I'm an intermediate-to-advanced exerciser. While I can certainly do many advanced workouts, they often leave me feeling exhausted and have a huge dread factor. Although I want my workouts to challenge me, I also want to feel GOOD after exercising, not wiped out. Given this, Jari Love's Get Ripped is a perfect match for me. I definitely feel thoroughly worked out after using this DVD, but the constant tempo changes and variety of equipment used keep it interesting, meaning that the time flies and there is absolutely NO dread factor--in fact, I look forward to doing this workout!

It did take me a little while to get used to Jari's style, however. First of all, the "warm-up" is not at all like traditional warm-ups in other workouts: instead of doing some light aerobics and stretching, Jari has you start right in with the weight training, not doing a lot of reps but enough to warm up the hamstrings, biceps, and shoulders. After some trial and error, I found that I could do this segment using 10# dumbbells. In fact, I used my 10# dumbbells through the majority of the workout, going a little heavier for the first set of chest work and deadlifts but dropping down a little towards the end of the workout for the biceps and shoulders work. The great thing about all of the Ripped workouts is that Jari and her three background exercisers vary not only in the equipment they use--eg, Jari usually uses a barbell, while another exerciser sticks with dumbbells and others sometimes use just weight plates--but also in their individual weight loads, which are very helpfully shown on screen at the start of every new exercise.

For all of the exercises, Jari varies the count. She generally starts with a slow four up-four down count, moves into three up-one down, goes to two-and-two, sometimes to singles, and then pyramids back up again. Given this, you will be doing A LOT of reps, but you are never rushed, which allows you to lift heavier if you prefer. You can also always drop down to lighter weights for the quicker sets, although Jari does move from tempo to tempo with no breaks (there are short stretch breaks between body parts, however). The workout begins with squats/plie squats, then moves to floor for chest, starting with push-ups (only one set, thank goodness!). Still on your back, you'll do pullovers and then a tricep superset--I found this particularly tough, as my triceps were pre-fatigued from the chest/back work. I liked that Jari then stays on the floor for inner and outer thigh work in the form of side leg lifts; she does enough reps so that you feel the burn and then that's it, you're done!

Coming back to a standing position, you'll do deadlifts and then a deadlift/row combo. This is followed by just a single set of four-count lunges on each leg (I was VERY happy not to have to do various tempo counts here). Then comes biceps, shoulder work in a seated position (Jari and crew use their steps, but a chair works fine too), and finally abdominals. The abs work consists of just a few different exercises (working lower abs, upper abs, obliques), but when I make sure to execute them with good form, I really feel the burn here. One background exerciser does the abs work (and some of the previous exercises as well) using a stability ball. The workout ends with some nice stretches on the floor, mainly for your hips and hamstrings.

Extras on this DVD include demonstrations of the exercises, information on the science behind Ripped, and testimonials. The one thing I wasn't so crazy about with this workout was the music--it generally had a pumping, techno-type beat (with occasional vocals) similar to what you would hear in a club. This is not my style, but once I get into the workout, I barely notice it. Jari herself comes across as a bit cool and reserved, and although some people might not click with her, I actually liked her no-nonsense style as well as her excellent form pointers and good cueing. She does try to be encouraging, frequently saying things like "awesome!" and "you can do it!" Although I think that this workout is perfect for intermediates like myself, it's actually appropriate for a wide range of exercisers: advanced exercises should have no problems modifying up, and I think even true beginners could do this workout so long as they paid attention to form (watching the exercise breakdowns first would be a great idea) AND made sure to keep the weights VERY light, or even no weight (Jari and one of the background exercisers use body weight only for the lunge series). Overall, I'm thrilled to have discovered the Ripped series and believe this workout to be an extremely valuable addition to my collection; highly recommended!

Instructor Comments:
For some reason, I thought Jari was going to be a sort of celebrity instructor, but she's not like that at all. As mentioned above, she is quite low-key, which some people might find boring. Personally, I'll take understated rather than over-the-top enthusiasm any day! Her cueing is generally very good, and her constant form pointers are excellent.

Beth C (aka toaster)