The Trainer's Edge - Integrate

I've done this workout a few times since I received it, and I enjoy it more and more each time.

There's a short warmup at the beginning and a short cool-down/stretch at the end of the workout, and you're going to do some serious work in between. You know how a lot of home workout DVD's claim the exercises will work both upper and lower body at the same time? Well, that's EXACTLY what you get here. Think pelvic tilts WITH chest flies while lying on your back, or rows PLUS leg pulses while standing.

The diversity is quite amazing, too: one background exerciser will show the beginner's version, the other one will do the intermediate version and Jeffrey will do the advanced moves. There's a VERY high repetition of each exercise (Jeffrey starts together with the two girls, then he goes back and starts explaining each version, which always takes some time, so that way it doesn't get boring), and the more times you complete the program, the more experienced you're gonna be, so you can do your own version of each exercise from the beginning if you feel like it. If you use heavier sets of weights, you can always make it more challenging.

Even though it's strictly a toning program, if you find your own level, I'm sure you'll end up doing some serious sweating (I know I have).

Altogether, it's great series of exercises, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a variable and tough workout.

This is a nice basic workout done with lighter weights because of the high reps and compound moves. There is also a good deal of balance work in this workout, which is always nice because balance work is not that easy to find. Jeffrey leads the workout and there are two background exercisers. Jeffrey does the most intense moves and the two background exercisers show less intense options. Jeffrey is friendly and motivating. This workout is a great addition to my strength training collection.

I read through the negative reviews and want to comment on it: lunges and squats are part of this workout but in combination with upper body exercises. This causes your heart rate to elevate making it nicely challenging and the most of your workout time. If your knees hurt FROM doing lunges, your form is incorrect. If you have "bad" knees, squats and lunges might just strengthen your leg muscles and help your knees. Either way, it is not done exessively in this DVD. The pace is steady, definitely not slow. I used weights as heavy as I could handle (7 to 20 lbs for various exercises - I'm female), plus ankle weights and I was challenged keeping up with the pace (I'm used to Cathe and sweated through the new Bob Harper Inside Out workouts).
He begins each exercise with the basic move then adds on more and more to make it harder. Each exerciser demonstrates at a different level, from beginner to advanced. The workout is chaptered into two main sections: standing and floor which includes abs. Instruction is well done and friendly. In less than 45 minutes you get good total body strength training workout.