KickButt Crunch Time Reviews

[Ginger]

Please place your KickButt Crunch Time reviews here. :)

[tjc]

I just got done doing CrunchTime. I do not have the original FitPrimes so cannot compare it to anything. I also am no good at writing detailed reviews so I am just going to give my impressions.

First of all, Tamela is gorgeous. She looks so strong and healthy. One of my favorite FIRM videos was Cardio Burn so I was absolutely thrilled that she was leading WHFN workouts.

The workout starts out with a short warm-up, then some chest flies and pullovers then corework. She does several pilates roll-ups and other pilates moves. The obliques don't really get worked much. She did not seem comfortable in front of the camera at first - some of her expressions were kind of weird. After the corework was done she really loosened up and started having fun.

There were short cardio segments alternated with weighted work. There was a lot of leg work - not a whole lot of upper body work. The cardio was mixed impact and the weighted moves were fun.

There was a section that she called the flying phoenix that I found impossible - it is a balancing move that I simply could not get! I can't wait to master that one.

Another section I found to be a lot of fun was the arabesque/tricep section. It was a one-legged good morning alternating with tricep kickbacks. I really felt that one in my hamstrings.

Overall it was not a killer workout. I don't feel wiped out and totally, thoroughly worked out. What I do feel is energized and happy. It was so great to enjoy working out rather than killing myself!

This is a workout that I will be reaching for often. It was fun, it was short and the different moves and changes kept it interesting. I worked up a good sweat and moved my body for over 40 minutes - what more can I ask for?!

I greatly enjoy Tamela and I hope that she leads more workouts.

[newbodi]

Thanks for posting your review. I know when I do fun workouts, I do them over and over again. I hate picking out workouts and having that dread factor seep in. I am so looking forward to doing the workouts.

[kkallus1]

I think I know which move she called the phoenix-if its the one in the original crunch time, you are right, its a killer. Is it the one where you put your hands on the box while standing on one leg, then extend the arms and that leg?

[tjc]

I think I know which move she called the phoenix-if its the one in the original crunch time, you are right, its a killer. Is it the one where you put your hands on the box while standing on one leg, then extend the arms and that leg?

Yes! That is the move - I was wobbling all over the place, lol!

[bakerdmw]

Where can you purchase these workouts???

[tjc]

http://whfn.com/order.php

Here is the link that takes you to the order page. Also, if you click on the pink WHFN logo at the top of all the pages it takes you to the homepage where you can see descriptions. Hope this helps!

[donnadonna]

I also did KB Crunch Time today and agree with everything tjc says! Tamela was awesome! Maybe it's just me, but it never looked like Susan was enjoying leading that workout, there was something a little bit sad about her. Tamela is energetic, has lots of great form pointers, and appears to really be having fun.

Many of the exercises have been modified - some were made easier, some more difficult. One of the many things I love about Anna is that the easier moves can always be made harder. I don't think that there's as much upper body work on the KB version and they took out the bit with the stick across your shoulders, which looked so silly but which I really liked and which felt really good. Having said that, I LOVED this workout.

Amazing that the whole thing is only 44 minutes ... it's a lot of bang for your buck!

[Maryann28]

Please tell me the Good Mornings/Tricep extensions are still on there!

[donnadonna]

Yes, Maryann, the good morning/kickbacks are still in! I loved that part, too. They're modified slightly, but can't for the life of me remember how. And, it seemed like fewer reps. But it was ok, as however they modified it (oy! perimenopause has turned my brain to teflon!), I was able to use heavier weights. Overall, I probably liked the changes in this workout more than in the others I've done and I really liked the original Crunch Time.

[Maryann28]

So did I. I have not received the DVDs yet:( But am anxiously waiting their arrival. I was very worried about Time Crunch along with Steaming Cardio!

[donnadonna]

Steaming Cardio is also very good, and Heidi is wonderful, but Kelsie (in my opinion) brought something different and special to this workout. Will probably do the original more often.

I was most worried about Strong Bear and Fast Cheetah. Was enormously pleased with SB but have not yet reconciled myself to the the loss of my beloved "ball play" on FC, so am not sure how I feel about that one yet... Hope you get them soon, Maryann. And enjoy!

[jeanniem]

I am somewhat disappointed in this version of CT. A lot of the upper body work has been cut from the original. It felt very lower body instead of a great total body like the original. Tamela is stunning as is the production, but I'll be using the original version I think.

