I've had review copies of these and simply
the workouts! Here are my thoughts on the two:
Figure 30 Butt:
Volume 2 specifically targets the buttocks so you'll look great from behind. (as Gin Miller so famously put "if you are going to have a big butt, make it a GREAT big butt) The workout is short, 30 minutes start to finish, so it makes for a great add on to target that area. (plus it is quickly becoming a VF favorite and I can see why) You'll only need one set of dumbbells (medium to heavy depending on your fitness level), ankle weights and a mat. Tracie provides great form tips and the workout doesn't require much space.
Tracie begins with a few easy cardio moves interspersed with stretches. The stretches are unique and will actively warm you up. Rear leg lifts, side leg lifts and sumo squats are some of the warm up moves. The standing portion is next. Single leg exercises are utilized to really key in on the buttocks area. Single leg squats begin (and they also work your balance). Single leg deadlifts, lunges, rear leg lifts (unique variation) follow then single leg lifts to each side. A lunge balance move into a power jump complete the set before repeating to other side. The pace is always controlled so momentum is not used. Sumo squats follow. A set of regular deadlifts work the back of the leg. You will vary the count/tempo on this set. Floor work (using the ankle weights if you choose) is next. Table work begins the set and the glutes are really isolated. Pigeon stretches the area. Bridge work follows, using just your body weight. You'll work one side at a time, keeping the non working leg straight and long or pulling it up to the chest. (if you really concentrate and really press into the floor, you'll fire up the glutes and hamstrings). Last glute set has you lying face down and performing leg lifts. You'll really try to lengthen that leg out as you lift it. Sets of singles then both legs are performed. Stretches begin with childs pose. You'll work deep into the hips, hip flexors, low back and groin.
Figure 30 Butt will definitely help define that "bodacious booty"!
Chapters: Warmup, 5 minutes
Weighted Butt and Balance, 10 minutes
Table and Bridge, 10 minutes
Stretch: 5 minutes
Reboot: Real Evolution Volume 2
This aero/tone interval workout utilizes your own body, the use of a med ball or light dumbbells to bring up the heart rate. You'll perform 4 complete cycles and within each of the cycles you'll go hard then recover 4 times. You'll begin with the med ball for the 1st cycle, move into body only exercises for cycle 2. Cycle 3 uses the light weights. I find the weight section to have a metabolic weight training affect, similar to Cathe's After Burn. The 4th cycle brings back the body weight only movements only this time the tempo picks up.
The workout did have some fancy footwork in the warmup. (took me several run throughs to grasp it) In the Cycle 1 you'll see jacks, step outs, ball weaves, split lunges, skater/figure 8 arms, and crescent switches. Cycle 2 body weight exercises include some old school burpees, frog jumps, pushups and power ups. It also has hurdles with triple step, step squats, step backs and small plyo jumps. Ski jumps with alternating step backs are also in the mix. The metabolic weight section, Cycle 3, includes some exercises that may be familiar to kettlebell enthusiasts. Weighted swings through legs with leg weaves to other side, squat with upright row, planks with arm presses/rotations/kickbacks are demonstrated as well as squats with overhead presses, rear lunges with curls and medial delts with squats. The final cycle has you moving a little quicker with the body weight exercises. Some of the exercises shown are 3 knees with scissor legs and long lever kicks, 3 knees coming across with jump in middle, tuck jumps. The final set of cycle 4 uses the hips more (rather than the larger glute muscles so your heart rate starts to come down slightly. Side leg taps turn into a quick, quick, slow pattern with some air time. (like a tick tock motion) That concludes the 4 cycles. You'll then perform another kettlebell inspired exercise, the windmill. This transitions you to the floor. You'll use the med ball for some additional oblique work, doing rotation twists. Pushups follow, using the med ball underneath one hand for additional pec action. Bridges with a med ball underneath one foot work glutes. A quick set of crunches concludes the floorwork segment. Lastly, you'll work through about 5 minutes of stretches to release the muscles.
Tracie's form is flawless and her tips are encouring. The workout equipment needed are again yourself, a med ball, a set of handweights (Tracie had 2 sets but I only saw her use her light set, 7lbs) and a mat for the floor portion. This is a calorie scorcher, as I burned 538 calories in 50 minutes. I think this workout is more cardio based with light weights used as "intensifiers". Two thumbs up!