Are these workouts tough enough?

[kristinamy]

I have finally received my new WHFN workouts ( I ordered all 12 - I was very excited about them being from the Bensons) and am having a little anxiety about them. I did strong bear yesterday and fast chetah today, and neither one "killed" me. I am now worried that these are not goint to be tough enough to give me results. I can't give any helpful info such as time in my HR or anything because I don't have my HR monitor yet. I just know that it just feels so easy. I don't feel like i have been reduced to a quivering mass in the floor ( like i feel when I have done the firm classics) . Someone please tell me it will be okay. I like the production, music and the no nonsense instruction and cuing in these videos, but am just worried about if i am really doing enough! Looking for encouraging words here.....

Thanks - kristinamy

[fredcate]

I have finally received my new WHFN workouts ( I ordered all 12 - I was very excited about them being from the Bensons) and am having a little anxiety about them. I did strong bear yesterday and fast chetah today, and neither one "killed" me. I am now worried that these are not goint to be tough enough to give me results. I can't give any helpful info such as time in my HR or anything because I don't have my HR monitor yet. I just know that it just feels so easy. I don't feel like i have been reduced to a quivering mass in the floor ( like i feel when I have done the firm classics) . Someone please tell me it will be okay. I like the production, music and the no nonsense instruction and cuing in these videos, but am just worried about if i am really doing enough! Looking for encouraging words here.....

Thanks - kristinamy
It sounds like you're in very good shape.However,if some workouts leave you feeling like a "quivering mass" maybe you SHOULD be doing something a little more "you-friendly".I have found that as long as my heartrate's in the "zone" and there's a lot of flexibility work too it's very effective.
I have worked out since 1984 and was used to the totally drained feeling after workouts I've used in the past but these leave me feeling energetic and flexible.Also leave ya with a desire to workout again.If you WANT to feel that way you can always UP the weights and reps.You may find,however that with the really slow movements your body is actually working much harder than you thought and have DOMS!

[Christine S.]

Kristinamy,

I do agree with others who say that this series is about working "smarter," not necessarily "harder."

Like you I was already in shape before I started; lots of Cathes and Firms in my routine. I have used the Kickbutts, as well as Pump, Lean, Flexposture and LBB for about 3 months now, and just finished acquiring the rest of the FitPrimes (yay!). What I have generally done is incorporate a few of my Firms and Cathes as well as my WHFNs into my routine, just to round it out a bit (though I recently did a 3 week WHFN only rotation-- and had no problem doing a "killer" workout at the end of it, BTW).

I have had great results from my WHFNs. I have better balance, posture and flexibility, and have not lost any strength or cardiovascular endurance. My mom commented on my looking longer and leaner, too (and at 5'3", long and lean is an amazing feat)!

The bottom line for me is that this series is just all around fantastic. They are fun to do, beautiful to look at & listen to, they make me feel good while I'm doing them and energized afterwards, and I have had visible results.

You will probably find the posts in this thread very encouraging, as well:

http://www.whfn.com/board/showthread.php?t=1002

HTH

[Redeye]

My experience with the WHFNs is: the more you do them, the tougher they become.

Even the FitPrimes have challenged me, but Strong Bear and Steamin' Cardio are downright tough for me now. :)

These workouts are just incredible if you follow the cuing as perfectly as you are able.

[LoriInND]

I agree. Listen hard to the cuing and do as they say - contract those muscles, concentrate - even breathe when they tell you to. I agree with Redeye about these getting tougher. Also you don't have to be totally exhausted at the end of a workout to get results. I keep changing the focus of my workouts, but these have surely been making up the majority of my workout time, and am loving the results. I am planning an all WHFN rotation soon. Do them for a few weeks and see what your results are! :D

[kristinamy]

Thanks everyone!

I am definitely giving these some time to show me what they can do. The two i have done so far I really like alot. I am just going to do the roatation that comes with it when you buy the set and see what happens, i was just quite surprised when they didn't leave me exhausted!

Christine, "long and lean" for me would also be a miracle since i am 5'1". So i guess we will see.....

Thanks for the encouragement!

kristinamy

[41&fab]

I just wanted to add that at first I thought they were too easy too. But after you get to know the workout better and can up the weights it works me just fine. I feel so good after one of these workouts. I still throw in a cathe or an older firm now and then just to mix things up for these are great workouts.

[kkallus1]

The workout with a weight emphasis are very easy to heavy up on and make tougher. However, I too was struggling with the cardio tapes-just couldn't get my heart rate into my training zone. However, after reading some suggestions and adding the medicine ball back into Fast Cheetah, I think its going to work. I kinda borrowed some moves from Kimberly's other tapes that use the ball and it worked great-go my heart rate right up to where it should be without going anerobic. I will have to experiement with Lean and Steamin Cardio next!!

