DVD Review: Aerobarre

I've visited former boxing champ Michael Olajide's gym and interviewed him as an expert for several fitness stories, so I already knew he was knowledgeable and creative. I've also met his partner, former ballet dancer Leila Fazel, who is just as experienced and passionate. Together they created this high-intensity hybrid of ballet and boxing that tones your entire body and improves your posture and balance. Olajide is an excellent instructor, and he offers continuous form tips interspersed with playful boxing jargon: "Don't lean forward; maintain even distribution ... that's it, now you can't be touched."

Level of Difficulty
This workout is intermediate to advanced, but Olajide encourages beginners to try it and work up to it slowly. Still, it requires athletic coordination and endurance.

Next-Day Soreness
My back, arms, thighs and tush were moderately sore -- just enough to know the routine had done its job.

Who's It For?
If you're used to high-intensity exercise like running and all-out strength-cardio or spinning classes, this DVD is the perfect at-home companion. Just be sure to use hand weights to get the full upper-body benefit and keep your heart rate high. One note: If you're already an adept pugilist, this workout, which takes time to teach you how to move properly, may feel too rudimentary.

Likes
Both Fazel and Olajide are authentic, and it's obvious: Both love their respective art forms and how they've blended them to "get all muscles involved." I have "left-right" problems so even though I'm coordinated, I've always found boxing combinations tough to nail down. These two pros break it down simply and build on moves gradually in subsequent rounds, so I was able to master them all. This DVD boosted my confidence. I need a driving music track, and this one, like the workout itself, is an original hybrid, combining classical and urban house. It definitely helped keep me pumped! Unlike other exercise videos in which the instructor urges you on by making silly comments like he can see you if you cheat, Olajide's voice-over talks to you and Fazel (who performs the routine) with an easy, cool intelligence.

Dislikes
I wanted more ab exercises. The cover boasts a bonus ab section, but there are only three moves and the round lasts just four and a half minutes.

Bottom Line
You get an effective, head-to-toe workout that's a lot more fun than your usual squats and curls. But the best part is that once you do the routine a few times, you feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment at mastering new ways to move your body with power and grace.

See how Padma Lakshmi boxed off her baby weight.