21 Day Fix Extreme Ultimate Workout Review: ABC Extreme

Another workout available in the Ultimate Workout set for Extreme is ABC Extreme.  In the regular calendar rotation, it is subbed for Dirty 30 (What, no compound moves with weights or that awful wobbling plank pull?  I'll take it!).

Today's Workout:  ABC Extreme

Autumn's Inspirational Quote of the Day:  "Limitations only exist if you let them"

Equipment:  light and medium weights, mat (optional)

Total Workout Time: 32:13

Set up:  there are 11 moves which are performed for 1 minute each; then the set of 11 moves is repeated.

Exercises:
Warm-up (about 1 and a half minutes):  jog, step back right and left, roll shoulders back, roll shoulders front, side lunge right and left, front lunge with a twist right and left, alternating kick and touch your toe.

Squat Tap:  holding a set of weights, start with feet together, arms by your side, and slightly bend knees into a squat-ish position, tap right leg back, bringing weight down to your toe and other weight (left arm) into your chest, switch legs.

         

Figure 4 Reach:  we've done this move before, but this has an added bonus:  left foot on the floor, right ankle resting on left knee, left arm out on the ground, right arm behind your head, pull up and crunch to the knee of the leg that is on the ground and lift up your toe while doing so.  30 seconds on right side; switch and do 30 seconds on left side.
Sumo Hit:  start with your feet out in sumo squat, holding the weight on both sides, jump feet together and bring weight up to chest height, jump back out into sumo and bring weight straight down.
Accordion:  hold the weight on both sides, lay on your back in crunch position, crunch knees in and chest up with the weight.
Squat Hold:  oh, what a sneaky little...she tries to be all coy with this one and make you think you're going to do something fun here.  I guess this is her version of fun:  holding weights by your sides, drop down into a squat and hold for 1 minute.
Squat Jump:  drop the weights, go down into squat position, jump up and drop down into squat position.
Curve Twist:  holding the weight on both sides and sitting in a crunch position, bring the weight forward and twist abs, then to the back of the room and twist the abs.  You can bring your toes off the floor for the advanced version.
Lunge Arabesque:  holding the weights at your sides, step leg forward into a lunge position, then stand up and bring the back leg straight behind you and do a little lift (try not to touch the foot to the ground between the lunge and back leg lift).  30 seconds on one leg, switch, 30 seconds on the other leg.

    

In and Outs:  laying on your back in crunch position, hold the weight on both ends and lift up to the center, then to the right side, then back to center, then to the left side and repeat.
Single-Leg Bridge:  laying flat on your back, put the weight on your right hip, lift your hips up to the ceiling and your left leg up, keeping it as straight as your can, heel flexed.  30 seconds on right leg, then switch and do 30 seconds with left leg down and right leg up to the ceiling.
Side Plank Drop:  lay on your right side, hips stacked and push up on to your right forearm, weight on your left hip, drop down to the ground and push back up.  30 seconds on right side, switch and do 30 seconds on the left side.
Repeat all moves.

Cooldown:  just over 1 minute.

Personal Opinions and Difficulty: This is a workout that I look forward to every time it's on the schedule.  It has good variety, is fun, and the time goes by fast.  Plus, we're working larger muscle groups, so the heart rate is up and you will be sweating. 
Difficulty: 4/5  Nothing overly complicated, but you can make this more a challenge by upping the weights.
Enjoyment: 4.5/5  This workout has the same set up as the other one in the Ultimate set:  go through all the moves once, then repeat.  This is different from the typical set up of her workouts where you do a circuit with 2 moves, repeat, and then move on.  I still think I like that a little bit better, but I enjoy this workout a tad more than Power Strength Extreme, so that's where the .5 came from (I'm a tough but fair judge...)
Overall:  5/5  I think this is a great addition to the regular rotation of Extreme workouts.  I would definitely recommend the two extra workouts to anyone who already has Extreme.  They add variety to the rotation and provide different and advanced moves.  I think you'd really enjoy this workout!

