I am a high intermediate exerciser (I work out 6-7 days per week) who is fairly new to kettlebells. I choose to purchase this DVD after practicing kettlebell moves with a dumbbell for awhile, purchasing an 8 kg kettlebell, and doing thorough research into what would best meet my needs. The DVD features Anthony Diluglio, a certified kettlebell trainer who is founder of Punch gyms and Art of Strength, and Beth Chamberlin, an actress and self-described kettlebell enthusiast.

The Main Menu on the DVD appears as follows:
*Introduction
*Tutorials
*Workout
*Links (Anthony's & Beth's web sites)

During the Introduction (about 5.5 minutes once the montage ends), Beth explains that she went to Anthony and asked him to create this DVD with her after she got great results from using kettlebells. She maintains that at age 44, she is in the best shape of her life, and she contends that it is the result of working with a 12-lb. kettlebell twice per week. Beth also notes that she is NOT a kettlebell expert and that her form may not always be perfect. Anthony appears briefly an the end of the intro to say that working with kettlebells is all about movement patterns, NOT about using weights.

The Tutorial segment is 29 minutes long and covers ALL of the moves in the workout (other kettlebell DVDs I've tried only teach some of the moves). Anthony breaks down each of the movements step-by-step, with Beth clearly displaying how to perform each step. During the workout itself, Anthony and Beth complete the moves in the same order, taking turns providing instruction. Rather than counting reps, each exercise is performed for two minutes, and you are encouraged to go at your own pace. Anthony uses a heavier kettlebell than Beth, and he shows more advanced variations for some of the exercises. Following each round, there is a 1-minute break prior to the start of the next exercise.

The workout also includes a 5-minute joint mobility warm-up. Anthony leads this segment, and he begins with a triple plane neck warm-up, turning the neck from side-to-side, lowering the head to either shoulder, and then moving the head up and down. This is followed by shoulder rolls with flexion/extension and a shoulder rotation move called the Egyptian. Anthony concludes this section with a hip flexor stretch.

I have listed the exercises for the workout below; a nice feature is that they are also listed in the DVD insert. However, I have added my own notes here.

Round 1: Swings
In the Tutorial, Anthony thoroughly breaks down the 2-arm swing. In the workout, however, he and Beth use 2-hand, 1-hand, and alternating swings.
Round 2: Cleans
These are performed in a 5-4-3-2-1 count pattern
Round 3: One Arm Chest Press (lying)
Round 4: Squats/Sumo Dead Lifts
Round 5: One Leg Dead Lift (hold kettlebell with both hands)
Round 6: Windmill into Overhead Squat (harder than it looks!)
Round 7: Clean and Press
Round 8: High Pull and Squat
Anthony tosses the kettlebell on these.
Round 9: Tactical Lunges
Round 10: Triple Crush
This is a combination bicep curl, overhead press, and triceps press.
Round 11: Figure 8 to Static Hold
This is another exercise that was harder than it looked, especially trying to keep up with Anthony & Beth's fast pace.
Round 12: Seated Press
Round 13: One Arm Rows
Round 14: Abs
Pullover, Russian Twists, and Sicilian Crunches, each performed for 40 seconds.
Bonus: Snatch Test
3 minutes of as many snatches as you can do!

Although the DVD cover states "Total Fitness in 40 Minutes!", the actual total time for this workout with the Warm-Up (but excluding the Bonus) is just under 48 minutes long.

As noted above, I did this workout with my 8 kg (18 lb) kettlebell, and I found it to be quite challenging; I had to take rests within some of the exercise segments, not just in between. Given the excellent tutorial segment, I would recommend this DVD to someone new to kettlebell workouts IF that person was already and experienced exerciser. Another advantage to this workout is that it is specifically designed to be performed with just a single kettlebell. I am really glad I purchased this; I know it is a workout that I will be able to grow with, and I highly recommend it!

Instructor Comments:
I understand that some people prefer Anthony's original "Providence" workout--which features Anthony teaching solo--to this one. Although I liked Anthony, and I definitely thought he provided excellent instruction, he was also quite serious. If I had been working out with him alone, I think I would have felt much more intimidated, especially given that I am new to kettlebells. I could relate to Beth--not only do we have the same name (!), but she is almost exactly my age (I'm 43), and I like the idea of being in my best shape ever at this age, just like her. :)

One thing to note: Anthony and Beth do not mirror cue. I have learned how to cope with this in yoga, but again, being new to kettlebells, it would have helped me a lot if they had--oh well. ;)

Beth C (aka toaster)