FitPrime Metaboost Reviews [Archive] - Fitness Favorites Forums

SassyGirl

March 18th, 2005, 12:47 PM

This is a solid intermediate-level total body workout. For those who are familiar with the original FitPrime series, I would classify the intensity of this workout as similar to FTGU or Crunch Time. Not as hard as Weights First (which in my opinion was the toughest FitPrime workout) but definitely not a beginner workout either. I definitely worked up a sweat and felt completely worked out by the end.

The production of this workout is outstanding. Beautiful picture and sound, colorful set and costumes, healthy looking cast members. I felt this workout combines the best of old Firm and Fitprime. For me, I always loved FitPrime's music and workouts and the Firm's production and set. From doing this workout and viewing the clips of the other WHFN workouts, it appears the WHFN workouts capture the best of those things. Best of all, I like the fact that WHFN incorporates yoga and pilates moves in addition to the standard cardio and weights. To me, it's the perfect combination.

Heide is great in this workout. She is comfortable and poised and her cueing is excellent.

I give this workout an A!

jeanniem

March 20th, 2005, 03:24 AM

This workout was a very pleasant surprise! The production, music and Heidi were all excellent! The cast and Heidi look strong and fit without the anorexic look that seems to dominate some other series. This is a solid intermediate workout that has room to grow. It will be easy to make this workout tougher if you want to. The pilates ab segment was challenging. The 4 limbed aerobics segments lasts long enough to get a good upper body workout (I used 8's and 5's). The variations on the one legged squats were a stroke of genius! The inner thigh segments are ala Strong Bear (not my favorite, so I modify!). Outer thigh follows with standing abductions (with or without added weight).
Pushups are done on the yoga block with enough reps to be tough! There are several sets of shoulder press, but only one set of heavy biceps.
I really enjoyed this workout - it's better than having the old Firm back!

lynneo

March 20th, 2005, 05:23 AM

I am new to Fitprime, I just discovered these workouts last November. I loved this workout and although it is not horribly tough, I worked up a sweat. Very consistent! Did everyone else's inner thigh scream during the 3rd section (after the clams)? Heidi was wonderful and time flew by! Thanks.

TinaT.

March 22nd, 2005, 03:05 AM

I did this one this morning. Let me start by saying that I've been a "low advanced" exerciser for probably 3 years running, ......up until about 6 months ago. Then I became a slug for a variety of reasons. :confused: So, I was very happy to feel worked and my butt and thighs WILL have DOMS tomorrow. Truly a solid intermediate workout, though I can see myself loosing the dowel once I gain back what I've lost over the last 6 months. So, many ways to up the intensity and retain a great workout, no matter what level you are.

I'd like to be able to plan my workout for tomorrow, but I think I need to wait and see which body parts are sorest before deciding. :D

Thank you BBH/WHFN for producing such incrediable workouts.

belle411

March 22nd, 2005, 12:50 PM

I just did this one this morning, and like everyone else has said, the picture and sound quality are simply amazing! All the details about how the w/o looks is perfect. I love the opening credits, even the way the menu is presented.

As for the w/o itself, it is an excellent intermediate w/o. I broke out into a sweat, but not as much as when I did Weights First on Saturday (thank goodness). The moves and music are great!! Heidi is fantastic as the lead and I love the class exercisers!! Anyway, back to the w/o - it reminded me a lot of Maximum Body Shaping w/ Tracie (but I don't know why). It was really easy to follow, and even though I don't have a yoga block (yet), I used my little squishy medicine ball instead. Lots of lower & upper body work with some fun 4-limb cardio stuff thrown in.

The only move I may have to modify for myself are those funky plie squats on the tall box - it may b/c I have short legs, I don't know.

