Cindy Whitmarsh has a really excellent program called 6 Packs in 6 Weeks, and, just like Jillian Michaels’ program, it goes through three levels — ostensibly, you do each level for two weeks, and by the end of it, you’ll have 6-pack abs. Since I’m not doing this workout every day (or even every other day…more like every four days), I don’t think I’ll be sporting a washboard stomach by the end of this, but Cindy sure gives me a workout that exercises my core as well as your glutes, arms, and thighs. The thing I like the best about this program is that she doesn’t talk down to you but also doesn’t act as if you’re a pro, either. At the end of each 45-minute workout, I feel sweaty, exhausted, and totally pumped full of endorphins.
On one of my workout days, I tried Jennifer Galardi’s AM Standing Abs, an 11-minute program which didn’t do anything for me at all. First of all, there was no warm-up to speak of, so we started in on the crunches right away, and I felt no tightness at all in my abs (a sure sign that you’re working them). She didn’t explain how they should be done, or what to avoid, and at the end of the program, I said, “That’s it?!?” I know I didn’t get a workout with that program.
Jackie Warner’s 1-on-1 Core was the exact opposite. Instead of being too easy, it was way too advanced for me. Jackie is the trainer on Bravo’s show Work Out, and I was surprised to see 4 people working out with her on the show, and the room seems kind of crowded. All of them were majorly ripped models/beefcakes, and made me feel very dumpy. She did have one person modifying all the exercises for poor schlubs like me who weren’t as fit, but she spent more time showing off the guy who could do all the moves with 10-lb weights in his hand. Even though I was sweating by the end of this show, my morale and self-esteem were in the toilet, and there is no way I would want to exercise with her again.