB's. The 5th 10 minute block uses only paper plates and the pace for some of the moves is quite fast. Different variations on planks, mountain climbers, pikes, etc. In the last block you use your band but there's a lot of tricep work in this block and a small ab section but there are lots of planks in this disc so your abs aren't lacking. If I have 1 criticism it's that that Sadie can go into hyper drive when she's talking but it's not the entire length of the workout and the modifier sometimes forgets that she's supposed to be modifying and will do the advanced version.

Disc 3 - Bikini Bootcamp (60 Minutes) - This workout is chaptered and the pace is very similar to Tonique. I think the Bikini Bootcamps are the slowest in terms of pace in either of the DB series and I like her instruction style. The first 25 minutes of the workout utilizes a band with the exercises in the first section and you could potentially end the workout here if you wanted a short workout, you would just need to add a cool down. The next section is more traditional kickboxing moves with a 1 or 2lb weight and feels similar to Bikini Bootcamp in the previous series and you really work. While this has more kicks and punches it still has a definite cardio element so you're not missing anything if you just use this section as a stand alone workout. This section is roughly 20 minutes before going into an Ab section at the end of the workout prior to a quick 5 to 6 minute cool down.

Disc 4 - Fusion 50 (50 Minutes) - Appears to be broken up into a couple of sections. The 1st section is the cardio sequence and this is about 30 minutes and there is a 10 minute toning section for the glutes. The pace is again similar to Tonique in this DVD but she's doing a couple of moves that I know I have no intention of ever trying...lol. There's a fair amount of jumping on this one but of course you don't have to jump. There are burpees (1 arm I might add) but there aren't a ton of them. For those who dislike burpees then it's easy to substitute something else. This workout uses 1 or 2lb weights, paper plates for gliding moves and a band & ball for some combination moves in the glute section . The modifier in this workout moves more slowly than the other two and it can be distracting at times but I figure that she looks like me when I do these workouts, so it's good..lol. I actually like the glute section of the workout more than the cardio in the DVD but she does a twisting pretzel move that has the rear leg up and squeezing a ball. Unlike a tradition pretzel that has the rear leg lifting or pushing back the rear leg comes forward as you twist toward the rear for about 30 seconds and then you go into tiny pulses rear in a more traditional pretzel (I know this sounds strange but it's slightly difficult to completely describe it..lol.). There is a 5 or 6 minute section that's just for abs using the playground ball that's ends the workout before the cool down.

Disc 5 - BATA Barre (55 Minutes) - Two 30 minute workouts. The first 30 minute section is cardio and the 2nd section is a 30 minute ballet barre workout that does utilize a chair. In the first section there are some twisty moves that if you're doing this on carpet you'll need to be careful because I can see how you could twist your knee if you're not paying attention. The cardio section is broken up into small tabata circuits that it appears are repeated 3 times and are somewhere between 20 to 15 seconds in length for the exercises. The ballet barre portion uses a chair as I mentioned previously, a paper plate, 1 to 2lb weights and a ball. She fries the inner thighs in the first part of this section. You work 1 side to failure and then repeat on the other side. There are some moves in this section that remind me of Booty Barre but I definitely like this workout best of the two for this DVD. There are lots of pulsing moves and lifts in this section that have you squeezing your ball the entire time. What's different is that you're doing some arm movement that with the weight while you're lifting/pulsing and squeezing the ball with your leg. There is about 10 minutes of floor work that start out with fire hydrants with that blasted ball behind your knee. The advanced is in plank position for this and on your knees as a modification. The pace in both workouts is very doable so no hyper speed in either workout (that is my opinion of course). There is a 5 to 6 minute cool down to stretch out after the workout. This cool down is only after the ballet workout, so if you just do the cardio portion then you'll need to skip to this section or just do your own cool down.

Equipment on all of them the suggested weight is either 1 or 2lbs, stretch band (they reference green or yellow but that will vary by band maker), paper plates, a stretch loop and a purple ball (I take this to mean a small play ground ball). Okay I'm off to watch something, still deciding which!

Update: As you can see I decided to preview them in order and you'll find my thoughts on each one of the workouts above!