21 Day Fix Extreme Ultimate Workout: Power Strength Extreme

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, Autumn (and I) are back with 2 more workouts that can be purchased in addition to 21 Day Fix Extreme.  Today I'm going to review Power Strength Extreme, which can be substituted for Plyo Fix Extreme (thank goodness it's subbed for some jumping!).

Today's Workout:  Power Strength Extreme

Autumn's Inspirational Quote of the Day:  "There are NO shortcuts, do the work"

Equipment:  mat (optional)

Total Workout Time:  31:17

Set up:  there are 9 moves which are performed for 1 minute each; then the set of 9 moves is repeated.

Exercises:
Warm-up (about 1 and a half minutes):  jog, step back right and left, roll shoulders back, roll shoulders front, side lunge right and left, front lunge with a twist right and left, alternating kick and touch your toe.

Quad Crawl:  I would call this a bear crawl.  On your hands and knees, push up so your knees are off the ground and your toes are touching the floor.  Crawl forward 4 times, moving your right arm and left leg, then left arm and right leg, then crawl backwards 4 times.

    

Frog Hops:  heels together, toes turned out, squat down and touch your fingers to the ground, then jump up and repeat.
Supine Crawl:  similar to the quad crawl, except your on your back now.  Put your hands and feet on the ground, push your hips to the ceiling and walk backward 4 times, starting with your right hand and left foot, then go forward 4 times.
Extended Crunch:  arms out overhead, legs out straight, lift up and crunch knees and elbows together at your belly button, stretch back out but do not touch the ground.
Glute Kicks:  what I (and Shaun T) call donkey kicks:  hands and toes on the floor, with your knees close to your chest, kick knees up into the air and kind of try to kick yourself in the butt (make sure you don't go flying over your head!).

Half Pistol-R:  standing position, lift your left foot just slightly off the ground, hands by your side, bend right knee into a squat position and stand back up straight.  You won't go very low here, and don't worry too much about how high your foot is off the ground--it's more about how deeply you can bend the standing leg into the squat.
Half Pistol-L:  repeat move on other leg.
Gorilla Walks:  squat down with feet wide apart, hands on the ground in front of you and hop to the right and left, keeping your butt as low as you can, deep in the squat.
V-Ups:  arms extended overhead, legs out, bring your body up by contracting your abs, keeping your arms and legs straight (good luck with this one).

    

Flip Crunch:  This move you will do for 30 seconds on right leg and 30 seconds on the left leg:  start in plank position, bring your right knee in towards your chest, out straight and up to the ceiling, then flip your body over and bring your right foot to the ground, then flip back over into plank.  This is very similar to "Flip the Dog" in Yoga Extreme except your bring your knee in and up to the sky.
Repeat all moves.

Cooldown:  just under 3 minutes

Personal Opinions and Difficulty:  I really like this workout.  Different moves that you don't typically see in every workout and you are working every body part.  The best thing about this is that you don't have weights.  I love workouts that use bodyweight as resistance, because it just proves that you don't need to use weights to get a really good workout.
Difficulty: 4/5  Some of those moves are a bit tricky and may take some getting used to, especially if this is the first time you're doing it.
Enjoyment:  4/5  I do enjoy this workout and there is nothing about it that I hate, but I'm not sure I like the set up of going through all of the moves and then repeating them as much as I like the circuit style of training Autumn does in most other workouts.
Overall:  5/5  This workout has a lot of variety and is perfect for those days when you want a workout but don't feel like using the weights.  I think this workout is a great addition to the regular rotation and when it is subbed for Plyo, I still feel like I'm getting a full-body workout (minus the jumping).  This workout and the other included in the Ultimate set are worth it, in my opinion.

21 Day Fix Extreme Bonus Workout Review: The Fix Challenge

I love that when you order through a coach, you get an extra bonus workout!  The one that came with the Fix, Plyo Fix, turned out to be my favorite of the entire workout.  Although this one isn't my favorite of Extreme, I do like it an awful lot.  This one requires no weights and is set up totally different from any of the other Fix or Fix Extreme workouts.  Ready for the challenge?  Here we go!

Today's Workout:  The Fix Challenge

Autumn's Inspirational Quote of the Day:  "Only look back to see how far you've come"
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:  "Don't look back--you aren't going that way"

Equipment:  mat (optional)

Total Workout Time:  28:54  (no weights AND less then 30 minutes?!  Easy, breezy...wait, we're doing what?!)

