6 Week Six-Pack

This workout has already been broken down, so I’m just going to add my opinions. This DVD has two 35 minute workouts that have a sequence of intense exercises, then repeat the whole circuit. Jillian says that they are high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts and I think they can be (or not), depending on your level. For instance when I first got this workout and was intermediate/high intermediate, they really wiped me out, I would be just SPENT at the end of them and even shaking with exhaustion, but now as a low advanced/advanced, they are more like circuit workouts, challenging for sure, but not full out effort like I would expect from a HIIT workout. In fact I’ve been adding another workout on to one of the chapters now to round out the hour.

The exercises are all core focused – ranging from cardio-intense mountain climbers and moguls to plank work, crunch variations, and standing weighted functional abs (like woodchops and standing crunches-many of the standing ab work reminded me of Jackie Warner’s Xtreme Abs), and put all together Jillian manages to get and keep your heart rate up, and she moves at a moderate pace during the first circuit, then at a double time during the second. So I would on the whole classify it as a cardio/core circuit workout. As promised, I could see how doing six weeks of this would whittle away your waist area with targeted toning and lots of cardio.

I have most of Jillian’s workouts since her 30 Day Shred, and think 6W6P is one of her more challenging ones (for the half hour timeframe). It is just a very challenging workout and I love working the core with cardio! I get a lot of use out of all of her workouts, and this one gets its use as well. I will say however that Jillian is very scream-y in this one and just barks out orders, yelling the whole time. I guess I’ve gotten used to her more toned down manner (like in Body Revolution) that I forgot how she used to YELL! So that may bother many people. Nevertheless, I found her motivational as usual and the two backgrounders were also motivating. On the whole I would rate this a high intermediate workout and can be modified up or down depending on poundage used, and taking breaks as need be. On the whole grade A!

Instructor Comments:
I think Jillian is great, even when she is yelling out orders like she is in this DVD. I think her workouts are effective and like her fast-paced circuit style (although over time I can see that she repeats a lot of the exercises in different workouts, but they’re still all good as they have slightly different focuses) and that many of them are in the 35 minute category. Also the presentation is consistently enjoyable, music is good (enough), and the production values are always high on her new ones.

Emily B.

This is my first video review on this site. I have been an avid fitness buff for years and been doing videos for about 5 years now. Probably, most people would consider me an advanced intermediate. At first I was a little skeptical that this workout could make any noticeable changes to my midsection. After doing this workout 3 times per week for 6 weeks, all at Level one with the weight---I have been very pleasantly surprised. My abs have never looked better or more defined. I love her motivating style and the music is not distracting.

I look forward to trying level 2 next and have ordered other Jillian Micheal's videos for my collection. At 44 years old, I probably progress a little slower than I once did, but am up to the challenge!! I highly recommend this video.

KathyR

Muddjeansgirl did a great job with the review above, so I will just add my thoughts, after completing Level 1 for the first time (I have yet to do Level 2).

I am a solid intermediate exerciser (used to be advanced, but my fitness has back-tracked somewhat in the last year or so). Other Jillian workouts I have done are 30 Day Shred (Level 1) Biggest Winner workouts and Burn Fat Boost Metabolism. I was quite nervous about doing this workout, as I know Jillian's workouts are tough, no-nonsense in style.

I felt quite smug and anaged to keep up through the first round of the exercises, but when Round 2 came at me at a faster pace, my smug smile slipped off my face, along with the droplets of sweat!! I will admit I had to take 2 or 3 breaks on the 2nd run-through, and did not manage to complete all the mountai climbers. I also found it impossible to do the side-plank move, where you have to lift your bottom leg off the ground and bring the knee in - something for me to work towards!

Jillian works the core very succesfully and thoroughly, both standing and on the floor, whilst still managing to keep the heart rate well up and in that cardio zone.

Like Jillian's other workouts, if you do these workouts as prescribed, I can't see how you wouldn't have amazing results.

