Spartacus Workout 20 Minute Torchers

David Jack
Year Released: 2012

Categories: Abs/Core , Circuit Training (cardio and weights) , Total Body Workouts


This is a review for Spartacus Workout 20 Minute Body Torchers, Gladiator Gauntlet(20:48).

Setting, Music, and Background Exercisers: The setting reminds me of a loft. There are brick walls, a large window in the back, and a large black mat on the floor. In the main menu you have the option to play the workout with or without music. The music is nothing spectacular and is instrumental. It really didn't stand out for me which means it was neither great nor really bad. David Jack leads for background exercisers (2 men, 2 women) through the workout. Everyone is wearing athletic clothing and no one is mugging for the camera or acting in an obnoxious fashion.

Equipment: You'll need at least one set of dumbbells, preferably 2-3 sets as you'll need more weight if you want to progress the workout. Have a towel and water nearby.

Main Workout

There is no warm up or cool down in this workout. The workout consists of 5 exercises done for 5 rounds, with the first round acting as a warm up, and the subsequent rounds getting progressed to make them more intense. You do each exercise consecutively for 30 seconds, totaling a 2:30 minute round. After the first round you get a 30 second rest/break. After subsequent rounds you get a minute rest/break. What makes this workout really different is that for rounds 2-5 you alternate loading one side of the body with weights. This gives the exercises a fresh feel and is effective at engaging the core. At the very end is a 2 minute cardio finisher. In the cardio finisher there are 4 movements done consecutively for 15 seconds and you go through them 2 times.

Exercises: deadlift, high pull or clean, reverse lunge, overhead press, squat.

Cardio Finisher: jumping jacks, shuffles, fast feet in/out, high knees.

Overall Impressions: Of all the Spartacus workouts, this felt the most like a pure strength workout. While you will get a mild cardio effect during the rounds and a big cardio effect with the finisher, the focus is on off balance strength work and being able to maintain good form. As I mentioned above, the off balance strength work makes this workout stand apart from the others in a good way for me. I really enjoyed it. If you don't have a lot of time to do a workout and want to feel accomplished in a short amount of time, this workout fits the bill. I'd say this workout is at a high intermediate level. It can be made easier by using lighter weights and moving at a slower speed. Advanced exercisers can increase the weight or use a kettlebell (which two background exercisers do in the workout).

Instructor Comments:
David Jack is not doing the workout with you and is instead acting as a coach and motivator to the home viewer. He comes off as professional and warm. There's not a lot of talk focused on body image which I like. Instead, David's talk focuses on showing the progressions/regressions, coaching the backgrounders, and offering encouragement and motivation. I enjoy him and the workouts he leads quite a bit.

Sabine Reuter

05/06/2015