The Hollywood Trainer: Kickboxing-Bootcamp

Jeanette Jenkins
Year Released: 2004

Categories: Boxing/Kickboxing/Martial Arts , Circuit Training (cardio and weights)


On cardio work, I am an intermediate exerciser who enjoys with intermediate to advanced choreography. My most favorite workouts are step, but I also enjoy hi/lo and throw in kickboxing for a change of pace periodically. With strength work, I am an intermediate exerciser, who doesn’t really want to move up to advanced work. In general, I like doing EITHER cardio or strength, but not both, so I generally do not do (or keep) circuit workouts. In reading about this workout, it intrigued me enough to get it through a trade. And, I enjoyed it enough that I am keeping it for now. It is a lot of fun. Here are my general impressions:

The warm up is 6.5 minutes, but seemed to me to go on foooorrrrreeeeevvvvveeeeerrrrrr, mainly because she talks non-stop and incessantly about her heart rate monitor and the heart rate monitor numbers and what you should see in your numbers on your heart rate monitor. So, the second time I did this workout, I substituted my own warm up and enjoyed the workout much better.

The main part of the workout alternates kickboxing combinations with strength work. During this section, she lays off the constant talk about the heart rate monitor and only refers to it a few times. There is a lot of banter between her and her two background exercisers; for me, it made the workout more fun. One of the background exercisers is supposed to be the modifying exerciser, but he is spotty on doing modifications – sometimes he does them, sometimes he doesn’t. Jeanette gives a lot of form pointers, but doesn’t explain the moves themselves. I really appreciated the form pointers, but thought this wouldn’t be a good workout for a beginning kickboxer. I’d want more detailed explanation as to how to do the kicks and punches before trying this workout. There is quite a bit of balance work (something I can use) and lots of upper body/lower body combinations during the strength segments.

The music is loud, techno music. I didn’t love it, but it kept me moving throughout the workout. The set seems to be on some sort of patio or paved outdoor setting. You don’t see much around them. The workout does move side to side and front to back some, but you don’t need a large area for it, just some room to move in.

Overall, I found the workout fun. The only turn off for me was the HR monitor talk.

Instructor Comments:
Her manner is informative and friendly and assertive. She would be a fun person to take a class with. She motivated me to stay with her.

Laura S.

04/17/2005