13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Really Works
Date of Review: May 29, 2008
The Bottom Line: First of all I know it works to build strength and endurance. Secondly it's a great change if you are stuck in a rut.
First let me start off by saying this woman IS A BEAST!!! I honestly did not think that this workout would be that hard. I thought I was in relatively good shape. HAHAHAHAHA. I have been using this on comcast ondemand and I purchased the DVD yesterday for $15.00. There are 3, 20 minute work-outs all of which follow this model: 3 minutes of strength, 2 of cardio and 1 minute of abs. You will need a mat and hand weights. I started out with 4lb weights and found that some exercises were challenging.
Technically you should not progress to level 2 until you have mastered level one. Some people might find that level 1 is some what easy (as I did) and moved on to level 2. It's a great 60 minute workout (including stretches).
On level 1, Jillian has you start out with some simple warm ups: arm stretches, windmills, jumping jacks, hip circles and knee rotations. Then into the workout! Beginners follow Anita, experienced people follow Natalie.
The first cycle is strength which leads to push-ups. If you have to do the "girlie" push ups, Jillian has modified it. Your legs are crossed at the knees. After 1 set of push ups then you move into squat and press and then repeat the cycle. Cycle 2 is cardio - 1 set of jumping jacks then 1 set of jump rope, repeat. Cycle 3 is abs = crunches. The first crunch is the basic only slightly modified-hands behind ears. Only complete 1 set here and move into reverse crunches, again only 1 set. Cycle 4 - strength - 1 set of rows and then 1 set of lunges with bicep curls, repeat. Cycle 5 - Cardio - 1 set of butt kicks, 1 set of punches, repeat. Cycle 6 - abs - oblique crunches (modified of course) 1 set and then 1 set of chest flies. Cycle 7 - lunges with deltoid raise (I found this challenging for me) 1 set, back to the chest flies and repeat lunges. Cycle 8 - 2 minutes of combined cardio everything you've done above and then 1 minute abs - bicycle crunches. Then on to a cool down.
Level 2 is very challenging for me. Be prepared to be in plank position for quiet a bit. Again, the moves have been modified for beginners. The warm- up = arm stretches, backwards windmills, jumping jacks, standing toe touch and neck rolls.
Cycle 1- strength - Walk out plank push ups or for beginners walk out in planks and back up. Complete 1 set and on to squat rows. Complete 1 set and repeat cycle. Cycle 2- high knees, complete 1 set and onto squat thrusts. Complete 1 set there and repeat cycle. Cycle 3 - abs - modified crunches. Cycle 4 - rows with static lunges complete 1 set and move onto pendulum lunges and hammer curls. Complete 1 set and repeat cycle. Cycle 5 - Jumps with oblique twists, 1 set and skaters, 1 set. Repeat cycle. Cycle 6 - abs hold weights over chest and lift legs with oblique twist, 1 set. Double crunches, 1 set. Cycle 7 - Military press and leg extension, 1 set and chair squats with "V" lift, 1 set and repeat cycle. (chair squat and v lift = hard. Cycle 8 - Plank jacks, 1 set, double jump rope 1 set, repeat cycle. Cycle 9 - Plank twists (killer).
In all this workout does work and and I am sore the next day. Jillian bullies you not to stop, however, you can stop for 5 seconds then jump right in. I have not made it to level 3 yet so I cannot advise.
Family Video
