Rockin Legs n' Abs: My Review

So a hurricane hit my house about 2 weeks ago, in the form of a DVD. Pole professional and Australian 2012 Pole Champion Cleo the Hurricane created a literal kick ass workout DVD for those of us who want to strengthen our core and legs, become more flexible and challenge ourselves.

I was totally apprehensive to start this program as it was clear after watching the first 30 seconds of the DVD just how out of shape I am. She does a ROCKIN pole routine at the beginning that is a true jaw dropper. Cleo is a pole master but is quick to remind you that even she was not always this flexible and fit.  So in my crazy bull in a china shop way I dove right in.

Watch the Trailer:

As I sit here and type I'm in my workout gear ready to do it all over again.  I feel REALLY challenged but I keep pressing on. The leg circles and butt crunches are wild!! I have done the workout from beginning to end (Run time approx 1 hour) 7 times and I can honestly say I can already FEEL the difference.  Each time I do it I can stretch a wee bit lower and longer. I have a little less of a struggle with some of the moves. If you are committed and keep pushing forward this will help you sculpt your body into something you never thought possible.

It has a ROCKIN soundtrack and Cleo gives great guidance through the routine. What I thought was unique about it was you stop to stretch several times as the DVD progresses which I have never seen. Usually you warm up and stretch after, during Rockin' Legs and Abs you stretch as you strengthen. AWESOME!

This is not my only workout. I combine this with my LaBlast Routine. Louis Van Amstel (Dance Champion & Dancing With the Stars Cast Member) created an amazing and fun dance fitness routine which has 5 levels as you advance. The combo of Cleo and Louis  is perfect and custom to my fitness and flexibility goals and body. 

Cleo's DVD is not just for pole dancers either. It is very versatile with many applications.  My husband works out more than anyone I know. He is an avid surfer and mountain incline runner.  He and his six pack LOVE this DVD as it is challenging and brings results.  The flexibility and strength will help him in both his surfing and incline running. His review: I am so "Stoked" and Cleo is SO "Gnarly". Every woman I know complains about their problem areas, and they are always the same: Stomach, thighs and ass. This DVD really targets all of these areas.

Are you ready to Rock your body into a Flexi-Fab state?

BUY IT NOW: $35 AUD

You can also purchase some Rock N Roll Fitness gear as seen in the DVD. These Flexi-Fabs are WERKing it out in 80's Rock fit gear style a-la- David Lee Roth with  a current edge! 

Pictured: Daisy of The Peach Pole Studio (Far L) - Cleo Center  - Stacey Minx (R) (Suzie Q Pole Studio)

Connect with Rockin Fitness Wear via FACEBOOK

And who wouldn't be Rockin' it in a Leopard Slingshot Leotard? MEOW!

Pictured: Cleo (L) & Daisy of The Peach Pole Studio (R)

THANK YOU Cleo for this digital gift.  

My husband and I are both excited (for different reasons) to be able to do the full splits and to build strength and become more toned!

CONNECT WITH CLEO:

Check out Cleo's tour schedule

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Do you want ROCKIN LEGSN'ABS? 

Try the workout and post your comments below!

Like a Hurricane: CLEO

Pole Dancing is much more than a brass rail a stripper or exotic dancer spins around to earn her cash. It is a bona fide sport, combining strength training, flexibility, competition and self esteem building. Literally where sexy and sport collide!  From the outside looking in it appears to be a lot of fun and an unconventional way to get fit as well as tap into your sensual side. It makes me sad, like many other things in life the HERD (a.k.a. general population) has attached a trashy stigma to the pole.  Like a Hurricane, CLEO is changing all of that, one ROCKIN routine at a time. 

Her amazing body is a true testament to the fitness aspect of pole training. She has been rocking the pole since 2007!

Cleo the Hurricane hails from Melbourne Australia and rocks the pole like no other; currently holding the title of Miss Pole Dance Champion 2012. She teaches pole fitness internationally with her home base in Sydney and is a professional pole performer.