Set up: let me see if I can explain this in a way that makes any kind of sense.  You start out by doing 1 move, repeated 4 times, then you repeat that move 4 times and add on the second move for 4 reps.  Then you combine the first move, the second move, and add on a third move, repeating each move for 4 reps.  You keep building the moves until ultimately you have 13 moves, which you then repeat 2 times.  You end up doing something like 60 surrenders when it's all said and done.  When Autumn says it's a challenge, she means it!

Exercises:
Warm-up (about 1 and a half minutes):  jog, step back right and left, roll shoulders back, roll shoulders front, side lunge right and left, front lunge with a twist right and left, alternating kick and touch your toe.

Okay, so here I'm just going to tell you the moves.  But remember:  you do the move, add on the next move, then repeat the set of moves, so you're not just going through each move, you're constantly building and repeating.

Surrenders:  oh, goody, they're back.  You hated them before, you'll hate them now:  start with your right leg, go down onto your knee, left knee, stand up on right leg, left leg.  Do 2 on right leg, 2 on left leg.
Inchworm:  standing position, walk down to your toes, walk out into plank, walk back and stand up, 4 times THEN do 4 surrenders and 4 inchworms and then add on the next move.  See how this is working?
Down and Ups:  in plank position, go down onto your right forearm, left forearm, back up to plank on right, then left.  Do 2 with right arm, 2 on left arm.  Take it from the top.
Hip Drops:  in plank position, go back down to forearms and drop right hip to the floor, then left, for a total of 4 reps.  Start with Surrenders again.
Side-Arm Balance:  push back onto hands in plank, turn to right side, stack hips, and reach arm to the ceiling, switch to the other side, for a total of 4 reps.  Back to the top.

         

Push-ups:  regular push up for 4 reps.  Start back at Surrenders.
Knee Tuck:  in plank position, bring right knee to left elbow, then left knee to right elbow, for a total of 4 reps.  Back to the top.

    

Leg Lift:  in plank position, lift right leg, then left, for a total of 4 reps.  Start over from Surrenders.
Burpee:  from plank position at leg lift, jump into squat, jump up into a burpee, back down to squat and down to the floor and back into plank, for a total of 4 reps.  Repeat circuit from Surrenders.
Jump Lunge:  from burpee, jump right left forward, then left, then repeat for a total of 4 reps.  Start over from Surrenders.
Narrow Wide Squat:  start with feet together and bend into squat, legs out into wide squat, repeat for a total of 4 reps.  Take it from the top.
Curtsy Lunge:  step back and cross over with right leg, then left, for a total of 4 reps.  Start with surrenders.
Skaters:  cross back leg behind and tap the ground with your opposite arm for a total of 4 reps.
Okay, now you've done all the moves!  Repeat all moves two more times from the beginning.

Cooldown:  just over 1 and a half minutes.

Personal Opinions and Difficulty:  I have to be honest.  Before I tried this workout for the first time, I really thought it was going to be a joke.  I mean, I don't know WHY I was thinking that, since Autumn kicks my butt every day, but it just seemed like it was going to be simple.  I was wrong.  This is a serious workout and definitely stands up to the others in the program.  I typically do this in place of Cardio Fix Extreme.
Difficulty: 5/5  Uh-uh, you won't be moving much after this one.  Those surrenders, ugh!!  The moves themselves aren't that hard, but boy, oh, boy, you will be feeling them!
Enjoyment:  4/5  I like this workout, but doing the moves over and over can be kind of repetitive.  By the end I'm thinking that we've done enough inchworms, push-ups, burpees, etc.  I do like all the moves though and think that this workout is a nice change from the usual Autumn workout structure.
Overall:  5/5  This workout has a lot of variety and is perfect for those days when you want a workout but don't feel like using the weights.  I think this workout is a great addition to the regular rotation and when it is subbed for Plyo, I still feel like I'm getting a full-body workout (minus the jumping).  This workout and the other included in the Ultimate set are worth it, in my opinion.

