Back is the new black?

iani started this discussion · 9/15/2015

Hello, has anyone here already gotten Back is the New Black, the new Cleo the Hurricane training video? I am a sucker for her videos normally (the music!!!), but I have had some extra expenses and need to keep a bit of an eye on money atm (will have to wait some months to renew Veena's lessons, too)... so I wanted to know if it was a good one, if you considered it worth the price, or if it feels a bit less amazing than Rocking Legs and Abs... If nobody has it yet, I guess I'll have to go ahead and treat myself on this O:) And then I can give a review to anyone who is interested

25 replies

mystical · 9/15/2015
I am interested in this DVD to, I'm going to follow this thread.
Phoenix Hunter · 9/15/2015
I have it and I love it. I feel it is actually more thorough than rockn legs n abs! :) it's tough but good. She has her usual aerobics style exercises to warm you up and strengthen. She stretches all areas , shoulders , back, hip flexors. I add my own hamstring stretches and splits so that I can work on whole body flexibility. If you like legs n abs then you will like this too. I don't recommend for beginners or anyone new to aerobics because it might just be too overwhelming to keep up with. I love that she focuses on flexibility by strengthening the back too.
Pretty Pixie · 9/15/2015
I have it and I like it a lot, too. It's like an upgrade to RLNA, if you add in the splits stretching as phoenix mentioned, which is what I've done so far. I also agree with her statement about it not being for very beginners (as I felt with RLNA when I first got it...I was hopeless with it until I learned my own pace and range of motion) but once you are able to control the movements and practice regularly, it becomes so fun! And I love that it's *almost* all in one total body strength and Flex in one workout.
iani · 9/15/2015
Yay!!! Thanks a lot, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. It looks like my treat of the month is gonna be spent on Cleo! =)
Antiquity · 9/16/2015
Hey, I don't reply on here very often, but thought I would stop by to say that I purchased the digital download and it was completely worth it. I'm on day three and my shoulders have opened up so much. I only do the warm up and the back and shoulder flexibility sections at the moment since I do a lot of ab and leg workouts at the gym/in classes. Here's my progression in three days, hope it gives people inspiration to try it out.
iani · 9/21/2015
So, I got BITNB, and since I was the one starting this thread asking for reviews.. I thought it would be good to leave one, too =) From a strength perspective: it's not amazing, it will definitely not replace any conditioning sessions in the gym, and tbh the legs/butt sections feel rushed and a bit useless. Ab section on the other hand is nice, and I find it much better and ore useful and functional than the crunch-fest that was abs on RLNA. Keep in mind, strength is not the main objective of the video, so it makes sense it's not amazing, and the good thing is that even the leg/ab exercises are back flexibility oriented. Everything else: REALLY GOOD. The flexibility exercises are sound, good, well paced and pretty well explained, I like the sequence they are in, and how you are always led through opening your shoulders before starting the actual back bending, and encouraged to not only bend from your lower back. A lot of active flexibility, and of simple exercises to open up backs that are tight from sitting in an office all day. Bridge section is also VERY good imho, giving good pointers on how to improve. Music is cool like always, and I now have a total crush on Stacey, too... so, as everyone else said: if you liked RLNA, this is at least as good as that, of not better. Caveat: it is VERY back specific (as if the name was not enough), so don't think you can use this as your sole training program, cause it won't do much for strength or lower-body flexibility. PS: is it me, or Cleo's arms and shoulders (and her whole body, tbh) are INCREDIBLE in this video? I always had a major crush on her, but she looks so *fit* and *healthy* in this one... *swoons*. Sorry :D
Skullpixie · 9/21/2015
I have just started week 2 of the 30 day challenge of back is the new black, I'm finding the core exercises tough I can not do them all yet but I'm loving it so far the stretches are really deep for the shoulders which is brill if you pole a lot. My back flex is awful lol as you can see... I can't back bend very well. It will be great to see if there's an improvement.
PinkPhoenix · 9/22/2015
I GOT IT! It is so good. It is really challenging, but I love it. There is a section where you are rocking back and forth. Lol, yeah that is non-existent for me. To do that it takes back strength that right now I lack, but my back will get strong again. I do agree with Skull Pixie that some areas seemed a little rushed, but all I did was pause the dvd until I felt like I was ready to move on. Sometimes you have to hold positions longer than what they hold them to really get that stretch. I needed a good shoulder stretch because one of my shoulders got injured last year and it has been really stiff. I like it. I have natural back flexibility, so this really helps me progress.
