Hi Everyone!
I know I have been quiet for awhile…I’ve had a lot going on. What I have been doing, though, is tweaking my workout routine…and yes, I’ve added a new DVD/workout that I am absolutely in love with.
It all started from my desire to find a workout that would not tire me out – since I am trying to heal my severe adrenal fatigue.
I don’t like yoga. But yoga has lots of benefits…one of them being its ability to alleviate stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. My barre workouts have been great, but they are still a little intense some days….and I fear they may still be activating my sympathetic nervous system. I also was starting to dread them because of my severe fatigue.
Essentrics to the Rescue
I decided that it was time I should try Essentrics, with Sahra Esmonde-White, since I had been hearing such wonderful things about Classical Stretch over at the Video Fitness forum.
Classical stretch is basically the same program as Essentrics, but CS is taught by Sahra’s mother, Miranda.
I couldn’t decide which one to get, so I started with the Essentrics Workout: Strength & Stretch in Motion with Sahra Esmonde-White
Here is the description of Essentrics straight from their website:
ESSENTRICS strengthens and stretches every muscle in the body eccentrically, rebalancing the muscular structure in continuous rotational movements. It incorporates various techniques including PNF and isotonic movement while systematically working every joint in the body. The basis of the workout is a dynamic combination of strength and flexibility exercises, designed to pull apart the joints by elongating the muscles and challenging them in the lengthened position. This full-body technique works through the muscle chains, liberating and empowering the muscles, relieving them from tension in the process. While the technique is original in itself, it has been influenced by several disciplines. ESSENTRICS draws on the flowing movements of tai-chi which create health and balance, the strengthening theories behind ballet which create long, lean, flexible muscles and the healing principles of physiotherapy which create a pain free body.
Sounds great right?
I thought so too, except that I could not find any helpful, positive reviews from people who have done this workout long term…only short term reviews from women describing the actual workout itself, which is not really helpful.
I wanna know what kind of results other women are getting, don’t you?
I did, however, find lots of positive reviews about Classical Stretch. And what I gathered is that Essentrics is basically an updated, more streamlined version of Classical Stretch. Also, the name Essentrics seems to be a better description of what this workout really is – a workout that works the muscles eccentrically (in their elongated state), which is quite powerful and very different than working the muscles concentrically. It’s not just stretching, and to call it that doesn’t do it justice. This workout is SO MUCH MORE than stretching.
So, I figured if so many women loved Classical Stretch, then Essentrics must be just as good – if not better.
My main concern with this workout was that I wanted to be sure that it would not only maintain the muscle tone and strength gains I’ve made up to this point from doing barre workouts, but that it would improve my muscle tone and elongate my muscles even more than barre already has. And let me tell you, I have not been the least bit disappointed with my results.
Within about a week, my abs totally flattened and started getting pretty ripped. I couldn’t believe it. But I guess I shouldn’t have been so shocked because one of the really great selling points of the Essentrics workout is that it can give you a six-pack without you doing any crunches. That was all I needed to hear because I HATE crunches.
My legs also thinned out and my hips are less bulky and elongated just as Sahra promised. My posture is improved and I look longer and taller, something I love since I am 5’3 with a pear shape.
I am completely addicted to my Essentrics workouts right now. They are refreshing, challenging, and deliver what they promise. They are also very therapeutic, which is great for me since I tend to have a lot of back and hip pain.
Most of the Essentrics workouts are 30 minutes or less, with the exception of Class of 2012 workout – which is one hour long. This makes it easy to fit them in daily.
One thing I would like to mention is that there is a bit of a learning curve in the beginning. You have to learn to pull your muscles out and stretch them at the same time. This is hard because other forms of exercise don’t require this so it feels VERY awkward at first (at least it did to me). Also, your muscles will feel very tight and it can be very uncomfortable and difficult at first to get into the moves and perform them correctly.
Truth be told, I almost thought I wasn’t impressed with Essentrics (and almost quit) because I couldn’t feel the workouts working.
