Walk On: 6 Mile Mix DVD with Jessica Smith - Workout Videos For Women, Low Impact, Cardio and Sculpting Exercise for Total Body Toning

Never have I had as much fun working out as I do with Jessica Smith’s routines!!! Over the years, I have transitioned back and forth from different trainers, programs and workout styles, but never have I found as much satisfaction, happiness, and the results I’ve sought, than what I get when I use Jessica’s workout DVDs and programs.Having purchased, and done every DVD release and YouTube routine Jessica has released, I oftentimes wonder before I purchase, if each new DVD will be an added investment and benefit to my goals, or will the newer DVDs simply be a rehash or previous moves/exercises. Each time I am surprised! This DVD is unique and special in and of itself! I am glad I made the choice to add this DVD to my collection. This DVD, comprised of multiple short walks (including warm up, cooldown and stretching segments) to be one of the MOST EXCITING, ALL-INCLUSIVE (Jessica’s larger workout sets/programs excluded) systems she’s released that incorporates short “mix and match” routines.This DVD set comes in a study, hard-shell case and includes a 5 minute “Warm Up” and 6 individual walking routines that include cardiovascular work, strength training for upper and lower body, as well as total body, standing abdominal work, tabata style intervals as well as a 5 minute cooldown and bonus 5 minute stretching segment. The routines (warm up/cooldown/stretch excluded) are 12-16 minutes from start to finish.The start menu includes and “Introduction” with Jessica, explaining the various routines on the DVD and includes the option to customize your workout, mixing and matching as many routines, in whatever order, you’d like for the day, or you have the option to play all of the routines.The routines include a 3-Fitness-Level Option as with most of Jessica’s routines. Again, we see Jessica’s Mom, Debbie, performing the low impact and modified options, and Beth, on performing the advanced options, including higher impact. Jessica demonstrates the “intermediate” moves.The set is the same as Jessica’s previous “Walk Strong” series, from what appears to be a high-rise apartment with wide windows, showcasing a variety of Miami weather, including sunshine, rain and fog, while traffic moves in the back ground (don’t worry, it’s not distracting). The set and outfits are colorful enough to be interesting, without be distracting. There is no abundance of exposed skin and the body types shown are realistic, and motiving. Jessica and crew are peppy, maintain smiles throughout. As with all of her releases, Jessica’s careful cueing, bubbling personality and energy make the DVD what it is. No drill-sergeant cuing, no yelling and she does EVERY SINGLE MOVE WITH YOU!Included as a “count down” timer that starts from the beginning of the workout, and counts down to the end of the routine. NOTE: You cannot turn off the timer, and this may be a distraction to some people. Personally, I was having so much fun, I didn't even notice it.The music is excellent, and NEW! No repeats from previous DVDs. The music is more electronic/dance style with hints of 90’s/2000’s dance songs in the beat of the moves. Songs speed up and down depending on the move you’re doing. Really fun. The music is simply instrumental, no voices so as to have no distraction.EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: You will need a study set of walking shoes, approximately 3x5 feet of space, a flat resistance band, yoga mat, or soft surface, and a chair (for the stretching segment)This DVD is a valuable addition to ANY Jessica Smith fan, and would be a great DVD for those who have progressed from her earlier walking DVDs, and are looking for something that is a “bit more”. It would also be a great DVD for anyone just starting out with Jessica Smith who may not be wanting to invest in a pricier DVD set, but still wanting to get the benefit of a “total body” system.***********************************I am providing a “Walk By Walk” review including caloric burn of each routine below. Please note, I am a 35 year old female, and an intermediate to advanced exerciser weighing approximately 145 pounds. I used a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor to measure my caloric expenditure for each routine. Your calorie burn may differ from mine based on your fitness level, starting weight, age, and other individual factors.**********************************Warm Up (5 minutes): 35 calories burned, typical warm up including walking in place, side to side movements, and focus on the warming up the major joints including the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles and the feet to prepare you for the walks to come.Mile 1; Steady Burn (15 minutes): 160 calories burned. My favorite of the “cardio” routines. This one starts off fast right out of the gate and keeps going until the finish. This walk is a mix of some of Jessica’s standard moves (side to side movements and grape-vines with clapping, hamstring curls etc), and fun combinations and mixes of different moves using upper and lower body at the same time. Everything is worked from arms, to abs, to legs PLUS balance and agility. 5/5 stars.Mile 2; Upper Body Sculpt (15 minutes): 130 calories burned. This routine really works your arms! I felt I got as much benefit using the simple, cheap resistance band as I would have using my heavier, and pricier set of dumbbells. This workout was done in “super set” fashion, with multiple sets of exercises including 2-3 moves, then repeating. This routine was not simply upper body, the lower body, including the core, and back were worked all in conjunction with each other. A few of the moves include bicep curls standing on the band, triceps while working the hamstrings at the same time, and bow and arrow pulls with plie squats. 5/5 Stars.Mile 3; Lower Body Toner (15 minutes): 120 calories burned. This routine had a lower body focus, but was extremely joint friendly!! I loved that, as I have a tendency to experience knee pain with other workouts. The band was used for side to side movements that worked the outer thighs, side lunges to work the glutes and hamstrings as well as “sneaky” upper body movements. There was some balance work as well. The last 5 minutes of the routine were done on the floor, with the band, and included pilates-inspired moves including “clams” to work the outer thighs more, inner thigh work, and hip bridges. I will be feeling this tomorrow!! 5/5 Stars.Mile 4; Cardio Interval Abs (15 Minutes): 150 calories burned. LOVE LOVE LOVED this routine! If you’re a fan of Jessica’s older “Cardio Abs DVD” this is very reminiscent. Jessica includes 3 sets of moves, with a “tabata” style interval in-between lasting roughly 2 minutes. This routine works your core 360 degrees THE WHOLE TIME! NOT ONCE do you get on the floor to do ab work! I love that. Lots of standing moves incorporating upper body twists, knee raises, punches, and the legs! 5/5 stars.Mile 5; Total Body Tune Up (15 Minutes): 145 calories burned. If you want a routine that does it all, this is the one to pick. You will see a lot of the same moves from the Upper Body and Lower Body Miles, as well as some repeat of some of the ab exercises, with the addition of other movements focusing on balance and stability. Movements again are done in superset fashion, with 2-3 different exercises, repeated in a set twice, then you move onto a new set of moves. You need the flat resistance band for this walk.Mile 6; Speed Walk (12 Minutes): 115 calories burned. Get in and get it done! This routine is similar to Jessica’s YouTube walking routines, but faster paced, it is mostly comprised of moves you normally see in your other walking routines, side to side steps, hamstring curls, grapevines, “cheerleader” arms. Super upbeat, fast, and fun!Cooldown: (5 minutes): 35 calories burned. A complete cooldown while walking at a slower pace, to bring your heart rate down. Not a lot of stretching, but that is including in the short stretching routine.Stretch (5 Minutes): Incorporates a high-backed chair to help with balance with stretching the glutes, hamstrings, inner thighs, back, shoulders, arms. So refreshing! Don’t skip this one.

