I’m sure you all know my love for Core Fusion by now. I’ve been taking classes at Exhale Spa for several months now. I was really starting to notice some results. I felt stronger after every class and even noticed some nice leg muscles in pictures! Unfortunately the price of a membership is way too expensive for me and I ran out of classes. I’ve been sitting back and waiting for the classes to go on sale at RueLaLa again but who knows when that will be. I obviously do not want to stop Core Fusion completely and lose my results. I’ve been in search of a different option to continue the classes. I do have a few of the Core Fusion DVDs: Exhale: Core Fusion Body Sculpt
About Exhale Core Fusion: Lean & Toned
Lengthen, strengthen, and transform your physique with Core Fusion Lean & Toned. This program targets all the major muscle groups in five 10-minute segments, each focused on a different part of the body. You can tailor your practice to time constraints, or do them all together for an invigorating total-body workout.
Bringing the mind/body spa experience home, Elisabeth and Fred teach Lean & Toned like one of exhale’s nationally renowned Core Fusion classes. Subtle but intense moves increase your heart rate, helping you burn calories and lose weight as you tone. Soon you’ll have flat abs, firm glutes, chiseled arms, and slender legs. And since the unique Core Fusion approach mixes stretching and sculpting moves, your newly defined muscles will be long and lean. Reshape your body, and enjoy the workout the celebs are raving about! Includes 5 min. bonus stretch.
Husband and wife team and Core Fusion co-creators Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp have over 50 years of combined experience teaching Pilates, Lotte Berk Method, yoga, and dance–disciplines that comprise the Lean & Toned workout. They are founding team members of exhale, a leading mind/body spa with locations in the U.S. and the Caribbean.
It was very exciting to watch the video because Fred, Elizabeth, and the 3 other instructors in the video are all my instructors in real life! The DVD offers the following workout options:
PLAY ALL
*Play All Without Introductions
PICK A SEGMENT
*Upper Body Tone & Stretch (9.5 minutes)
*Thighs Tone & Stretch (9 minutes)
*Flat/Round Back Tone & Stretch (9 minutes)
*Gluteal Tone & Stretch (9 minutes)
*Pretzel Core Toner (10.5 minutes)
*Bonus: Stretch (7 minutes)
The first time I only did the Upper Body and Thigh Tone section but the other day I did the entire DVD at once. The DVD starts with the same warm up we do in class (knee raises). It then moves onto planks, push-ups, and triceps on the ground. This was all pretty challenging for me but maybe a little longer in a real class. Next comes arm exercises using weights. I remembered from the first time I did the DVD that the arm workout is actually very short. The first time I used 3 pounds but the second time I was able to use 5 pound weights. I was pretty disappointed with arms. It is much more challenging in class to the point where my arms are burning and I can’t even lift the 3 pound weights by the end. There was a long arm stretch after which I felt was way too long for the short amount of arm exercises. I know stretching is important but I would rather do 80% arm work and 20% arm stretching. This was more like 50/50.
During Thighs Tone and Stretch, the DVD instructs you to use a chair as the barre. I used the top of my TV instead because my chair is a rolly chair and I thought I would fall over.There were 3 portions of thighs such as leg lifts, lunges, and standing in a V while moving up and down. I enjoyed thighs. It burned but not quite as much as in an actual Core Fusion class.
Next was flat and round back for abs. In class, gluteal is always after thighs so I was a little confused. I had some trouble with flat back against the wall because I don’t really have an open wall in my room where I can see the TV. Next time I will move some furniture. I did it against my couch and did the best I could. I had an easier time with round back and really felt this one in my abs. I always enjoy this section of class since I can hold my legs up in the air.
Gluteal was pretty similar to a real class. It involved holding the chair (or TV in my case) and doing leg lifts. Pretzel Core Toner was pretty hard as well. I’ve never experienced pretzel mixed with abs so it was a nice little surprise. The C-curve lasted pretty long but 5 minutes in that position always seems like a decade to me! I had one little issue with C-curve….
Daisy decided she wanted to me lovable and take a nap on my belly! I was fine with stopping abs a bit early because I honestly hate C-curve! I just really suck at it. I would rather cuddle with my kitty 
The DVD ended with a nice bonus stretch which included butterfly and stretching the legs against the wall.
I think this DVD is a great option for people who don’t have access to the live classes. It is an amazing workout and will give you a nice idea of what a live class is like. I have trouble doing long DVDs at home because I get distracted easily but I could see myself turning this on and doing one or two segments at a time.
Want to win your very own copy of this DVD?
The awesome people at Acacia, the company that produces all Core Fusion DVDs, is offering to giveaway not one, but THREE copies of this DVD!
How to Enter:
1) Leave me a comment telling me why you want to try this DVD.
2) Tweet this giveaway! Write: “@MissyMaintains is giving away 3 copies of #CoreFusion Lean & Toned DVD! Enter here: http://bit.ly/9wWnFx
3) “Like” the Missy Maintains Facebook Page. If you already do, suggest to 5 friends and let me know below.
4) Link back to this contest on your blog. Comment with the link below.
I will choose 3 winners this Friday, May 28th at 10:00 am.
