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7/15/10 6:17 P

I just got "Squeeze Stronger" by Tracy Effinger. It is well chaptered so you can do upper, lower, full body or the individual exercises. I didn't workout yesterday :-( so I decided to do the whole thing. Like p57 I found it to be upbeat, fast paced and I got a full body workout. It is longer than the classic if you do the whole thing (78 minutes more of less). My heard rate monitor seems to be working fine today (it wasn't the other day so I thought batteries were dying) and my heart rate seemed similar to p57 in most places but it did get a bit higher and the calorie burn was higher. I liked that it worked the muscles at a lot of different angles and I had to miss a rep here and there. I've never tried any of Tracy Effinger's other workouts (Squeeze and Lower Body Challenge) but I started with this one because from reviews I've read it sounded the most complete and challenging. The shoulders really tired me out so I had a hard time with the "chest section" as my shoulders were to tired. Otherwise it felt like a great, but time consuming full body workout. The music is fast and suits the workout, but not quite as good as p57's music. I also just got core fusion lean and tones but will wait another day to try that one.

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7/11/10 4:51 P

ITA about the Fluidity workouts. I think they are such great barre workouts, but that repetitive elevator music drives me nuts. She came out with Fluidity Real Class and I thought they would be better, they are much worse! Somebody should really advice Michelle on picking workout music. I think that's what makes P57 so great!

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7/11/10 3:45 P

Thanks for the suggestions, I just have to start doing the P57 workouts more... I also have the Fluidity bar and workouts... I love the bar and the workouts are ok, but the music is not... music motivates me and perhaps that is not such a good thing, but it is what it is... I am going to create a "custom" workout mix of songs that match the movement on the Fluidity bar workouts...

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7/5/10 9:17 P

Kelly- I also felt the same way about doing P57 before I took my first barre class. I was so happy I had been doing P57. I wouldn't had survived! The instructor also said I had really good form and very strong legs. All thanks to P57!

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7/2/10 9:36 P

A friend took me to a Bar Method class. It is very similar to P57. In fact I'm really glad I had been doing P57 for a few months before going to that class. I knew what to expect and could do the moves with pretty good form.

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7/2/10 6:03 P

I think the Core Fusion workouts are a great compliment to P57. They are not as fast or loud as P57, but they are good barre workouts. I would highly suggest Lean and Toned. I've been doing a section of it and it is so tough! I am determined to master that section, but it leaves me shaking. Thighs and Glutes is also really good. I like the pretzel section that they have.

The Bar Method are also really good workouts. They are slower, but the way that Burr explains form is exceptional. It will really help out with form if you are interested in that.

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7/2/10 2:52 P

Have you tried any of the other workouts that are in some ways similar to p57? If so what did you think?

So far, I've tried:
Lotte Berk basic essentials: I borrowed it from netflix so I can't refer to the dvd so I am speaking from memory. It is a nice introduction to Lotte Berk style so it has some similar exercises to p57 but moves at a much slower pace. The workout is about 30 minutes and they spend a lot of time breaking it down. The look is very dated, I think 1980sish? I think it would be a very good place to start for someone who is interested in this style of workout but finds p57 a little too challenging.

I tried a Core Fusion Exhale that was on my cables "on demand". I think it was the body sculpt one. I found it challenging and really felt it but it has a calmer pace and quieter feel than p57. I did this while waiting for my p57s to arrive so I can't compare. I am thinking of getting a core fusion/exhale dvd sometime when I start to get tired of p57 as it felt like a great workout with a slightly different look and feel. The instructors seemed very competent just a little quieter than Tanya and Shelly.