10 Minute Solution: Knockout Body

Jessica Smith
Year Released: 2009

Categories: Boxing/Kickboxing/Martial Arts


Sara already provided a breakdown of the DVD so I am just going to add my own opinions. This workout is the second kickbox inspired workout issued by 10 Minute Solution, the first being Kickbox Bootcamp with Keli Roberts which I have not tried yet. I have many 10 Minute Solution workouts (primarily their Pilates but also a couple of their aero/tone workouts) and have enjoyed them all. Like all 10MS videos, there are five 10 minute workouts, which can be played alone, in sequence, or in any combination, and each section focuses on a specific goal. The DVD came in a package with pink weighted gloves, but I bought the DVD second-hand and cannot comment on the gloves. I use 1# wrist weights I already had and these work great. The five workouts are as follows:

(1) Knockout Body Blast, sort of an introductory kickbox workout where she moves the slowest with the moves. She intersperses cardio (jumping jacks, jump rope, etc.) with kickbox combos. This has a great fun factor and is easy to follow, and gets the heart rate up there.

(2) Fat Attack is the all-cardio section of the DVD. Frankly I found the choreography to be confusing and after a couple of tries I gave up on this section. Thankfully I liked the other sections so the DVD still proved to be a good purchase.

(3) Ultimate Upper Body was the only section I was not interested in, and cannot comment on because I did not try it.

(4) Kickbox Cross Train works at a much slower pace to really get a toning and balance element. This is an excellent section, and after Knockout Body Blast with pre-exhausted abs and legs, this is a challenge!

(5) Fierce & Fabulous Abs works the first 5 minutes standing with lots of twists (think Tae Bo!) to even further work the abs that have already been worked the rest of the video, followed by a killer floor segment. She really works the lower abs here, and maybe it just seems excruciating due to pre-exhaust in the abs, but this is really hard and I usually have to rest. This is a very challenging abs segment.

This DVD and kickboxing in general has so much strength work incorporated into the kicks and twists that it is sometimes hard to determine where to place it in a rotation, but I would still consider it cardio over strengthening. I have grown fond of adding the Knockout Body Blast, Kickbox Cross Train, and Fierce and Fabulous Abs (30 minutes total) as an add on after Firm Maximum Cardio (which if only doing the aerobic portions is also 30 minutes) for an overall cardio workout. Even though I have only grown to like and use 3 out of the 5 chapters, I would still consider this an excellent purchase because those 3 chapters are really good. Fun factor, fast music, great instruction. If you like 10 Minute Solution workouts, Jessica Smith, are at an intermediate level, and/or enjoy not-too-complex but still entertaining choreography, this is the workout for you. This might bore or be too easy for people who are used to advanced kickbox workouts from Cathe Friedrich, Amy Bento, or the like. Grade A.

Instructor Comments:
I really enjoy Jessica Smith. She cues well and is very encouraging. I already had her 10 Minute Solution Tummy Toners so I had no problem taking a chance on this DVD. I was not disappointed.

Emily B.

01/04/2010