Review: Fitness Blender Brutal Abs Workout

This is a review of Fitness Blender’s Brutal Abs Workout – Abs, Obliques and Lower Back Workout. I decided to do this workout following a potential foot injury that derailed my 5K training efforts, boo, sad face, sobs! Now, let me be right up front: I chose this video specifically because it said BRUTAL, right there in the title! Yes, I’m a glutton for punishment. Anyone can give this one a shot, it requires no equipment at all if you have carpeted floors, and only a mat if you don’t. Here’s the breakdown:

Warm Up (30 Seconds Each)
Torso Twists
Torso Rotations
Warrior Lunge & Stretch
Side Leans
Extension & Flexion
Boxer Shuffle
Toe Touch Kicks
Standing Side Crunch (I love these, I don’t know why, I just do.)
Jumping Jacks
Front Jacks

Core Workout
Crunches
Back Bows (two versions: without weights or with weights for more challenge, I did it without)

Side Crunch Left (two versions: without weights or with weights for more challenge, I did it without)
Side Crunch Right (two versions: without weights or with weights for more challenge, I did it without)

Flutter Kick Toe Touch Cross
Plank Reaches (two versions: from your knees or your toes, I did it from my toes)

Side Hip Raises Left (two versions: without weights or with weights for more challenge, I did it without)
Side Hip Raises Right (two versions: without weights or with weights for more challenge, I did it without)

Windshield Wipers (the instructor suggests that if you have strong thigh muscles you can squeeze a dumbbell between your feet… no thank you…)
Russian Twists (two versions: without weights or with weights for more challenge, I did it without)

Cool Down & Stretch

Results:

I didn’t have a whole lot of trouble getting through this workout. During the warm up I altered the Jumping Jacks and Front Jacks so I didn’t hurt my foot, but had no issues with the other moves. During the main workout I was sweating like crazy, but I didn’t have to pause during the Russian Twists like the instructor (this may be due to the fact that I’ve been doing kettlebell Russian Twists with a 30-lb bell for MONTHS now). I had the hardest time with the Flutter Kick Toe Touch Cross because I have tight legs and the Plank Reaches because of my knee and balancing. Still, when I finished, I felt like I could have done more. It didn’t feel “brutal”. It was challenging, but not necessarily difficult for me. NOTE: I have worked out a minimum of 3x a week for 10 months solid, so I would say I am of a higher-than-average level of fitness. You may find this video more challenging if you’re newer to working out. I wasn’t immediately sore, but I knew I would know if it was a good workout or not the following day.

Yes, I’m sore today! Not so sore that normal activities are more difficult, however… I made it through my Friday Kettlebell Workout without trouble. I’m going to try to do this workout 3X a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Who knows? Maybe by Christmas I’ll have a six-pack (if I decide I want to clean up my diet, which I highly doubt)!

As you may have noticed, I really enjoy FitnessBlender.com’s videos. They’re simple, accessible, free and don’t have irritating music! I usually have the tv on while I’m watching the video on my laptop once I have the moves mastered,  because then I can just glance at the video for guidance on timing.