10 Minute Solution - Belly, Butt And Thigh Blasters [DVD] [2009]

I love 10 Minute Solutions, their dvds are fun and easy to fit into the busiest of days. I was pleased to see that this one is presented by Jessica Smith, who I find a very encouraging, unpatronising and likeable instructor. I've been using her previous contribution to the 10 Minute Solution range, 'Quick Tummy Toners' for a few months now and really noticed the results.

'Belly, Butt and Thigh Blasters' comprises five 10 minute workouts:

Better Booty Camp - to tighten and lift the bottom

Strong and Slim Thighs - for strong, lean legs

Trim and Toned Tummy - crunches, curls and twists to define abs

Lower Body Makeover - cardio and lower body toning

Belly Flab Fighter - fast paced cardio to melt away excess fat

All the sections are done using the sculpting loop, like a small resistance band, which is included with the dvd. Using the loop has the effect of making you use your muscles in a more defined way, creating tension in each move to make you work harder.

I found this dvd to be quite intense, taking it up a notch to intermediate fitness. I can do, and really enjoy, this dvd now, after a year of regular excercise and losing over four stone. I do think, though, if I'd tried this dvd a year ago when I was overweight and unfit, I'd have given up on it. It's really not pitched at beginner level. If you're new to excercise or consider youself unfit at all, I'd recommend 10 Minute Solution Target Toning, which is pitched at beginner level, and also the dvd I mentioned earlier, Ten Minute Solution Quick Tummy Toners, both of which worked wonders for me when I first began my fitness regime, and the latter remains invaluable as it has built in progressions as you get fitter.

'Belly, Butt and Thigh Blasters' is an excellent, enjoyable and motivational dvd, recommended for those who are already quite/very fit and want to shape up, or for someone like me, who's been excercising for a while and has improved their fitness, but has some way to go to reach their target, and wants to take their routine up a level.

I've been using this DVD for a couple of weeks now. The pros are that you can do a section of exercise every day and each section only takes 10 minutes, as the title suggests! The exercises are original and get your heart pounding, and you can feel them actually working. The addition of the 'sculpting loop' increases resistance and it's fun doing unusual exercises.

I would warn you however that this DVD is not for the clumsy or uncoordinated! Some of the steps can be quite complicated and because they're short bursts of exercise you don't get much time to practice, or to see how they are put together. Make sure you do it with your curtains shut or your neighbours will have a field day.

All in all I'd call this DVD a worthwhile investment, as it's great for busy people who still want to keep fit. It's just a bit complicated!

As an owner of a great number of the 10 minute solutions DVDs I was very much looking forward to trying this one out. I really enjoy many of the others in this series and would very highly recommend the majority of them. I was - however - disappointed with this one. I found I could keep up with the fast pace, but the resistance band kept getting in the way and my living room is sadly no where near the size this workout requires.

If you want to shape your bum and thighs the pilates and yoga DVDs are particularly good and Jessica Smith's 10 minute abs routine really makes a difference to your mid-section. Cardio-wise I would highly recommend the kick-boxing DVD or either of Amy Bento's hot body bootcamp and 5 day get fit mix, but I wouldn't suggest this DVD!