Cardiopump Fusion Review
By: Maria Garofalo McCauley, Huff & Buff
Cardiopump Fusion, with a total running time of 75 minutes, is a non-stop workout designed to give you maximum results with a fusion of workouts from a variety of disciplines. In this workout you will find kettlebells, yoga, kickboxing and plyometrics as well as bootcamp and sports drills. Led by instructor Brook Benten, Cardiopump Fusion is an intense workout that will challenge even the most advanced exerciser. Brook is joined in the workout by two background exercisers, one of which shows easier modifications to the exercises while the other shows a more advanced modification. Brook sticks with something in between. For the workout you will need a kettlebell, for the kettlebell workouts, and an exercise mat, for the yoga inspired warm-up.
Cardiopump Fusion consists of a Warm-Up, Fusion, Fusion Final Breakdown, Cardio Kettlebell, Kettlebell Crank and Cool Down. Each of these can be selected from the main menu, along with a Play All option. Also available on the DVD is an Introduction chapter where Brook covers the basics of kettlebell training as well as what to expect in the other workouts. The workout is extremely versatile; it is well-chaptered so you can mix and match any of the segments as well as play the workout in its entirety depending on your fitness level or time available to exercise.
Cardiopump Fusion begins with a ten-minute yoga derived warm-up. The warm-up serves to get the body warm and ready. It is yoga inspired with a vinyasa flow that includes upward dogs, downward dogs, push-ups, chair pose and lunges. Next up in the workout is Fusion, a twenty minute, no equipment necessary, cardio workout. This workout consists of four unique aerobic routines: sports drills, kickboxing and plyometrics, bootcamp and cardio kickboxing. Each of the routines is built individually and then combined in the six minute Fusion Final Breakdown. The final two workouts are kettlebell workouts. Cardio Kettlebell is lower body focused with traditional kettlebell exercises such as squats, basic swings, one-arm swings, alternating swings and deadlifts. Though it is only twelve minutes, Brook manages to thoroughly fatigue the lower body and keep the heart rate elevated. Kettlebell Crank is an advanced kettlebell workout. At eleven minutes, the workout is much more choreographed and uses the kettlebell with quick transitions in the workout. While you will still see many of the same exercises in this workout, Brook also includes halos, woodchops, side lunges, rear lunges and snatches. Cardiopump Fusion concludes with a ten minute cool down and stretch.
Cardiopump Fusion is an excellent mix of fun and intense workout styles that keeps the heart rate pumping, muscles on fire and energy level up. Brook Benten is an engaging lead, has a great personality and is extremely motivating. She cues well throughout the workout and shares plenty of tips and form pointers. She encourages the exerciser to work at his/her own pace, listen to their body and progress to the more advanced or full workout when ready. To learn more about Brook Benten, her other workouts and future projects, visit her website Cardiopump Fitness. You can also find Brook on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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