But anyway, I really enjoyed this w/o - anyone who has been pining away for the old Firms, well - stop pining, because THEY ARE BACK!!

tazcatmeow

March 23rd, 2005, 04:12 AM

Love it!!! Love it!! I love the workout. I think Heidi is an excellent instructor. I always knew what to do next even though I previewed the dvd only once before. I love the music. I love the fact that women in the room had great, normal body shapes. No ultra thin people. The set looks stunning. Can't wait to do the other workouts in the FitPrime and KickButt series. :D

stefs

March 23rd, 2005, 09:25 AM

Carol -

I just want to say, thanks for your write up on this workout! I love, love, love how you included modifications to "up the intensity." I have been reading about how one could do this, but now I have a good idea of how to do it.

It was a very nice review! Keep them coming!

Willow52

March 23rd, 2005, 11:37 AM

How about those clams with the yoga block between your knees (no touching you toes down!) Whew! Loved the whole workout.

Heidi does a super job. She seems to truly enjoy the workout.

megananne

March 25th, 2005, 01:54 AM

Ok, here is my somewhat rambling review of Metaboost. This workout is a good combo of total body weight work with a few 4 limb cardio bursts (for those unfamiliar with Firm jargon, 4 limb cardio is essentially cardio with light weights, like 3 or 5 lb bells, using both legs and arms at once to get the heart rate up there...almost always low impact). It also has Pilates-type core work and some yoga stretches at the end.

I'm not one to give reviews with a play by play of the whole workout...others have already done that I think. Basically, after a brisk warmup where you do "swimming" motions with your arms with different leg work patterns, you go down for Pilates-inspired corework. Lots of the moves use a yoga block, between your legs, etc. to really engage the core. I don't have a yoga block (one of the few pieces of exercise equipment I don't have LOL), so i subbed my small medicine ball...they also had someone on the screen using a sofa pillow.

After core work on the floor, they alternate 4 limb cardio bursts with the weight work. The cardio bursts were definitely enough to get my HR up a bit, but I didn't feel like I was really huffing and puffing...so a nice training range. They were fun and easy to follow. Heidi just looks like she is truly having such a good time doing them. Not forced smiles like some of the Firm girls do. I used 5 lb weights for these and it worked well. The weight work seemed to hit all the major body areas, with particular emphasis on the lower body. You don't really do much weight work by itself without doing other things to engage your core, etc. which is what makes it so cool and really works you, i think. For instance, you might balance on one leg to do biceps, or do squats changing your leg positions such as with one leg crossed in front, one crossed in back, etc. I had a lot of fun and time seemed to fly by. I didn't feel as if i were dying, but I got really really sweaty, which is usually a pretty good indicator that i'm working hard. I don't have any DOMS so far today, but I rarely get DOMS anymore (which might be a bad thing, i guess). I used weights similar to what i normally used (such as 10s for bicep and shoulders, 15 for lats, 12 for leg press, etc.).

Like others have said, the production quality is just awesome. To me it was a huge contrast to the older FIt Primes where the production quality was quite lacking. The cast shows a people of various ages and body types, which i think will be encouraging to some. And like i said, Heidi was just great.

Great job, Anna!!!!

Vanessa

March 26th, 2005, 04:31 AM

This will be a favorite of mine! I loved the workout. Anna has a way of creating workouts that work you smarter not harder....it is an excellent workout that really targets those hard to reach muscle groups!

sidneygirl

March 26th, 2005, 07:43 AM

I just finished this one and of course it was great, yep to everything everyone has said...but I have to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE the music in Metaboost!! I could play this dvd just for the SOUNDS :D

And I love Heidi's enthusiasm....it makes for such an enJOYable workout!

~~tracy

atwin

March 26th, 2005, 11:08 AM

Yep, loved this workout!

Heidi is great as always.

Anita

Firm Believer

March 26th, 2005, 02:53 PM

The music is great - pretty mello - and the pace is pretty slow all the way through. What amazed me was that although this is basically a sculpting video, I got over 30 consistent minutes in my aerobic zone. I'm starting to wonder if this is Heidi's ABB influence - it seems like all her workouts are ideal for ABB. :)

Brenna

March 27th, 2005, 01:44 AM

I loved the video, too. I especially like using the yoga blocks...big surprise. I didn't think that the yoga blocks would make a difference in the workout, but I can really *feel* the difference. Great workout!