[carolk]

That's kind of strange, considering it is supposed to cross-train with Floor Burn, and I assume that Floor Burn has more of a lower body emphasis...Or is that incorrect?

[jeanniem]

I thought it was wierd too. I haven't done floor burn, but the original was almost all lower body.

[TinaT.]

Even though the title is "Floor Burn", I think it means all exercises are done on the floor.....upper and lower body......vs. standing and moving around like most routines.

[jeanniem]

The original wasn't, but maybe the remake is more upper body?

[beospenser]

Really a fun short workout, but I agree with some of the above comments: I really wish there was more upper body emphasis in these workouts!

That being said, this one flowed beautifully and Tamela did a fabulous job instructing. There were lots of good combinations that worked a couple parts at once, thereby saving precious time. I was actually surprised by how little cardio the dvd case lists this workout as having b/c it felt like we were doing quite a bit of fun cardio blasts.

One thing that has impressed me about all of the Fitprimes and Kickbutts is the emphasis throughout on posture and balance. Despite years of working out, my balance is just not that good since no workouts ever really focus on that. I can actually feel it improving with this series.

[crm549]

What I like about Tamela is how much energy she puts into each move. She makes me want to workout harder.

I like CrunchTime because it is a shorter workout, yet it still encompasses all the disciplines that have come to make up these "fusion" style workouts. In Crunch Time, I particularly like the cardio segments and the flying wing dings or whatever they were called.

Saundra

[LoriInND]

I finally got to this one today. It is indeed a pretty intense workout in a short time and still fun. Tamela is excellent. :D

Honestly, I could never get into Susan's version.

I only have Floor Burn and Push Pull left to try out for the first times!

[princess76]

I did this workout last night- I loved it! Tamela is an awesome instructor. She gets really into it. I burned 417 calories in only 40 minutes. That is incredible! And I had alot of fun. I liked everything about this workout. I will have to work up to the Phoenix move, but that's good. I need to be challenged with my workouts.http://www.whfn.com/board/images/smilies/smile.gif

Sarah

[Tarheels]

Carol, is this one your favorite??? I think it has your highest rating! :D I am so thankful for your reviews, and you've spent so much time on them. :)

[Tarheels]

Yes, I saw the plus signs! :p I could use a dose of calmness myself. I present as a calm person (part of my job I guess?), but I don't feel that way inside much of the time. We've had that same crazy weather without the snow. 50 mph winds today, like a hurricane down here.

I look forward to seeing your last two reviews!

[Redeye]

I did Crunch Time last night and it was FUN! I swear I'm becoming a Tamela fan all over again. :D I was worried about this one because I like the original so much, and I don't like change even if it's for the good. :p

This morning my biceps and glutes are slightly sore. I used only 5 and 10 pound dumbbells but I think the phoenix got me. Ow! I really feel that one in the butt more than any exercise I've done. They try to fool you into thinking it's fun but it really hurts! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I'm LOVING the Yoga/Pilates. I feel so good after these workouts. Like everyone says, worked out, not wiped out.

Again, the music, the set, the cueing...absolutely wonderful. In fact, I don't want to do any other workouts besides these (except for Low Max.)

[Firm Believer]

I particularly like the cardio segments and the flying wing dings or whatever they were called.
LOL I will forever after call them flying wing dings LOL :p

What a beautiful workout - it made me so excited about working out and looking forward to my next workout! At first blush, I would describe it as "aerobic core work". :D This workout can also be easily shortened to 30 minutes by omitting the yoga at the end. (This might sound like heresy to some). What an amazing 30 minutes it would be. What is it about these that affect our emotions so much? Maybe we are allowed to get the exercise "high" without also getting exhausted? This workout is a masterpiece.

[Maryann28]

FABULOUS! Tamela is effortless in this workout and the new sequencing seems to flow much better.

I miss Susan... but Tamela brings some incredible energy to this workout!:D

[41&fab]

I did this one sat. morn. It was awsome. I loved it. After I finished the workout the only thing I thought I missed was some shoulder work. But that will come in other workouts. I sweated and felt marvelous when done. It is an A+ in my book.

[TinaT.]

