It seems as you guys are much more pro Sk8strong. Is there a reason why?
I have been eyeing their stuff for a while as well, but like with most things that come in DVD form I am hesitate. Call me old fashioned, everyone does!!! I rather have a book at hand. I just notice though that their manual is also available in hard copy.
I think it's just ME on this thread that keeps mentioning sk8strong! But I like it, so I'll 'splain.
I discovered it through another thread on this forum, and someone else was saying how effective the workout was. Rsk8d commented in on that thread as well. It intrigued me that the owner was pretty much right there, and like that she's a part of this group. I had been also looking at the "bootcamp" DVD, which is $50CAN and more than I'm willing to spend for a DVD. I would much rather be at a gym with a trainer, but that's just not an option for me right now. I hadn't heard of IceDynamics, so it wasn't in consideration. I looked through the Sk8strong website, and liked what I saw in terms of info, and the prices were more in line with what I'm be willing to pay. Her articles are well written and make sense, and the DVD samples she has on Youtube looked good. I waffled for a while too, but then a sale came up (advertised on her FB page), so I bought an ipod version. I LOVE the downloadable version- it is more portable, MUCH easier to store, and for those of us outside the US, shipping is free and NO CUSTOMS charges!
The only thing I would have done differently is check in with her before I decided which workout to get. I was indecisive, ended up with adult, and probably would have preferred the competitive. But between rsk8d's suggestions and other things I'm doing to supplement (found on these forums and our friend youtube), I'm happy. I rotate between the three cycles (do each at least once a week, or that's the goal at least). I like that the video isn't really organised like a classic workout that you follow along. She demos all the exercises in each circuit, discusses form (sometimes adding a visual on the wrong form so you can compare directly), how to make it more challenging and moves on. At the beginning I just paused the vid while I finished out the sets. I basically now use the video like a book-in-motion, referencing when I need to. I will swap out and add in things that either I need/want to work on, or if my shoulder hurts, or if I discover that my stupid target-special yoga ball is flat again [eyeroll]. I also did that while on vacay- aforementioned stupid yoga ball did NOT make the cut. The 1/2 foam roll and theraband did though.
In the download are also files detailing the progressions for each exercise, equipment needed and how to manage injuries. I am a total nerd and would have loved to see more discussion/information on how working/strengthening x y or z in a particular way would help my skating. So that's the only thing I'd change. But when I was talking to her directly about some things, she did go into those details. So maybe it's in the manual! For that, she doesn't post a TOC, which I wish she did, because I'd like to know how detailed it is.
There is a strong possibility I will pick up her manual this summer when I'm stateside. I am right there with you in wanting the printed word, but I think the demo's in the video are a really nice compliment, in lieu of a proper trainer. I guess I could download it, but I'd still want it printed and bound so then I'd have to sort that out. I might still go that route, depending on what else I need to bring back from the states.
HTH!