10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts Reviews

• DVD with five solid, programmable advanced beginner/low intermediate workouts

  
  By AK7CAW3N1XZV6 on 2006-08-31
  Fitness Ball Workouts is a sequence of five short fitness routines, each of which use a stability ball. Because this DVD is part of the 10 Minute Solution series, each workout is only 10 minutes long, and the fully programmable feature allows you to mix and match up to six segments to create your own, completely customized routine--very nice! None of the segments have formal warm-ups or cool-downs, but most do prepare you with a few moves in the beginning and then add some quick stretches at the end. I've provided a brief overview for each of the five routines below:
  
  1. Lower Body. Although this segment uses no weights, it was probably the most challenging of the five. Kimberly begins with simple squats and side-to-side lunges, but she eventually adds in bouncing the ball and raising it overhead; combined with the high number of repetitions, you'll be really working here. Next comes some glute work while lying face down on the ball, and finally, there is a tough hamstring portion performed lying with your feet on the ball.
  
  2. Upper Body. This segment was probably the most disappointing, especially given that Kimberly uses such light weights (I believe she is using 3#). She begins by warming up the upper body with push-ups (an easier version with hands on the ball) and then moves into an upper body circuit. The circuit includes rows, tricep kickbacks, bicep curls, shoulder presses, side raises, and front raises; it is repeated three times, each time adding a few new moves such as flyes/rear flyes. Kimberly moves quickly, which makes it difficult to vary your weights as needed (I tried to switch between 5# and 8#).
  
  3. Core. Kimberly does warm you up here with some spinal rolls and core twists holding the ball. She performs several sets of crunches while seated on the ball, adding a twisting move to target the obliques. More oblique work follows while lying sideways over the ball, and then Kimberly moves to the floor for additional crunches, this time passing the ball from feet to hands. Some brief back work follows (kneeling while leaning forward on the ball), and then Kimberly finishes with plank work (arms/hands on ball).
  
  4. Cardio. This segment begins with squats and lunges, rolling the ball in front of you for balance. Kimberly adds in bouncing the ball and tossing it overhead, which was kind of fun. She then ups the intensity with some impact moves such as jacks (holding the ball overhead) and plyo squat jumps (hands on the ball). There is a brief interval where you continue to work while seated on the ball, but then it's back on your feet for more jumps, hopping out to plank with your hands on the ball. This segment ends with a squat and roll over the ball plus a few quick stretches. Although this routine was fairly intense, my HR was only in my target zone for about half the workout (5 minutes). Also, it took up quite a bit of room in my small space.
  
  5. Flexibility. In this final segment, Kimberly leads you through a series of stretches using the ball. There is more of a lower body emphasis, beginning with lunges/hip flexor stretches as well as some standing hamstring stretches. There are a few upper body stretches performed seated on the ball, but for some reason, Kimberly moves very quickly through these and does not hold them for as long as the lower body stretches.
  
  Overall, although these were generally solid, well-designed routines, I didn't really enjoy this workout. I'm not sure that the 10-minute format works well for mixing strength and cardio; an all-strength program might have been better. However, I would recommend this video to those who like Kimberly, enjoy using the ball, and prefer to break their workouts into shorter segments; the fact that the routines are programmable is definitely a huge plus as well.
  
  

• A good way to mix up your exercise :-)

  
  By A24ZFFRQ4MG3XL on 2006-07-30
  Following their other dvds, this also is five different 10 minute workouts. You can't say that you don't have even 10 minutes to spare. It's funny; you just go and do one workout, and before you know it, you have probably made it through a second or third. That's one of the things I really like about the 10 Minute Solution series.
  In the different workouts there is lower body and upper body, cardio, core and one for increasing flexibility. The routines are all creative and interesting. You aren't just doing the usual crunches but different exercises to keep this fresh. The instructor Kimberly, is motivating and she makes it fun. I like the cardio section the best. She makes it easy to follow because she is another good cuer. You always know what's next so it's easy to keep up with. I really like this and while it's not the most challenging, it's enjoyable and mixes up my routine to keep me from getting bored.
  
  

• Great Time Saver

  
  By A356AD1O7D5CA2 on 2006-11-09
  I love this tape because you can do seperate segments that are only 10 minutes each. You can hit your abs while waiting for pasta water to boil or get a good stretch b4 bed. You can break it up and use it with other workouts to boost your metabolism. I love it
  
  

• Great DVD

  
  By A2KAFKFL8CYJKG on 2007-01-11
  I have never used any of the 10 minute Solution videos before and purchased several at once. I have especially enjoyed this one. The 10 minute segments are great and you can pick and choose as many as you want to do at a time. The instructor is not annoying to listen to as in so many exercise videos. Her comments are minimal and funny. This DVD has been a nice switch for me since I usually do my fitness ball workouts from memory and not with a DVD to keep me paced.
  Love it, love it, love it!
  