21 Day Fix Extreme Additional Workout Review: 10 Minute Hardcore

This is the review of the ab workout that comes with the program, 10 Minute Hardcore.  Same as 10 Minute Abs, you can add this workout in on any day of the week.  I try to skip a day between to rest my abs.  *Note:  you will see in the pics that I am barefoot.  I typically do this with my shoes on, but I was doing yoga and wanted to jump right into it.*

Any Day's Workout (I like to do this M/W/F or T/Th/S):  10 Minute Hardcore

Autumn's Inspirational Quote of the Day:  "Challenge your limits"

Equipment:  1 medium weight, mat (optional)

Total Workout Time:  10:31

Set up:  8 moves, 1 minute each

Exercises:
Weighted Crunches:  lay flat on your back, knees bent, feet hip-width apart, holding a weight at your chest.  Lift up your shoulders, crunching your abs, making sure to keep your core tight.  Make sure not to pull on your neck.
Knee Drops:  lay flat on your back, knees bent in table top position, holding the weight at your chest.  Drop your knees, keeping them together, to the left, then contract your core and bring knees back into table top position, then over to the right side and back to center.
C-curve Pass:  sit in a c-sit position, with knees bent, feet hip-width apart, abs contracted back so your body looks like a 'C."  Hold the weight in one hand, twist back to the left and tap the weight to the floor, bring weight back to the center, switch hands and twist back to the right and tap the weight to the floor.

    

 Hip Drops-R:  get in side plank position and hold weight on your hip, lower hip down to the floor and tap it (don't spend too much time down here resting!) and push back up.  Make sure to keep your back straight and your butt tucked under you and not sticking out.
Hip Drops-L:  switch sides and repeat, this time on the other side.
Leg Lift Crosses:  laying on your back, put your hands by your side and legs out straight, cross your ankles for four times up and then four times back.
One Arm Rotation-R:  get in plank position on your hands and twist your right arm under your body, reaching towards the other side.  Try to keep your hips as level as possible and not to twist upper body.

    

 One Arm Rotation-L:  repeat on the other side, with left arm reaching this time.

Personal Opinions and Difficulty:  Another great addition to the every day workouts.  It's a quick way to work your abs and the addition of the weight ups the difficulty.  I don't love this one as much as the abs workout that comes with the Fix, but I enjoy this one nonetheless.
Difficulty: 5/5  Tough, intense workout for the abs, and with the weight, you'll definitely feel it.
Enjoyment:  4/5  The last few moves aren't that exciting to me and I just want it to be over!  Not because it's a bad workout, but my abs are burning by then.  I guess that means it's working?
Overall:  5/5  Great for all parts of the abs, including the obliques.

21 Day Fix Extreme Day 7 Review: Yoga Fix Extreme

We have made it through week 1 of Extreme!  In keeping with the theme, this yoga is extreme also.  There are some crazy moves like headstands and one arm balances, but there are also people in the cast (including Autumn) who don't do all those advanced moves.  I'm not even sure why they put stuff like that in workout videos, because I don't know who would be able to do those unless you do yoga on your own...but that's just this girl's opinion.  On to the review!

Sunday's Workout:  Yoga Fix Extreme

Autumn's Inspirational Quote: "You get back what you put in"

Time: 30:36

Just like Yoga Fix, this workout is broken up into different sections.  I'll just tell you the overview of the moves so you have some idea what you're going to be doing.

Mountain Pose:  standing as straight at you can, and breathe.
Sun Salutations (3):  raise arms up, swan dive down, raise up into flat back, hands down and step or jump into plank, chaturanga (sliding tricep push up), push into up dog, move back into down dog, jump or step feet forward, move into flat back, swan dive up, bring arms back down to sides.
Chair Pose:  bend down into squat, keeping knees together, arms up by your ears, move into vinyasa (tricep into up dog, down dog), back into chair pose, and close with sun salutation.