Kris :love:

Okay, so I've previewed the entire series and I think I'm going to like this better than the previous series. There are no premixes and while you can break up the workouts into 25 to 30 minute sections they aren't specifically noted in the DVD that way (i.e. workout 1 and workout 2). It's easy enough to skip around now that they're chaptered but if you're looking for Cathe or Kelly type separation here then you're not going to be happy. If you like the DB workouts then you will be happy with this and I think for those who like Tonique, you would find this a nice alternative. The thing that's jumping out at me right now is that these currently have less of a dread factor for me, simply because I have options to shorten them. While I didn't think the previous series was super fast on all the DVD's, these are practically a snails pace compared to them, so for those that are concerned about a warp speed pace I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. As usual they pack a lot of exercises in the time that they give you but you're constantly moving with no breaks so hopefully they won't feel as long while you're doing them. The music free option is just that and it's just that particular instructor talking, so you can crank up your music as loud as you like to drown out the talking if it bothers you. I found in this series there's less talking with some of the instructors but they generally talk quite a bit. I actually don't mind the chatter but i know there are some of you that don't care for that at all. I'm calling this a winner for me but of course you're free to form your own opinions :p. I'm sure I'll think of something else later on but it's time to find myself some dinner!!!

Enjoy ladies!

Kris :love:

You are a doll for posting this!!! Thank you!

What are their rotation suggestions???

Thank you so much for the details!

This sounds good--thanks for the descriptions. I may order this eventually, especially since they can be shortened easily.

You're quite welcome! Unless they have something on their website there wasn't anything additional with the set. I know that a there have been some on the board who have contacted them on their Facebook page, so maybe someone could ask!

HTH!

Kris :love:

Slightly OT, does anyone know why Mary still hasn't gotten these? TIA!

I asked Mary late in the day today & she said ups hadn't been there yet. I was hoping they would still arrive...

Bummer - this is on their website "Complete the series each week in our recommended workout schedule included with the DVDs for a head-to-toe workout to burn major cals and tone even your toughest trouble spots. Plus we've got health tips from each instructor - what works for them, their favorite go-to snacks, and how they stay looking and feeling so good."

I guess I assumed the recommended workout schedule included would be print material? Did you find health tips as any extra footage on the DVDs?

There is a bookmark sized insert with MILF. It recommends doing the workouts in sequential order. In between days 3 and 4 they suggest doing your own hour-long workout (running, yoga,...). They also suggest an easy day for day 7 -- walking , gardening, or something recreational.

On the back of each of each individual case is eating advice from that particular instructor.

The tips are on the DVD case from each instructor along with a sjort bio, but I didn't see a calendar or workout printout in the DVD box.

Kris :love:

Oh Good grief I didn't even see that until I read your post. When I think rotation calendar usually it's a large fold out a print out with the workout titles...lol. So as I gaze at my lovely insert I think I stand by my first assumption....they didn't include a rotation schedule...lol.

Kris :love:

Kris, thank you sooooo much for posting your review and impressions of this series, as well as such detail for each disc. I am one who liked the first series in theory, but the little quirks about it drove me crazy. I am probably going to get this set and see what happens.

I did MILF last night.

There is approximately 30 minutes of carido intervals, 21 minutes toning on the floor, and 4 minutes of stretching.

You need gliders, a circle band and 2 lb dumbbells for the cardio section. You need the circle band, dumbbells and a tall box for the floor section. The tall box Darby used looked very tall, taller than my FIRM box-- but I don't know how much difference the extra height would make in the bridge work.

The cardio intervals rotate through 60 second, 30 second, and 15 second intervals. The 15 second interval is supposed to be the most difficult. I think that there were 5 cycles of the 60-30-15 second intervals. Then all 5 cycles were repeated twice more (a total of 3 times). It is a bit of a gasping blur to me at this moment. I found the cardio section very challenging , definitely more challenging than the floor work. Many of the exercises had a toning element as well as being cardio exercises-- a lot of plank work and small dumbbells used for arm work while doing plyo moves or other standing work.

The floor work was quite good, it addressed upper body, lower body and abs.

Awesome! Thanks for the update. I am really kicking myself for not ordering directly from them...:mad:

I ordered from Mary and I can't wait to do these!! i love the first series!

This is one order I'm super happy with!