Two thumbs way up!!!
Brenna

crm549

March 27th, 2005, 01:45 AM

Metaboost - What a Boost!
Slow and deliberate. Those are the two words I most apply to this workout. The tempo lets you really work a move. And, for such a deliberate pace you really work up a sweat.
I found the clams and the one leg plies with balance option particularly tough. These two moves are something that you can really make it your goal to conquer.
The set is visually stimulating and the music really works well with the moves.
I give this workout a B+.

Saundra

donnadonna

March 27th, 2005, 10:06 AM

:D While I don't think that I'll be doing this one a lot (I'm one of those knuckleheads who feel like if I'm not drenched at the end of a workout, I haven't worked out!)(yeah, I know, I know...), but found this one's design to be absolutely brilliant, one of Anna's best yet. I knew that I was getting a great workout (even though I didn't sweat at all, despite modifications) and spent the whole 50 minutes in awe of the whole package. The exercises and their sequencing are so innovative and meticulous and obviously so well thought out that I was, for lack of a better word, floored.

This may be THE perfect workout to get someone who does not exercise and is somewhat resistant to the idea of exercising (I find they tend to go hand-in-hand) into the routine. I can't imagine another workout that could be done at the beginner level and could be so effective and so much fun.

As an aside, found it amusing that Anna uses music from a former instructor's workout who had previously borrowed Anna's music for her workout! (not written elegantly, I know, but I'm sure you know what I'm trying to say!)

As another aside, read May's "Fitness" magazine in the beauty parlor yesterday. All of the exercises in their piece about "10 new moves to boost your metabolism" were ones that we FitPrime/Firm people have been doing for years. Much to my surprise, one of the moves was the "crunch/ball toss" from Weights First, which was such unique Anna, to say the least. Anyway, it's great that doing these workouts spares me having to spend my money and my time on those magazines - Anna's always told me just about everything I need to know about exercise and fitness!

LoriInND

March 27th, 2005, 01:52 PM

Redeye

March 28th, 2005, 02:50 PM

If you aren't a Heidi fan, you will be after Metaboost! Such perfect cueing made this workout easy to follow.

I sweated buckets, but I don't feel like I'm about to pass out. This is a solid Intermediate workout which is easily modified up or down depending on what weights you use (I used 5's and 10's).

I still can't get over how beautiful these workouts are! Did y'all notice how beautifully they are chaptered? I'm very happy with this one. I give it an A.

Martha E

March 28th, 2005, 03:25 PM

I've done Metaboost twice, and I thought it was more intense the second time than the first, no doubt because I made a better weight selection. This isn't a wipe-me-out workout; it's a solid, steady-state workout that leaves me feeling well worked out and energized and happy. Heidi is just excellent! She cues well, gives good form pointers, and makes the workout fun. I'm so impressed with her!

The more FP and KB workouts I do, the more I realize how much work went into designing the new workouts and redesigning the original FPs to make them work as crosstrainers with and between sets. I've done three new FPs and three new KBs so far, and I've had "aha" moments during all of them.

SpongeBlonde

March 29th, 2005, 04:32 AM

So far, I have done Lean, Pump and Metaboost! I love them all!! I am sleep deprived and have felt headachy (stressful at work and puppy probs at home) lately and have felt refreshed and so much better after each workout!

Metaboost: cals burned: 317 (43 yrs old, weigh 120, RHR 55 - 60)

Those plies on the tall box are awesome. I am sure Flexposture is going to feel fab tomorrow because I am pleasantly sore in all the right places for the first time in ages! These workouts are the kind of change in routine that my body has been needing! :D

-darlene-

Toba

March 29th, 2005, 07:44 AM

I got my 12 dvds yesterday and I did Metaboost this morning. It is excellent! Heidi's cuing is great and it is one of the most beautiful videos that I have ever seen. Because I do not have time to preview I am planning on doing a different workout every day for 12 straight days. Anna/Cynthia/Mark ... you should be very proud of this product, it is the best.

kkallus1

March 30th, 2005, 04:06 AM

Did this one last night and loved it. Its a good solid workout and the ab work with the yoga block had my midsection shaking!!! The music is really awesome too. Can't wait to do it again.

