Search - Robert Sherman: Cycle Challenge on DVD

Enjoyable and effective

Kendra | 05/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm always looking for a way to change my HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). I thought I'd try spinning for a change. Before this, I would use the elliptical machine (boring and my machine has started to squeak) or jogging with intervals of sprints, jumping squats, jumping jacks, etc. That has been effective, but sometimes my knee starts bothering me.

I recently got a new spinning bike, so I got a few instructional spinning dvds to get me going. This one had a couple of interesting reviews, so I used it first. It's excellent.

I haven't used other bike interval training dvds yet, so I can't really compare this one to any other ones, but I like this one a lot. I've used it three times so far, and it has a variety of workouts. It starts off with a 15 minute warm up ride. During the ride, he teaches you about body positioning, hand positioning, etc. The 15 minutes speeds by and I was convinced that it was much shorter than that until I used my watch today. After that, there is another 15 minute speed interval ride. What I really liked about this is that Sherman helps you find the perfect resistance for you. For some intervals, he might recommend upping the resistance until you first feel it in your quads. Then, up it again until you feel it in the back of your legs. As someone new on the bike, I definitely appreciated the advice.

That 15 minutes really sped by, too. After this, there is another 15 minute workout-- this one is a strength interval training one. It's a bit tougher, too-- but he really gets you through it. By the end of it, you really have broken a sweat and you feel every single muscle in your legs. I loved it!

The dvd also has a circuit training workout that lasts about 40 minutes. I did this one, too, today. It's fun, the exercises are challenging and he's very thorough with cuing. The workout uses a stability ball, a medicine ball, and tubing. I dislike using tubing, so I always substitute with dumbbells or a barbell. The abdominal workout is especially challenging. I did find that although it's called a total body circuit, the arms are a bit neglected, although there definitely is enough core work. It is obviously geared to bikers since the focus is on the core and lower body.

The only downside to this dvd is, although you can choose which workout you want to do, you can't set the whole thing up in advance. You have to keep the remote with you and select what you want to do after the segment you're doing is through. It would be obviously much more convenient if you could set the entire routine up ahead of time. Had I done that, though, I most likely would have skipped the circuit training today, though. So, maybe having the options presented to you after each segment could be considered a good thing, considering you may actually do more if you find you still have a bit of energy left.

There are a couple of good stretches at the end-- one on the bike, and one off the bike. Both are quick and effective.

Some people have complained about Robert Sherman's "wooden delivery". I can see where the criticism comes from, but I found him an excellent instructor. Definitely one of the best-- he's calm and focused and it's easy to stay focused when working out. And, to top it off, the workout was so fun, the time just sped by-- which is a gift.

If you're thinking about purchasing this dvd, I think you'll be pleased. It is considered a beginning and intermediate challenge but, by upping the resistance (which I did today), it can be effective for someone a bit more advanced on the bike, as well. I also want to recommend something called shapeupshoes dot com. They aren't for riding and they aren't sold on Amazon, but I love wearing these and have been wearing them for 30 minute walks daily. You will FEEL your muscles stretch and work and feel every part of your legs burn. I have purchased MBT White Sport Walkers, MBT White Sport High , FitFlop WalkStar Silver, and Women's Earth Energetic in the past, hoping to increase the resistance on daily walks, but these shoes outperform all the others. It's as if I'm doing calf raises on a stairmaster.

Using these shoes, I'm already seeing some new definition and, I'm hoping with the new HIIT on the bike (in addition to my regular weight/strength training), I'll get some great results.

"

Great for Beginners

O. Sealey | Caribbean | 02/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is great for beginners!
Great work out. Easy to follow instructions, clear speech, and good demonstrations. The instructor works out with you to give you that extra push, and the company you need to know you're not doing this on your own.
The best part about this is that this DVD also includes floor exercises off the bike that helps tone and strengthen your core. Great results too! I lost 35 pounds (from a whopping 270) in 2 months. Of course good eating habits prevailed as well. Try eating more vegetables in your meals, and also try to eat 6 meals a day including fruit (eat at every 3-4 hours)."

A solid training video

AeroMan | Nashua, NH United States | 11/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This video is very good for a beginning to intermediate spin bike workout. Robert Sherman does a good job reviewing technique and posture. He leads spinners of a wide range of ability through a solid warm-up and several series of intervals alternating hard work and recovery. The beginning of the video focuses on warmup, the middle on speed, and then the viewer gets to choose between a core mat/ swissball workout or a series of strength building intervals on the bike. The video finishes with a cool down and some stretching.

While Sherman is a knowledgeable instructor, he is very wooden in his delivery and motivation style, and I can see why some people find his style hilarious in a sarcastic way (see the review by Big Brooklyn Lou on Sherman's "Cycle Reebok" video). Also, the background music is fairly lame and quickly wears out its welcome. Finally, two other cyclists join Sherman in the video, saying nothing but sweating profusely while Sherman looks cool calm and collected, without so much as a hair falling out of place; it's a bit surreal.

All things considered, this is a keeper if you want a good spinning workout. It always breaks a sweat for me!"

Not much of a Spin Challange

T. Kettelhut | Boca Raton, FL | 04/15/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I am an avid spinner and was very disappointed with this DVD. Robert Sherman is like watching grass grow, not very motivating and very monotone. I was looking for someone to pump me up during the workout and he made me sleepy. Additionally, there was no jumping, no isolating of body parts on the bike, strictly riding and changing intensity and speed. I was looking for something more exhilirating and challanging. This wasn't for me."