Sweat Summary: Instructor Annika Kahn uses her background in martial arts and kickboxing to create a fun, high-energy, total-body workout that incorporates a wooden sword into movements. (Don’t worry the tip is rounded and blunt!) More from Prevention.com: Why You Should Try Kickboxing Sweat Factor: Medium Mood: Determined What We Liked: Finish feeling like a fitness ninja! Each move must be precise, and using the wooden prop requires the core to remain engaged throughout simple movements to assist with balance. What We Didn’t Like: Handling the sword feels a bit awkward at first and it takes a few reps to pick up on some of the choreography. Also, you need enough space to swing the 41” prop in all directions. Calories Burned: 290* Based on a 135 lb. woman [sidebar]Rating: Sweat it, 3.5 remotes
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Full Review: This non-stop routine adds resistance to bodyweight exercises with the use of the custom, 41-inch, wooden sword. While it only weighs about 2.5 pounds, the length of the lever makes it feel heavier.The 30-minute workout features ninja-like exercises including blocks, jabs, and kicks. Cardio sprints and sword choreography are broken up by a series of swings called “meditative cuts” which involve lifting the sword overhead and slicing it through the air in front of the body repeatedly. Raising the sword overhead engages the shoulders, back, and arms while bringing it down, cutting through the air, works the triceps and core. Repeated at a fast pace, multiple times, leaves you feeling winded…and that’s considered the recovery! More from Prevention.com: See 25 Ways to Squeeze In 10 Minutes of Exercise Working with a sword requires complete concentration on each movement. We were so focused that when it was time for the cool-down we thought we had been working out for 10 minutes, not 30! You’ll immediately feel the burn in your shoulders and forearms as arms probably aren’t used to wielding a sword overhead for extended periods of time. (Because really, when was the last time you needed to swing a sword?) But recovery is quick. While some of the exercises felt a bit awkward at first, each move is repeated multiple times—meaning you have multiple attempts to get the hang of it. If you’re in the San Francisco area, Jungshin classes are offered at The Sports Club/LA. Available at jungshinfitness.com/store ($80 for the DVD and sword package). [pagebreak] Favorite Move: High Knee Jog With Overhead Reach 1. Hold sword (horizontal) overhead, keeping arms straight. (Do the move without a sword by holding arms overhead, actively reaching them towards the sky.) 2. Jog in place, bringing knees towards the chest. Aim to have thighs be at least parallel to the floor. Keep the core tight and land lightly, using the ground as your springboard. To modify, alternate pulling knees above belly button instead of jumping. 3. Continue without rest for 30 seconds.
Media Platforms Design TeamWhat To Wear: Shoes are optional, but you’ll need the custom wooden sword. Editor’s pick: Unleash your inner ninja with the sleek and sexy cuts of the GapFit Motion seamless cami (seamless means you’re less likely to chafe during the repetitive meditative cuts, $30) and the GapFit gFast capris ($50), both available at gap.com. Read another fitness DVD review: Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge
