Book Reviews and More: Fitness

Showing posts with label Fitness. Show all posts

Tuesday, 7 May 2024

Fitness My Gear May 2024

Fitness My Gear April 2024

This post is an update of one written back in 2012. Over the years some gear has been added and some has been removed. Having spend the better part of 6 months on crutches late in 2023, and early 2024. I am basically starting my fitness journey again. Over the years I have has successes and setbacks. Starting about 6 years ago I started having problems with sprained knees or water on the knees. At the time I was doing Karate with the kids. And trying to compensate for the knees I caused some ankle issues, and plantar fasciitis. It was not until after prolonged time on crutches that I have really committed to getting back in shape. And now in my mid-50's I need to pay a lot more attention to my body, and to what doctors recommend.

Because I work out predominantly at home I often get asked about the gear I use. In the past I have written some specific articles on specific pieces this will be a piece on what I have and use currently.

PowerBlock's

I wrote a separate review of my PowerBlock set a while ago. My set replaces 28 pairs of dumbbells and 2565lbs of free weights. The set of dumbbells replaced by this kit is:

2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 17.5, 20, 25, 27.5, 30, 35, 37.5, 40, 45, 47.5, 50, 55, 57.5, 60, 65, 67.5, 70, 75, 77.5, 80, 85, 87.5 and 90lbs.

This set is expandable by another 30lbs per side but at the current cost I doubt I will ever do it.

PowerBlock Barbell

PowerBlock no longer sells this and it only works with the older Pro and Elite sets of Powerblock But I love it.

PowerBlock KettleBlock

PowerBlock makes two different models of the KettleBlock. A 20LB model and the 40, the 40 is also upgradeable to 55. It is a great tool. The weights included are:

8, 12, 16, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40

It was a great investment. I wish the handle could take cores like the regular PowerBlock's. If you have newer Urethane sets you can buy a Kettle Handle for your normal weights, will be rectangle not square but they will get the job done. I really want the upgrade to take these to 55lbs.

York Barbell 306 Inline-to-Decline Bench

I got this bench this year for Christmas as an upgrade for an older Model York. It has no uprights for bench or squat use, but the variety of positions make up for that. It has 5 different back positions and 3 different seat positions. Best bang for the buck at $145 and for another $99 a preacher curl attachment.

Thera-Band Bands

Various lengths and resistance also a door anchor. I have short ones tied with loops for leg lifts and longer ones for pulls.

Nike Medicine Balls

I tried a lot of different size and styles of medicine balls before I decided on the Nike Balls. I love the weight, slight variations in size and that they are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. I have added mine slowly over time and currently have:

4, 6, 8, 10 pound balls.

They have held up very well and I love them. I want to add more.

Fitter First Balance Board

This is my newest piece of equipment. I got it because I have small feet and have injured my ankles in the past. I am using this to help strengthen them and develop better balance. Currently I am just using it for body weight but plan on eventually adding weighted exercises.

Manduka Black Mat Pro

Back when I was teaching Yoga I was using this mat for over 10 hours a week and used it at work, at hot yoga and at home. It had never developed a funky smell. It is thing and supportive. It is great for stretching, plyometrics, and other floor exercises.

Gaiam Exercise Block

My flexibility sucks. But I like using these they help me get towards poses that I just cannot do yet. With the three different sides there are progression they let me keep trying and improving.

PowerStands

These were one of the best investments I ever made. They have changed the design since I got mine. I tried numerous before buying these

TRX Force Kit Tactical

Sometimes you encounter something so great you just cannot stop talking about it. To be honest, that is how I feel about the TRX Suspension Training System. It is one of the best investments I have ever made for health and fitness gear. The versatility and flexibility of this piece of equipment combined with the portability and 'workout anywhere' option make it truly amazing.

Adjustable Weighted Vest 40lbs

The vest is easy to put on and easy to remove. Adding and removing weights is very simple as well. It is easy to clean and the construction is excellent. I expect this product to last for years to come. Very satisfied with the purchase.

