Tonique Fitness: Mat Workout

I actually have no problem with the exercises in this dvd, but did think the workout was just "ok". I also agree with another reviewer about Sylvia's accent. For me, it was hard to listen to - so much that I'm not sure I will be doing this workout again.

Wow. So I KNEW what I was getting into. All the previous reviewers of this product warned that it would be hard. I knew even as I looked at it and thought, "That doesn't look that hard," that I was wrong and that it was harder than it looks. But, oh my...I had no idea...it was not just hard, it was HARD! Like, can't-get-through-a-single-exercise-without-resting HARD. Like collapsing-in-a-sweaty-heap-at-the-end-of-an-exercise HARD.This is such a solid and challenging pilates-mat-style strength workout, I just really am in awe of it. I think that the whole thing is just over an hour, working your entire body but mainly emphasizing the lower body with some effective ab work and push-up combinations thrown in. It is done entirely on the floor and divided into three segments: legwork on your side, a bridge series on your back and leg extensions on your knees. Of course, you can be a complete sadist like me and ATTEMPT to do the entire thing (I LOVE working my lower body more than anything else), or you can, as the instructor Sylwia suggests, just do one or two sections.I have a HUGE collection of workout DVDs, but as far as difficulty and effectiveness go, this is the Queen of them all. You will do a LOT of reps of each exercise; she says 30. However, she even admits that she often adds extras. And nothing is more hope-shattering (but I know it's so good for me!) than hitting number 30 and she shouts out in her cute Polish accent, "10 more! We're doing 40!" Since with the side and knee exercises she works one side at a time, you may worry about over-working one leg or underworking another (HA! Underworking ANYTHING is a massive joke with this workout!) . I've encounterd this before with other workouts and just get around it by switiching my starting leg. One day I'll start all exercises with the right, the next the left, and switch.Though 90% of the exercises hit your lower-body from every angle possible on a mat, there is also some short but pretty effective ab work (I definitely felt a burn in my abs and waist) and quite a few push-ups thrown in.There is an optional warm-up/cooldown on the main menu, but as I preceed this workout with very lite cardio, I'm already warm and don't use this feature.The production quality of the DVD, though not top-notch (and I really don't like that strange, distracting blue and white background...) is ok. People have complained about the lack-luster dance re-mix style music, but I actually really like the music, especially the last song (maybe because it's the last song and it means I'm almost through my ordeal!). The music has a strong, happy beat and the soundtrack changes with each section (so yes, there are only 3 "songs" to cover 60 minutes, which can eventually get a little annoying...when that day came, I simply lowered the volume and played my own EDM playlist...instant cure, cause when I'm doing leg lifts to the beat of a song that I LOVE, it's amazing how many more reps I can power through!!).Sylwia herself is incredible. She has an amazing little body and she can only be about 5'3" at the most. Watching her complete a whole set of exercises, with no edits, no camera cutaway, just makes me thing she's superhuman. I love the passion and encouragement that she exudes, and I love her Polish accent!If you can't tell, I love this workout, and though it is GRUELING, it will slim, lift and firm your lower body in particular pretty darn quickly. I also love the fact that this will challenge me to be able to keep up more and more with each use.Highly recommended!

I hate to give anyone or anything a bad review but, being serious about my workouts and knowing how people really have to work to fit in what they can in these busy days, I have to be honest... The star I DID give is for the fact that, yes, you will get the results you are after by purchasing this video. But GOOD GODDDDD (that's how strongly I feel about this)...ugggghhhh... Anyone can get amazing results from doing every possible exercise we've ever learned since the beginning of time...A MILLION BORING TIMES before moving on to the next boring move. OMG! Basically, I would MUCH rather just have the TV on and do every exercise that comes to mind until I've exhausted it ON MY OWN but while at least WATCHING SOMETHING else. I would get the same results. This is worse than watching paint dry.I actually just took away one more star because of the fact that, in busy lives where we all want to STAY MOTIVATED fitness-wise to get in our workouts, we all need something that's not going to make us glaze over and HATE working out. I have fortunately been finding just those DVD's to keep me excited about getting mine in during the work week...this one did JUST THE OPPOSITE. It gave me a horrifying flashback of a phase when I started to glaze over and think of fitness as BORING, LONG, WORK... No No NOOOOOOO! Anyone want mine? If you pay the shipping, you can HAVE IT! I refuse to screw up the optimism I've got toward fitness due to the EFFECTIVE AND FUN workouts by even throwing this one in once in a blue moon.

This was my very first Tonique workout and it was everything I had been searching for in a Mat workout and more!I really love doing leg lifts,ever since I was a Teenager and would do them in my room at night!Many mat segments on a workout DVD just don't give enough reps to feel the burn-not Sylwia-she really gives those reps!I relied on this to stay in shape after breaking my foot.I work out daily and am a workout DVD addict and there's no way I could skip workouts altogether while my foot healed.I still use this several times a week-usually I'll do a segment or two after a cardio workout.I now own all of Sylwia's workouts and this is still a fave.Sometimes I'll play my own music to forget the pain,other times I'll just zone out and embrace the pain!There is not another Mat workout to compare to this and I've tried many.While I do enjoy Cardio Mat and Energy Mat,I think this is my favorite Mat because the moves are basic and to the point.There is nothing complicated or undoable-it's like Sylwia says-it's a pure workout.Yes,the set is dull and so is the music but the moves are classic Mat and I love how she's so supportive and low key and guides you through the workout while doing all the moves with you.This is the DVD that introduced me to Sylwia and I never tire of it.I dare anyone to find a more effective Mat workout

sorry I did not like it....