Body Flex??????

[fitmommy]

I'm not just talking about the ab workout from laughing--but has anyone actually used this and had results? I was always under the impression that it was just "breathing to lose weight", and so I never gave it a second look.

It appears to be isometric holds with deep forceful breathing. There seem to be some similarities with Kundalini yoga and Callanetics. Just wondering if anyone has any input on this??

Thanks!

[pollytc]

I forgot all about this! About 20 years ago I had this and some other similar dvd where you do holds and breathing. I for sure had the Body Flex book, and the other one I'm thinking of were videos. The gal from Body Flex now puts me in mind of Jari.

[Demeris]

I had body flex about 15 years ago. I did it regularly, and I was never more flexible. I didn't notice any other benefits, though.

[fagiles]

I have a friend has used it for years every morning before work. I guess it must be working for her

felecia

[cristinalatina]

I would never use it because I believe breath holding is very unhealthy. I've done Oxycise because I was looking for ways to engage the transverse abdominis after pregnancy. Blowing engages this puscle very effectively, and I was looking to help my diastasis recti (split) by engaging the transverse. Just think of the blowing Burr Leonard has you do during ab exercises. To be honest I didn't have success. The breaths did help relax me, but that was it. I gave up the exercises after a month and turned to T-tapp for the diastasis and did have a small improvement.

[kristiep]

No results from Body Flex from a fitness perspective, but I use the breathing technique to cure hiccups. Totally true!

[Sarah-lara]

It came with a guide suggesting you walk 30 minutes/day and also eat well. You were to do the Bodyflex twice/day, and it was, IIRC, 15 minutes each time. I am not saying there's no way to get results from that; I am saying you could do that without getting Bodyflex -- just do some light yoga or meditation that involves deep breathing for up to 30 min/day and add a half hour walk. I think this DIY version is better because the high cheese factor of the original Bodyflex makes it hard for anybody to do it for the long term, especially if you don't live alone.

She later added a resistance band type of trainer too.

[jackie7]

I did bodyflex and lost a lot of inches. I had originally started doing that breathing 38 years ago. Richard Hittleman, a yoga teacher on TV, did it in his daily show.

I had to stop doing it because I would get a diverticulus attack a day or two after doing it. Turns out my fibroid uterus was causing a narrowing in my intestine. I am thinking of trying it again since my uterus was taken out.

[Debbie S.]

Nauli:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHtNn0jKk0w

Lion's pose:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47GlhLYyLiA

I know Body Flex has been the main joke here at VF for years, but I think Greer was ahead of her time. Her deep breathing technique is based on yoga's Nauli/stomach vacuum done with isometric holds. She also used Lion's pose and other yoga exercises. You do get your heart rate up and work up quite a sweat during the workout.

Like, Kristie, I still use her breathing technique and Oxycise's breathing technique. Both are excellent breathing techniques. I use Oxycise to help clear my sinuses.

[fitmommy]

Originally Posted by kristiep

No results from Body Flex from a fitness perspective, but I use the breathing technique to cure hiccups. Totally true!

lol--now that's functional fitness!!

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to give it a try in the mornings, since I'm not up to much moving around first thing in the morning