ONETWOFIT 48" Silent Mini Trampoline

A few years back I read a couple of books about Rebound Fitness, or using a mini trampoline for fitness. The science in the books is very convincing. But the books also specifically talked about what type of trampolines to use and not use. You can pick up mini trampolines for a cheap as $50 and as expensive as $1000. This one is not bargain priced nor is it overly expensive. It has been used for about 6 years, by myself, my wife and all three kids. I still have not got to 3 sessions of 5 minutes a day, but am back using it most days.

Team Body Project

I have been using the workout videos from TBP for 6 years now, off and on. I was having some good success and then injuries set me back. What I love is a lot of their workouts have a knee friendly modification. I have done a number of programs from them and even recently started back just doing some seated workouts to start moving again. For all my reviews of TBP plans click here. I love the app on my phone and tablet, or using it through a web browser for the TV, or using it on the computer.

Infrared and Near Infrared Light Therapy

This has been a huge gamechanger for me this year. I was doing therapy at a podiatrist last year and was pay $50 for 18 minutes of treatment, 9 minutes infrared and 9 minutes ultrasound. I started doing so research as the infrared really seemed to be helping. With some birthday money I purchased this:

Red Light Lamp Belt, Hottoerak Red Light & Near Infrared Light Lamp Belt

It made a huge difference. I was doing about an hour a day, 10 minutes on each knee, ankle, and foot. Within a week my feet and knees were feeling better than they have in years. So I stepped up the game and purchased:

Red Light Lamp, 180LEDs Near Infrared Light Lamp with Stand

Now most days I try and spend 20 minutes doing whole body and if I am having any issues with knees, feet, shoulder I give them some extra attention with the other model.

Update May 14: The Rebounder has moved to the master bedroom so my wife can use it as well. And the TRX was mounted in the garage weight room to give more pull options.

Tuesday, 25 July 2023

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume 1 St. Matthew - Father Mark Goring CC

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal:

Volume 1 - St. Matthew

Fr. Mark Goring CC

Companions of the Cross

ISBN 9781090489593

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume 1 - St. Matthew Fr. Mark Goring CC

This is the seventh volume I have read by Father Mark Going, and I have read at twice that number from his Saint Mark’s School of Reading. This is a brand new volume and from the title obviously one in a series. I am assuming there will be future volumes on Mark, Luke, and John. With each volume I have read by Father Mark, I have been blessed and this is an excellent offering well worth picking up. In fact my youngest two children liked the idea so much I picked up copies for them and they are about a week behind me in working through the 40 day.

The description of the book is:

“Congratulations on taking up the 40 Day Freedom Walk Challenge! This challenge is for people who want to be free—free from a bad habit, a stubborn sin, or unwanted attitude.

There are seven keys that will make this program effective.

The first key on this path to freedom is walking every day. Your daily walk can be done in whatever way suits you.

The second key is daily journaling. Journaling every day for 40 days will help you maintain your resolve.”

The sections in the book are:

Seven Keys to Freedom

Other Points

Days 1-41

Each of the days is designed with the same sections and on sets days an extra section for Celebration of milestones. Those sections are:

"Day XX

Date:

Do Not Worry About Tomorrow!

Bible Verse

Did I send my daily report?

Good Deed?

Pre-walk Notes:

Post-Walk Notes:

Did I pour out my heart to the Lord?

Did I Listen to the intuition of my heart?

Did I reflect on today's scripture?

What did God say?

Walk highlights:

Notes:

Data:

Destination ideas:

Celebration ideas: "

With checkboxes next to several them or space to write your notes. I admit I struggled with destination ideas and celebration ideas. And repeated them often, some repeat destinations were Knock, Fatima, Compostela, and the Oratory in Montreal. I also made a digital version of the daily template and did my journaling in OneNote.