I am 57 yr old and discovered Jessica Smith workouts through her Total Body Balance which I love and do every Sunday (the full 80mn).I am used to Walk videos from Leslie Sansone and do anywhere from 4 miles to 6 miles a day, and some with firm bands.This 6 miles with firm band is very challenging, she does a lot of moves and I did sweat it out a lot more. I love that it is toning and cardio at the same time. It is still easy to follow.Overall, for a day where you have time for the 6 miles, go ahead and challenge yourself. Or do any number of miles that you have time for....

I purchased this BRAND NEW Jessica Smith 6 Mile Mix from Amazon and got it Tuesday night when it was released. I did the warm up, cool down, bonus stretch and miles 1-4 on Wednesday; and then miles 5 and 6 the next day so I could post this review this week.I really like the customized menu! I tried it out on Thursday with selecting the warm up, mile 5, mile 6, mile 1, and cool down. The cool thing about the custom menu is that you can select any workout you want to do, in whatever order you want to do!If you want to do just the strength training segments with the band-you would select mile 2, 3 and 5. If you want to do just cardio-you would select mile 1, 4 and 6.I highly recommend always doing the warm up and cool down segments because miles 1-6 are fast paced and she gets right into the workout. The bonus stretch segment is really good as well! You will need a chair for the bonus stretch.The warm up and all the mile segments show a countdown clock on the bottom right of the screen. The cool down and bonus stretch do not have a clock countdown. I like the clock feature because when I’m feeling a little tired I can always push myself to do more when I see what little time I have left. It’s also really helpful for my 5 year old to be able to see the clock when he’s exercising with me.The first day I tried the workout with a friend and we both agreed that the time went by REALLY fast (and we did 4 miles!). I was pleasantly surprised that although I have alot of home workout dvds and Jessica Smith workout dvds, that this one is very different! She has alot of new movements and patterns that I’ve never done before.I was hesitant to buy it because sometimes resistance band workouts irritate my upper back, but I love Jessica Smith workouts so I bought it anyway. I’M SO GLAD THAT I DID! I really love it and plan on doing this workout with her phase II calendar rotation with other Jessica Smith workout dvds. I made sure to the bonus stretch both days so my back wouldn’t hurt after using the resistance band and I haven’t had any trouble.Jessica and the cast are using 6 foot resistance bands but she says in the intro segment that you could use whatever length you have at home. I only had a 5 foot one which I used and it worked fine. I knew a 6 foot one would be better so I bought a set online to use the next time I did this workout.The music is great and just loud enough to be heard. The usual cast of Beth and Debbie are in it which I love! Debbie shows modifications and Beth shows the more advanced higher impact movements. This dvd uses the same background set as her Walk Strong DVD set.Here is the time breakdown for each segment so you can plan accordingly:Warm up (6:10 mins)Mile 1 Steady Burn (15:47 mins)Mile 2 Upper Body Sculpt with band (15:25 mins)Mile 3 Lower Body Toner with band (15:35 mins) *you are on the floor from 10:50-15:35.Mile 4 Cardio Interval Abs (15:25 mins) 3 rounds of 3 different intervalsMile 5 Today Body Tune Up with band (16:05 mins)Mile 6 Speed Walk (12:15 mins) with joggingCool down (5:00 mins) no clockBonus stretch with chair (5:50 mins) no clock