Slim Series Afficionados: Which "one" should i try for UB/Abs?

B

beanqueen

Cathlete
okay, i'm thinking of caving and trying "one" of the slim series tapes to see if i can tolerate the repetition/boredom factor i've heard so much about. :p i'm hoping that the higher reps/lower weight technique will do the trick for me.

i want to primarily focus on toning the upper body and abs. which tape would be focused on those areas? it's a bit vague in the descriptions on their site.

thanks so much!
bq
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

Slim Series are pretty lower-body focused, even the "full body" workouts. On the other hand, all but "Firm it up" (and "Cool it Off," a very nice stretch workout with some knee and back stabilization exercises) have upper body workouts. They are all very similar, with some slight differences. I have a hard time keeping them straight, but here is some more specific info on them from what's on the DVD cover and some notes I took on them

"Shape it up" is 78 minutes long, is set up in a "push/pull" fashion, and uses dumbbells.

"Mix it up" is 57 minutes long and uses both bands and weights.

"Tone it up" is 59 minutes long, uses dumbbells, and has some good inner/outer thigh floor work.

"Tear it up" is 78 minutes long, uses dumbbells and bands, includes some plyometric moves (burpees, jumping jacks, plyo squats), and is set up in 3 cycles of weight circuits (each one using different exercise) , the last one using the bands.

I supposed "Tear it up" would give you a good idea of what the system is like. You get both the weight and band work. You also get some plyo moves. And you could do only two of the cycles for a shorter workout.

When I did a SS rotation, I found that it was not enough upper body for me (I need heavier weights and fewer reps), so I felt like I had to do a heavier upper body workout (S&H Chest/Back) after about a week.

I think SS is good for slimming and "toning" muscle, but not for building any, so is good if you already have a good muscle base, or do not want to gain any size. It's pretty much a "freestyle" training protocol (working the same muscle group most days of the week, with light or no weights, to prevent muscle building), which I think works best for lower body (at least for me, but I don't tend to build upper body muscle or size very fast).

YMMV, but I also find this type of workout hard on the joints of the upper body if you do it in a rotation the way they recommend(especially if you do the "double time" reps that Debbie shows).

As for repetition/boredom: I find that sometimes SS is just what I need because of the lack of a need to think about much when doing it. I use the "music off" option, put on some tunes that move me (a "Powerstrike" CD), and follow the beat of the music rather than Debbie (who is sometimes off the beat of the music anyway). The lack of choreography makes it easy to just "do whatever they are doing for as long as they are doing it" rather than following them exactly.
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

Hi :)

Ditto what Kathryn said. I also sometimes find myself WANTING the repetive/"boring" nature of the workouts. And they hold no dread factor for me.

I find "Shape it Up" to be my favorite, actually, though the background exercisers in this one annoy the living crap out of me. Kathryn's suggestion of "Tear it Up" may be the best. "Cool it Off" is a very well assembled, worthwhile DVD, as well. Great stretching and stabilization.

These work for me for two reasons... 1.) I think the freestyle approach does work for me fastest and best, and 2.) even if I'm doing the SS's toughest rotation with added cardio to boot, I don't find myself at all ravenous like when doing Cathe's workouts regularly. That helps as when I'm ravenous, I tend to choose cheetos over lentils :(

Sara
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

thanks kathryn and sara, that was very helpful. :)

i already have a pretty good muscle base, and am interested in primarily toning vs. building muscle. so ss sounds like it might just fit the bill.

i've been eyeing 'cool it off' as well. oh well, i may just end up getting the whole shabang, at this rate..oui! :eek:

thanks so much for all the info and recommendations! :)

have a great weekend!
bq
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

I am agree with the others.

I have Slim Series and have tried all the tapes.In the booklet that comes with them, there are different rotations. I am doing the slim training program. The workouts are good muscle workouts but if you're looking for aerobics, you'll need to add more cardio. They aren't very cardiovascularly challenging, so I am adding Turbo Jam, TAEBO and Cathe's workouts.

All of the Slim Series workouts are high rep/light weight workouts except Cool it off but it is a stretch workout.The weight work is non stop - and you do lots of reps (so you use a lighter weight). Sometimes she uses compound moves, other times, not... but giant sets are frequently used. The high rep stuff is tough! I use more weight than Debbie, but not a lot more because there are soooo many reps!The workouts are repetitive and very similar but I sweat like crazy and I am a advanced exerciser.

I like all the workouts except Tone it Up. I can't mantain a good form doing a bicep curl etc. when I am doing compound moves (upper/lower body simultaneously).I prefer the Cathe's endurance weight workouts like ME, PH or CTX upper body split.



Mariángeles a spanish terminator and TAEBO junkie. :) :)
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

thanks mariangeles! :)

i was wondering about the cardio factor as well as the rotations of the ss. thanks for the info!

i'm trying to find one of these up for trade, to just try it out..but..alas, i'll probably end up just caving, and getting the whole set to 'try'. (and well, if it doesn't work for me, i can always return it, right?!!! makes perfect 'justifiying' *wink* sense to me! LOL )

btw, on your rec, ;) i got tae bo adv live volume 4..it looks great! i can't wait to try it tonite!

thanks so much!
have a great weekend!
bq
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

oops..one more thing...

it sounds as if the workouts in slim series are all 'pretty similar'. do i really "need" the whole collection? is it a bit redundant??? i mean, it sounds as if they're working the same body parts for the most part, in all the workouts? could i conceivably just buy the 2 video set from target (shape it up/tone it up) and get the same benefits as getting the whole shabang from beachbody? (maybe i won't have as much variety, but wouldn't it hit the same muscles etc?)

thanks so much.
bq
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

My word of advice: RUN!!!

