Everyone else has done an excellent job of reviewing this and breaking down the specifics. I just wanted to chime in because I know there are people like me. Specifically, I don't watch The Biggest Loser but I've seen clips and I find them off-putting. I checked this out of the library and expected to hate it. Amazingly, I didn't. This is a pretty well-rounded and intense workout with lots of compound moves to keep your metabolism up (e.g. side lunges with wide-angle bicep curls, dead lifts with hammer curls.)

I have bad knees but there were only two moves I couldn't do--the jacks in the warmup (easy to substitute and the entire warmup lasts five minutes) and a tricep move called The Surrender which looked really cool and I was sad I couldn't do it. I really like that she does a lot of moves that work the core and Jillian has lots of tips on form. Speaking of which, I've heard some complaints about her form (specifically with her controversial kettlebell DVD but just in general too) however it looks fine on this DVD to the extent that I watched her. I do like her telling you to visualize why you are doing the workout when it gets tough. And it does get tough. I kind of poop out on those side plank lifts she throws in at the end but her encouragement makes me at least try. Best of all, she wraps up the workout with some matwork for the legs: donkey kicks, fireplugs, inner and outer thigh lifts. I love these things. I know, I'm sick. This is followed by a cool down where she congratulates you on making it through a tough workout (thanks! it was) and reminds you not to compare your physique to others which is very fine advice indeed.

I do have to agree with others that she has trouble staying on beat during the cardio in the warmup. I wonder if maybe the music track was added in post-production. It's tolerable for the warm-up but I'd want to try out any of her cardio workouts before I bought them.


I'm not sure, as one reviewer said, why this high rep/low weight workout wouldn't build muscle. I saw this at the store for 9 bucks the day after I first worked out to it. Reader, I bought it.

Instructor Comments:
Jillian isn't too bad in this one. No yelling or criticism and she's friendly with her two students without being overly chatty with them (this is a pet peeve of mine on fitness DVD's.) She is mildly obnoxious at times ("You are probably wondering why I'm not doing this weight with 20 pounds when it looks like I can curl 20 pounds. Well, as a matter of fact I can curl 20." Ohrilly? You are ripped Jillian and I'm happy for you but this is my workout, not your bragging hour.) The positive talk and form advice easily outweigh the occasional eyeroll. I still won't watch the show but I will workout with Jillian.

vanessakm