Review of Zuzana’s ZCUT Power Cardio DVDs
I think we’re all in agreement that I have a girl crush on Zuzana.
She has a soft-spoken, kind and approachable demeanor, and at the same time, creates these crazy intense workouts that leave me shaking in a pool of sweat. How can someone so nice make my muscles cry so effectively?
Oh, and I have serious ab envy.
I’m gonna go do a plank now.
As a fitness instructor, it’s always so refreshing to have the chance to take a class or do a DVD so you don’t have to think about your workout. When you’re used to creating them so often (and coaching along the way), it’s nice to zone out and just do it. Whenever I’m looking for someone else to kick my booty, I know I can count on a ZWOW. When I found out that Zuzana was coming out with a set of cardio DVDs
, I knew it would be something worth checking out since I love her online workouts so much. When I saw the price tag ($15 for the set), I decided it was destiny and ordered some.
I haven’t had a chance to try all of the workouts yet -I’ve done 4, plus the warm up and bonus abs workouts- but thought it was worth a little post, since quite a few of ya have asked how I like them so far.
Here are some details:
-It’s a 3-DVD set, which has 12 workouts, a warm up, cool down and bonus abs workout
-The set also includes a workout calendar, plus basic nutrition tips if you want to follow around. This is a helpful tool for scheduling rest days.
-Each workout is around 10-15 minutes and if you do the warm up and cool down each time, you still will not be working out for longer than 30 minutes. This makes it a fantastic option for those who don’t have a lot of time to workout, especially since all of the DVDs can be done at home with minimal equipment (chair, mat, something to jump over)
-Before each workout, Zuzana breaks down the moves with proper form so you know what to expect, and how to do it properly. The workouts are done in rounds for time, so the key is to complete them as quickly as possibly, while still utilizing proper form.
My thoughts:
-The movements are very high impact and intense, so I wouldn’t recommend them for fitness beginners or those with injuries. There are a couple of the moves that I’ve had to modify, since I knew I wouldn’t be able to complete the rest of the high rep set with proper form.
-I wouldn’t do these types of workouts on consecutive days. Like I mentioned, they’re high intensity, and it’s a better choice for your heart (it’s a muscle and needs rest, too!) to alternate cardio intensities. I’d space them out throughout the week, or use them as a tough cardio HIIT session after weights (which is how I’ve been using the DVDs).
-They are very, very similar to the workouts you can find for free online. However, Zuzana provides a ton of awesome content at no cost to her thousands of viewers, I’m assuming she’s primarily paid via YouTube ad revenue. I these DVDs are a great way to financially support her, and I love that these workouts can be done without an internet connection. (I take my computer to the gym and will do them in the training room, which doesn’t get a good WiFi signal.) On a non-workout related note, some of you may have read online about her troubled past, and she’s also been through a lot personally in the past year or so. From what I can tell, in addition to her abs of steel, she has a heart of gold. She’s built amazing success for herself and is proof that you don’t need to finish the same way you start.
I’ll definitely continue using the DVDs as a fun change-up in my workout routine, along with my beloved TurboFire, NYC Ballet Company and Physique 57.
Hope you’re all having a happy morning so far <3
See ya later today with a fun Valentine’s gift guide from Meg!
xoxo
Gina
New on the Family page: Toddler DIY Valentines
More posts about Zuzana’s workouts/BodyRock (which is now called DailyHIIT; Zuzana is no longer a host):
Winter Shape Up! Today is your Hill challenge and Ab burner. Pick any ab burner from my YouTube channel (or do a couple!) and for your hill challenge, you’re going to focus on resistance. If you need some ideas, check out this workout and this workout.
How’d you do? Make sure to check in by leaving a comment below! Two lucky winners will receive the same scarf I’m wearing in this pic, courtesy of White Plum Boutique.
I’ll also send a set of the Zuzka DVDs to each of the two winners, just because I’m enjoying them so much [sponsored by Bella and Caroline] 🙂
Congratulations to the lucy tank winner from yesterday!
