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mcel |
Date: 2008-03-28

I had never purchased a Jillian Michaels DVD before b/c of the hit or miss reviews. So when I heard raves about this one, I decided to give it a shot and I am so glad I did. This is an absolute butt-kicker workout. I am an intermediate/advanced exerciser (I work out 5-6 days a week) so I figured I could see what Level 1 was all about and move onto Level 2 right away. Listen to me folks--these workouts are HARD. Level 2 was VERY difficult--a good difficult though, very challenging. When Jillian tells you to start at level 1, listen to her she knows what she's doing. I've been at this for about 5 days, and I already feel a difference in my body.
Jillian is tough--absolutely NO rest in this workout (not even for a sip of water) but that's what makes it go by so quickly, and it makes your body change, according to Jillian. You're done before you know it--but by the end you've gotten a kick butt workout and feel like you've really done something. She bases her workout on the 3-2-1 method: 3 mins strength, 2 mins cardio, 1 min abs. Her strength circuits remind me of Jari Love--compound exercises that work the upper and lower body simultaneously. The cardio is good as well: a lot of jumping, so watch those knees (she has a modifier for beginner and lower impact) And the abs is straight up ab work--a variety of crunches and twists on the floor.
This is a great workout and I find Jillian to be tough but she's pretty likeable. Be warned though: she's no-nonsense. I think it's funny when during the stretch she admits she's not flexible and struggles to reach her legs on the floor. I thought "Ha, Ha, finally something I'm better at than Jillian!" lol
If you really want to get a good workout and to jumpstart your weight loss get this DVD you will not be disappointed. It's great for those who are short on time too and want to try something new; every workout is just under 30 mins!

Little Miss Cutey |
Date: 2008-03-13

This is a really good workout. It's geared a little more to advanced exercisers, but the choreography is fairly basic and you will definately feel this the next day.
There are three workouts that combine toning and aerobics together which are about a half an hour each. This way, you're burning fat and toning muscles at the same time. It's a little challenging, but fun and effective. The first workout is the easiest of the three and from there it gets more challenging. The most challenging workout is tough like she shows on The Biggest Loser (ie travelling pushups and tough jumps etc). It's a good idea if you're intermediate to begin either at the start or middle and stick to that for a while and then move on. Each workout uses toning, kickboxing and ab work.
I found this really good to do. It's absolutely a good idea to not go too quickly with it and begin at the lower of the three levels even if you do it only a couple of times - you can always advance as soon as you're ready for your next workout. She may not be the best cuer, but she is certainly encouraging and motivating. This is fun and I highly recommend it. I've only done it twice so far since it's so new, but I can still feel my muscles thanking me. This is great.

jmastro |
Date: 2008-04-02

Ok, if you're like me (overweight and unmotivated) and watch The Biggest Loser and wish you could be one of the contestants and have Jillian train you then you're in luck! Buy this DVD! I just received the dvd today and did the First Level today. It's been 2 and 1/2 hours since I finished and I'm still shaking and finding it hard to go up and down stairs. I can't even imagine what she puts those poor contestants through..LOL!

I have knee pains and feet pains and usually just walk at 3mph on my treadmill. Well, suffice to say I'm not seeing any weight loss. And let me be honest the real reason I have knee and feet problems is because I weigh too much. So I did the full on jumping jacks..no modified jumping jacks in this workout...Jillian tells you straight, she has 400lb people doing full jumping jacks, you can too! And she was right. I sure as heck can't really do the push ups but I'm sure that I will be able to eventually if I keep doing this dvd everyday for 20 minutes.

And she's right, you can't do a workout for 20 minutes and expect it to be easy...you want easy, don't get this dvd. You want to sweat and really workout get this dvd!

I'm 5'4'' and 168 lbs. I will let you know my progress in my comments as time goes on. Good luck to everyone!

J. Marks |
Date: 2008-03-26

I have recently decided that home workouts are the only way I am going to ensure I get a workout in every day, with a toddler and a full time job. Thus, I did a lot of research on good DVDs and some essential "props" and over the past few months have purchased about 12 DVDs from TaeBo to PIlates to the Biggest Loser series, and then I saw this new one from Jillian, and it surpassed everything else I own by far. I have been working out pretty regularly for over 10 years, I've done triathlon's and everything from spinning to running to kickboxing, so I figured I could start at Level 3. After 3 minutes I went down to Level 2, and then another five minutes to Level 1!!! I have been doing Level 1 for a week and think I will be able to progress a level each week, but it is truly a challenging and rewarding workout, and I highly recommend it for people who enjoy maximum results in minimal time (and don't mind sweating and feel like they might have a heart attack!)

Jennifer Hill |
Date: 2008-04-15

I joined a local gym where we are in a Military Style Boot Camp for 5 months. I've been there for 4 weeks and haven't see much difference in either my weight or strength. I decided to dial it up some and purchased Jillian's 30 Day Shred DVD and let me just say, this will get your heart rate going! In just 20 minutes, I was sweating more than in the boot camp class which is saying a lot since the trainers are official Military Service men, they have no mercy. Jillian could teach these trainers a thing or two, that's for sure!! I love/hate this DVD. I love it because I know I'm going to see results FAST but I hate it because it's sooooo hard, even level one is a killer especially for the ones just starting out in the fitness world.
I plan on sticking with this and doing it everyday just to see if I can shed 20 pounds in 30 days like the cover says. My eating is based on the boot camp recommendations which is a lot like Bill Philips Body For Life. Low carbs, low fat & high protein meals.
Overall, I would give this DVD 10 stars if possible. I feel like it will be more beneficial to me than the boot camp which is costing me $350.00 per month for 5 months!
Get this DVD and don't just stare at it for a week like I did. Put it in the player and watch it though one time then attempt to do level 1. If you can't finish it or have to take breaks, that's fine but push yourself to your max. Jillian says not to "phone it in" on these workouts and she's right. You have to want to change your body in order to get through the entire 20 minutes. It becomes a mental game after a while into these workouts. But, it's really rewarding to finish it and know that each time I will be getting stronger and stronger.
Good Luck to those on the same path to wellness as I am on. It's a road less traveled in this diet crazy world but so much quicker and healthier than the alternatives out there.
Thanks Jillian for the killer workouts. I'm off to purchase your book now to get your advice about the nutrition part. I'm sure it's full of ideas that will help me even more to reach my 40 pound weight loss goal!