Leg Stretch:  in plank, push your hands into the ground and stretch your right leg as high up to the ceiling as you can, then pull in and come to standing.
Warrior 1:  stand with your feet apart in lunge position, back foot turned out rather than facing front, hips forward, arms out to your sides.
Humble Warrior:  standing in Warrior 1, reach your arms behind your lower back and interlock your fingers, reaching back as far as you can and stretching your chest.
Runner's Lunge:  both hands on the floor, right leg forward, left leg back, stretching apart as far as you can; bend elbows and bring right shoulder under your knee.  You can do the advanced move here, called Arm Balance, where you balance one leg on your elbow and lift both legs up off the ground.  Yup. ...
Go through Vinyasa and repeat on other leg.

Warrior 2:  same as Warrior 1, but turn your upper body and arms should face the front and back of the room.
Extended Angle:  like right angle, where you bend forward to rest front elbow on your front knee, but this time go to the floor and stretch the other arm to the ceiling.  You can also wrap this:  pull your hands behind your leg that is bend and interlock fingers.
Half Moon:  come up onto right leg and twist your hips so they face the corner of the room, lifting back leg off the floor, one arm to the ground, the other leg straight out. 

 This is where the advanced group does something called Bird of Paradise, which is standing on one leg and keeping the other leg out straight and wrapping your hands around the leg that's out straight (which is really up by your head)...um, yeah...I stick with half moon and wobble around the whole time while doing that.
Go into Vinyasa and repeat on the other leg.

Flip the Dog:  in plank position, lift your right leg up and swing it around your back so it's on the floor and your chest is facing the ceiling, with your hand reaching back behind your head; flip back into plank.

    

 Crescent Pose:  standing in a modified lunge, both feet facing forward, right knee bend, back leg straight, reach your arms up to the sky.
Warrior 3:  push forward onto one foot and stretch arms in front of you.
Standing Split:  come down to the floor with your hands and kick your left leg as high up into the air as you can.
Runner's Lunge:  come down into position, with right knee bend and left leg back as far as you can go.
Quad Stretch:  put back knee down and reach back with one or both hands to pull your foot into your back.

 Go into Vinyasa and repeat on other leg.

Balance Pose:  lift your knee up to hip height, stretch your leg out in the front, then grab your big toe and pull your foot to the right side, keeping your leg straight; pull leg back to the front, bend knee, drop to the ground.  Repeat on other leg.
Royal Dancer:  this pose is kind of cool to me:  stand tall, grab your right foot with your hand and lean forward, opposite hand up to the sky; think of kicking your foot into your hand so you can feel the stretch.  Repeat on other leg.

 Forward Fold:  bend at the hips, keeping your back flat, interlace fingers around your big toes, lift up your feet and move your hands under your feet so you're standing on them, lift flat back up and down.
Crow:  bend your elbows and bring your knees to rest on your elbows.  Here you can lift up your feet and balance on your elbows or go into handstand........................

 Go through Vinyasa.

Cat/Cow: round your back up to look like a scared cat, then push your chest into the floor and lift your head up.
Bird Dog Pull:  lift right up and left leg at the same time and bring them together at your chest, repeat other side.
Child's Pose:  bend your knees and lay back onto your quads, stretching your lower back, keeping knees slightly apart.
Bridge:  on your back, push your hips up and keep your hands at your sides.
Bridge or Wheel:  repeat bridge, or you can go into a Wheel:  put hands by your head and push up like you're doing a back bend (I can hold this for about 2 seconds)

Ball:  bring your knees into your chest in a ball.
Happy Cow Twist:  cross on leg over the other and lightly pull your heels towards your body, then bring one leg over the other and twist across, getting a stretch for the back, repeat on the other side.
Savasana:  corpse pose:  laying flat, every muscle relaxed, hands out by your sides.
Cross Legs:  sit up, cross your legs, put your hands on your knees, close your eyes, namaste.

Personal Opinions and Difficulty:  Comparing this to Yoga Fix, it is definitely more intense and Autumn pushes you a little more with both the stretches and the difficulty.  I am not a fan of yoga (I know you didn't know that already) so I wouldn't have enjoyed this anyway but some of the moves are so difficult that I get frustrated.  I don't even try the craziness of arm balance or headstand, but if you can do that, have at it!  Yoga is a beautiful thing, just not for me.
Difficulty: 4/5 Even some of the more basic poses, such as quad stretch and Royal Dancer are a bit more difficult.  You definitely have to have balance or you will be face to the floor.
Enjoyment:  3/5  Back to the yoga...I like to do a workout on what would be "rest day" because I like to keep my schedule consistent, but I would prefer to do an active stretch or something more like Pulse from Insanity instead.
Overall:  4/5 Gets the job done, challenges balance, the body, and the mind.  If you enjoy yoga, I think you'll love this workout.