She combines acrobatics, art, dance and a hard rock edge to create stellar performance which make jaws drop all over the globe. Check her tour schedule HERE 

Cleo also recently released a fitness DVD designed to target core strength and flexibility: ROCKIN LEGS & ABS No pole required ladies. I am EXCITED to give it a try and honestly I feel inspired. 

Stay tuned for my review!

I had the pleasure of chatting with Cleo recently.

LISA: How were you attracted to the pole? How did you start?

CLEO: I have always done some sort of dancing/exercise from Ballet in my early years to Capoeira in my 20's then I was getting close to 30 and I wanted to try something new and exciting and of course Pole Dancing was it. I fell in love with the heels, the sexy movements, the creative aspect to it, the feeling it gave me and of course the fact that it was a challenge!

*Capoeria is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music

LISA: Explain the way you see pole dancing / pole fitness

CLEO: I see pole dancing more of an art form. I guess it can be considered as a sport because it is competitive. But I love the more artistic and sexy side of pole, makes it really unique and appealing to me. I guess pole dancers who want it to be mainstream and not taboo try to push the whole sport element so it is more accepted.

LISA: What do you feel that pole training can do for a woman (besides the obvious fitness benefits)

CLEO: One of the biggest benefits of pole dancing is what it does for a woman's self esteem. It makes you feel sexy, it's empowering, gives you strength not only in body but in mind. It really has changed my life, as well as women around the world. They say stilettos are a symbol of power!!!

LISA:  Is pole for everyone? Explain the diversity

CLEO: I think pole can be for everyone! But many people will never try it because of the stigma attached to it.  But for the open minded men and women that do try it most of them get hooked straight away! Obviously it's a women dominated sport/art form, however in recent years it's become more popular with the boys but their style is mostly influenced by Chinese Pole. As for us girls, you see a wide range of different styles/studios etc. There's the sexy side of pole, then there's the more gymnastic/acrobatic, then you have more artistic.

LISA:  What is your ULTIMATE fitness tips/advice for my readers?

CLEO: EAT HEALTHY, lots of protein, vegetables, water! Train safely a few times a week, including strength and flexibility training. Find something that you get obsessed with and you will love every minute of training.. did i mention pole is addictive??

I for one am EXCITED to give the pole a second look as a part of my fitness routine.

Would YOU ROCK THE POLE??

Style Maven Series: Carrie Ann Inaba

Carrie Ann Inaba was a born entertainer and has continued to be a creative multi-tasking maven. You may know her from her seat at the judges table on the hit ABC show "Dancing with the Stars" where her bubbly personality and fabulous fashion shine.



Recently you also may have seen her as the new host of the GSN Game Show "1 VS 100" bringing a little Style to the Game Show Network.

Her newest project and role is as Executive Producer of a NEW pilot for ABC titled "Grace". "Grace" is a scripted one hour drama that centers around a family owned dance studio.

But she is not just a judge and show host. She is also an amazing dancer and choreographer and even has flexed her creative muscle as an actor. Her big show biz break came as a "Fly Girl" on the Fox show in Living Color along side JLO in the early 1990's. She followed that up with joining Madonnas "Girlie Show" world tour!


*Carrie Ann Bottom Right*

Some of the HOTTEST choreography I have ever seen ~ Her epic pole entrance at the beginning of the show was over the top. Did I mention the Girlie Show Tour was to promote Madonna's 5th album EROTICA?


She had a great run in the 1990's-Early 2000 in several movies in Dancing roles.
She even had a cameo in Austin Powers "Gold Member" as FOOK YU - HA HA!

Carrie Ann LEFT

Carrie Ann is a lot more than a gifted dancer, creative entity and amazing personality. She has a GIANT heart to match. She is a devout animal LOVER and a champion for animal rights. She has even partnered with PETA (along with her cat shadow) to raise awareness about the importance of Spay & Neutering your pets.