Kathy

Roody

April 1st, 2005, 12:22 PM

I justed finished this workout. Just wanted to say that I agree that this is one good workout. The time flew and I feel like I got a good, solid workout.

Can't wait to try my next one tomorrow.

belle411

April 3rd, 2005, 09:09 AM

Last night I was waiting for my DH & kids to be home driving from San Francisco, so in a fit of ambition, I did both Push Pull and then Metaboost (probably about 30 minutes later). I actually liked Metaboost better! And I'm a fan of the original FTGU. Heidi led both and is excellent. I actually wonder if Metaboost was originally going to be named Push Pull b/c Heidi says "push" & "pull" quite a bit throughout Metaboost. I used the same weight selection for both w/os and Metaboost did not feel any easier or less intense than Push Pull IMO. Maybe I just liked the music better.:)

UserName

April 4th, 2005, 07:53 AM

Wonderful workout! Time flies by so fast. Heidi is amazing!

I read a couple of threads at other sites asking "are they really tough enough". I say yes! This workout is genius! It can be truly a beginner/intermediate workout. But - and here is the part I love - for those of us who are more experienced it can be made tough. Simply by using EVERY rep to full advantage. We know that little area which really targets the muscle (like those last few reps we do in many other videos). By really focusing on that limited range of motion this can be a lot tougher workout. At least, that was my experience.

Maryann28

April 4th, 2005, 07:58 AM

I agree! I did this one this morning and was ready for a pretty easy workout..but it whooped me (in a totally good way).

I LOVED the inner thigh work!

Bernie2

April 5th, 2005, 06:55 AM

I did this one last night following 30 min. on the Nordic Track and loved it. So aside from LBB I've liked all the FitPrimes. Haven't tried KBs but intend to do that, too.

browser

April 16th, 2005, 05:13 AM

I just did Metaboost for the second time today and I agree that it was more intense than the first time. It will take awhile for the slower pace to seem effective - but, today, I was sweating like crazy - upped my weights also. Really good workout.....

I feel that my hips are opening up, too - must be the pilates/yoga. I like that. At my age (57) I need to be as flexible as possible.

Lori

April 19th, 2005, 06:58 AM

wow! wow! wow!

now I finally know what you all have been talking about!

I did it this morning! it was even better than I was imagining it would be!

I absolutely loved it. the music, the set, all the new fun stuff! I loved to use the yoga block as a prop!

wholy smokes! how can whfn keep making better & better stuff?? I never thought this was possible. How can it be? Truly the pioneers in the business. Truly the innovators & also the experts!

I can't tell ya how darn excited I am to carry thru on the rest in the collection.

a parting comment I will make that I don't think has been mentioned yet, the one thing that I adore since the 1st Firm, is the instructors tell you what weight to use. This is one of the many reasons why I stuck with the Firm vs others. I am so clueless & appreciate the instructors guidance in this area. When I have tried other videos, I didn't seem to be using proper poundage. Hope this makes some kind of sense. Just giddy, I think at the moment.

Heidi has the most beautiful smile. That girl's smile is so contagious!

Great! Great! Great!

thank you so much whfn, simply the best!:D

Tarheels

April 19th, 2005, 02:28 PM

I see why so many people call this their favorite of the FPs....It is THE PERFECT WORKOUT. I loved it! I love the 4 limbed cardio - so fun. All the lower body variations were great, and I really felt them ALL. I loved the slow movements. Heidi is just amazing. Perfection, I tell you!

