Raise the Barre: Introducing Cardio Barre--The Revolutionary 8-Week Program for Total Mind/Body Transformation

By Laurel House and Richard Giorla

Book Overview

A comprehensive guide to the hottest new fitness program in the country-Cardio Barre-a dance-based workout that combines cardio, strength training and stretching, in one fast-paced, fat-burning, body-lengthening session. With a full nutrition program as well, you'll see life-changing results in only eight weeks.

While yoga, pilates, aerobics and weightlifting are all successful, popular fitness routines, each one of them is missing something that the others offer. And with our hectic lives that leave little time for sleep, let alone hours of daily exercise, the Cardio Barre workout is the perfect combination of cardio, strength training and stretching--achieving multiple desired results from one fast-paced workout.

Richard Giorla is a classically trained dancer who has learned from his decades of training that the key to strength and endurance is developing core muscle--the center of the body must be strong in order to support the other areas of the body. In Cardio Barre, you work from your core--maintaining your balance using a barre, a countertop, a chair, or even your own strength--then repeat low-resistance motions such as plies, arm extensions, and leg flexes. With no kicking, jumping, or punching, this effective and complete workout leaves participants with long, lean muscles, flexibility, and endurance.

With the success of the Cardio Barre workout in LA, where it has gained celebrity adherents and a long waiting list of others, as well as the recent launch of Cardio Barre in New York, this is poised to become the new "it" workout. And unlike past fitness fads, Cardio Barre sets realistic goals, including following a healthy eating program, and offers the desired results of both cardio health and strength in only eight weeks.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060786620
• ISBN13: 9780060786625
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: William Morrow
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.1" x 1.1" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

worth the money

I took 9 years of ballet and I am pleasantly surprised at this book. I have recently gained an enormous amount of weight while doing my graduate studies and this book gives a challenging yet customizable workout. If you are looking for a feminine body and are looking for a workout that will give you an insane amount of endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance buy this book and try this workout. You can even do this with a chair, no barre required. Forget the expensive workouts like Insanity or P90X this is just as hard but with much less impact, save your joints. I have to admit it is a little bit of a hassle learning the moves at first, but once you learn the workout it is a great way to challenge yourself while tuning out the world.

Move Over Lotte Berk, Bar, Effinger, & Callanetics!

This is the next level in ballet-based conditioning exercises, and the best "fusion" I've seen. The author was a real ballet & showbiz dancer. The program is organized into beginner, intermediate, advanced and broken down into an 8 week progression. Everything has been well thought out and organized. Their customer service is excellent, they sell a portable barre in a carry case, with the DVD that goes with this book, and the hand weights are even included. If you want more of a workout when you get accustomed to it, just use heavier hand weights. I like to use ankle weight belts for the lying leg lifts section of the mat work. I hope somebody starts a franchise in my city soon. High recommend.

Really liked it!

Very good workout - combines some ballet moves with "ballet inspired" strength moves and adds in upper body strength training for a well rounded workout. Using light weights with the 32 reps really does work those arms/shoulders. Doesn't take much room in the house to do and you can do it to any music using anything for balance.

Wonderful workout!!!!

This is a great workout. It tones and shapes. Helps you become stronger, stand taller, and truly get in shape. Good descriptions of exercises. I love it.

I really like this book

Cardio Barre is a really great cardio and toning workout. I love it! The book is a helpful guide to work with or without the dvd. Excellent description of each exercise. I can really recommend it!