  

• Common moves on your fitness ball

  
  By A1JEUIIB4NGWDO on 2007-01-29
  This is a disappointment from my collection of 10 Minute Solution DVDs. The moves are the regular ones which are all effective, but if you are looking for new more challenging moves, then this DVD does not have it, unfortunately. I prefer Quick Fix Stability Ball workout lead by Kelli Roberts as a satisfying workout on the ball.
  
  
• True to form
  By A2IKCF7I3J0CRT on 2007-05-14
  This video does everything it advertises. I use it for 10-20 minutes a day, 5 days a week and I'm getting results in just over a month. The ab routine is exceptional. The lower body and cardio workouts both get your heart pumping a bit (especially if you use big movements). The stretch section is thorough. I could really feel my arm muscles burn in the upper body portion with the right size weights for me.
  
  I tried the 'as seen on tv' core stability ball workout and it was great, too, but I was never able to customize it to my needs and time constraints. Also, they would send a new video to me every other month, whether it would fit for me or not -- and if it did not fit for me, they would give me the option of sending it back -- on MY dime. This program never gets boring and I can certainly find 10-20 minutes in my day to do this workout on the weekdays, and I walk with my daughter on the weekends. When I do finally feel like it is too much of a routine, I'm going to try the 10 Minute Yoga Solution to mix and match with this one just to bring something different into the mix. It is definitely straight forward and efficient. Do remember, however, even if you only work out for 10 minutes, there is no cool down at the end of each section. Do some slow pacing around and slow, deep breathing stretches afterward for 5 minutes or so to get your heart rate back to an acceptable level.
  
  A final thought...., if you don't care about anything else I've said, do know that out of the 22 exercise videos I've purchased (cardio, dance, Latin, bellydance, yoga, taichi, qigong -- I like trying new things), this is the fastest working fitness solution I have ever used!
  
  
• Great 10-min Workouts
  By A1PXKM80NDZXG9 on 2007-09-21
  The exercises are easy to follow, great for those days that you don't feel like working out for too long. Kimberly is easy to follow. After exercising using other high-impact DVD, I often like using this DVD for a 10-min "cool-down" session. Even when doing several reps of the same exercies, Kimberly makes it fun so it doesn't feel repetitive. This DVD is great for beginners and medium-impact workouts.
  
  
• Love it!
  By A189F8RVPEVM1X on 2006-09-28
  I like this workout routine, it is not too difficult and has plenty of variety. The another great feature is the host. She is welcoming and very encouraging -- "You can do this, you are strong". :-) It really helps me get through the routines. A+
  
  
• Fun & innovative Stability Ball routines
  By A1ZUK82SVPB3MX on 2007-09-02
  Ever since I bought a Stability Ball I've found it to be one of the most fun ways to exercise. I have rented as well as own several of the "10 Minute Solution" DVDs and greatly enjoy most of them and this"10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts" is no exception. Lead by a warm, friendly instructor (Kimberly Spreen) this DVD is divided into 5, Ten-minute segments: "Butt & Thigh Tone-Up", "Arms &Shoulders Sculptor", "Firm, Flat Abs", "Total Body Fat Burner", and "Ultra Stretch."
  
  The "Butt & Thigh Toner" consists of squats and lunges but with the twist of incorporating the Stability Ball as well as leg & buttocks lifts and floor exercises on the Ball. I found this segment to be overall effective in a relatively short amount of time.
  
  The "Arms & Shoulder Sculptor" is probably my favorite. Kimberly uses light dumbells (you'll of course, choose what ever weight suits you) and goes through several circuits of light-weight, fast-paced exercises while either sitting or lying on the ball. The biceps, triceps, shoulders, chest and back are worked in this segment, not to mention the ab muscles which are recuited to help support the upper body while trying to balance on the Ball.
  
  "Firm, Flat Abs" is a fairly basic yet highly effective routine, consisting of crunches, reverse curls and lower back exercises (all using the Ball of course) that really targets all areas of the core.
  
  "Total Body Fat Burner" is a cardio/aerobic exercise routine in which you'll have fun lifting, swaying, and bouncing the ball around at an aerobic heart-elevating pace. When doing this segment alone, I would recommend playing it twice for a full 20-minute cardio workout. Otherwise, 10 minutes if fine when combining with the other segments or as an add-on to another workout.
  