Instructor Comments:
Jillian is Jillian! She is like Marmite - you either love her or hate her - find her motivating or find her annoying! I personally fall into the former category, and feel that she is knowledgeable and passionate about what she does, and delivers workouts that deliver without all the fluff.

Kazzie

I want to start off by saying that I am a Jillian fan. I find her NMTZ and BFBM very effective for me.
Set: Actually very pretty different shades of blue and a nice brown, not distracting.
Music: generic jazzy techno type. I usually only notice music in a workout if it is really good or really bad. During the workout I paid no attention to it.
Jillian is more glamorous with hair and makeup and spray tan.
She does her typical tough trainer shtick, but this does not bother me. She does it with the background exercisers trying to push them to go farther. She does make sure to give them compliments as well.
Both background exercisers are fit and beautiful and are really working hard. There is a modifier for the moves.
She even mentions at one point that people comment about her not doing the workout but stopping to teach too much and she says “I am a teacher”.
She talks a lot and gives lots of good instruction, but is pretty much non-stop talking.
The suggested way to do this workout is 3 weeks on Level 1 and 3 weeks on Level 2. Jillian says to workout about 5 days a week but does not specify to do this particular workout 5 days a week. If you like a longer workout, I think this would be good to pair with 30 Days Shred.
Both Level 1 and Level 2 use weights. The modifier in Level 1 does not use the weight.
I think this would be great to use a med ball with, that’s what I did.

Level 1 breakdown
Warmup: lunges, squats, low impact jackknives, this runs about 3 mintues.
The core of the workout (haha)
1. Standing knee crunches
2. Rear lunges with dumbbell overhead, tilt back stretching the core area
3. Burpees
4. Squats with knee up, rotating your weight side to side
5. Alternating side lunge with weights overhead, bending upper body over to lunging side. This move was kind of fast for me due to knee issues.
Then down to mat.
6. Lever crunches using same leg and same arm. Advanced has both arms out.
7. Back extensions.
8. Plank jacks.
9. Long lever crunches, opposite side. Advanced can hold a weight.
10. Double crunches
11. Side Crunches
12. Alt. crunches with long leg, long arm.
13. Caterpillar – start from standing walk your hands out into plank.
14. Side Crunches
15. Alt. crunches with long leg, long arm.
16. Side planks with knee in .
This one was tough, if you have wrist or shoulder issues this move might be a problem.
17. Spiders – which looks almost like Bootcamp style pushups, in fact the advanced background exerciser does a pushup too.
18. Mountain Climbers.
19. Side Planks with knee in.
20. Bridge Kicks

Then repeat at a faster pace. When I previewed this, I was a little taken aback at having to go faster, but when I did the workout, it didn’t seem too fast, maybe I am just slow.
The cool down is basic cobra and light stretches and Jillian goes into a motivational speech.
I have only done section 1 and I found it quite challenging and this is coming off of an 8 week
STS Meso 1 rotation. I would think that doing this workout 3 times a week would yield some good results, the calorie burn seems pretty high.

Level 2 Breakdown
Even the modifier uses a weight for this section.
The warm up is dynamic stretching with squats, high knees, lunges, skater s and a nonjump burpee.

1. Chops with weight.
2. Knee side oblique crunch with weight overhead.
3. Jumping jackknife.
4. Chops other side.
5. Side knee other side.
6. Low – high reaches.
7. Standing crunch repeater knees.
8. Plank twists.
9. Repeater knees.
10. Rotation pass through – this move reminded me of a move done is a lot of the Pink Firms.
11. Lunges, upper body twist.
12. Bicycle crunches
13. Pass throughs other side.
14. Dumbell swings – a kettebell type move.
15. Plank moguls
16. T stand kicks
17. Double crunch
18. Hollowman
19. Mountain Climbers.
Rinse and Repeat.
Overall I am happy with this dvd and feel I can get a lot of mileage out of it.
A couple of other comments: The dvd is not chaptered. I hit next and it took me back to the main menu.
Jillian does use the term “Bada**” for those who don’t want a dvd with language in it.

muddjeansgal