Catherine C. said: Holy arm burn!!! Did workout 3 today and will be using tomorrow as my rest day…I’m gonna need it 😉
Send me an email to fitnessista at gmail dot com and we’ll get your prize on the way! xo
182 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
that ab burner is killer and i love it! i can’t wait to try the zuzana dvds!
Loved working abs– agree on zuzana girl crush lol!
Sweater ab burner and elliptical hill intervals were the best way to start my day! I swear even my eyes are smiling because I’m feeling so strong. I just finished up my health coach sessions, which were amazing, so I’m so happy to have the shape up to keep me going strong. 🙂
im going to try my first bodyrock workout today after abs! cant get enough of short and effective HIITs!
My arms are sore from workout three yesterday! I can only imagine how they wil feel tomorrow. It’s a good sore 🙂 can’t wait for hills today. Already did one an burner and will do one later as well!
CANNOT wait to try a new cardio DVD!!! Love me a good Hill workout!! thanks 🙂
Wow- her abs are CRAZY! As are her arms. Intense.
I’ll probably be skipping her DVD workouts though- my knees can’t handle high impact cardio (I feel so old saying that). Thanks for the review!
I love the scarf and loved the videos
I love Zuzana! I love that I can get a great workout in and get it done quickly. With a very busy 2 year old and 5 year old at home, my time is very limited. Did a couple of ab burners after my hilly run this morning. My arms are so sore after Workout #3!
Did a great am ab workout, I am doing HILL later today, I love Zuzana too I do her Zwows 2x a week, super intense!!
Are the DVDs truly just cardio or also strength with weights? I want something about that length (15 minutes) that is truly just hard cardio and I havent been able to find any of her ZWOWs that are just cardio.
Abs feel shredded & on fi-ya!!! Thanks for the motivation 🙂
I love Zuzana too, but have been intimidated to try her workouts. Anyway, i need to JUST DO IT! Today I did an ab burner, but a different one…. the 5 minute plank routine from your friends, purely twins 🙂 It was tough — in all the right ways. Then I went on a very snowy and icy walk with my dog (still snowed in up in CT, with more snow on the way tonight!)
Loved working my abs. Zuzana’s courage to story is amazing. Her workouts look intense but would be great to try!
Ouchhhh my abs! Thanks Gina 🙂
Did my ab burner before crossfit this morning…then the WOD had sit ups in it. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a hard time getting out of bed tomorrow morning!
Did the plank workout! OUCH! Plus did some hills with the babe in the stroller! Def. a different resistance added in, but a huge motivator to look down at the adorable face!
I’m STILL sore from Workout #3! I did the hill challenge on a treadmill and your “Monday Ab Burner.”
I’ve always wanted to try Zuzana’s workouts but thought they often required equipment that I didn’t have access to. Thanks for the review…I’d love to try out the DVDs!
umm, totally off topic, but i love ur crossbody bag! where is it from?? did the ab burner as an extra after my jillian dvd. feeling it! 😀
Love the ab burner and would love to try the DVDs!
I’m so bummed – I fell on a bad patch of ice yesterday and sprained my foot, badly. Looks like a rest day for me. Hopefully I’ll be able to do some floor work for abs tonight, if I’m feeling up to it!
Just looking at Zuzana and I feel intimidated to try her DVDs. While her abs are crazy inspiring, I am not sure I’m looking for veins popping out of my forearms! Ha ha
I will have to check her free videos out. I have to modify a lot with a nagging arm/shoulder injury and so maybe that would be a good first place to start!
I did Six Pack in a Sweater! Cute title but even better work out! I was shaking and am shaking now from soreness! Thanks for working out alongside of me!
LOVED week 3’s workout! Huge fan of Lacey Stone too. [Squat] jumping with excitement for week 4 😉
Ab burner this morning was killer. I love Hills so I am excited to do them before my favorite Zumba class tonight. I have never done any Zuzana workouts before I will have to check out the online ones.