I'm so happy to read all the positive and glowing reviews on this one. I've got this one scheduled for later in the week. All of them seem to flow so smoothly, I'm sure this one is no exception. :)

[Ann1964]

Hey I just got my 12 pack today & I did this workout today.

How do you use the mix and match feature? I would like to select all but the cardio next time.

[Tarheels]

Ann, you can only mix and match segments if you have a programmable DVD player. Mine has a "program" button on my remote that allows me to choose chapters. :)

[TinaT.]

I just posted a thread in the General Fitness area about chaptering and customizing on future productions. I asked if having it customizing like in Super Cardio Mix would be doable. I love being able to choose from a menu like that vs. finding the chapters through my dvd player. I can do it,....it's just more work. :cool:

[Ann1964]

Thanks.

I will get my book out and see if mine is programmable, if not DH needs a DVD for his "guy" room. I will give him mine & get a new one!

I am new to this site, but not to working out.

[nancy]

Did this one again today, and I am loving it more every time! I used 15# for the leg presses and bicep curls - ouch!! I'm trying to use the heaviest weights I can with good form on each exercise. It seems especially important if I want to get the max out of short workouts. I don't mind not having much shoulder work on this one, because I feel like overall WHFN has lots of shoulder work! In fact, I feel like generally speaking I'm working my upper body quite a bit on these, usually at the same time as a lower body move. On the old Firms, I used to rest the weights on my shoulders during leg press. With WHFNs, I'm almost always holding them in my hands and/or doing bicep curls or some other move. (For me, just holding them down at my sides is a lot harder than resting them on my shoulders.) I love the way we do lat rows on this one - I think I'll be able to go heavier next time than I do with traditional ones (foot or hand on the tall step).

[Christine S.]

Hi!
Did this one today, and for the first time ever, I did the "crouching phoenix" without wobbling or falling over once!:D

This one remains one of my top three faves. I always feel worked out and stretched out afterwards. Tamela looks gorgeous and leads this workout beautifully. I always love it when she says "some days are better than others" during the leg press combo.:p

[whiterose1]

This is a good workout. Tamila was a lot of fun. I was sore with this one the next morning. Loved the Flying Phoenix.

[RuthNYC]

OK--a little update. I just worked out to CT for the 4th time since ordering. I now think that this version and the original are equally fun and effective. The new version is definitely somewhat easier than the original but only about 5% easier, as opposed to the difference in the original FC v. new FC.

Some of the moves that annoyed me in the new version like the the kickback/deadlift, I now appreciate more. For instance, the kb/dl in the the WHFN CT took out some of the complexity and balance challenge but now I can use a heavier weight for the triceps and I really feel it today.

I am sorry to see some of the upper body work removed from the new version.

OTOH, the new sequencing is improved and flows smoother and I love getting the abdominal crunches out of the way right after the warm up.;)

I also noticed my core and keep thinking that Anna is a genius at creating fun effective moves that have a functional fitness flavor. The balance work is unsurpassed.

This workout is a great crosstrainer with the TLT/TLP workouts.

RuthNYC

[dbmsewer]

I've had these workouts since they first came out and would you believe it? Today was the first time I did Crunch Time. I have to say it really worked up a sweat and I liked Tamela sooooo much more in this one.

[dbmsewer]

My one complaint with this workout is that it's too short. I like Tamela much better in this series than in Fit Prime. She's more grounded. This is a tough workout. It just needs to be longer. I could use more upper body work, too.

[Ginger]

You can always use the back button on the remote and repeat a section or two...just a thought. http://www.fitnessfavorites.com/board/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Firm Believer]

I did this for the first time in a long time yesterday. Today my back is sore in places where I wasn't aware there were muscles, thanks to the flying wing dings. :eek: That move alone makes this workout stand out. Tamela's outfit is very flattering and she moves more athletically in this.

[jeanie]

This might be my favorite of the WHFN's right now (Metaboost runs a close second). I love how worked out I feel after doing this one. I also think Tamela does a wonderful job instructing. She is the perfect balance of strength and grace.

[peggylive]

I like this one as well but I feel like such a klutz doing the "Phoenix" move!!

[peggylive]

I just did this one this morning for the first time in awhile. I'd forgotten how much fun the aerobics segments are. The move where you do leg press while doing bicep curls on the step reminds me of a machine we have at our gym. You step up on a step while doing either curls, or raises with a cable. My core was sore after the pilates!!