honolulusushi53412 · 11/25/2015
So grateful to Cleo, this DVD covers a lot, and all the important areas for pole. My shoulders have loosened up with a very simple exercise out of this. A lot is floor based, so no excuse not to do it. Plus it does build back strength. For me, it reminds of some ballet stretches l have done in classes also. Even if l stopped in my lifetime, l would still do this dvd every other day.
zoilife6233 · 12/10/2015
Bought all her DVD's. Love to exercise with her. All is very reasonable and doable. And she herself is very inspiring. Love her clothing line Complete fan
Veronica Segura · 11/2/2016
Hello! Does this program include leg flexibility or is designed only for my back? Thanks
LatinPoler · 11/2/2016
No leg flexibility. Focus is back, shoulders, hips. There are also two abs chapters and two short sequences for legs and butt toning.
Veronica Segura · 11/2/2016
Thank you for your response. I need both, haha.I will need to get both DVD.
LatinPoler · 11/2/2016
If you pay for the subscription to Cleo's online studio, you'll get access to the streaming versions for both DVDs (along with all the other tutorials and features). It may be something you want to consider...
Veronica Segura · 11/2/2016
You are awsome. Thank you for your tips!
Brittanyshanah1326 · 11/3/2016
I was wondering how ppl feel about her rockin legs and abs dvd? Does everyone feel that one is worth getting? I want to work on my middle splits mostly. Also not sure if that dvd has any pole, but I've been online trying to find one that helps with strength exersices for begginer pole. I'm not really interested in sexy dancing as I am about learning pole moves and tricks. I have a pole at home so I have been looking for a good training dvd(s) and was wondering if anyone here has any info on the pole dvd's that are out like the Art of Pole, or any other ones you can recommend that focus more on pole moves and flexability and less on floorwork and dancing. Thanks a bunch!!
Veena · 11/3/2016
There are tons of lessons here!!!! You'll even find a flexibility program a long with individual lessons to help you make sure your stretching with correct technique. There are 2 splits routines, a flowmotion routine and back mobility as well. 💜
Phoenix Hunter · 11/3/2016
Sooooo many lessons here that cover so much more than a set of DVDs.
Skullpixie · 11/3/2016
I agree veena is where I first started and I find that I still needed deeper stretches than just the ones which are on the DVDs they did help though... veena has the whole package plus the back mobility routine and warm ups are great 💜 so informative for starting out.
LatinPoler · 11/3/2016
Back to the Rocking Legs and Abs question: Meh. It's not terribly bad, but I don't think it is the best either. To me, there is no enough hamstring stretching (maybe because my hamstrings are soooo tight). I don't think she gives good instruction on the hip flexor stretching either, she doesn't remind you to tuck the pelvis and squeeze the butt. I like the middle splits routine better than the front splits one. And I like Black is the New Black better too. If you feel that you want something else besides Veena's lessons, maybe only for variety, I would recommend Fit and Bendy DVDs - Get Bent specially.
Brittanyshanah1326 · 11/4/2016
Thanks so much for answering my question and thanks for promoting the site of course its helpful but I was asking about dvds because I can't stream videos at home from my computer. I wanted a good dvd to utilize until the cox guy comes out and sets it up.
AllysonKendal · 11/4/2016
Obviously I'll echo what everyone said about this site. Veena is a great instructor. But I'll also give my opinion about Cleo's DVD (I've only done Legs N Abs)... I liked it, I'd consider doing it again.... but parts of it were too aerobic for me. Not that I physically couldn't do it, but I didn't want to :P Personal preference. I really like calm, yoga-ish, flowy, peaceful, meditative, stretching. After Cleo's DVD (even just doing the beginner/Intermediate schedule) I'd be sweaty, gross and exhausted. I do think that kind of activity builds up active flexibility but I just wish it was calmer and not as "Rockin" :P
AllysonKendal · 11/4/2016
I also agree that if you need DVDs - fit & bendy is more my speed :)
emmasculator · 11/4/2016
I did enjoy it, but then again it seemed like something I struggled to commit to. I think it was too aerobic for me to feel enjoy, which is just a personal preference. I like to feel as though I am melting into my stretches not drowning or frantically trying to keep pace to the point where I may start to sacrifice form. Im sure if I did it more though, it would get better. Just my personal preference.
Brittanyshanah1326 · 11/5/2016
Thanks guys for the reviews I appreciate them just what I wanted to know! You guys are always so helpful!!