Could you try a chair for the bridge work? Barre3 has some bridge work using a chair and it really does hit your glutes well:)

They suggest using a wall but what they use on the DVD are the risers used on a club step and she has about 8 of them stacked up. You could very easily use a chair, the wall or even a workout bench if you have one.

HTH!

Kris :love:

I have done the Barre3 bridge work with the chair and you are right -- it does the job well.

I pre-ordered from Mary, too, and have been trying to be sooooo patient for these. It's not working -- especially after reading the reviews here. :p I want these yesterday! :p Since I'm doing a FT25 rotation right now, I guess I can be patient a bit longer . . . .

Last night I did the second workout-- inTENse.

There are six 10 minute sections: cardio, arms, abs, cardio , arms, abs/stretching.

This was another fast moving, don't waste a second Dream Body workout. As with MILF, many of the cardio moves are plyo or plank moves. But these inTENse moves are not the same exact moves as in MILF. You are almost always multi-tasking. For example , doing an arm series while you are in a squat against the wall, or doing standing oblique work while punching with small dumbbells. I especially liked doing triceps presses using a band while in down dog position.

It helps to watch the workout before doing it because besides being fast moving there are some moves which were new to me and it is good to know which piece of equipment is needed next (one or two pound dumbbells, playground ball, band, gliders).

I want these NOW!!!! :D

I don't know about you but the arm section with the squats while squeezing the ball was tough!! :eek: :eek: My poor arms are still sore and I've got DOMS from being in the squat and squeezing the ball...lol.

Kris :love:

I wish they were not so expensive!!!
I love the first series and this one seems very interesting also.
I wish the price would go down a bit...

Nathalie

Keep the reviews coming! How do you compare these to the first set?!

Someone is about to blow-up their credit card:D

Ha! Awesome!

Come on now, you need to get on the DB bandwagon already! ;)

ITA. The first set ($129) did go on sale for $50 for their anniversary sale, with the regular price being reduced to $99 recently (unsure if the $99 is also just a sale or a permanent price reduction).

Julie

Yeh, but who can wait until the anniversary sale? I'm having a hard enough time waiting for Mary to get them in stock!

Kris,

Yes, the arm series done while against the wall in a squat (with the ball squeezed between the knees) is tough. I used 2 lb dumbbells and I was losing my form at the end-- I will use only 1 lb dumbbells next time.

But that move seems such a perfect Dream Body move to me, it combines classic moves together in a new way. I think that kind of move is also why I like the results so much from DB-- there is a relentless attack on my problem areas (the usual female trouble spots).

violingal3,

I have only done 2 of the new series (I have done the original DB workout and all of the first series dvds). I will hedge my answer to you a bit by saying sometimes new workouts seem more difficult to me than older workouts, but that can be because I have gotten better at the older workouts as I repeated them over and over.

MILF(Darby) and inTENse(Sadie) are more cardio based than Fusion Mix (Darby) and Barre(Sadie) from the first series. My first reaction is that these two newer workouts are not any easier than the first series, these are not "pure" cardio anymore than the earlier series was "pure" toning. Both series are a mix but the mix is weighted differently in the cardio series. The new series so far is showing a nice combination of moves, not just a repeat of moves from earlier dvds.

As far as demeanor goes, Darby seems quieter in MILF than Fusion Mix. Sadie seems much the same to me in both Barre and InTENse.

I am a big fan of the first series and even the original workout(pop ups or not, that is an excellent workout). I am very pleased with the first two workouts.

ITA!
Nathalie :D

I'm still really on the fence, so I can wait! I just am conflicted about that horrible MILF title but if the set goes down enough over time I may get over it. :)

I am totally with you on this. I have the the other workouts, but as far as I'm concerned this title alone is enough reason not to buy these. IMO it's just plain crude.

I ordered from Mary and after trying to be patient, I finally emailed her today to see if she knew when she would receive the DVD's. Her response was: "No, I asked her (Darby) for a tracking number a couple of days ago and she said she would check with her distributor and I haven't heard back from her yet."

Trying to continue be patient and in the meantime, thank you very much for the reviews!

Chris

Oh my!
I am trying to be patient too and it is getting hard!
Oh well, I actually have a stack of about 6 new workouts I can try out while I wait.

Me too, but I'm "thisclose" to canceling. My patience is not the best.