21 Day Fix Extreme Day 6 Review: Dirty 30 Extreme

Saturday already??  Wow, we're almost through the first week!  Time to get dirty again and boy, oh, boy, she is not messing around with this one.  Let's get going!

Saturday's Workout:  Dirty 30 Extreme

Autumn's Inspirational Quote of the Day:  "Don't stop when you're tired, stop when you're done"
Keep this in mind when she's trying to kill you.

Equipment:  2 sets of weights (light and heavy)

Total Workout Time:  31:33

Set up:  3 circuits, 2 exercises each circuit, repeated, 1 minute per exercise, Bonus Round (oh, goody)

One thing I will mention before we get started with this is that although there are only 2 moves per circuit, instead of doing one leg the first round and then other leg the second round, we go both legs, then repeat.  

Exercises:
Warm-up (about 1 and a half minutes):  jog, step back right and left, roll shoulders back, roll shoulders front, side lunge right and left, front lunge with a twist right and left, alternating kick and touch your toe.

Circuit 1:  2 exercises, repeated, 1 minute each
Half Moon Cutsy-R:  start with feet apart, holding weights in front of your thighs, step back with right foot and go down into lunge (make sure you bring your foot way over but don't turn your hips) and raise your hands over your head in a half circle (hence the name half moon).  Make sure to go pretty light with your weights for this move because your shoulders will be on fiya.

    

Half Moon Cutsy-L: repeat move with the other leg going back.
Squat Press: hold your weights by your shoulders and keep feet shoulder width apart, go down into a squat and as you come up, push weights above your head.
Repeat

Circuit 2:  2 exercises, repeated, 1 minute each
Push-up Row: get in a push-up position, abs tight, back flat, and hold a weight in your right hand, lower down into a push up, press back up and as you do, pull the weight up into your chest.  Repeat and bring up left arm this time.
Sword Pull Lunge-R:  holding one weight, lunge to the right, keeping your left leg straight and bring the weight down towards your right toe, as you come up, step the feet together and raise the weight up over your head while you exhale, keeping your core tight.

    

Sword Pull Lunge-L:  repeat lunge and pull on other leg.
Repeat
Circuit 3:  2 exercises, repeated, 1 minute each
Squat Row-R: holding weights, go into a one-legged squat and lower weights towards your toes, stand back up to start position and row weights up to your chest, keeping your elbows out and high.

  

Squat Row-L:  repeat move on opposite leg.
Lunge Row Curl-R: hold weights at your side and go into a lunge, row your weights up and into your chest, contracting your back.  Step out of the lunge, bring your knee up and curl weights in towards your shoulders.

    

    

Lunge Row Curl-L:  repeat move on opposite leg.
Repeat

Bonus Round:
Okay, this one...I'm not really sure what Autumn was smoking when she came up with this one.  I'm not going to lie--I serioussssssllllllly struggle with this one every.  single.  time.  Choose light weights and you can keep your knee down if you're off balance (or just wobble around swearing with sweat dripping in my eyes like I do).
1 minute:  get into a plank position, holding a weight in your left arm, lift your left arm and right leg up and out, pull your elbow and knee in towards your chest for 30 seconds, then switch arms and legs.

Cooldown:  just under 2 minutes

Personal Opinions and Difficulty:  I just looooove how deceiving this workout is.  Seems like 3 circuits are going to be so easy--nope!  This is a tough workout that will have your muscles worn out and your heart rate up. 
Difficulty: 5/5  Another tough one.  A lot of these moves rely on balance as well as core strength.
Enjoyment:  5/5  I really like this one!  Different moves that you don't see in a lot of workouts and a good combination of moves so it doesn't drag or get boring or repetitive.
Overall:  5/5  Definitely challenging, even frustrating at times (especially with that last damn move!), but works the whole body and is a great overall workout!

