Review Essentrics 2012 DVDs

[Pam61]

I just did Sahra's Core & Legs workout today. I liked it ok, but prefer Miranda's Legs & Butt DVD to this one. Maybe I will like some of the others better, though.

First, with Sahra's workout, it's not always easy to see what she's doing. The camera wasn't close enough always for you to follow along. Lucky that I am familiar enough with the exercise and have a history of working out with Classical Stretch, but a newbie might be a bit frustrated. The studio/loft is sometimes too dark, and it's ok if you want to see the skyline/buildings in the background (or the two exercisers that are working alongside Sahra.)

Also, given this is only 25 minutes it feels a bit frantic. Part of that may be the music choices. Loved the piano music towards the end, but the swing music for the warm-up (what's up with that?)

Sahra also doesn't explain things as well as Miranda does, like what she's doing and why. If you already know the benefits of CS and have done most of the episodes, that's fine. I'm guessing since Sahra is so young, maybe she's still very nervous being in front of the camera. I hate my photo taken, and am very shy in front of a camera (let alone a camera crew.)

I guess truth be told, I'm closer to Miranda's age than Sahra's. But, I appreciate what Miranda offers in CS. Sahra will probably be wonderful after she's had more experience. I know she knows what she's doing, and has been in many of the CS episodes, but not front and center.

What I liked....Sarah has a great energy and is so beautiful to look at. I wish the set had been brighter and camera angles had been up close. She's too far away.

Good exercises overall. Some of the leg/core exercies were a bit too fast for me. I think they were fast because of the fast tempo of the music. Anyway it's nice to have more variety in my CS/Essentrics collection, so I'm still glad I ordered. Maybe I should reserve judgement until I've done more of the new workouts, LOL! ;-)

Pam

[bjammin13]

I did it! I ordered both new 2012 workouts, the Strength&Stretch and Class of 2012. I have been toying with the idea but never committed to incorporate Essentrics Technique for quite sometime and really do believe it is a smart move for my training. So many times my tendency is to "go hard or go home" even with Bare work or yoga and I lack the consistent Flexibility training I am sure is a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. By nature I am very flexible and take it for granted. I am so excited to get these!! Thanks for the review and details

[Lucky Star]

Pam, I appreciate your honest review. I, too, am closer in age to Miranda and am comfortable with her instructional style, chattiness and all. I like Sahra fine but really enjoy working out in the tropical sunshine with her mom, another beautiful woman.

[Orlita]

Thanks for the review, Pam. I haven't done that DVD yet. I did find that I had to do my own rep pace on some of the Class of 2012 movements, in order to keep my form.

I wish they would put a gauzy curtain in front of all that harsh backlighting. It does make it hard to see, especially when you have sensitive light-colored eyes (mine are green/blue and very sensitive to light). Plus, backlight throws off the camera meter.

I like Sahra's presentation, though. Miranda has a manner that doesn't sit quite right with me. She seems very sweet, but I don't click so well with her. Sahra I click with. So I hope she can improve the backlight situation next time around (which is the same thing I'd hoped after buying her 1st 2 DVDs).

[JackieB]

It is interesting how some of us gravitate toward Sahra or Miranda. I prefer the TV episodes b/c of all the great trademark stretches---it seems both Miranda and Sahra's Essentrics are toning focused and seem a bit more serious in nature.

I am excited to receive these new workouts--from watching the clips I felt like they might be a bit more of a "happy medium" between CS TV and Essentrics. Sahra seemed to me, in the clips I saw, warmer and more relaxed than in her original Essentrics.

It is my bucket list to meet these two women that I work out with every day!

Jackie

[JackieB]

Originally Posted by shammy902

Have you ordered yet? I just ordered this morning. Can't wait to get it! I did Essentrics legs/butt this weekend and still feel it! I would like to do athlete stretch tonight if I have time...

Shammy, I did order--with a friend from a check in to get the free shipping. I should have them by the weekend.

Jackie

[Pam61]

Originally Posted by Orlita

I wish they would put a gauzy curtain in front of all that harsh backlighting. It does make it hard to see, especially when you have sensitive light-colored eyes (mine are green/blue and very sensitive to light). Plus, backlight throws off the camera meter.

So I hope she can improve the backlight situation next time around (which is the same thing I'd hoped after buying her 1st 2 DVDs).

Exactly! Plus, the fact that she had dark tights on when doing the legwork on the floor didn't help you to visually see what she was doing with her leg positions, with the darker set, and being backlit from behind. I saw the camera trying to adjust for the harsh light by flickering and changing colors, which distrupts the flow also.

And, I know Sahra leads just fine on her previous DVDs. The pace just felt a little more rushed than I would have liked. I've seen her go into a bit more detail before on other Essentrics workouts. Maybe they wanted to keep things simple (less talk and more serious.)

I like both Sahra and Miranda, depending on the day (and my mood.)

Pam

[momofcha]

Originally Posted by JackieB

Shammy, I did order--with a friend from a check in to get the free shipping. I should have them by the weekend.

Jackie

Great idea! I ended up caving & getting season 8 to get my FS. I need to return the DVD I borrowed anyway. Hopefully I'll get them by Friday.

[mizach]

I just ordered the new ones + CS Season 8.
I can justify buying therapeutic workouts.

[Pam61]

OH yeah...Season 8 = AWESOME!

Pam