YOUR BODY BREAKTHRU VIDEO REVIEWS
The reviews are pouring in!
Read what people are saying about Your Body Breakthru the exciting new video series from Breakthru Fitness.
Your Best Body Circuit
November's Best Selling Video on CollageVideo.com
www.collagevideo.com
CollageVideo.com Visitor Review 5 Stars: You won't be bored here!! - I was really looking forward to this workout and I wasn't disappointed. There was not a muscle that did not get challenged here. I can see this high energy/quick changing routine being a little tricky for beginners, but for those like myself who have been at it for a long time and have tried them all- this should ramp it up a little. I love the new program that Michelle has developed and her team of inspiring ladies that she featured. I will be buying the others. Posted by Kelly on 2/5/2008.
CollageVideo.com Visitor Review 5 Stars: Great overall workout - I loved this video so much I decided to get two more of her videos. I am an instructor myself and I think Michelle has great cuing. I also found the testimonials to be motivating. It's nice to see other women meet their fitness goals.It gives me faith that I can too. I have a lot of exercise videos and this one is my favorite! Posted by Christina on 2/1/2008.
CollageVideo.com Visitor Review 5 Stars: Great Challenging Workout - This was a great total body workout with a high degree of intesity. I burned more calories in this workout than any other of my similar videos. I kept my heart rate up in the toning segments unlike in some other videos. I love the fact that it changes around so often becuase it keeps me from getting bored. Tough, but great. Posted by Natasha on 1/22/2008.
CollageVideo.com Visitor Review 5 Stars: Favorite new workour - I ordered a bunch of videos from collage last week, all instructors I had never ordered from. I ordered 2 of Michelle's tapes (this being one of them) and I am so glad I did. I reallly like her workouts, plus I feel like the strength moves are varied as opposed to the same old routines you get used to seeing in every workout. I really felt like I got a great workout and would definitely recommend this to anyone. Posted by Julie on 1/15/2008.
CollageVideo.com Visitor Review 5 Stars: One of my favorite! - This is an awesome workout. I love the fact that there is an express workout. It's very challenging, but fun! I will buy all three from this series! Posted by Rhonda on 12/29/2007.
Your Best Body Circuit - Michelle Dozois
by Paula Z
www.videofitnesstraining.com
Your Best Body Circuit - Michelle Dozois has designed an excellent circuit training workout by alternating short, high-energy cardio intervals with slightly longer strength training supersets. Six cardio/strength circuits are followed by an ab superset to provide an efficient total body workout in under an hour, including warm up and stretch. A second Express workout uses 4 of these circuits for a compact 35-minute total body workout. Michelle encourages the use of medium to heavy weights so that intermediates and advanced will challenge themselves enough to effect changes in body composition--i.e. build muscle to boost metabolism. Whichever version you choose, you'll find that Michelle's positive energy and inventive circuits will set you on the road to developing your best body.
| Workout Type |
circuit training: floor aerobics & weight training |
| Workout Time |
57 minutes
5 warm-up 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7.5, 7.5 cardio & strength circuits 6.5 abs 4.5 stretch |
| Equipment |
dumbbells, resistance band, floor mat |
| Fitness Level |
intermediate/advanced |
| Fitness Level |
intermediate/advanced
140 -142 bpms for cardio |
| Instructor |
Michelle Dozois |
| Copyright Date |
2007 |
| Rating |
5 out of 5 Stars |
The cardio combos are about 2.5 minutes each, and Michelle's novel approach is to split three combos over six circuits. This means you learn a short, energetic combo with high and low impact options, TIFT it twice, but don't repeat it on the second side until the next circuit. Somehow, taking a break for strength training makes the combo seem new all over again on the second side.
Michelle sequences the upper body work in alternating push-pull supersets, working back and biceps together, then chest and triceps -- twice each. Next, shoulders are paired with legs, and in the sixth circuit legs get all the attention. Michelle adds occasional balance challenges and rotational movements for the core, as well as sometimes combining lower and upper body exercises. The strength circuits vary from 3 to 4 minutes and include four or more exercises. Sets vary in length. In sets where heavy weights are used Michelle often varies the lifting tempo.
Exercise Video Review of the Week
For the week beginning November 12, 2007
by Paula Z
www.exercisevideosreviews.com
Michelle Dozois has designed Slim, Strong & Sexy Body Sculpt to help reshape your entire body in systematic, easy to follow fashion by mixing a blend of classic dumbbell exercises with innovative resistance band exercises, and sometimes using dumbbells and the band together. Two 30-minute workouts allow you to target upper body one day and lower body another, while simultaneously challenging your core with Pilates and ab exercises that are sprinkled throughout both workouts. Balance and coordination come into play too, since some exercises are done while standing on one foot, while others require that you follow a progression of movements, making small changes in the base exercise. This workout includes a big variety of advanced exercises with intermediate modifications. Multiple levels can benefit from this workout. Advanced can lift as heavy as possible for strength gains or lift lighter for a maintenance day workout, while intermediates can always strive toward performing the hardest version of everything.
The Upper Body & Core Workout is divided into 4 sections of about 7 minutes each. Section 1 opens with a short warm-up that efficiently warms the upper body, then focuses on back, chest, and shoulders twice (once with core) with four exercises. In section 2, the focus is on the pulling muscles with four different back exercises and one set of biceps curls. The pushing muscles, chest and triceps, are targeted with floor exercises in Section 3. After three different exercises for the chest, the triceps and core each get two sets of the same exercise. Shoulders and arms are the focus of Section 4, with three exercises for biceps, one for triceps and three sets for shoulders (one exercise is repeated). A short but thorough upper body stretch closes this section. Section 1 uses only the band for resistance. In the other three sections, the band, dumbbells and body weight are used. Although the core gets only one specific exercise (side planks) in Section 3, Michelle emphasizes the need to engage the core in every exercise performed.