As an aside, Lori, who'da thunk it - the dorks did the same workout today! (though I must admit I did do mine out of order - yikes! :eek: But I'm a rotation dork...)

snora

April 19th, 2005, 05:56 PM

I have always been Heidi's biggest fan. Who would have ever thought she could top FTGU? Not me. But, Metaboost is fabulous. Love it, love it, love it. Those slow moves are really felt the next day. Thank you, Anna and Heidi.

TinaT.

April 21st, 2005, 10:17 AM

This is my second time of working out with Metaboost and I love how easy it was to up the intensity. My legs are quivering!!.....and my joints are still happy with me. ;)

vciera

April 25th, 2005, 08:28 PM

Jinx43

April 29th, 2005, 03:24 AM

Hi

I'm Jennifer & this is my first post here. I just got my 12 dvd set yesterday & started with Metaboost this morning. I hurt my knee on Monday doing a Firm workout, so was a little scared going into this one, but it went fine. The moves were gentle but worked me hard - I had to pyramid down a few times from weights I'd been using with the Firm.

I love the way Heidi kept making me check my form - I needed that! And the music was very pleasant, not distracting. The set seemed busy at first, but after I got used to it, the colors struck me as so beautiful & it ended up not being a problem at all.

The best thing is that even though I was working during the workout, now I just feel relaxed. I really liked this workout. I'll reach for this one on days when I'm feeling a little run down. I'm looking forward to trying the rest!

Jennifer in NC
43 yo mother of 4 (20, 15, 13 & 9)
Firm believer since 2/05
151/141/130

Ginger

April 29th, 2005, 03:55 AM

Welcome Jinx43! Glad you joined us. :)

Tarheels

April 29th, 2005, 01:52 PM

Hi Jennifer! I'm a Jennifer in NC, too! :p Welcome, and I'm glad you are enjoying your new workouts! I LOVE Metaboost.

Hi

I'm Jennifer & this is my first post here. I just got my 12 dvd set yesterday & started with Metaboost this morning. I hurt my knee on Monday doing a Firm workout, so was a little scared going into this one, but it went fine. The moves were gentle but worked me hard - I had to pyramid down a few times from weights I'd been using with the Firm.

I love the way Heidi kept making me check my form - I needed that! And the music was very pleasant, not distracting. The set seemed busy at first, but after I got used to it, the colors struck me as so beautiful & it ended up not being a problem at all.

The best thing is that even though I was working during the workout, now I just feel relaxed. I really liked this workout. I'll reach for this one on days when I'm feeling a little run down. I'm looking forward to trying the rest!

Jennifer in NC
43 yo mother of 4 (20, 15, 13 & 9)
Firm believer since 2/05
151/141/130

newbodi

May 9th, 2005, 03:08 PM

I just finished doing this workout and I love this one. It is a tough workout! But even though it is challenging, it is fun! I really look forward to doing this workout again. I must say that I have enjoyed every single workout that Heidi has done in the FitPrime, KickButt series! BRAVO Heidi.

hill4

May 11th, 2005, 02:07 AM

vciera

May 14th, 2005, 07:57 PM

Those plies on the tall box are awesome. I am sure Flexposture is going to feel fab tomorrow because I am pleasantly sore in all the right places for the first time in ages! These workouts are the kind of change in routine that my body has been needing! :D

-darlene-

I just can't get those plies on the tall box to work for me :confused: . Today I just did them on the floor with the working leg done on my toes. Next time I'll try it them on a short box.

Part of my problem may be that I have really tight hips/pelvic area and have some. I'm gaining more and more flexibility using whfn so maybe I'll feel the move will work for me at later time

ShowBeagles

May 18th, 2005, 10:44 AM

Anyway, back to the w/o - it reminded me a lot of Maximum Body Shaping w/ Tracie (but I don't know why).

I think it's the lunges with the dowel ;) and the "intermediate" feel :D

I really liked it...if I get results (sore) tomorrow I will LOVE it!

Heidi Tanner

May 27th, 2005, 10:39 AM

Hi Everyone,

I have just seen Metaboost for the first time and it is beautiful! I was not originally slated to lead this one, but many unforseen events occurred and I stepped in at the last minute. Fortunately, this was one of the last workouts to be filmed and I felt mindful and focussed.

