A 40-minute walking-style workout, divided into 10-minute, stand-alone chunks. The instructor is Madeleine Lewis.

Beginning exercisers — the moves are pretty easy and the intensity is just right for those starting out. Three of the segments feature some lower body toning moves at the end, with the option of using a pair of dumbbells or a body bar. You will need a mat for the last, stretching segment if you are working out on a hard surface.

With beginner's workouts, it's important to strike a balance: you want it intense enough to raise your heart rate, but not so intense that you won't want to come back to it. You want easy moves, but you don't want it so basic that it becomes boring after the first couple of run-throughs. This DVD featuring Madeleine Lewis seems to have all that covered. This group of routines can be done in 10-minute segments or strung together for a satisfying 40-minute workout. The first segment is the easiest and makes a good warm-up. The next two cardio segments pump up the intensity a bit, and the final segment is a cool-down stretch that can be done after any of the routines, if you're just doing one, or on its own. As opposed to the more basic walking-type workouts a la Leslie Sansone, Lewis offers a slightly dancier (but still easy) set of moves. There are two modifiers — one doing lighter versions of the moves for those who are getting too out of breath, and one that includes a little hopping for those who need more of a challenge. Each of the first three segments end with a few lower-body exercises, and you can use either light dumbbells or a body bar if you want. The cool-down stretch is really a necessity, whether you're doing all three workouts or just one. Stretching is a good idea after any exercise, to keep your muscles supple and to avoid injury. None of the cardio segments include a stretch (at just 10 minutes there really isn't time), so either end your workout with the final segment, or stretch on your own.

 

Note: Also repackaged as Cardio Burn

 

 

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