I thought once I hit the floor barre exercises, I’d catch a bit of a breather since it’s done entirely on the floor—not the case. The exercises utilize classical ballet techniques (normally done standing up), which still require concentration and balance, working the entire body and incorporating arm movements. That’s another thing—in many of the exercises you have to keep your arms held up for form, and it seems like ages before you can rest them, a great challenge.

The leg section, like the abdominal section, makes you feel like you’re working every single muscle on your legs. You can also see and feel your legs getting that “long look” of a dancer. Once I made it to the cool down section at the end, I felt like my body got more flexible in just the hour it took to complete the first volume.

The second volume incorporates much of the first, integrating more advanced exercises in each area as well as choreography that enhances aerobic conditioning. If you don’t have a dance background, you need to master the first workout and then take it slow when you’re ready to move on to the second.