  "Ultra Stretch" is a wonderful way to cool down and stretch out the muscles using the Ball. I found this routine to be relaxing, though admittedly I wish there had been more of a focus on actual flexibility. However, I absolutely loved the music in this segment!
  
  Overall, this is an effective and easy-to-learn workout - although not super tough but fun. I'd rate it as beginner to intermediate level. You'll engage your core in every segment because your balance will be challenged virtually every moment you're using the ball. I love combining segments with this DVD and the time flies by.
  
  I only have one little complaint about this DVD, but it's worth noting. Kimberly is obviously of tall stature and if you're short like me this can be a bit of a problem even when using the 55 cm ball (for 5'3" and under). A few of the exercises require that you wrap your body over the ball, or grip the ball and move quickly in a way which is difficult if you're little. For instance, I couldn't keep the ball from rolling away from me when doing side oblique lifts off the ball while raising my arms up, because my torso wasn't long enough to grip the ball while in the same position as the instructor, nor my legs and arms long enough. Interestingly, I've never had this problem with any of Tamilee Web or Denise Austin's stability ball exercises, and they both happen to be of shorter stature. While this doesn't make these particular exercises impossible, it may require some self-modifying if you're petite.
  
  
  Rating: Good
  
  
• Great for beginners
  By A21SLHMVOKCQ01 on 2007-03-08
  I have a hard time sticking with an exercise program, I was using the 10 minute solutions pilates, but it seemed like an awful lot of work, I'm not in the best shape, so getting through an hour of that is a serious workout. So I got this, and it is definitely still a workout, but because you use the ball, it is gentler, and I find the ab workout to actually target my abs instead of hurting my lower back. She seems to work more at my level, which I like because then I'm not always falling behind.
  
  
• Good Workout
  By A3CHDZ2BTZTM98 on 2007-01-18
  This dvd really provides a good workout. I like it, because each session is really 10 minutes long and you can do the routines in whatever order you'd like.
  
  
• Wonderful Workout!
  By AUGQIERD3F1DQ on 2007-01-27
  This video is great! I LOVE the fact that you can pick and choose which workouts you want to do, what order you want to do them and how many you want to do. You can pick the flexibility portion first if you want a good warm-up or last if you want to stretch the after the workout. The instructor was not annoying as with a lot of those "way too happy to be doing this" instructors. The workouts are not difficult but very effective, I was sore for two days after the core workout.
  
  
• Fun and exciting
  By AU0NWOG100ZDK on 2007-02-16
  This workout is fun. The instructor is appealing, motivating, encouraging, and fun. She moves through the exercise routines smoothly. It is not boring but so far I enjoy it over the other DVD's I bought from the 10-minute solutions. Also my 9-year old daughter enjoys it, so that we fight over who gets to do it first.
  The workouts are great, I feel the muscles burning.
  It is great that you can do just 1 or all 5 workouts. As a mom it is a great option, so if I need to stop working out I can do so and continue later.
  Great buy
  
  
• Good Beginning DVD
  By A3O8MO3IN4MIC9 on 2007-05-29
  I have had this video for a few months. I love that you can create your own workout from the different ten minute sections. Overall this is a good DVD, I just was not wow'ed by it. I feel like I could have used a harder workout.
  
  
• Not for the unfit
  By A1ZCQB2DL2Y7BA on 2007-08-17
  A description of the video has already been impressively done by many reviewers before me. I, like them, find the short 10-minute segments that you can program the way you like to be its most attractive feature. This, being said, I don't want to negate the excellent stage presence of Kimberly Spreen, the leader of the exercises. Before I owned the Fitness Ball Workout DVD, I used an aerobic exercise video of hers called Fast Cheetah. Her calm, cheerful, and encouraging style keeps me going when the going gets rough. I disagree with those who say this is a good beginner DVD, however. The segments are tough and even though they are short, they cannot be completed by someone unfamiliar with the exercise ball or who have not built up their aerobic capacity. I run an exercise class at my church and beginners do not have this right away. Before using the stability ball, I work on increasing my students' aerobic capacity. Once this is developed, I use the Basic Step DVD by Cathe for beginning work on the ball. It takes over a month for many novices to be able to balance and do some simple sit-ups and leg raises on the ball. While they are learning to balance on the ball, I have them learn their abdominal exercises on a mat. Once the aerobic capacity, abdominal strength and balance has begun to develop, we put it all together. Now we're ready for 10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts with Kimberly Spreen! Heavenly!
  
