Monday, April 26, 2010

Jennifer Galardi's Ballet Body Review



Review: Ballet Body, Jennifer Galardi, 2009

This dvd has 5 seperate segments that you can do individually or string together (play all). The total w/o time is just over 60 minutes including warmup and stretch. Jennifer works out in a nice open set w/ hardwood floors and pinkish windows in the background. There are 2 background exercisers-one shows beginner modifications. You will need one set of light/medium dumbbells for some of the sections. She recommends not wearing shoes-so I didnt! Love that. The music varies from upbeat classical to almost African sounding-it was all appropriate for each section and I really liked it.

Warmup: This is a very active, fluid warmup that gets the blood flowing nicely. It includes a solid pliet series and also works the arms because you are holding them out ballet style. You get some nice flowing stretching here as well. You could do this section on its own as a light w/o IMO.

Strength: You start with a close stance pliets, pliets variations & relevettes. Then she moves into some standing ab work that I really enjoyed-it was very different than what Im used to! Felt very effective! She does standing ab scoops, side bends, and portibra all with a ballet flair-very active and fluid. She moves into a tough curtsey dip with oblique squeeze sequence that I particularly enjoyed! Then she grabs her dumbbells for rotator cuffs work, V raises, bicep curl variations, and a behind the back tricep squeeze.

Balance: She starts the standing leg work with a mini rondejon with a glute sqeeze and moves into what, to me, felt like standing table work. From there you move into a plank-tri push-up-down dog series and finished with some tricep pushups that really fried my triceps. This section closes with some unique table work.

Floor Barre: You start with some lower body work done on the floor and move into a rollup (V sit) core exercise, leg raises, and rolling into a ball. My arms were also being worked in a lot of these moves (in this and other sections as well) because you are holding them out. You do some lying inner and outer thigh ballet type moves and finish with some killer standing leg lifts.

Stretch: The stretch was very nice and welcome! It was done lying and was definately dance inspired.

I would rate this an intermediate workout but I am no expert on ballet or barre. Collage rates it intermediate/ advanced. It was an awesome change of pace from my normal workouts and we all know variety is not only the spice of life-but our bodies NEED it to progress. I just adore Jen as a lead and I really enjoyed this workout. It didnt make me want to die but definately felt effective. This one is now on my wishlist!

50 comments:

  1. I follow your blog :)

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  2. I absolutely LOVE dance workouts of any kind... Bollywood, Belly Dance, Nia, but I think this would be a wonderful change of pace for me, and who doesn't want to learn a little ballet?

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  3. Me, too. I follow your blog
    almost religiously lately when home LOL

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  4. posted the giveaway on Facebook
    http://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=0b5c17618cc94b82a67e575f1d627c65&

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  5. I love workouts like this and Nia because I prefer to workout barefooted.

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  6. Yes - I am a big fan of your blog! Besides the video reviews, I especially enjoy the cat LOL's.

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  7. I would love to try a ballet workout. The only other workout I have that has any ballet in it is a segment of the Original 10 Min Solution and I was surprised how much I enjoy it.

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  8. The links are:
    1. Jen's livWhole web site.
    2. ExerciseTV page on Jen and her workouts.
    3.& 4. Facebook page to (I'm assuming) Jen's page/fan page - I'm not on Facebook so couldn't log in.

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  9. I tried to become a Facebook fan of Jennifer's but couldn't find the option :(

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  10. you get an entry for trying Barb!

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  11. Plus Lindsey, I am now officially following your blog on blogspot. Who knows? I may become a real blogger :)

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  12. Hey there Lindsey and Barb! Thank you so much for your support!
    You can find my fan page here:

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Galardi/105713996517?ref=ts

    Apparently though, there are no longer 'fan' pages. I guess now you 'like' someone or something. Who knows?!?! I'm just glad you are enjoying the ballet inspired workout!

    Best In Health and Happiness,
    Jennifer

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  13. I'm more of an aerobic kind of a gal but would give ballet a try if I win this.

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  14. Hi Lindsey I am blog follower. I found your blog via a thread on the video fitness forum.

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  15. When you click on the link for Jennifer Galardi leads to her website Livwhol.

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  16. The second link for exercise tv leads to thier website and a page featuring Jennifer and her workouts.

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  17. The third link labeled Jennifer leads to her face book page.

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  18. This workout is completely different from anything I have ever done. My normal workout choices are step, kickbox, and cardio coaches for outdoor walking/jogging. I also lift weights and I am beginning to try kettlebell workouts.

    I have seen Jenn on Fit Tv and have done her dance workouts from there on occasion. She has a great personality. Very fun, she makes you feel like you are hanging with a girl friend.

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  19. okie dokie, I *liked* Jennifer's facebook page :)
    Thanks to Jennifer and Lindsey for making me feel less Facebook clumsy!

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  20. I love the workout because usually satisfying exercise leaves me feeling everything but feminine. Jennifer's workout will have women feeling fit and graceful.

    Of course, ballet also improves posture so she'll have women walking taller and acting like they own the place!--I want to be one of them =)

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  21. The links are Jen's livWhole web site (which I regularly visit), ExerciseTV's page on Jen and Jen's Facebook Page (and, of course, I am a fan!).

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  22. Hi Lindsey! Jennifer's links are her website and Exercise TV.

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  23. I don't have Jennifer's workout yet, but I adore barre/ballet and I like Jennifer.

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  24. Posted about the giveaway on my facebook page!

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php

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  25. but I posted the giveaway on myspace!

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  26. hellwiggb-myspace will get you an extra entry too! Thanks :)

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  27. I follow your blog! love it!

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  28. I "liked" Jennifer's facebook page (and discovered her cool blog, to boot!)

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  29. Would love to win this because I've been eyeing it for a while, and she's so graceful and beautiful.

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  30. I follow your blog and was once your VF Secret Santa too! Laura

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  31. I became a Fan of Jennifer on Facebook or "like" as it's now called. Laura

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  32. I have just started with barre workouts and would love to try this one!

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  33. Jennifer's links:
    1. livWhole website selling Jen's DVDs
    2. ExerciseTV's website
    3. Jennifer's Facebook page
    Can you tell I would love to have this DVD?
    Laura

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  34. I would like this because I like Jennifer's upbeat personality and I appreciate that modifications are given! Laura

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  35. I really like barre workouts and have been looking for some more to add variety to my workouts. I think this one looks really good.

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  36. I think Jennifer Galardi is a wonderful dancer. I'm sure I would enjoy this DVD.

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  37. I like that it has a floor barre section

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  38. I looked at the links and they are,
    her livWhole website
    her ExerciseTV site
    and Jennifer's Facebook fan page

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  39. Curious (Laura) I still have that Hello Kitty Pez dispenser! Its on my desk right now :)

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  40. For my bonus entry..... I found a great looking recipe for a hearts of palm salad on Jennifer's blog -- can't wait to try it!

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  41. I found that hearts of palm salad too! It looks great!

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  42. I just Facebook liked Jennifer's page

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  43. I enjoy reading your Blog (found it when you were reviewing Stephanie's PowerFit Harmony workouts).

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  44. I like balance work and am intrigued by the standing table work

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