Tuesday - Charlene Prickett - Cardio Cross Trainer

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Doing the FIRM Classic workouts has gotten me back into my video closet - so I am re-discovering some older VHS workouts. Today I did Charlene Prickett's Cardio Cross Trainer which is 30 minutes of low impact and 30 minutes of step. I went with this format b/c I was really struggling w/ motivation, and bargained with myself by giving myself perrmission to stop after the first 30 min workout - well, as usual, once I got going I was fine and did the second 30 min workout as well.

The first workout is low impact aerobics - Charlene ups the intensity with large range of motion movement that do manage to get the HR up while keeping the impact low. A nice highlight of this workout is it is filmed outdoors in the Canadian Rockies. Charlene has two backgrounders with her - Duane (I feel sorry for him, he had zebra striped bike shorts on! and ( is a regular in Charlene's workouts - so is Duane for that matter - I think and Charlene are personal friends as well). Charlene is chatty and interacts with her background exercisers, but it is not annoying - it is mostly informative talk about exercising and it is pleasnt overall - feels like you're workng out w/ your own buddies.

The second workout is step - also filmed outdoors, but on a cloudy/foggy day. Duane is back and there is another woman (I don't recall her name). The step workout is a bit tougher aerobically than the low impact routine - I used an 8 inch step since generally Charlene's stepping pace is slower than say Cathe's. Charlene used a 10 inch step - she does that fairly often! The choreography is basic to moderate - she isn't hard to follow and she teaches in an add-on style.

I'd rate this one to be intermediate t high intermediate (a solid intermediate level for low impact and high intermediate level for step).

I may pull out more of Charlene's workouts this week - I forgot how much I liked them - especially the outdoor ones! I have a couple of her strength workouts and like them as well - a lot of emphasis on heavier lifting and functional strength. Charlene hasn't made a new workout in a few years - I don't recall how old she is - 60-ish? The last few she made she included her daughter Xanna - I sure wish we could get more from Charlene and/or Xanna! Even if Charlene is the "coach" and Xanna performs the exercises! Charlene is very impressive in her fitness - in Crazy For Step - a tough, long cardio routine Charlene uses a 10 inch step!

I definately recommend Charlene for those who like simpler choreography and who may be looking for lower impact routines. Also, for those interested in functional exercises, her strength workouts are great!Anyway, hope everyone has a great day!

Take care!Donna