REVIEW: Shape Up With Sharon: Circuit Training

Shape Up With Sharon: Circuit Training
Sharon Mann, 2002 

This is a 40 minute interval workout taken from Sharon's TV show. There are 4 background exercisers, each working out on their own little raised platform. Two show beginner modificaitons, 2 show advanced mods, and Sharon usually does intermediate versions of the exercises. I used this dvd as a lower body workout because it seems to focus on lower body.

She goes right into a set of weighted squats and lunges that will really work your lower body! I didnt even use my heavy weights and think I will feel this tomorrow. She focuses on functional movement in this workout and it does have a somewhat functional feel to it.

After that first set of lower body work she goes into some high intensity interval training. I really get my heartrate up in this section if I give it my all. She does some high intensity moves and then gives you some time to get your heartrate back down before moving on to another set of high intensity (tough) cardio work.

After the cardio segment you go into some more strength moves, some on the floor and some standing. Since I used this as a lower body workout I used very light weights for the short amount of upper body work, then added dumbbells for the unweighted lunge segment towards the end. She includes some bicep work, side plank variations, squats, military press w/ lunges, rotator cuff work, some pushups, and some V sits, and other ab work.

After about 36 minutes she starts a cooldown stretch. I would rate this a low advanced workout because of the beginning cardio segment. The strength work is not is not killer but effective IMO. The side plank section is also quite tough. Sharon cues well and has a nice upbeat personality.

I like this workout and for me, finding its place (a lower body workout) will make it more usable to me. Trying to use it as a total body strength w/o didnt work and its long enough that I cant add on enough other to make that work either. I add some additional lower body and ab work to fill my hour slot and this makes a great lower body + cardio workout.