Thanks
You’re right on about Zuzana’s heart of gold. That lady amazes me. Did the stepper for cardio this am, and I’m going to hit up one of the ab-burners to work my abbies tonight 🙂
Wow I have serious ab envy too!
I love zuzana! whenever I finish one of her workouts I feel like the champion of the world.
My arms are still so sore from doing workout #3 on monday! I was actually just about to purchase the DVD set when I saw that you are going to be giving them away, maybe today’s my lucky day? I’m a DVD workout junkie and my Insanity and Turbofire DVD’s could use a break!
What a cute scarf! That would be so useful to fight the winter cold! After seeing those abs I plan on doing a few extra crunches tonight.
I haven’t been following your winter shape up, but I’ve been doing mom and baby yoga once a week, crossfit 3-4 times a week, plus walking with the babe when the weather is nice. I’m feeling fantastic at four months pp.
I really admire Zuzka and have been following her workouts on days I can’t make it to the gym for years. I would love to have a copy of her DVDs. They would be perfect for while my little man naps or after he goes to bed for an extra oomph to my workouts regime.
Also, I must go plank now also. Total ab envy
I don’t mind her porn background but I don’t like that her body fat percent is probably too low for general health, at least in those pics. I would hate for my daughter to think that’s the ideal (or even achievable for most of us). You were right when you said she looks like an xbox character! I don’t like doing yoga with Shiva Rea videos for that reason. She’s so flexible I just feel like a different species, working out with her. A big, stiff, clumsy species!
I love Zuzana! She’s super sweet and her workouts are INSANE!
I did my hills workout on the elliptical plus the ab burner from last week. Woowee! WOULD LOVE to win the scarf and the DVDs. As a stay at home mommy, I am ALL about quick, at home workouts! 🙂
She is too sweet!
Zuzana is the best (after you of course).
I actually followed wo#3 today with one of hers as my HIIT. My arms are on fire right now.
I had to talk myself into doing the ab burner, but I’m glad I did – it burned so good! I’ve been dying to try Zuzana’s DVDs… Thanks for the giveaway!! 🙂
I love the Zuzana DVDs, too! Hard not to have a girl-crush on her!!
I haven’t been following the whole Winter Shape Up plan – just parts – but I love/hate the plank-ab burner!!!
Every time I do it, I think – just 4 minutes. By the end, I think – longest 4 minutes ever!!!
I have been following the Winter Shape Up plan and I am beginning to see some results which has been super motivating for me!
Thanks for taking the time to do this.
The past few days have been CRAZY! I’ve been getting in my yoga, but I haven’t done cardio. So I’ll try the youtube zuzana workouts today when I get home. Eating and Workouts are going great. I lost 2 pounds last week! Hurray!
Have a great day!
Love the scarf- and I haven’t tried Zuzana’s workouts before.. sounds like I need to add it in!
I’m off on my days. 30 minutes of steady cardio this morning and Workout #3 when I get home from work. Bring on the (continuous) burn. 😉
I did the hills on my treadmill while watching old desperate housewives which was tough, but the ab burner today really pushed me. I have had trouble engaging my core during ab exercises, but a trainer told me to laugh and feel if my abs feel tight, that you use the same muscles. I will say that it def worked and I know I will feel it tomorrow! Awesome workout!
Jyl
I did hills on the elliptical, stairmaster, and treadmill and then your most recent plank ab burner (which I loved).
Cute scarf and I love Zuzana’s workouts!
Did the sweater ab and Elliptical. Tomorrow may be an “off” day. lol
I did my hills on the treadmill watching sleepless in Seattle this morning. I have the zuzka DVD set and was very impressed with the first workout I tried.
Love the ab workout! Do Zuzana on-line but would love to have the DVDs as a back up at home!
Bodyrock was always so crazy. I like an intense cardio but I always felt like was sacrificing form for speed.
Loving the shape up so far! I never thought I could stay motivated this long. 🙂
LOVE the ZWOW workouts and love the ab burner I did!!
I really love Zuzana too! She’s an incredible motivator. And the workout was so so good.