10 Minute Solution Belly, Butt & Thigh Blasters

This is a busy, busy time of year, so this week, I chose to review "10 Minute Solution Belly, Butt & Thigh Blasters." When time is limited, what's not to love about a DVD designed to let you work in your workout in 10 minute intervals?

The DVD comes with a "Sculpting Loop," which is basically a resistance band -- a particularly helpful tool if you're traveling or short on space. Instructor Jessica Smith told That's Fit that she loves the way this video allows you to take your workout on the road, saying, "[It's] a great example of how you don't have to invest a lot of time or money to get in a great workout!"

Like all 10 Minute Solution DVDs, "Belly, Butt & Thigh Blasters" is separated into five segments: Better Boot Camp, Strong & Slim Thighs, Trim & Toned Tummy, Lower Body Makeover and Belly Flab Fighter. Smith's favorite is the Better Boot Camp: "With just one workout you can already feel a difference in your fanny!"

Smith also chimed in with a few tips for curbing holiday weight gain. For one, watch your cocktails. She recommends using seltzer water instead of soda as a mixer. "Ask for a splash of lemon, lime or cranberry juice to add flavor, and sip slowly." Also, wearing a corset or tight belt to parties can help, she said, because "[i]t automatically helps remind you not to overeat, slims your stomach and helps you stand taller." And, possibly the best advice of all? "Stop getting so worked up about the 'holidays.' Really? Gift shopping? Attending parties with friends and loved ones? Enjoying great food? Is that really that stressful? Keep it in perspective."

Now that you have your holiday fit tips from a pro, let's figure out whether this workout video is right for you!

Level of Difficulty
Intermediate.

Next Day Soreness
My thighs and butt were pretty sore, but I could still walk.

Who's It For?
If you like mixing it up, doing strength training with cardio and Pilates, you'll enjoy this.

Likes
There's never a day when I can't find 10 minutes in my day for fitness. I really enjoyed the way the Pilates and dancer moves were blended with more traditional strength moves, and the five segments flew by. Additionally, I like Smith as an instructor -- she's positive and encouraging, and does a great job of showing how to make the workout higher or lower impact.

Dislikes
I really had some issues with the resistance band -- it kept slipping and rolling up and out of place, which was a big distraction. However, it would be easy enough to use your own resistance band and eliminate that problem.

Bottom Line
While this isn't the hardest workout I've done recently, and didn't find myself out of breath too often, I was certainly sweaty by the end of the first 10 minutes. And, because you can swap out different strengths of resistance bands (if you own them, that is), you could easily up the intensity. Or, if you're a beginner, you could go without a band altogether. Basically, I think it's a winner!



Want to see what else Smith has in store? Check out my review of another one of her videos!