Stephanie Vitorino: The Ultimate Body Shaper

Stephanie Vitorino is one of my instructor finds this year. Like another reviewer, I initially discovered her workouts on the Total Body Slimdown set, which is a great sampler of her work including this workout and Body Target 60. I liked both workouts enough that I purchased both with the original cases and artwork.This workout is divided into two 30 minute workouts, a mat workout (done on the floor), and a high step workout. They are both complete on their own but one could do them both together for an extra challenge. Each workout contains strength moves with cardio intervals (Stephanie calls them Intensity Boosts). The cardio moves start out with a lower move, but gradually raises the intensity. There are no modifiers in this workout, but the base move is enough of a guide for those who like to keep their workouts lower impact, like myself.As mentioned before, both workouts are similar format. Many of the strength moves are compound in nature, giving the workout a functional fitness feel. I find that I really enjoy this way of training and incorporate it into my workouts more lately. For the high step workout, some of the strength moves include step ups with bicep curls adding rows for the back, diagonal lunges with overhead presses, single leg squats with front shoulder raise (hard!), V rows for the back, plank rows, plie squats with rotation/reach to name a few. The cardio moves are mostly athletic, jumping jacks, plank hops, squat/kicks, jacks/jabs, etc. Stephanie also incorporates a lot of moves that work the core and balance which adds extra challenge.For the mat workout some of the strength moves you will see are plie squats/chest flies, tree pose with shoulder raises, reverse lunge with overhead press adding rotation, static lunge with one arm tricep press, runners lunge and row, single leg deadlift with V shoulder press, windmills, etc. For cardio you will see, high jogs, plyo jumps, jacks, mountain climbers, rollbacks (really hard!), etc. Some of the cardio moves are tough, for the mountain climbers you travel from side to side, I personally stay in one place and just hold the plank. For the rollbacks I do rolling like a ball, which is quite wimpy I know but it's a really tough move. Stephanie and her backgrounders of course make it look easy.Similar to Body Target 60, Stephanie will add layers to many of the strength moves, you gauge how much you want to add. Some of the moves add balance challenges which are not easy but it gives you something to work towards. Same for the cardio, she starts out with a base move, then ups the itensity. I mostly stay with the base move which is low impact, it decreases the intensity significantly but I don't care for high impact moves so I leave them out. There are plenty of other challenges throughout so I certainly don't feel like I have wasted my time by the end.There are a couple additional features. There is core work sprinkled throughout the work but there is a separate segment called V-8 abs. Stephanie shows you her favorite ab exercises, but doesn't lead you through a routine, you just do them on your own. Another cute feature that I have never seen is pop ups, throughout the workout a miniature Stephanie will pop up offering tips and suggestions. There is an option to leave this off though if one chooses.I would rate this intermediate/advanced,I think it's more advanced than Body Target 60. Some of the moves are clearly advanced, it would have been nice if there was a modifier to show some options but that's just a minor quibble. I have been modifying workouts for quite some time, I have a pretty good idea of substitute moves to use.You do need a high step for one half of the workout, I have a high step so that wasn't an issue for me. If you don't have a step you could use a stool in place of it. Stephanie and her girls appear to have it set at 12 inches, I personally set mine at 10 inches. They also use two sets of dumbells, a light and heavy set. I used a range from 5 pounds to 10 pounds, reaching for my 8 pounders quite a bit.I can't forget the cooldown, it is yoga inspired and one of my favorite cooldowns ever. I sometimes am known to skip the cooldown and just stretch on my own for a few minutes, not here. I also really like the setting and the colors Stephanie chose for the background lighting as well as the outfits they wore. It stood out to me and made the workout visually interesting and appealing. Stephanie herself is quite a knockout already, and she has some serious pipes!Stephanie does a great job in this video, her instruction is clear, she uses good form and is professional. Her backgrounders demonstrate great form as well, one of them Madison I have seen as a backgrounder in numerous videos. Her experience really shows here.Overall, I will rate this workout 4 and a half stars. Recommended....

Well Done!I did these workouts together, beginning with the warm-up, then the 30-minute high step workout, followed by the mat workout, then the cool down/stretch. There are so many great things about this DVD. You can choose each section individually, including the warm up and cool down -- great feature. Both of the 30-minute workouts are great -- I good calorie burn, good pace, fun moves -- and they include good core and balance work. The exercises can be considered total body in that you work your upper and lower body together throughout the workout. I loved the cool down & stretch -- fantastic! I like to split my workouts into two sessions a day -- it keeps me motivated and feeling great. This DVD will be perfect for that. A great set of workouts.

I purchased this DVD after being so impressed with one of Stephanie Vitorino's other workouts titled, "Bootylicious Buns". This DVD is definitely for people of intermediate to advanced levels. This workout routine is very creative which makes it fun and motivating to do. I workout regularly and play sports and I am in between intermediate and advanced and after completing this workout I was sore for two days! I highly recommend this DVD.

What an awesome workout! I loved this, Stephanie has put together a very challenging but fun workout. Interesting moves I've never seen before. Part of the workout done with a high step which I don't have so I used my regular step and it worked out fine. According to my HRM, I burned 460 calories doing both 30 min. workouts! Not for a beginner, but I would definitely recommend to intermediate and advanced exercisers. Hope to see more from Stephanie!

The Ultimate Body Shaper is not for the novice. Try Stephanie's first video Ultimate Body Lose Weight Fast if you are just starting out. I was looking for a challenge to really shape my body and I am over 40 years old and these 2 workouts are keeping my body fit and strong. Like most moms I have little free time so every minute counts. I don't have the time to travel to a gym every day so these workouts are sensational for me. I think they are rated correctly for intermediate /advanced. This workout rocks.

I'm fortunate to be able to take Stephanie's classes and this dvd is just like being in her class! If you're looking to change your body and get toned, Stephanie is the way to go! There are many fitness experts out there but not all of them are genuine like Stephanie. Not only does she look great, know how to challenge you and get you into shape but she really cares about her students. Thanks Stephanie!! What are you waiting for?? Go buy her dvd!!!

I love working out with Stephanie. She is very intense and I feel challenged and strong afterward. She is an immensely gifted instructor. This is definitely not for beginners.

My wife loves the workout on the The Ultimate Body Sharper. Stephanie Vitorino: The Ultimate Body Shaper  Especially the ab workout. It nice not just to do crunched. It's a great workout. She recommends it for anybody.