[kristinamy]

Okay, I did strong bear again today, and I have to admit that it was harder than I remember. Maybe it was that since i knew it better, I could get "into" it more. I did heavy up in the weights just a bit also in a couple of places. BUT after today's workout, i would not call it easy. I would say that i really liked it alot!


kristinamy

[LoriInND]

That's what happens! I think you will find that effect with many of them. :)

[donnadonna]

Okay, I did strong bear again today, and I have to admit that it was harder than I remember. Maybe it was that since i knew it better, I could get "into" it more. I did heavy up in the weights just a bit also in a couple of places. BUT after today's workout, i would not call it easy. I would say that i really liked it alot!


kristinamy

And you will be absolutely amazed at the results. Don't know how or why it works - whether it's the combination of the different disciplines or Anna's brilliance - but if you work them, they will absolutely work for you.

I thought I was in great shape from my endless years of the Firm until I found the original FitPrime and got into even better shape. Now, the new FPs and KBs have kicked my body up another notch. I get even more compliments on my body now than I did last year when I was about 10 pounds lighter (I'm 49 and it's that hormonal thing)(I think...) and, more importantly, I feel even better and more fit (which I did not think was possible, given the relatively minimal time spent exercising). Balance has been an issue for me and I see it improving weekly. And, if nothing else, it always feels so good to explain that no, I don't belong to a gym, it's this series of workouts designed by Anna Benson... At this rate, I'll be the hottest mama in the nursing home!

I think that you'll be surprised when you get your heart rate monitor as to how hard your body is actually working. I thought these workouts were quite easy until I got mine. I burn as many calories and get my heart rate as high as with the classic Firms. It's been said 1,000 times before but it's true - you don't have to kill yourself to get an effective workout. Even the new Fitprimes, with modification and heavier weights, do an amazing job.

Have fun and good luck with them!

[kristinamy]

Yes, i think i will really like this series. I did fast cheetah again today, and it was tougher. I did have to really get into the "serve a tray" part to keep my heart rate up, but it was a great workout.

My goal (with regards to the nursing home topic) is to keep my body in shape until i am to senile to follow the exercises and am risking my health to be trusted with weights. My more immediate goal, is to be totally hot at 40 (i one year -- GASP! I SAID IT) I cant believe it. 39 was not tough -- tough will be next year at 40. So goal is totally hot by next July. If i am in great shape, the number forty has to be easier to swallow!

kristinamy

[kkallus1]

Okay, now I am getting confused and wondering if these ARE hard enough. I did Metaboost today and had a FEW moments in the 124 range-basically during the tall box climbs. But overall, my HRM stayed around 108-112, even with heavy weights. Maybe I should reserve judgement until after I do Push Pull and or Strong Bear with my monitor, but until I modified Fast Cheetah, I only go my HR up to about 108. What gives? Am I really going to be able to get enough out of these workouts at this rate? I really love them, but....

Kathy

[kristinamy]

I got my heart rate monitor today! So i will see what it says on these workouts. I did crunch time today, (pre HRM arrival) and i do think i stayed in my zone. Floor Burn is up for tomorrow, and when i did that last week i don't think my HR was up there, but i am not sure that it is meant to be so much on that WO. I will probably wear the new HRM anyway just out of curiosity. I will probably do a FIRM cardio only tape (tomorrow) also to suppliment the cardio work. I am excited to have the monitor. it is too hard to try to stop the DVD every now and then to take a heart rate. and the other info - like calories burned i think will be totally cool.

Kristinamy

[Soon2BFit]

Donnadonna, I just wanted to say how encouraging your words are to me - " It's been said 1,000 times before but it's true - you don't have to kill yourself to get an effective workout." I did the Firm for a couple months and I fill like they about killed me and as I think about it now I think they just burned me out. It has been hard for me to get back to exercising since then (and the fact that I have chronic back issues doesn't help either). I have the FitPrime on order and am hoping these will be exactly what I am looking for/need.

Thanks for those inspiring words. :)

Sandi

[kkallus1]

Well, I am happy to report that I did Pump today and stayed in my "zone" starting with the push ups until the cool down. I think the difference for me at least is that the transitions in Pump are a bit faster and the cardio is spread out a little more throughout the workout. For Fast Cheetah, I am going to need to continue to add the medicine ball back in. I really did enjoy my workout today and feel great now that I am finished. :D

Kathy

[healthybeauty]

I am only 33 years old, and even I got burned out by the FIRM workouts. They just wrecked my joints, and after doing 2 weeks consecutively, I'd always have to stop for a week or 2 to recover! While I beleive the FIRM gives SUPER results, the flaw for me was that I could not be consistent and continuous enough with it for it to be my regular lifestyle and to get long-term, permamant results. WHFN is something I can stick with long-term, because it does not over work me. I see it as more of a slow and steady, but highly effective method. And no, I do not believe we need to be left heaped on the floor to know a workout is good for us. If we are left on the floor, I believe that is bad for our Qi, our muscles, our joints, our mind, our motivation.