What I loved most was that this book was life changing for me both spiritually and physically. I really did not expect to make it through the 40 days of walking. A few years back I sprained both my knees a few times over an 18-month period doing Karate with my kids. I had given up on exercising other than weights because they kept swelling up randomly. Doctors said I was too young for replacements so just wait 10 years and take it easy.

Each of the first four weeks I doubled my steps over the starting week. I was 2000 steps week 1, 4000 week 2, 6000 week 3, and 8000 week 4 and am now between 8500 and 12000 a day. I want to thank Father Mark so much, for the challenge and the inspiration. As mentioned, I bought extra copies of the book and my 12 year old and my 14 year old are doing their own challenge as well. I have gone from under 2000 steps a day to over 8k on average. And it all starts with the prayer walk. My brother who lives in Kingston has also started walking again even dealing with a back injury from his time in the military. I checked in with my brother and my youngest two each day after my first walk.

Because of my past injuries and work and life schedule some days I have to do 2-4 shorter walks, but I have had walks over 100 minutes in a sitting for the first time in years. And the prayer benefits have been even more rewarding.

I often pray a rosary and divine mercy chaplet along with an audio. And often when doing yard work or cleaning listen to a book. Using this book from Father Mark my first walk or first 30 minutes of a walk is quiet prayer time. No distractions. Just praying and listening.

This book took a good prayer life and made it even better. It helped me get more active for the first time in a few years. And that is having benefits in all other areas of my life. I can easily recommend this book, and guarantee that you will not be the same after the 40 days. It is an amazing resource so pick up a copy or pick up a few and give them to friends and family. I believe this is a book any Catholic, any Christian would benefit from praying through over 40 days!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Mark Goring:

St. Joseph the Protector: A nine-day preparation for entrustment to St. Joseph

In His Zone: 7 Principles for Thriving in Solitude

Hold My Beer: An Apocalypse

You're not a Chicken

Proverbs Douay Rheims Bible Version

72 Crew: Manual 1st Edition

Poems for the Soul: Susan M. Werner

Mary in Your Home

...

Journal's by Father Mark:

Treasure In Heaven: Journal Edition

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume I St. Matthew

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume II St. Mark

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume III St. Luke Workman Edition

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume IV St. John Life is Good Edition

I Love Journal

…

Notebooks by Father Mark:

Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2018

Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2019

Sparkly Star Notebook

...

Non-English Editions:

San Jose el Protector: Una Preparacion de Nueve Dias para Consagrarse a San Jose

Duc Thanh Giuse Dang Bao Tro: Chin Ngay Chuan Bi de Dang Minh Cho Duc Thanh Giuse

…

Father Marks - Saint Marks School of Reading

Father Marks - Saint Marks School of Reading The Reading List

...

Friday, 22 April 2022

Love Yourself, So...Hate the Weight! - Brother Craig Driscoll - 100 Diet, Metabolic-Rate-Enhancing and Exercise Tips That Really Work!

Love Yourself, So...Hate the Weight!

100 Diet, Metabolic-Rate-Enhancing and Exercise Tips That Really Work!

Brother Craig Driscoll

Woodbridge Press

ISBN 0880072156

ISBN 9780880072151

This volume ended in my 'Did Not Finish Pile' I have read a few of Brother Craig's books on prayer and thought they were pretty good. I could use losing a few pounds. I picked this up on a few occasions but the errors and bad advice was too much. I have been a certified fitness instructor, and read many books on health and fitness. but the arrogance in this volume ... just wow!

“11. You will lose Weight.

If you do all the things I mention here, my personal experience tells me you will lose weight! If it doesn't seem to be working, please check to see which part you've omitted, or neglected.”

People need to find what works for them. If health was a one size fits all the fitness industry would not be worth billions of dollars. Another example:

“9. Eat Breakfast!

Don’t skip it. I can tell you from personal experience that breakfast boosts energy and makes me feel better. You may have observed, as I have, that people who skip breakfast often make up the calories by eating more later in the day!”