I just hated this series. I hated it so much that I couldn't get past one DVD - I tried, but I just couldn't. BORING!!! I thought everything about it just sucked. Of course, this is just my opinion, but what a waste of my money!
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

I think Mix it Up and Tone it Up have the most intense upper body. Mix it Up also has the band work which really adds to the effectiveness of the high rep program. Shape it Up is a nice balanced overall workout and I do like the push-pull nature of the sequencing. Its also a long one at 78 minutes so a good value. Tear it Up is just too long-its 78 minutes all standing and no floor work. It just wears on you and gets boring. At least Shape has the floor work to break up the time. The ab work in all of them is similar and only about 5 minutes, but good.
I think you can really make do with one workout, either Mix, Tone or Shape.
Beth
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

thanks beth, that helps alot. :) i think i'm gonna try and just get one of the them, to see how i like it, and then proceed. especially, since the reviews on these are a bit varied. and there are sooo many other workouts out there calling my 'mighty dollar's name'!!! LOL!! :D

thanks again!
bq
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

Hi again, Beanqueen I am glad to know you like TAEBO volume 4. Enjoy it.

The style of the SS dvds is very similar and many people find this boring.I am agree with you. Try one workout first and if you like it buy the set.








Mariángeles a spanish terminator and TAEBO junkie. :) :)
 
ok, now "which one"?

ok, now i've decided to try one...i'm torn as to which one i should break down and get! :eek: ack!

i'm torn b/t going with the slim in 6 'burn it up', i know this is a more beginner type series vs. the ss, but somehow the idea of resistance bands, sounds like it might really help with the 'leaning/defining sans the building muscle bulkage' for me. ( as i normally tend to do w/ weights , esp heavier ones)

OR

the slim series 'shape it up', 'tear it up' or 'tone it up. OUI! :O
which one?!! i've read all the reviews, but alas.. i'm paralyzed by indecision! (somebody, PLEASE ENABLE ME! LOL!!! )

based on my inability to decide, i know i should just break down and buy the set, but i just can't justify it, since there are so many dissenting opinions on this series. it just seems so risky..

okay, afficionados...which one do you vote for?!
thanks, as always!
bq
 
RE: ok, now

If you are simply asking for a vote between "Shape It Up", "Tear It Up", or "Tone It Up", I like "Shape It Up" the best of those three. It's about 78 minutes long however, just so you know. So is "Tear It Up", although I did see you were concerned about not enough cardio, and "Tear It Up" does have more actual cardio than the others.

I LOVE all these workouts and don't find them boring at all, and I really like Debbie although a few of her background exercisers could disappear and I'd never miss them - LOL!!

HTH.

Carol
:)

>ok, now i've decided to try one...i'm torn as to which one i
>should break down and get! :eek: ack!
>
>i'm torn b/t going with the slim in 6 'burn it up', i know
>this is a more beginner type series vs. the ss, but somehow
>the idea of resistance bands, sounds like it might really help
>with the 'leaning/defining sans the building muscle bulkage'
>for me. ( as i normally tend to do w/ weights , esp heavier
>ones)
>
>OR
>
>the slim series 'shape it up', 'tear it up' or 'tone it up.
>OUI! :O
>which one?!! i've read all the reviews, but alas.. i'm
>paralyzed by indecision! (somebody, PLEASE ENABLE ME! LOL!!!
>)
>
>based on my inability to decide, i know i should just break
>down and buy the set, but i just can't justify it, since there
>are so many dissenting opinions on this series. it just seems
>so risky..
>
>okay, afficionados...which one do you vote for?!
>thanks, as always!
>bq
 
RE: ok, now

thanks, carol !!! :)

i know whatchya mean about the background exercisers...they can 'enhance'...OR..majorly detract! LOL :p

thanks again!
bq
 
RE: ok, now

Oh yeah! For example, I really love Jari Love's "Ripped" but one particular background exerciser almost ruins the entire workout for me. If only there was a "Krista OFF" option ... LOL!!

Carol
:)
 
RE: ok, now

>Oh yeah! For example, I really love Jari Love's "Ripped" but
>one particular background exerciser almost ruins the entire
>workout for me. If only there was a "Krista OFF" option ...
>LOL!!
>

Agreed!
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

I am sure that you know this b/c you checked out their site, but you can do the "introductory package" with them where they basically send the order to you in "halves." That way, you can get a sense of what the series is like without spending as much. If you decide you don't like it, you can just cancel the second shipment.

Although be careful with Beachbody (see my thread entitled "Beachbdoy Blows it again) because I ended up with the second package anyway (which consists of two more workouts and a band) and I don't even want the workouts!

Good Luck!
 
RE: Slim Series Afficionados: Which

thanks, christine...that's why i'm so leary of ordering from bb. i've heard some pretty bad customer service stories..and i don't wanna be 'yet another cs statistic'! :O

thanks so much for the heads up! :)
have a great weekend!

bq
 
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