21 Day Fix Extreme Day 5 Review: Cardio Fix Extreme

Autumn is back with another cardio workout, but this time she is bringing weights to the party!  Oh, yes, cardio with weights.  She ain't playin' around!

Friday's Workout:  Cardio Fix Extreme

Autumn's Inspirational Quote:  "Replace excuses with effort"

Equipment: a set of light and medium weights

Total Workout Time:  31:18

Set up:  4 circuits, 3 exercises each circuit, repeated, 1 minute per strength exercise, 30 seconds per cardio exercise

This workout is set up as follows:  you'll do 2 exercises, either cardio or cardio with weights, for a minute each, then you'll do a high-intensity cardio move for 30 seconds, then repeat the entire circuit.

Exercises:
Warm-up (1:26):  jog, step back right and left, roll shoulders back, roll shoulders front, side lunge right and left, front lunge with a twist right and left, alternating kick and touch your toe.

Circuit 1:  3 exercises, repeated, 1 minute x2, 30 seconds
Low High Squat-R: start with feet together, holding one weight, step out into squat and bring the weight down towards your toes, then "shuffle" to the left (hop your legs together and then the left leg out), lifting the weight overhead.

         

Plank Kicks:  in plank position, alternate kicking yourself in the butt with your heel quickly.

         

Run in Place:  go as fast as you can, pumping your arms.
Repeat, this time doing the Low High Squat on the left leg

Circuit 2:  3 exercises, repeated, 1 minute x2, 30 seconds
Jack Press Jump: holding weights, bend down into a squat position and as you stand up, push the weights over your head and jack the feet out and land in squat position.  Whew, this is a killer!

   

Back Lunge Kick-R:  holding weights at your side, feet together, step back into a lunge with the right leg, as you bring the leg forward, kick it out front, then drop back into lunge.
High Knees:  bring your knees up as high as you can to your waist and tilt your pelvis forward, tapping your knee with your hand and contracting your core.
Repeat, this time doing the Back Lunge Kick on the left leg

Circuit 3:  3 exercises, repeated, 1 minute x2, 30 seconds
Sumo Squat Curl: start with feet together, weights by your sides and bend into a narrow squat (feet together), then step out into a wide sumo lunge and curl weights up to your shoulders, then back in to squat and bring weights back down to sides.
Fast Feet:  this is what I would call a football run:  stand with your feet wider than hip width and come up on the balls of your feet and move them as fast as you can in a stationary position.
Jumping Jacks:  light and easy, a nice break from the intense moves we've been doing.
Repeat

Circuit 4:  3 exercises, repeated, 1 minute x2, 30 seconds
Clean Lunge Jump-R:  start in a squat position and bend down, bringing the weight towards your right ankle, then jump back into a lunge and "clean" the weight up by turning your forearm up and kind of flip your wrist.

    

Shuffle Burpee: shuffle two times to the right, then jump back into a burpee and back up, then two shuffles to the left and another burpee.
Twisted Skater:  we've done these before--holding weights, step leg back and pull one weight up to your chest, then switch legs and go to the other side and switch weights.
Repeat

Cooldown:  just over 2 minutes

Personal Opinions and Difficulty:  This is a very tough workout that works every body part and keeps your heart rate up the entire time.  I think this workout is especially challenging with the addition of the weights.  Don't go too heavy here because you're going to be worn out very quickly.  It's always better to drop the weight and have good form than lift heavy and sacrifice form.
Difficulty: 5/5  This is a heart-pumping workout that is extremely difficult.  The moves themselves are tough, but the pace is fast, and with the cardio intervals, your heart rate will stay sky high.
Enjoyment:  5/5  Cardio is my thing and I love the addition of the weights!  Plus, the quick cardio bursts in between circuits adds a little extra challenge!
Overall:  5/5 Great workout that gets the job done!

21 Day Fix Extreme Day 2 Review: Upper Fix Extreme

It's time to work the arms!  In this workout, you're going to use both dumbbells and a resistance band.  This workout is set up a little differently:  instead of doing a move for 30 seconds or 1 minutes, you'll do each move for a minute, but do 30 seconds with a heavy weight and then switch to a lighter weight for the last 30 seconds.