This advice again might be good for some people but not all. I know several people who follow the 2 meal a day plan, or practice Intermittent Fasting that have no issues with skipping breakfast and in fact do better doing so. A final example is:

“10. Don’t eat fattening foods! Don’t Do it!

That should be emblazoned on your refrigerator and your food cabinets (although, really, there shouldn’t be any fattening foods in the house! When you go out always carry low-calorie, fat-free food with you-so you won’t turn to high-calorie or high-fat food as snacks.”

Again many people who practice Paleo or Keto do the opposite of this to great results; both in the short term or long term. The book is 100 points along those lines about what worked for Brother Craig, but they will not work for all and some contradict clear scientific studies and practices. I cannot even in good conscience say this book is worth picking up for any reason. And I feel sorry for anyone who bought into Brother Craig’s ‘Love yourself, so … Hate the Weight!’ seminars.

I enjoyed the two books on prayer by Brother Craig that I have read but with my low opinion of this book, I am not sure I will pick up his remaining books on prayer and spirituality. That is how little I think of this book. This is the worse type of pop culture fitness fad material. A terribly disappointing volume!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

p.s. part of me does not even want to list this as a book I read but I want to put the warning out there.

Books by Brother Craig Driscoll:

Thoughts on Prayer

Conversational Prayer

Of the Cross a Biography of Blessed Edith Stein

Our Lady, an Angel, and Sister Agnes: the story of the wondrous events at Akita, Japan

Thérèse, teacher of Prayer

The Coming Chastisement

Love Yourself, So...Hate the Weight!

…

Wednesday, 23 March 2022

Eat Stop Eat - Brad Pilon

Eat Stop Eat:

Revised Edition

Brad Pilon

ISBN 9781775110804

ASIN B076134V88

First I have followed Brad Pilon on social media for many years. Second I know his advice works because I know several people who have had success using his lifestyle. Third, I really wish I had picked this us and read it years ago. The description of this book is:

“The Official Eat Stop Eat by Brad Pilon. Thousands of books have been written about the unique benefits of Intermittent Fasting and its ability to help people lose weight and improve health, but Eat Stop Eat was one of the first. Far from being just another fad, Eat Stop Eat is your indispensable guide to the latest science behind using intermittent fasting for simple yet effective weight loss, without unneeded complexity or the need to deprive yourself of the foods you love to eat.”

And the chapters are:

A Special Note on This Edition

Preface

How It All Started

Introduction

The Fasted State

The Disappearance of the Fasted State

Forget Everything You Have Ever Read about Fasting

Fasting and Your Metabolism

Fasting and Exercise

Fasting and Your Brain

Fasting and Your Muscle Mass

Fasting and Hunger

Fasting and Blood Sugar Levels

Other Misconceptions of Fasting

The Health Benefits of Fasting

Health Benefits – The Conclusion

The Eat Stop Eat Way of Life

How to Fast Eat Stop Eat Style

Eat Stop Eat – Why Not Longer Fasts?

How to Eat, Eat Stop Eat Style

What to Do While Fasting

Fasting and Women (Special Considerations)

How to Work Out with Eat Stop Eat

Designing Your Own Workout Program

Other Health Benefits of Exercise

How to “Keep It Off” with Eat Stop Eat

Eat Stop Eat as a Form of Physical Training

Eat Stop Eat Conclusions

Eat Stop Eat FAQs

References

I am uncertain why it took me so long to get around to reading this book. As a practicing Catholic I have no issues with fasting. I have lost serious weight each of the past three decades. And now in my mid 50’s I can’t hammer my body the way I did when I was 20, 30, or even 40. Old injuries from sports have come back and haunt me. Aches and pains had become a norm. I though about the success with this method that friends and even my younger brother have had and I decided to go back and start at the beginning. I only highlighted one passage my first time through this book:

“I am not going to tell you that sugar is the cause of our obesity problem, because it’s not—neither is fat. Part of the cause of our obesity problem is that we are failing to realize that we’re looking for the answer in the wrong places.