  
• Sore all over
  By A1K3PYBAR3SCUF on 2007-01-22
  I have to admit, I am slightly out of shape at the moment, but I really got an intense workout from this video. The short 10 minute segments offer a lot of variety so you don't get bored and you definitely hit all the muscles in your body at least once if not more. It also lets pick your workout for the day - if you only have 20 min you can just do abs and cardio or upper body and stretching. Or if you have 50 minutes you can do the whole video. And you can always intensify the workout by adding heavier weights or shifting your weight on the ball. Just make sure your ball has enough air!
  
  
• Great
  By A1UL3VWU9094IX on 2007-03-08
  Finally rolled out my exercise ball. Great workout. Even if the instructor wasnt counting her moves the music will guide you. A plus other exercise vids don't have. There are moves where I can't see the screen. The 50 mins also went by so quickly.
  
  
• Enjoyable
  By A36WZ3M9ILSMGK on 2007-04-17
  When I purchased this DVD I didn'tknow what to expect. I can truly say that I enjoy using the ball with Kimberly everday. With the workouts being broken down into 10-min segments, it's very very convienient and I feel great when I'm done. I actually feel like I've accomplished something and it didn't take all day!!
  
  
• Very Happy...Great Buy!
  By A2BZQDGWUEB3I6 on 2007-05-04
  Just to let you know, that I didn't buy the DVD online. I was at Ross the other day and saw the DVD (Ross is great for cheap workout DVD's). I had no idea what the DVD would be like, but since the stability ball that I bought from Walmart didn't come with a DVD, I decided to give this one a try and for 4.99, even if it sucked it wouldn't be a big deal.
  
  Well needless to say the DVD did not suck at all. I work out pretty regularly and I still found it challenging, but not too challenging that a beginner couldn't do it. Just when you are starting out do not panic when you feel like you are losing your balance or doing a little shaking. This is just your body saying take your time and you will get it.
  
  If you haven't bought your stability ball yet, make sure you get one that is appropriate for your height. If you are under 5'5" then you should get
  the 55 cm ball, if you are taller, than get the 65 cm ball. I am just under 5'5", I bought the smaller ball first and it wasn't big enough, I have really long legs so I needed the bigger ball. I would suggest when you buy the ball if you purchase it from a store with a liberal return policy. I bought mine from Walmart and I had no trouble exchanging it for the larger ball.
  
  I am glad that I bought the DVD and have been telling everyone about it. Just make sure your local discount store doesn't have it before you order it here, it will save you on shipping and the price. But, if you can't find it go ahead and order it here, it is worth it!
  
  Strength Training Anti-burst Exercise/Pilates Ball (55cms/66cms/75cms)
  
  
• Choose your own workout
  By A2UNS01MUGWM0L on 2007-07-04
  Kimberly Spreen does a great job. She has a pleasant personality and it's easy to follow her exercises. I like using the fitness ball with the handweights for the upper body workout. I do the upper body workout on the DVD daily. There are 5 workout options that you can choose. I'm over 50 and found some of the other workouts put too much strain on my hips. However, I do the upper body workout along with my cardio workout on the bike. It makes a good pair for me. I recommend this DVD. It provides the various workouts for you to choose what will work best for you!
  
  
• Effective, fun fitness ball workout
  By ASZQAHONU9KBB on 2007-10-02
  I really enjoy this fitness ball workout with Kimberly Spreen--she is upbeat without being *too* chipper, and really encouraging throughout the workout. I have done all 5 segments together, and broken up in to targeted areas when I'm short on time. I love that there is a 10-min segment for the total body, so if I feel really lazy or rushed I can still hit all areas (and not just abs/butt/arms, though you can isolate those, too). For each segment, there is some repetition, but that splits up the exercises (so you do 3 circuits of all arm movements instead of 50 bicep curls in a row). The only thing I'd change is adding a countdown timer (as used in the "Quick Fix" series)... but 10 mins goes by quickly in these high-energy, positive workouts--and they make me sweat, which was my main goal!
  
  
• Great Stability Ball Workouts that can be done as singles or combined
  By A17TDSX354MP7Y on 2007-11-19
  I've been working out daily for over 11 years and recently got a stability ball to work into my exercise rotations.
  
  I have several Stability Ball dvd programs and thought this one would be good to add into the mix.
  
  I was thoroughly impressed with it!
  
  I generally like to combine several segments together and love the flexibility the program gives me in how I can organize the workouts in any sequence I want.
  
  Each 10 minute routine is self contained as well so on a day where where I might just want to do only one of the programs from this dvd and maybe then do some other type of exercise I know that I have the option of doing just one of them and that it'll stand up on it's own.
  
