Walk Strong 3: The Complete 8 Week Home Fitness Program for Women Ultimate DVD Collection [20 Workouts on 6 discs, wall calendar included]

This review is based on my personal experience with Jessica Smith’s new Walk Strong 3 DVD set.I am a self-proclaimed, at-home workout “junkie” and own multiple workout programs and over 500 different workouts. I have worked out consistently, at minimum, 5 days a week and have completed multiple rounds of various Beachbody programs and other popular mainstream workout programs in the past 7 years including 21 Day Fix, Insanity Max 30, P90x and others. Jessica’s workouts, hands-down, have remained a mainstay in my workout repertoire and are the workouts I feel work best for me and my body. (I actually started out clear back in the beginning with a 10-minute workout created by Jessica that got me hooked in the first place) So while I stray from time to time to prevent workout boredom and burnout (and because I admittendly have a bit of “workout attention-deficit syndrome”) I will always cycle back to Jessica’s workouts because they get me the BEST results and I have the MOST FUN workout out with her.For those familiar with Jessica’s workouts, one will find this new program exciting, challenging (in just the right places), and complete with the things fans of Jessica like the best! For those who are just starting out and have never tried Jessica’s workouts, prepare for a nice treat, however note that this program is designed to be used as a follow up to Jessica’s earlier Walk Strong, and Walk Strong 2.0 systems. If you are new to exercise, or are not comfortable with moderate to heavier intensity programs, then you may want to start with one of Jessica’s earlier programs first, and progress to this one.For the sake of time (and reader sanity, LOL), I have chosen to consolidate my review of this program as there are so many workouts one cannot possibly review each and every one in full detail.To start, this DVD set comes in a hard shelled DVD case that contains 20 workouts on 6 DVDs. An 8 separate, “8-Week Home Fitness Calendar” is included so you can perform your workouts in an order that will help optimize your results. The calendar is divided into Phase 1 and Phase 2, each 4 weeks long each, with Phase 1 designed to provide the foundations, and help you build strength and stamina, and Phase 2 continuing this, but providing the option to challenge yourself more by arranging the workouts in a different sequence, and giving you the option to add-on additional 15-minute segments to increase the challenge throughout the second month.The 6 DVDs are 1. “Foundations and Flexibility” (workouts include a Intro/Welcome to the program, foundations, deep stretch, yoga strength and stretch) 2. “Cardio Cross Train” (Cardio Step Jam, Boogie I.T, Cardio Hit!) 3. “Sculpt” (Metabolic Conditioning , Cardio Interval Sculpt, Barre Sculpt) 4. “Strength” (Total Body, Upper Body, Lower Body) 5. “Fusion Mix” (Barefoot Cardio Core, Tone+Flow, Pilates+Yoga) and disc 6. “15-Minute Fix” (1-Mile of Motivation, Total Body Training, Streamline Sculpt, Add on Abs and Total Stretch). Total running time of all the workouts is 659 minutes (approximately 11 hours) making this DVD set a BARGAIN for the price!!For each workout, you have the option of modifying, either by increasing the intensity, or decreasing the intensity to work for your body. Jessica demonstrates the intermediate modifications, while her Mom, Debbie, showcases lower impact/range of motion options. Beth returns for this series and demonstrates the advanced modifications and options. The varying options allow for you to grow with the program, and graduate from week to week with the workouts to help prevent plateauing and help you be able to continue to see results. You do need some equipment for the workouts, including a set of light, medium and heavy weights (to be determined based on your fitness level), a yoga mat and towel, yoga ball or squishy playground ball, and a step. If you don’t have a ball or step, modifications are provided that are JUST as effective at getting your heart rate up, and getting you sparkling as well.As always, Jessica’s cueing is SPOT ON! The moves are challenging, yet basic enough that you can catch on well before the end of each set. The music is upbeat, and fun, yet not loud and overpowering. Fans, and followers of Jessica’s workouts will note the same, bubbly, cheerful personality that Jessica has, but will also be treated to a bit more dialogue from Debbie and Beth, which makes it feel like you’re in the room working out with them too! One of the things I LOVE the most workout out to Jessica’s workouts is that I feel like I am working out with a friend. You get an amazing, well rounded workout, without being shouted at from a drill sergeant or being made to feel weak and incapable. I really feel this type of personality helps motivate me to continue working out and coming back to my workout routines day after day.With the exception of the workouts on DVD 6 (15-Minute Fix) the workouts are all 30 minutes each, and include an incorporated warmup and cooldown. There is a workout timer at the bottom of the screen and one of few “cons” of the workout series for me, as I wish I had the opportunity to be able to turn it off (for me it distracts me from the workout, because as the routines are more challenging, I tend to “clock watch” to see when I am going to be done). The workouts are set in a bright, open room, in front of a set of large windows and allow you to see outside. A beach can be seen in the background, and lots of boats pass by throughout the workouts. Two of the stretching routines are shot outdoors, adding some variety to the mix. The only other thing I wish was different with this DVD series was that there was a variety in sets, or angles, to help break things up a bit, but this certainly is not a deal breaker for me. The series is an EXCELLENT mix of lower and higher intensity cardio, strength work using both free weights and body weight only exercises. From kickboxing, to barre, dancing to step work, there is something for EVERYONE!Jessica really delivered with this set. She's asked her followers what they wanted to see in this program, she listened and boy did SHE DELIVER!! As I mentioned above, I have done MANY different at home workout programs, both with Jessica and other trainers, and this is the first program I’ve felt delivers EVERYTHING that is perfect for my fitness level in a nice, neat package. It was EVERYTHING I asked for. The variety is great, the intensity is JUST where I need it without killing my joints (or making me pee myself, because let’s face it, Mom’s can have those issues), and I don’t feel drained when I am done. Yes, you’re going to feel it the next day, but it burns SO GOOD! For those who have Jessica’s other series, she has Master Rotations/Calendars where you can incorporate both the original Walk Strong, as well as the Walk Strong 2.0 series, which adds even MORE variety. I LOVE this set!