Obesity is not created by one specific macronutrient in our diet. In fact, it’s not the diet at all. In my opinion, the number one cause of our obesity epidemic is abundance. There simply is too much food available for us to consume. As I said earlier, each day in the United States, the food industry produces enough food to supply every single person with almost 4,000 calories (almost double what we typically need in a day).”

This section from the chapter ‘The Eat Stop Eat Way of Life’ is about half way through the book. Once I got started I had a really hard time putting the book down. But in order to really process the material I read it over several days. The advice in this volume is excellent. I love that Brad does not provide meal plans, workout plans, or a list of key steps to follow. What he does provide is sound advice, gleamed from years of research and personal practice. The advice is down to earth. It is about learning to have a healthy relationship with food. To be moving or lifting. And to find a balance. Something you can maintain long term.

I regret not having read this book years ago. But I am thankful I finally picked it up and have read it, and now I am starting to applies the lessons learned. I can easily recommend this book.

Books by Brad Pilon:

Dirty Dozen -Top 12 Obsession Compulsive Eating Habits and How To Break Free

Eat Stop Eat

Eat Stop Eat Progressions

Flat Belly Forever

Good Belly Bad Belly

How Much Protein

The Air You Breathe

The Book on Heat

The Ten Day Diet Solution

Thin From Within

…

Thursday, 20 May 2021

Physique After 50 - Scott Abel

Physique After 50

How to Use Resistance Training to Feel Younger, Maintain Muscle & Fight the Effects of Aging

Scott Abel

ISBN 9781539497738

eISBN 9781539497738

ASIN B01MDLNGIP

Over the years I have read many books on health and fitness. And most of them I have learned from and appreciated. A few were transformative. I have high hopes for the impact of this volume. It was recommended by a friend, and I have since recommended it to several friends, and even my youngest brother. I was already well aware that how I trained in my teens and 20’s did not work in 30’s and 40’s; but I was not prepared for the difference in my 50’s. For about 4 years now I have had nagging injury after injury, or repeated injury. I have sprained both knees at least 3 times. What we called ‘water on the knee’ when I was in competitive sports. Back then they would rain it off and I would be back out on the field. The Doctor’s now say it is swollen to protect it. Take it easy, stay off it. Rest, elevate, ice, repeat.

This book has really opened my eyes to the difference as we age, and how we need to train different, smarter, better. And it has helped me to create a more realistic training plan for my age and limitations. The chapters in this book are:

Introduction

he Realities of Aging, Muscle Loss and Sarcopenia

What Form of Training is Best?

Forget About It

Crucial Considerations

Safety and Injury Prevention

Lifestyle

How to Balance Rest and Recovery

Bodypart-Specific Training Tweaks

A Program for Physique After 50

Conclusion

The Programs

3-Day Per Week Beginner Program

Hardgainer Solution Workouts

6-Day Physique After 50 Program

A few of the passages I highlighted were:

““Physique after 50” is not just simply a cosmetic solution for our age group. It’s also a cautionary tale of what happens when people let life get ahead of them. They end up leading “reactive” lives, rather than lives of design.”

“The fitness lifestyle isn’t about living longer; it’s about living better with the time you are given.”

“Sarcopenia presents a host of issues that include weakness, fatigue, lack of stamina, lack of vitality and verve, diabetes, and effects of previous injuries. There are several that deserve focus.”

What is Sarcopenia you might ask? One definition is:

“Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Although it is primarily a disease of the elderly, its development may be associated with conditions that are not exclusively seen in older persons.”

Yes we are getting older. And that causes changes. But a book like this will give us tools to help counter some of those effects and maybe even reverse them. I no longer aspire to be in competitive shape. But I do want to be in better shape than I am, for my wife and four children. I want to be healthier and happier. And this volume provides tools to help work towards that goal. For me the workouts at the end of the book are a good starting place. I just wish he had options for just free weights. All the work outs focus around body weight, dumbbells and pullies. I do not have pullies but have great PowerBlock's so plan to modify. I will use those combined with workouts from Team Body Project, and a lot more walking.