Tuesday's Workout:  Upper Fix Extreme

Autumn's Inspirational Quote of the Day:  "Build a body you're proud of"

Equipment:  2 sets of weights (light and heavy), resistance band

Total Workout Time:  33:45

Set up:  3 circuits, 4 exercises each circuit, repeated, 1 minute per exercise

Exercises:
Warm-up (about 1 and a half minutes):  jog, step back right and left, roll shoulders back, roll shoulders front, side lunge right and left, front lunge with a twist right and left, alternating kick and touch your toe.

Circuit 1:  4 exercises, repeated, 1 minute each
Push-up:  in plank position, feet together, arms just shoulder-width apart and wrists, elbows, and shoulders in line, flat back, abs in.  Lower chest down to the ground, elbows going out, push back up to plank position.
Wide-grip Lunge-R: in a lunge position, bend your upper body to 45° and bring weights down in front of your leg.  Pull weights up to your chest, bending your elbows and contracting your back.  Release arms back down.  Repeat for 30 seconds with heavy weight, then switch to light for 30 seconds.

    

Chest Flys:  lay on your back, feet on the floor with knees bent, weights directly above the chest, together.  Slowly lower weights to the side and squeeze chest to bring them back together.  30 seconds with heavy weight, then switch to light for 30 seconds.
Band Lat Pull:  hold the band tight, keep arms slightly bent and hold above your head and forward slightly.  Pull right and left for 30 seconds and then both arms for 30 seconds.
Repeat Circuit

Circuit 2:  4 exercises, repeated, 1 minute each
Military Press:  standing with feet shoulder-width apart, bring weights to your shoulders and push up and overhead, 30 seconds with heavy, 30 seconds with light.
Twisted Abs: in seated position, lean back slightly until abs engage.  Hold your weight by the ends and twist to the left, tapping the weight on the floor, then twist and tap to the other side.
Post Delt Fly:  standing tall, feet shoulder-width apart, holding the resistance band tight, arms length and at chest level.  Pull band on each side, contracting your back muscles, for 30 seconds; hold for 30 seconds.
Dolphins:  in plank position on your forearms, rock back while pushing weight into your heels and lift up your glutes to the ceiling; go back to plank position, trying not to rock forward past your elbows.

    

Repeat Circuit

Circuit 3:  4 exercises, repeated, 1 minute each
Hammer Curl:  standing with feet together, weights at your hips, facing the head of the dumbbells forward, curl arms in and up to shoulders and then back down; 30 seconds with heavy weights, 30 with light.
Tricep Dips:  sit with your feet hip-width apart, arms shoulder distance apart, fingers pointing towards your feet, push up on your feet and hands and lift hips as high up as you can.  Bend elbows and lower your body with both feet on the floor for 30 seconds, left one leg and continue bending elbows for 15 seconds, then switch to the other leg for remaining 15 seconds.
Concentrated Bicep Curl:  get into squat position and bend down so your right elbow can rest in your inner thigh.  Pick up heavy weight and curl it up to your shoulder for 30 seconds, then pick up light weight for 30 seconds.

    

Tricep Kickback:  stand with feet hip-width apart, holding weights and bend knees so you are at a 45°.  Pull weights up to your chest and push weights back until arms are straight.
Repeat Circuit

Cooldown:  (just less than a minute) stretch the arms

Personal Opinions and Difficulty:  I like that this workout is broken down into circuits that work the the different muscles of the upper body.  I also really like the change in weight half way through; you know you only have to get through 30 seconds with the heavy weight before you switch to the lighter weight.  If you up the weights, you can really get a good, difficult workout.
Difficulty: 5/5  Using heavy weights, focusing on the muscle group worked, and using the resistance band can make this extremely difficult. 
Enjoyment:  4/5  I'm not a big fan of working the arms, but this workout goes by fast enough to where it didn't feel like we were just doing curls endlessly.
Overall:  5/5  This is a tough workout that works every muscle in the upper body, including the abs.  Challenging and comprehensive!