We Try Exhale New Core Fusion DVDs
I walked out of my first Exhale Core Fusion class on wobbly legs, feeling spent and invigorated at the same time. The hour-long class at a studio in New York City focused on strengthening and stretching muscles was the most challenging—yet strangely relaxing—hour of fitness I’d completed in a while.From that first class, I was hooked on Exhale. But as fitness fate would have it, just as I realized the steep class price would prevent me from attending as often as I’d like (which would be twice a day if it were possible), the Exhale Core Fusion workout DVDs landed on my desk.
Core Fusion is the creation of husband and wife duo Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp and perhaps most aptly described as the fitness lovechild of Pilates, yoga and dance disciplines. You target and strengthen muscles with repeat movements from graceful squats to planks, then stretch them with the goal of forming lean, elongated muscles. It’s a favorite workout of some of our favorite celebrities, such as Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz.
Form is critical to making the Core Fusion workout effective, and an advantage I was always grateful for when at one of the Exhale mind and body spa locations was knowledgeable instructors to correct my positioning. Popping in the DVDs and limbering up in my living room, I was on my own. Luckily, DeVito and Halfpapp, who are the demonstrators, explain each of the moves, including how your body should look and feel. Halfpapp also models the modified versions of each move throughout the DVDs, which months into taking the classes, I still need to fall back on now and then.
While select moments of the DVDs can seem a little cheesy, such as when DeVito instructs you to imagine being in the “club at night, grooving away,” it’s a serious and satisfying routine for any woman willing to try. The Exhale Core Fusion DVDs provide thorough, core-busting workouts, which I can confidently say are as effective as being in class.
Find the Exhale: Core Fusion Pilates Plus and Body Sculpt DVDs here.
The Thighs & Glutes DVD is out August 25, 2009.