As mentioned, I have recommended this book to several people. One just into his 40’s but I told him I wish I had read something like this 10 years ago, and because of his recent injuries it was a big selling point. I will not apply all the information from this book, but a lot of it is applicable. It is an excellent read that I benefited from. And I can recommend it with no qualms or hesitations. If you are in your 50’s or even approaching them, consider giving it a read to help with your health and wellness goals.

Books by Scott Able:

The Abel Approach

Better Abs, Stronger Core

The Busy Woman’s Train-at-Home Program

The Hardgainer Solution

How to Train for a Better Physique

The MET Workshop Workbook

Intro to MET

The Slingshot Program

Your First Proper 6-Day Bodybuilding Training Program

The Anti-Diet Approach

Beyond Metabolism

The Cycle Diet

Metabolic Damage

Permanent Weight Loss

Understanding Metabolism

How to Be An Insanely Good Fitness Coach

The Mindset of Achievement

Zen Fitness, Tao Health

Physique After 50

…

Wednesday, 22 January 2020

Four Favourite Workouts - Team Body Project - Alex and Daniel Bartlett

Four Favourite Workouts
Team Body Project
Alex and Daniel Bartlett

I have now completed 9 workout plans with TBP and as of the posting of this review worked 6 months straight using TBP videos. I love following the plans, but there are a few workouts I use for active rest days, or when time is very crunched, and I just want and need to hit play. Three of those workouts are stand alone, and the fourth is part of a plan I have not done yet. This review will focus on four individual workouts: Flow, Power Flow, Warrior Stretch, and Resistance Roar.

This past summer I wrote a piece called Starting Over in Southwestern Ontario! A Fitness Update! What I started with was the workout videos from team Body Project, and specifically Real Start Just Move. You can watch that video on YouTube, or even workout with it. I had been a member of Team Body Project for three years now, but only just started the videos. I am in my 50th year, and I really needed to get back at it. And the TBP plans have been a great way to do that. And these specific workouts are my default fall back when on off days from plans or between plans. Even when I have had flare ups with my knee I have I been able to do something and move every day.

Flow

I love this workout. My goal is to get to the point where I start my day each morning at 430am with this and Warrior Stretch, and then have my main workout in the evening. This is a great 16-minute routine that stretches and moves the whole body. It incorporates both static stretching and dynamic stretching and some active movement. For this workout all you need is the app with the workout downloaded, and any device with internet access. The focus is a low impact mobilization stretch workout. And it is set to classical music.

Power Flow

This workout was released as a celebration of 300K followers on YouTube. There is the option of light dumbbells for a resistance section. It has classical music like Flow, but the music is live with a sting quartet playing as Daniel leads us through the exercises. This workout includes sections focusing on: Boxing, Cardio, Circuit, Low impact, Resistance, Standing, Stretching. This workout is 17 minutes long.

Warrior Stretch

The Warrior plan is a two-week Resistance Boxing plan, but it is designed to be done over and over again. I found this workout by filtering on mobilization. Once I tried It I loved it, and I have done it over 40 times. Either on active rest days or as an add on before or after other workouts. It was a great one to fall back on while travelling recently and in a very small room. You do not need any equipment and it is an excellent 19 minutes. As Daniel says if we do not use it we lose it and in this workout we move the whole body in several different ways.

Resistance Roar

At the time of completing this review I have only done this workout twice. But I plan to do it monthly as a test. And I always feel incredible after completing it. This workout is 10 rounds, 10 exercises 10 reps. In and hour and 11 minutes. Yes, you read that correctly 1000 reps full body resistance. The first time I did this I did 10lbs, the second 15, next time I will be doing 17.5. This workout is my new baseline. Daniel does a few exercises on the floor. With my knee injury I find getting down and up from the floor hard. And I used a bench. My son did this with me last time using 7.5lbs and he did it on the floor. It is a great workout.