I feel that this is one of my better performances, as everything, from years of work, came together! I am sure you all know how wonderful it is when you have an "A Ha!" moment and everything meshes. That is how I feel about Metaboost.

Vciera, you are smart to do the tall step plies on a shorter step and on the floor. Correct form is always more important than how high one can lift her leg or how much weight is being lifted. You have also found a very specific goal to work towards with your fitness training. Best wishes, and I expect you to post and tell us when you are able to complete the plies using the tall step!

Thank you for the reviews,

Heidi;)

jaclynmarie

June 4th, 2005, 04:15 PM

I've done this workout twice now with modifications to up the intensity a bit. For ex. instead of using the dowel and 1 heavy weight for leg work, I use 2 heavy weights, and for the ab section, when possible, I sub a weighted ball for the yoga block. With doing these things, this workout could EASILY be in the Kick Butt series..its a great total body workout.

Bernie2

June 11th, 2005, 04:46 AM

I did this one this a.m. and loved it. It really worked up a sweat. Seems as though the more of these we do the harder they get. I remember iwhen we were wondering whether they would be hard enough.

MissEileen23

June 20th, 2005, 04:51 AM

I just can't get those plies on the tall box to work for me :confused: . Today I just did them on the floor with the working leg done on my toes. Next time I'll try it them on a short box.

I have the same problem. I don't know why but these just don't feel right to me - I think I must be doing them wrong. I also have a problem doing the biceps curls with one foot on the yoga block where you do a mini-squat. If I try to match what Heidi is doing I feel like my knees are going out over my toes. Does anyone have any form pointers for both of these moves?

blemum

June 23rd, 2005, 05:14 AM

Well, I did Metaboost for the first time last night and it was great. Love the slow pace. Gonna go heavier next time I think. Loved all the different squats and even the plies though I used an 8 inch step adn plan to work up to the full step on those.

:-) ANyway, it felt hard while I did it but when I was finished it didn't feel like I worked too hard. Felt good, refreshed and relaxed.

Another winner.

Diane

whiterose1

September 3rd, 2005, 02:12 PM

I thought this was a great workout to use my heaviest weights with. Also is a great workout if I don’t feel up to an exacting workout. But I still feel is the next day. Heidi was great in this workout.

crm549

November 21st, 2005, 05:59 PM

Just did this workout again for the first time in a long time.
The clams and the plies done on the step - extremely tough.
I really love the cardio segments.

Saundra

kkallus1

December 3rd, 2005, 03:23 PM

I decided to do this workout today for the first time in a while. I really enjoyed it. Its a nice, overall workout with just the right amount of cardio interpersed with the weights. I guess I need to do it more often, huh!

chipmunky

April 24th, 2006, 07:01 AM

Just finished Metaboost and would give it an A+.

To begin, I really loved the music. The tunes were original and seemed influenced by some old favorites of mine such as Deep Forest, Enigma, and even Ladysmithblack Mambazo (heard on Paul Simon's Graceland).

The production values are fantastic: vivid colors, sharp focus and expert camera work. The background exercisers are unobtrusive which is a welcome sight -- no annoying "hams" here, just a professional class atmosphere.

The moves were innovative and if I'd simply previewed them I would've been skeptical at their efficacy. However, I could more than feel the work. The sequences seem to be short but they are more than sufficient as I counted the reps for each body part and was surprised to see how much work was really done.

Heidi's attention to form is superb and timely; I cannot be reminded often enough to concentrate on pushing through my heel when doing lower body work -- this alleviates unnecessary strain on the kneecap. On a more personal level, her smile is sincere and she is enthusiastic without being manic.

I was in my fat burning zone 18 minutes, burned 537 calories with a peak heart rate of 157:eek: and an average heart rate of 128.

This was my second full workout with Fitprime/Kick**** and I am so very pleased with my purchase of the 12 pack so far. Will be rotating these two for a week and then will post more reviews later.