*Giveaway open to US residents only*
Good Luck!
Related posts:
I WANT TO WIN!!! This is great. I need a good video to get me motivated and moving, especially since I no longer belong to a gym
I need some motivation for bathing suit weather! I’ve been laying out in shorts and tank top, not quite ready to show the belly. haha
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I’d love to try core fusion! I’m getting tired of my usual workouts and I need to try something new to stay motivated!
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I’ve been wanting to try the Core Fusion Classes, but the price is a bit prohibitive. It’d be great to try it with the DVD first.
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Ever since reading your blog I have wanted to try core fusion but I haven’t found a place where it offered upstate. So the DVD would be great.
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1.) I have Core Fusion Pure Abs & Arms and love it!! There aren’t any Core Fusion classes where I live so I’m looking to add to my collection.
2.) Just tweeted the contest (I’m @marlenabeck).
3.) I’m now a fan (liker) of your FB page!
4.) I don’t have a blog but if I did, I’d link back.
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I want to win! I’m so excited to learn about core fusion I love learning about new things to try! I think work out videos are fantastic because you can do them in the privacy of your own home and don’t have to worry about the hassle of driving of an expensive gym. I’m a recent college graduate… you know I can’t afford a gym membership!
So I do work out videos instead but they can get boring after a long time, so its so great to hear about a new one that people have such good reviews over!
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I have been wanting to try it! Live classes are a little out of my budget.
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I’d love to win this because aside from basic cardio and weight lifting, I’m a bit lost when it comes to good core-toning moves. I think this DVD would help me with those areas and enhance my performance during other workouts. Thanks!
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Please pick me so that I can stop being the only HBHer who has no idea what Core Fusion is!! But in all seriousness, I would love to try it out (especially in the comfort of my own living room!) Thanks, Missy!
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I would love to win this DVD because Core fusion is not in my area…..bummer! How awesome it would be able to do this at home!
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I just ordered the Pilates Plus DVD from them, and I would LOVE to add this to my collection!!
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[...] Contact Me « Core Fusion Lean & Toned Review & Giveaway! [...]
I would love to win the Core Fusion! I really would like to take a Core Fusion class, but we don’t have a studio here (boo hoo), so I think the DVD would be a great substitute!
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i want this dvd so i can get a core fusion core for the summerrrr!
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I have really wanted ot try Core Fusion, but there are no clases available in my area!
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I would love to try this DVD because after 2 kids, there are some areas that can use some toning!
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I tweeted the giveaway http://twitter.com/tastelookgood/statuses/14777248590
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I blogged giveaway
http://tastegoodlookgood.blogspot.com/2010/05/giveaway-time_26.html
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I would love to try this DVD, especially after all your rave reviews, but I also really like workouts that are in segments so that I can decide how much I want to do that day. =)
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I would love to try this DVD b/c i want that booty:)
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I would love to win a copy of these DVDs!!
I absolutely love workout DVDs! Especially in the winter time! And I also like that I can do them at home, whenever I feel like it, and not have to workout in front of everybody.
I have a few that work really well for me, but would really like to expand my small collection; I think this looks like it would be a great addition!
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I hate the gym and LOVE workout dvds so this would be great for me! Plus I’m trying really hard to get in shape for my wedding in July.
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Linked back!
http://savorandstretch.blogspot.com/2010/05/almost-back-to-normal.html
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I would LOVE to win this! I just graduated from college and after lots of drinking (too much vodka.) and eating out to celebrate the last 2 months of college, I am ready to SHAPE UP!!! please help me accomplish this!!! THANKS, LOVE THE BLOG!
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i really want to try this DVD! i’ve tried pilates plus and body sculpt so far, so i want to see how this one is more similar to a real class
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i also tweeted about the giveaway (@rskamel)
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I want this baaaad because I’m hooked on Core Fusion, it’s made my legs and shoulders look really hardcore (just from doing segments I’ve found online), and there are NO Core Fusion classes in Trinidad (or stores that sell it or Amazon that ships here!) I also want it because I want my dog to love me like yours loves you, and the only way might be to give him a curve to sit on during Core Fusion.
I tweeted the giveaway…. and will mention on my blog tonight!
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I live in a small town and my beloved Pilates instructor no longer has access to a reformer so I need to find a workout that gives me the same joy that her workouts provided. I have been interested in Core Fusion but have yet to take the step. Plus, my beagle loves to lay on me too during workouts but since she is 20lbs I just think of her as a weight and continue until she starts licking my face – then I’m done!
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I can no longer afford my gym membership and this would be amazing
thanks for the contest, Missy!
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With so numerous weight lifting programs available it was really tough to pick the correct a single for me. Once I found one that got me results I stuck with it and I simply modify it occasionally.
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I realize this giveaway contest is long over. I just wanted to leave a comment about how much I like this DVD and the previous four from Core Fusion. Lean & Toned is definitely at a faster pace than its predecessors, so I was happy I was able to do the other ones first to get a good idea of the Core Fusion exercise philosophy. I wrote more about my experiences with this DVD on my blog, Fantastic Fitness DVDs.
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