I'm new to Jessica Smith's workouts, but have fallen in love with her upbeat personality and cheery workouts this past year. This new set is fantastic! So far, I've only done two of the workouts, but I've previewed the workouts and already love the set and know I'll use it a lot. Just be warned that although it's called Walk Strong 3, it's actually a program that also includes other types of cardio workouts -- not just walking -- and strength and flexibility sessions. That being said, it's a very inclusive program, and the combination of cardio, strength, and stretching workouts make for a well-rounded and thorough program.As a bit of background on my workout habits, I've always considered myself to be an advanced exerciser (my favorite instructors/workouts have been Cathe Friedrich, Tonique, Dream Body, 21 Day Fix Extreme, etc.), but as I've gotten older those more intense workouts exhaust me, and so I've cut back to doing pilates and walking workouts. Jessica's workouts have been just what I've needed, and I always feel good after doing them.Here are some general things to know about the set:* it comes with an eight-week calendar that breaks down which workouts to do each day* there are two modifiers in most of the workouts -- one (Jessica's mom) who does modified moves and one (Beth) who does more advanced moves* you'll need a mat, a chair, a small ball, and some weights (both heavy, medium, and light) in order to do the workouts* two of the workouts use a half-step, but you can do them without one* there is an on-screen countdown timer for all of the workouts, so you know how much time is remaining* the thirty-minute workouts include the warmup and cool down; each one, though, flows right into the cool down, so you may need to take a bit longer to stretch afterwards since the stretch is pretty brief* the set is bright and cheery, and it's really easy to see all the movements that each exerciser doesAt the start of each workout, a screen will appear that shows you what equipment you'll need for that workout.For the eight weeks, you're doing one workout a day, with one active rest day. The calendar also notes that you can add on any of the fifteen-minute workouts to your schedule, and also encourages you to add on as many of the stretch workouts as you can throughout the week. Some of the workouts are labeled on the calendar as more moderate to higher intensity, whereas others are listed as moderate intensity. There is also a note on the calendar that you can mix in other Walk Strong workouts to change things up a bit. (I have to say, too, that I love the fact that this set comes with a printed, glossy calendar. I hate that many programs nowadays make you download and then print your own calendar since my printer isn't that great. This one is sleek and large.)If you order the program on DVD here on Amazon, the set comes with six DVDs and twenty workouts:* DISK 1 -- Foundations and Flexibility* Introduction -- Welcome to the Program!* Foundations -- Review of form pointers before jumping into the program (30 minutes)* Deep Stretch -- Focuses on flexibility and increasing range of motion (30 minutes)* Yoga Strength + Stretch -- Focuses on core and yoga moves (30 minutes)* DISK 2 -- Cardio Cross Train* Cardio Step Jam -- Moderate-level cardio workout; Jessica uses a step, but you can do it without one (30 minutes)* Boogie I.T. -- Cardio workout with timed intervals ("I.T." stands for "interval training"); (30 minutes)* Cardio HIIT -- Kickboxing intervals (30 minutes)* DISK 3 -- Sculpt* Metabolic Conditioning -- Uses metabolic intervals; Jessica uses a high step for this one, but you can do the workout without a step (30 minutes)* Cardio Interval Sculpt -- Combines cardio intervals with strength segments (30 minutes)* Barre Sculpt -- Barre-style total-body workout (30 minutes)* DISK 4 -- Strength* Total Body -- Uses compound moves to work the entire body (30 minutes)* Upper Body -- Uses heavier weights to focus on the upper body and core (30 minutes)* Lower Body -- Uses heavier weights to focus on the legs and core (30 minutes)* DISK 5 -- Fusion Mix* Barefoot Cardio Core -- low-impact cardio (30 minutes); this one uses the playground ball with low-impact moves to really target your abs/core* Tone + Flow -- barefoot workout that uses lighter weights (30 minutes)* Pilates + Yoga -- mix of yoga and pilates moves (30 minutes)DISK 6 -- 15-Minute Fix (each of these workouts is 15 minutes long)* 1-Mile of Motivation -- one-mile walk* Total Body Training -- total-body strength workout* Streamline Sculpt -- uses one dumbbell to work the entire body, but with an emphasis on the core* Add on Abs -- focuses on the core* Total Stretch -- a total-body stretch workoutI really appreciate that Jessica is still putting out DVDs for those of us who prefer them over streaming workouts or downloads. The DVDs come shipped in a case that holds them all, and little square pieces of foam are even put in between each element to make sure that the DVDs don't slip out in transit.As mentioned earlier, this new program is really well-rounded, and incorporates all of the elements of a complete program. I'll update my review with results as I get farther into the program, but, for now, I'll just say that this is another fantastic set by Jessica. She's a kind, motivating instructor, and doing one of her workouts is always enough to get me out of a funk and brighten my day!Happy exercising!