  For someone who may be seriously limited on time I believe you can do 20 minutes of this program a day and see real benefits. Just the lower body and upper body workouts on this program will give you plenty of challenge to build strength in both areas while working your core at the same time. You could do that combination three days a week and then maybe combine the other workouts to do in different combinations on the in between days.
  
  With 10 minute solutions there's never an excuse for "not having enough time", even if you only did one section per day, just about EVERYONE has 10 minutes to spare to take care of the body you must live with 24-7 for the rest of your life! :)
  
  Highly recommended!
  
  
• My thighs are burning
  By A3T2G352GLIEZZ on 2008-01-29
  I really like this dvd it is easy to follow and time efficent. The first segment is the toughest which is the lower body portion. You use the ball durning squats and lunges and then the last portion is the killer. While your on the ball you do scissors and leg lifts and the last portion is bridges on the ball. Your thighs will burn. The section for arms is nice because you spend most of it sitting on the ball, you have to stabalize your abs on the ball so your working your abs and arms. The exercises include bicep curls, rows, triceps work and lateral raises. The third segment is abs. It starts with standing work to warm up your abs. Then lying on the ball you do twists and crunches. The 4th segment is cardio where you use the ball you bounce it and squat and hold it overhead as you do jumping jacks. At the end of the segment your sitting in the ball doing easier exercises. The final segment is stretching. There are a few arm and leg stretches you do not hold the stretches for very long so I suggest doing a few stretches on your own after you finish the dvd. Overall the dvd has a good flow and the instructions are good. The first segment was the hardest and the dvd gets easier as it goes along. If you really need to lose weight and tone up I suggest you repeat the first 3 segments because they are only 10 mintues.
  
  
• Good workout
  By A3AT53WT0FO8YW on 2008-02-25
  I thought that this workout was a very good workout from beginner to advanced. I felt like I was in pretty good shape but after I did the DVD for the first time, I had trouble walking and sitting the next day...so it works. It is easily broken out into 5-10 minute workouts. If you just wanted to work certain areas it would be very easy to alter your workout. There are lunges and squats for the lower body segment that I don't typically like to do but seemed a little easier with ball to help balance you.
  
  
• Perfect fit
  By A18Q992SBQCD7O on 2007-03-20
  I love to use this dvd, I can customise my work-out. Do 3 or 4 of the 10 minutes session. Or the entire dvd. Or just one or two to complete what I'm doing elsewhere like my daily 30 minutes bike ride.
  
  I love the entire 10 minute serie, especially the ball exercise. I never quite knew how to use this thing!!
  
  
• Very useful - set your own exercise program
  By A1F2YIYV16DA69 on 2007-03-24
  I like this exercise video, because I can plan my workout around my busy schedule. I can select 2 or 3 - 10 minute workouts depending on my time. THe exercises are easy to follow (although they may not be easy to do when you are starting out). You do what you can, but over time you get stronger in the weak areas of your body so it gets easier. For a busy person like myself, this DVD is great.
  
  
• Review of fitness ball DVD
  By AVCWDQSABUX73 on 2007-04-02
  I really like this DVD. The trainer is very likable. It wouldn't be suitable for older people unless they are in some kind of shape already. It's pretty fast paced but doable. Working with an exercise ball is a great way to exercise. I like the 10 minute segments so you can take a breather between workouts or simply choose the ones you want to do.
  
  
• really good workout
  By A36GL4M58S8ABX on 2007-06-27
  I really like this workout dvd. Her instructions are very easy to follow
  and I really like that you can create your own custom workout. The 10-minute blocks are nice if you don't have time to do the whole dvd.
  
  
• In line with the beat, great total body workout
  By AOFT4DJ6N5746 on 2007-07-31
  I've seen a lot fitness DVDs and this is probably the first one that follows the beat, everything on 8 count. It flows perfectly. If you took an exam to become an aerobics instructor in the UK and were off the beat, you would fail immediately. Here a lot of good instructors do that - Jillian Michaels for example - great fitness knowledge, not in line with music at all, it simply doesn't flow!!!
  
  As for this DVD, I was really pleased, split into a couple sections - upper body, lower body, core, stretches, very good selection of exercise, decent number of reps, good teaching points.
  
  I do recommend it!
  
  
• Excellent
  By A23V2XL33M13X1 on 2007-10-02
  I love this dvd! I can work out even when I don't have much time. You can pick the exercise you want for the zone you want. She's tough, but not too tough; you feel it when you do at least 30 minutes. She is pleasant-doesn't have an annoying voice. I would definitely buy her video again.
  
  

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