Interval Aerobics

This is an old Joyce Vedral workout on VHS that was later put on DVD. The biggest problem that I have with this workout is the use of the word "interval". Different people use it to mean either (a) a workout that alternates cardio and strength (which I call a circuit workout) or (b) segments of the same type of workout at different intensities (which I call an interval workout). I think that this workout was intended to be a circuit workout, but, for me, is a true interval workout - well, 2/3s of it.

This workout is made up of three sections where they alternate the same type of cardio (Joyce does walking type moves with her own unique twist and her daughter is on the bike) with three toning moves. They do each of these rounds of cardio/toning moves and then move onto the next section. However, the toning moves, to me, are more cardio effect than strength because they are shallow and quick. For the cardio, I either do walking type moves or use my gliding discs. In the first section, they focus on the thighs, in the second section, they focus on the glutes, and in the third section, they focus on the abs (and go to the floor). I hate going to the floor in the middle of a cardio workout, so I do standing moves like knee ups and punches. Once they have been through the three sections, they give you the option of repeating them - with the exact same footage. For some reason, this doesn't bother me.

I have had this workout for awhile and pull it out on mornings when I feel tired and brain dead. Joyce chatters a lot in this workout and will turn some people off. Given how I feel when I do this workout, it doesn't bother me. It's a good workout for me to keep because (a) I can use my gliding discs with it and (b) it's an interval workout, a type of workout I don't have too many of.

The workout is structured weight-training-style in sets: each set has a cardio interval, then three toning moves, and you do the set for each body part (legs, "hip/butt"and abs) three times. Joyce does marching, side-steps and a completely ridiculous "Latin move"during the interval sections, and Marthe does the bike. The strength moves are mostly leg lifts, kicks and the like. The aerobic intervals last about a minute, and while I think they could have easily doubled that and still come in at about half an hour, you do get a solid 9 minutes of straight aerobics by the end (1 minute per set, times 3 sets per body part, times 3 body parts). It was a little awkward going right from bike to floor for ab work, but I do all of that on the bed anyway so I didn't mind.

I dislike cardio, and find that during long aerobics tapes, one of two things tend to happen. Either the moves get so complicated in an attempt to keep up interest that my klutzy brain can't follow and I get frustrated, or the workout seems interminable because they try so hard to "surprise"you and keep you from getting bored that you can never be sure when it will be over. I think this is why Joyce's tape worked out much better than it previewed: because you know exactly what's coming. There is a very clear pattern being followed, and you know at any moment what you still have left to do. It's the same methodical approach she uses in her weight tapes, and it might not suit everyone, especially where cardio is concerned. But it worked for me---it got me some nice lower body work and 9 solid minutes of pure cardio in just under half an hour, and for that reason, I am willing to overlook its somewhat amateurish instructor and goofy quirks.