The Core Performance workout starts out fairly gently. The first day involved 12 minutes of what’s called ESD (Energy System Development), which is basically cardio. Verstegen doesn’t like that word, because he wants us to change the segmented way in which we look at fitness programs. I’ll go along with that.
For my ESD segment, I had to keep a heart rate somewhere in the 120 range by whatever means I wanted, for 12 minutes. I chose running around the apartment, doing jumping jacks, the one tae-bo move I know, and anything else that seemed to get me pumped up. It worked really well as I stayed within my heart rate rather well. I know it’ll be harder to get to the second zone, which is about 20 or more points higher, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out.
Following ESD, we had Movement Prep, which the outside world might call stretching. I understand the different terms, though. Verstegen’s version of stretching, if you do it as fast as he wants you to do it, really can get you sweating. It’s part ESD there, too. You’re really working as fast as you can through these stretches, while maintaining good form, and striving to give your muscles their due. This is the part of the program we warmed up with all last week, to try and get the moves down.
On the horizon is a fairly easy week, though that’s only because I’m comparing it to future workouts. The total time for these workouts will crescendo somewhere around an hour per day once we get into the more intense phases. So far, that seems do-able with our schedule.
I like the premise behind the workout. Verstegen’s book could use some tuning for use-ability. It’s not exactly easy or instinctive how the workout is laid out. As with lots of technical efforts, the explanation is probably easier verbally, as he probably coaches this same plan to people in person. However, it loses something in the translation in the tables and grids near the end of the book.
Though definitely not for beginners or people who haven’t been pursuing exercise programs for the last several months, Core Performance certainly falls into the range of do-able. I’m already seeing improvements in my strength and flexibility since toying with the various exercises last week. This will definitely do me some good in the long haul.
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