Those are my favourite workouts so far during my half year working out with Team Body Project. If you use TBP and have a favorite share it in the comments or shoot me a message.

Now it must be noticed that all 4 of these workouts are available through the paid membership. You can join for free and will have access to a lot of workouts and the first week from some of the plans. But to access everything you will need a paid membership. Currently you can even gift a 3 month, one year, or lifetime membership.

Team Body Project is a website, an app and a community. And the community is part of what makes this an excellent resource for your health and fitness. The private community on Facebook and the forums on the website are very supportive and encouraging. But what really helped me is that the workouts in the Real Start program are geared for anyone.

And as I always conclude a TBP review, do not just take my word for it check out Kylie Young’s story or the other testimonials on the site. I can say that TBP is one of the best resources for health and fitness that I have ever come across.

This is another great program, especially for those of us who love an old school weight workout, but with a number of new twists. Thank you again, Alex and Daniel.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

Real Start Foundations - Team Body Project - Alex and Daniel Bartlett

Real Start Foundations
Team Body Project
Alex and Daniel Bartlett

I have now completed 9 workout plans with TBP and as of the posting of this review worked 6 months straight using TBP videos. And Real Start Foundations is an incredible plan. It has been designed for anyone, and I do mean anyone. This 1 week program has 5 workouts that vary in length from 22 to 32 minutes. There is a lot more instruction than any of the other plans or workouts I have done from TBP. Each of the workouts has someone doing a harder version, the instructor mixing it up, and Tarsh doing the entire workout in a chair. When I did these workouts, It was a very hard and stressful week at work. I was on call and there was not a lot of sleep. These workouts we much harder than I expected because of engagement, but also exactly what I needed. There are a couple of workouts in this plan I will use on active rest days, or days when my time gets crunched. They were all excellent.

As the ninth program from Team body project that I have completed this year, this is if modified easier than any of the others. It would have been a perfect place to start when I came off my sprained knee and started working out again last summer. And I have recommended it to a few friends, one who needs to get back into a habit, and another who has never really worked out at all.

The gear you will need:
Mat
Water
Towel
Dumbbells (optional)
Chair (optional)

The workouts are:

Week 1
Resistance Foundations
Cardio Foundations
Standing Pilates Foundations
Walking cardio Foundations
Circuit Foundations

I did this program because I knew it was going to be a crazy week. And because I wanted to review it and compare it to the other three Real Start programs, and other plans I have completed. (See links to reviews below.) I honestly was surprised by how hard I could make these workouts, and also how much I enjoyed them. This plan delivers on its commitment to 100% low impact. And if you do the seated version 0 impact. It is fun, engaging, and very informative. The teaching about the how and why’s by Daniel and Alex in this plan is excellent.

This past summer I wrote a piece called Starting Over in Southwestern Ontario! A Fitness Update! What I started with was the workout videos from team Body Project, and specifically Real Start Just Move. You can watch that video on YouTube, or even workout with it. I had been a member of Team Body Project for three years now, but only just started the videos. I am in my 50th year, and I really needed to get back at it. And the TBP plans have been a great way to do that. If you are starting or like me starting over again, this plan is an excellent place to begin.

Team Body Project is a website, an app and a community. And one of the best parts is the community. The supportive and encouraging community is part of what makes this an excellent resource for your health and fitness. The private community on Facebook and the forums on the website are very supportive and encouraging. But what really helped me is that the workouts in the Real Start programs are geared for anyone. And this one even more so. Each video has three participants. Daniel and Alex lead the videos and Tarsh and Mona. Mona usually works out at a harder pace, and Tarsh at a modified level, and seated. But even when you go beyond those programs, they always offer a less intense version. And pressing pause is encouraged if you need it.

As I always conclude a TBP review, do not just take my word for it check out Kylie Young’s story or the other testimonials on the site. I can say that TBP is one of the best resources for health and fitness that I have ever come across.

This is another great program, especially for those starting exercise for the first time or those starting over. Thank you again, Alex and Daniel.