And here is something interesting. Check out Michael Thurmond's new book 6 Day Mini Makeover (he's the Extreme Maekover fitness/diet guy) He says some VERY interesting things about Slow and Long exercise...how walking for 60 min burns more fat than jogging for 60 min, etc.) He said that fast-paced, wipe-you-out exercise (like aerobics, spinning classes, kickboxing etc.) just burn sugar. Whereas slower, and longer, more low-key things like walking and probably videos like Fit Prime burn fat, not sugar...which is what we want. Maybe this is where these less intense fitprime workouts come into play? perhaps they are the slower,longer exercise that actually burns the fat, not the sugar. Also, thurmond says that to burn fat, you need to work only 50-65% of your heartrate....not 65-80 like most sources claim. Anyway, worth just going to the bookstore and reading just the section on exercise for the details. Also, WHFN has the weights, which is another huge key...this is where we build the muscle, and they say that adding 3 xtra pounds of muscles allows you to burn off the same amount of calories as walking a mile!

[kristinamy]

Well, i am having fun here in tulsa with my heart rate monitor! It has given me some interesting info. Steamin Cardio deffinitely had my HR into my zone for 34 minutes and burned 355 cal! Today i did crunch time and was in my HR zone for 32 minutes but only burned 285 calories. What's up with that? I was surprised. I thought weights would burn more calories. I guess i should wait and see what other weight workouts do.

I guess also, i will stop worrying about how hard the workouts are. I seem to be getting along great.:)

kristinamy

[Rhonda]

And here is something interesting. Check out Michael Thurmond's new book 6 Day Mini Makeover (he's the Extreme Maekover fitness/diet guy) He says some VERY interesting things about Slow and Long exercise...how walking for 60 min burns more fat than jogging for 60 min, etc.) He said that fast-paced, wipe-you-out exercise (like aerobics, spinning classes, kickboxing etc.) just burn sugar. Whereas slower, and longer, more low-key things like walking and probably videos like Fit Prime burn fat, not sugar...which is what we want. Maybe this is where these less intense fitprime workouts come into play? perhaps they are the slower,longer exercise that actually burns the fat, not the sugar. Also, thurmond says that to burn fat, you need to work only 50-65% of your heartrate....not 65-80 like most sources claim. Anyway, worth just going to the bookstore and reading just the section on exercise for the details. Also, WHFN has the weights, which is another huge key...this is where we build the muscle, and they say that adding 3 xtra pounds of muscles allows you to burn off the same amount of calories as walking a mile!

Interesting to see what Michael says especially about needing to only be in the 50-65% range to burn fat. I have noticed that I am usually around 55-60% when doing the WHFNs, so hopefully this is good news for me. I do throw in some interval cardio a couple times a week just to get it all in. I have heard a lot lately about slow and steady is better than fast paced - guess remember the turtle and the hare - when they race who wins - the turtle - slow and steady beats out the fast paced.

Rhonda

[Soon2BFit]

That is really exciting if what Michael says is proven to be fact. Makes sense to me. :)

Kristinamy, I don't burn as many calories lifting weights as I do cardio w/o. I think it is due to the fact that the heart rate just doesn't go as fast when you are lifting weights as when you are moving your whole body. Just remember though, those weights will build muscle so in turn will burn more calories and speed your metabolism up. :)
Sandi

[LoriInND]

Today i did crunch time and was in my HR zone for 32 minutes but only burned 285 calories. What's up with that? I was surprised. I thought weights would burn more calories.
kristinamy

That's pretty good though, considering the length of Crunch Time! ;)

[healthybeauty]

I believe that in the chapter on exercise in the Michael Thurmond book, he does give details on the "scientific evidence" that slow and steady burns the fat, while fast-based/intense only burns sugar. He talks all about the different category of muscles. And that depending on which group the muscle falls into, it will burn different things inthe body when worked (ie., sugar, fat, etc.)

Then he explains that different types of exercise use different muscles. The fast exercise uses the muscle that burns sugar....the slow exercise uses the muscles that burn fat (he also said that the exercise needs to be at least 30 min to burn the fat, so he reommends slow & steady for 45-60 min, 5x a week)...and still other things like just lifting kids or opening doors use yet another group of muscles, which burn I forget what.

Anyway, I like what Thurmond said, as well as the "science" he uses to back it up. But the reason I put scientific evidence in quotes, is because every time you turn around, especially in diet and fitness, the "science" says something different. Like first science says lo-carb is good...then science says lo-carb is bad. Some science says high-protein lowers cholesterol...some says it raises it. Some science says fat does not cause you to store fat...some says it does. So I honeslty cannot take any of the "scientific evidence" seriously when it comes to diet/weight loss...as it is ALWAYS contradicting itself! So I just go by what seems to makes sense to me, and what seems the healthiest....and so far, Thurmond's diet and fitness ideas do that for me....and I've read LOTS of perspectives, and I like his the best.

[donnadonna]

Well, I am happy to report that I did Pump today and stayed in my "zone" starting with the push ups until the cool down. I think the difference for me at least is that the transitions in Pump are a bit faster and the cardio is spread out a little more throughout the workout. For Fast Cheetah, I am going to need to continue to add the medicine ball back in. I really did enjoy my workout today and feel great now that I am finished. :D

Kathy

Kathy- Glad that Pump worked for you! I think the more you work out and the better your fitness level, the harder it is to get into your target zone. Am now getting wonderful results with the new FPs (despite my initial skepticism). My heart rate gets as high and I am burning as many calories as with the older workouts (but I work heavy and repeat the cardio segments). My body is loving the new moves ... they make you feel so good!