But something told me to keep with them, and I’m so glad I did because now I work up a pretty good sweat doing them, and I definitely feel it the next day.
If you are thinking of trying the Essentrics workouts, Essentrics Workout: Class of 2012 is an excellent place to start. It’s exactly like a live class and it will give you an EXCELLENT full body workout. This is the workout that got me hooked on Essentrics. I did it three days a week and saw results in my abs after about 7-10 days.
I then moved on to the others, and my current fave is the Essentrics Workout: Arms, Abs & Waist Toner / Legs, Butt & Thigh Thinner
My best bit of advice regarding these workouts is to STICK WITH THEM. They are truly awesome. I know you won’t be disappointed, and they just might blow you away!
P.S. *Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to purchase an item through my links (you will not be charged extra if you do decide to purchase in item). This helps me pay for the cost of this blog so that I can continue writing it for you. I love sharing with you what works for me, and I genuinely think the things I have learned can be helpful to you also. Thank you for your support! 😉
I’ve been doing Classical Stretch and Essentrics exclusively for almost 7 years and nothing else! Love it…I will buy anything they put out. Love their streaming, also.
Hi Jackie!
I agree, I’m developing quite an obsession for Essentrics and Classical Stretch. I just purchased Classical Stretch Season 8, and I’m sure I’ll love it just the same. I just feel SO good when I do these workouts-it’s so easy to stick with them. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
hi tawny, I have a question about barre workouts, do you have to go up on the ball of your feet to get the results the exercise’s are supposed to deliver? it hurts my feet to do that for minutes at a time. do you think a person can get good results staying flat on the floor with their feet? I signed up for your free guide just now but didn’t know if I could ask questions there, I am loving essentrics but I don’t want to get bored so I will need help with adding in beginner barre dvd’s, since you worked for tracey mallett I thought you could answer this question, I have her dvd’s but she is always up on her feet, they don’t show flat feet as a modification, so im not sure if I would be engaging enough of my muscles? I really appreciate any advice, Thank you, Deb
Hi Deb! I’m sorry about me email, I will look into it. Thanks for the heads up!
I do think that it’s necessary to elevate onto the balls of the feet in order to activate the proper muscles in the legs. Do you have any of the Bar Method DVDs? If I am remembering correctly, in the Change Your Body workout there is a nice variety of exercises that don’t require you to be on the balls of your feet. The Essentrics workouts are great and if you can’t do the barre workouts, I wouldn’t worry too much. There are plenty of other workouts you can do in place of them that will get you nice results.
Tawny,
How is your parasympathetic nervous system? I, too have an over active sympathetic system. is the essentrics helping or do you have to do yoga? what kind of muscle definition are you getting with the essentrics workout.
Hi Ede!
I am actually no longer sympathetic dominant, which is great news for me since it will help my healing. The Essentrics helped in that I felt it did not continue to activate my sympathetic nervous system, so I could still get a good workout without working against myself. It is my understanding that yoga actually activates the parasympathetic system, as does walking…so these can be very therapeutic. I’m seeing pretty good muscle definition with Essentrics, although I am used to a little more definition I would get from the barre workouts I have done in the past. But that’s an easy fix…I’ve found that just adding 10 minute segments from the 10 minute solution videos or 10 YouTube vids that focus on a particular body part does the trick. I talk about this a little in my latest post http://weightlosswithpilates.com/my-current-essentrics-and-classical-stretch-rotation/. Thanks for visiting! 🙂
Hello
Thank you very much for writing a review on Essentrics.
I too have suffered from adrenal fatigue and find more soothing workouts better for me. Yin Yog and Yoga Nidra have been amazing. However I am ready to start something more challenging but gentle. Really enjoyed trying out Essentrics and looking forward to seeing improvements in the near future.
Thanks
Karen.
Hi Karen!
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. Adrenal fatigue is very tricky, so you are right to go for more soothing workouts. Many people with adrenal fatigue won’t do that. They keep pushing and pushing themselves until their body can no longer take it. It’s so important to listen to your body. I hope you get the improvements you seek. Essentrics is so great in so many ways!