Carrie Ann is also a WARRIOR ~ Spending years battling the pain of Spinal stenosis and arthritis she never let it stop her. She underwent surgery in 2009 to help alleviate her pain and by all accounts it was a success. She appears busier and happier than ever!

Beside all her other creative ventures one of her greatest loves is FASHION. I had the honor of dressing Carrie Ann for the season finale of Dancing with the Stars last season in a Vintage Tadashi velvet gown.







Carrie Ann does have a stylist to bring her options for the show (KIT ROCKS and has a GREAT eye) but Carrie Ann chooses what she will be wearing on each episode. I was very happy when her love of statement accessories met my fabulous Elephant ring, worn on DWTS episode in Nov 2010



Her charismatic personality is directly projected through her fashion; it is fun, funky and fabulous. I had an opportunity to ask Carrie Ann my Style Maven Questions:

LISA: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion?


CA: In my personal life, I like to be comfortable yet fashionable. I love clothes that drape and convey as sense of movement. For appearances I like to kick things up a notch with a pieces that are simple yet elegant and then I will throw in some statement jewelry for that wow factor.

LISA: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

CA: I love my leggings and wrap sweaters. Being a dancer, I am accustomed to being in clothing that is snug, yet allows movement which is where the leggings come in, but then I throw on a great cozy wrap sweater and I am good to go. James Perse and Splendid make the softest most comfortable leggings out there.

LISA: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

CA: At first, I was afraid of vintage. I wore a vintage gown to the emmy's one year and a piece of the strap actually disintegrated. It was an awkward moment to say the least. However, over time, I have found that when you choose a vintage piece, you must feel a real connection to it. There is more of an emotional connection to the actual piece of clothing that has to be there for it to work. Vintage pieces have so much more personality and it takes time to find the right match.

LISA: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

CA: Vintage jewelry...bracelets and rings are my favorite. I am really drawn to the big, bold pieces that seem to tell a story. I don't really lean toward only designer vintage. I think if the piece has style and great craftsmanship, it doesn't matter who designed it.

LISA: What are you wearing this spring/Summer? Tell our readers the key elements for your S/S 2011 wardrobe.

CA: I love flowing dresses in jersey or silk. DVF makes some gorgeous dresses that are timeless yet edgy. They can be dressed up or down which is really important for me. Rachel Pally makes the most amazingly comfortable dresses to. I can't get enough of them! I also love All Saints. Their clothing is super edgy without being obvious. You always have to have a great shoe-you can never have enough shoes! I LOVE PLATFORMS!!! and I love those wedges!!! The higher the better!


LISA: If you had one piece of STYLE advice for women what would it be?

CA: Don't be afraid to experiment with style. When you find what works for you, get multiples of it in different colors. Invest in key pieces like a great jacket or bag or even a great piece of jewelry that you can wear with anything. You should feel good in what you are wearing no matter what it is so dress to impress...yourself!




(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)













Dancing with the Stars NEW season 12 Starts on ABC Monday March 21! and you can also catch Carrie Ann and the MOB on "1 VS 100" on the Game Show Network (Check your local listings).

Evolution Vintage's Picks for Carrie Ann:

White 1960's cocktail dress with fully beaded bodice

Vintage Aurora Borealis Crystal bracelet

Vintage 3 strand statement necklace with FAUXOPAL crown

SHOP: www.evolution-vintage.com

Style Maven Series: Simone Reyes

Many of you may not know this Maven but let me introduce Simone Reyes. Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons RIGHT hand (assistant), an unequivocal supporter and protector of animal's rights, vegan, burlesque dancer and pole dancing/fitness aficionado.

She starred on the 2010 debut of the Oxygen reality show "Running Russell Simmons" that chronicles the day-to-day grind of Russell Simmons and his fierce femme support team, that organize and facilitate Russell's busy life. Simone and Christina being the top two girls who are the closest to Russell and handle all dealings from business to personal for the extremely busy entrepreneur, entertainment and fashion mogul, philanthropist, and yogi.