The Lower Body & Core Workout is also divided into 4 sections of about 7 minutes each. Seven compound exercises are performed standing in Sections 1 and 2; isolation exercises are performed on the floor in Sections 3 and 4. Section 1 opens with another short warm-up that efficiently targets the muscles that will be used in the workout, followed by three exercises using three different types of resistance: body weight squats, dumbbell deadlifts and one-legged balance hinges with the band. Section 2 alternates using dumbbells and the band during four long sets of lunges, squats and leg lifts. Pilates-inspired multiple-move leg exercises with the band open Section 3, followed by a core exercise and a combo glute/ham/core exercise. In Section 4, core and legs are again worked simultaneously with 4 more Pilates-style exercises that progressively add more moves to the base exercise. A brief lower body stretch closes this section.
Who's it for?
Experienced exercisers who are comfortable with dumbbell strength training and basic squats, lunges should find the new twists on basic moves, the combination exercises, and learning how to use a resistance band fun and challenging. Beginners to exercise should start elsewhere, since even some of the easy options still require good core strength, balance and coordination, and the volume of work could be overwhelming for someone just starting out.
Best features:
The huge variety of exercises and use of the band delivers a solid workout that can be made easier or harder depending on your fitness level and energy that day.
Excellent instruction from Michelle and real-life motivation from her crew members. They are inspirational role models.
Resistance band is included.
What needs improvement?
Unlike the other workouts in the Your Body Breakthru set, this DVD doesn't offer a shorter Express workout. If you need to shorten it, you can use the Chapters menu to pick and choose the sections you want, or use your chapter skip button. However, when a chapter is finished, you're not returned to the menu. Rather, the workout keeps playing in order, so if you're not paying attention, you'll find yourself doing more than you wanted. Sometimes, at the end of a section, a "page turn" starts the next section, so that's a good place to return to the menu.
A menu that would allow you customize the order of the sections and to intermix the upper and lower body workouts would make this workout a bit more versatile.
More information on the Chapters menu would make it easier to choose exactly what you want. Since the upper body chapters focus on different muscle groups it would be handy if that were listed on the menu so you could find what you want easily. Since the workouts are only half an hour perhaps Michelle figured that most people wouldn't be choosing individual chapters very much.
More instruction about (and other options for) curtsey lunges, deadlifts, and the plie/fencer's lunge combo would be helpful for those with knee issues. These are advanced exercises that may not work well for everyone.
How's the instruction?
Michelle moves along smoothly and quickly, wasting no time between exercises. She's chosen band exercises that set up easily and fluidly, so the workout has a good flow to it. Michelle's delivery is straightforward, friendly and helpful. She's never gushy or silly. With over 18 video workouts under her belt she's learned to let her personality shine through.
Set & Crew
Michelle's crew is composed of four members of her gym who've had success using her Your Body Breakthru program over a period of time. They all certainly look fit and trim and perform the exercises well. Guisy demos the easier modifications for many exercises. If these busy women can fit regular exercise into their busy schedules, there's no reason why you can't too. For inspiration, you can listen to their personal stories in the Testimonials section.
Will I do it again?
Sure, it's fun, it's fast and it's effective.
Rating
A few minor points keep this workout from earning a perfect score. All in all it's a worthy addition to the Your Body Breakthru set.
Special Thanksgiving Exercise DVD Show.
Dr. Fitness and the Fat Guy Weight Loss Radio Podcast from Atlanta, GA
Fri, 23 November 2007
Featuring Michelle Dozois, Tracey Mallett and Patricia Moreno
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On tonight's very special Thanksgiving Show, Dr Fitness and the Fat Guy get the skinny about all things exercise dvds from three of the best selling exercise dvd instructors in America and the world. First up we had Michelle Dozois from Breakthru Fitness in the studio. Michelle's newest home workout series that will help you lose weight, burn fat and get a Breakthru Body! This amazing 3 dvd series will definitely get you moving and will help you achieve your fitness and weight loss goals. In addition to fitness and pilates, Michelle also shared a truly moving story about how her family has been dealing with an autistic child. Her child had an amazing breakthrough as a result of some fairly simple nutrition modifications and Michelle talked about that. she also shared her feelings about how grateful she was for Jenny McCarthy's book and story because it has really shined a bight light on autism and has really gotten some alternative methods of dealing with autism out into the public eye. Please go to Michelle's websitewww.breakthrufitness.com for more information.
Keeping it off (the fat, that is) Review of Rockin Body Cardio
www.keeping-it-off.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Another awesome workout from Michelle Dozois's Your Body Break Through Series. 51 minutes of intense cardio. Like the circuit training workout there is an express option and like that workout it is less intense and not just because it’s shorter; the chapter selections chosen for the express workout are a little less intense. This is a good thing when doing the full workout, because these circuits alternate with the slightly more intense ones, so you are ready to take the intensity down a notch. One thing I like about this workout is that unlike all my other super-intense cardios, there is no plyometrics. I don’t mind plyometrics, but what I don’t like is it seems that people can’t think up a way to do intense cardio without them. And well, sometimes I get sick of plyo after plyo after plyo (even Michelle is not immune to this--plenty of her cardio in other workouts have "atomic lunges"). Michelle has figured it out in this one. I can see how alternating between her cardio and her circuit training DVD (the full workouts, not the express options) can get you in super shape in a short amount of time. Another winner!
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