Build Balance and Inner Strength, 3 Low Impact, Core Cardio Workouts, Walk Strong 2.0 with Jessica Smith

I bought this after a breaking my shoulder and tearing my rotator cuff in a fall off a horse. I hoped it was exercise I could ease into doing as I recovered. The fact that I wouldn't be required to get up and down from the floor like so many other exercise videos -- but still get a little cardio work -- was a big plus. I figured I could use the segment that was only movement (no weight or resistance band) until I felt stronger.Even though I had to start with doing only half of that segment at a time, due to shoulder pain, it felt great to be moving more freely again! I was happily surprised that it was so emotionally satisfying too. Jessica's method of easing into the next routine by starting with only moving the feet, then adding the arms, then going to a bit more challenging work in some cases, was less intimidating than many routines. It is fluid movement, like dancing, that is emotionally relaxing, even though physically you may work up a bit of sweat! It feels good all over! Having Jessica's mom modeling less challenging ways to do a routine is helpful too.Now I can do all three sessions for the full time and am building the weight and resistance level I can handle. What I LOVE is that I can really feel that my balance has improved! I can stand on one leg in various positions now even though originally I had to keep a toe on the ground. HORSE RIDERS -- you gotta try this! I wish somebody had told me about this long ago because it has made a huge difference in my ability to continue to rebalance on my horse! Maybe I'll avoid falling next time. :-)This is still the video I enjoy the most, even though I use others as well for more strength and more intense cardio work. It's hard to think I will ever quit it because it is rare to find something that is mentally relaxing while physically challenging. So glad it is a regular part of my life now!

This one is deceptive. It starts off so gently, I made the mistake of thinking it would be a cake walk... was I wrong! Each of these workouts really did stretch me, and I ended up winded and sweaty! Granted, I am not a heavy duty exercise queen, but I work out daily, even if for a short time and I am in pretty good shape. This was a nice alternative to my usual cardio walk. I like that each session was different and had a different focus as I tend to get "bored" with my workout DVDs fairly quickly and when I get bored, I end up making excuses not to exercise... This one has enough variety to keep me interested for a while. I especially liked the second session that almost had a "mindfulness" feel to it - a Yoga, pilates, Thai chi kind of thing going on - relaxing, yet invigorating and challenging. Jessica and her mom work well together and are fun to watch - Jessica is encouraging while still being "genuine" and I don't get the forced "cheerful cheerleader" vibe I do from some other instructors. It can't be easy to encourage folks to do something many of us do not necessarily enjoy, so kudos to her for managing to do so and to do it without repeating the same platitudes like "excellent", "great", or "good" over and over ad nausea. I purchased this one as a test, to see if I might like the whole series - now I definitely will have to check out the other DVDs!

This is an older version of Jessica's workouts. Her mom is her partner in all 3 routines. These routines focus on balance, agility and raising your heart rate by pulsing pleas and various arm moves rather than walking or jogging. The moves are things I can do which is what I like best about Jessica's workouts.

It took me a couple times through to get the moves down, but this is fast becoming a favorite. I love that you can tailor the moves to your fitness level, and continue to do deeper moves and use more balance to keep the workouts challenging. This is a strength and toning workout series, with the cardio coming from the intensity of the moves and not a lot of impact. I love the videos with her mom too, it feels personal like you are working out with friends. Jessica instructs well and I continue to improve. I used to go to the gym for classes, but as a 40 yr old woman with a full time job and a four year old, this workout is perfect to do at home in the mornings.

This DVD served all my current needs. I hesitated to purchase it at first because I thought it might be too “easy”. I’ve been working out pretty hard and consistently since my early thirties - I’m now 64 years old and feel as though I’m more intermediate/advanced in what I can handle. However, because I slacked off with my workouts over the past three years due to a major lifestyle change (we were full-time RV’s between 2015 and 2017), I thought it would be best not to think I could go back to intense exercise (LOL). So, I gave this DVD a try. To my surprise, it turned out to be a perfect transition and “balance” of heart pounding and smooth-move workouts for me. I love that palates and yoga moves are integrated into the three workouts, and that each are a little different (she uses small weights, bands in two of them) but they all provide aerobic, strength and balance moves. She does a great job of explaining and preparing you for each move and Debbie (her mom) provides a less intense option for those that need to start out a little slower. Very happy with my purchase!