Running Russell Simmons (Trailer):




What truly inspires me about Simone is her COMPASSION and PASSION for animals and their rights. She is a Vegan and a hard core supporter of PETA, Mercy for Animals, Farm Sanctuary and Animal Acres. She speaks for those who do not have a voice in our society, the millions of defenceless animals slaughtered each day so society can keep the status quo on their plates. In the wise words of Sir Paul McCartney; “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.” Think about that concept for a moment. People would have to really consider where their food comes from.

Many people also do not realize that their choice to eat meat is not only cruel but they are contributing to an entity that is the LARGEST contributor the destruction our planet - Factory Farms! Did you know that a Factory Farm creates more pollution and greenhouse gas emissions than ALL the cars, trucks, vans, planes, trains and ships in the world COMBINED! This is according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).



I was particularly impressed by her efforts in NY times Square making a statement along side PETA (WATCH THE VIDEO)







Her quest for equality for all; men, women and animals extended to her participation in the NOH8 Campaign.
Lend your face & voice: www.noh8campaign.com

She stays fit and sexy through her pole dancing and fitness.



Simone On Pole Dancing: "I always feel it's my job to introduce women to pole dancing because I have personally gotten so much out of it. Sure, it's a hot badge of honor, a cool notch on your belt to be able to hang upside down on a pole, but the benefits go much deeper. Pole dancing takes me back to a very primitive, organic part of myself physically and emotionally. It frees me. And yes, it's HOT."
My sister owns a business called "RockNPole" (www.rocknpole.ca) which encompasses personalized fitness programs, customized pole fitness with a fun "girls night in" component of pole parties at your home. Get the girls together and ROCK the POLE! I wish more women knew of the benefits of pole fitness and dance. Spread the word Simone!!

She also has spread her creative wings into the area of burlesque dance.







Simone has a hippy-chic sense of style mixing boho with rock-n-roll and sequins; the combination of flashy & earthy! I LOVE her accessories; headbands, hats and Vintage bags. Of course all her fashion choices are 'animal friendly' too -She wears no furs, animal skins, leather or otherwise. If it ain't Vegan she's not buying.

I had a chance to ask Simone my Style Maven Questions:

LISA: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion?

SIMONE: My personal style is Cherie Currie meets Sharon Tate..70's glam rocker/ 60's flowerchild

LISA: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

SIMONE: I love bell bottom jeans, platform shoes and dresses with sequins. I love anything shiny, like a bird.

LISA: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

SIMONE: I am a vintage girl at heart..its boring for me to shop at a mall and I never follow trends. However, put me in a vintage store and I feel my heart begin to swell. The hunt is the most thrilling part.

LISA: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

SIMONE: I don't limit my wardrobe to only vintage but it's my go-to favorite look. My favorite pieces are a few 70's jumpsuits that I embellished with some retro patches and studs to rocker them up a bit. I have some delicate lace shawls that remind me of my idol, Stevie Nicks and some amazing 60's minidresses that I adore.

LISA: What are you wearing this Spring? Tell our readers the key elements for your Spring 2011 wardrobe

SIMONE: I love capes so I am going to be wearing those as the NY weather goes from chilly to breezy.

LISA: If you could give women 1 piece of STYLE advice, what would it be?

SIMONE: My style advice is to choose their wardrobe from the heart..come from a place of non-violence which means DON'T wear fur, leather, feathers, silk, wool or suede. I remember meeting with a stylist on the first season of filming "Running Russell Simmons" and the look on her face when I told her I'm a vegan and we don't wear any animal products. She had the look of "WHAT am I going to pull for her?!?!". Then, as she got to see all my pieces from my closet she understood that you don't need to be cruel to look cool. Compassion is the Fashion.










Evolution Vintage's Picks for Simone:


Vintage Silver & Black Sequin Top


Designer Re-Sale: Jovovich-Hawk Dress


Late 40's Vintage Whiting & David Metal Mesh Clutch


White Evolution Vintage T-shirt ~ vintage Style Burn out shirt - VERY ROCK N ROLL!

SHOP: www.evolution-vintage.com