Lord of the Abs: Abs on Fire!

Gilad Janklowicz
Year Released: 2011

Categories: Abs/Core , Boxing/Kickboxing/Martial Arts



Video Fitness reviews may not be copied, quoted, or posted elsewhere without the permission of the reviewer

Show oldest reviews first


Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this workout.

OK. A couple of things about my preferences - because they might help you decide if you would like this workout. I am not a big fan of core workouts (but think I should probably do one once in awhile) and absolutely HATE floor work, including ab work. So, when a standing abs DVD came along that was all kickboxing moves, I was interested. Plus, I still have Gilad's Cardio Srike DVD way back when and this DVD has similar moves and a similar vibe as that older workout.

Alison already laid out the moves, so I'll just comment on the workout. There is a very short warm up and then Gilad goes straight into the workout. I didn't mind this since it started with a bunch of jab crossses that seemed to finish off the warm up. Basically, the rest of the workout is comprised of one combination. Gilad builds it for a long time on the first side and then switches and does it again on the second side. There is a lot of TIFTing (taking it from the top) and then adding on the next set of moves. There are also a few breaks where you side step before moving on.

The first time I did this workout, my brain got tired about 2/3 of the way through the routine in the same place where Alison's did, with the three double uppercuts. The workout did not flow very well because I would mix up the moves. After that first time, once I felt like I had learned the routine, it flowed much better. This workout is definitely a solid intermediate workout for me with a slow and steady pace and breaks once in awhile. I definitely feel my abs working when I do this workout, especially in my sides.

Instructor Comments:
Gilad is motivating as usual.

Laura S.

02/25/2012

This is your typical Gilad cardio kickboxing, similar to Quick Fit's Cardio Strike but longer and more complex to learn. I like Gilad's add-on style (TIFTing) though things did get a little lengthy (kind of like this review, haha).

By the end of side #1, this is the routine:
jab-cross
bob, punch 1-2-3
uppercut
duck-hook
6 uppercuts (**here's where my brain shut down & refused to learn more**)
jab-cross
2 knees, kick & hold
jab, jab-cross
pivot with a punch front & back

There is no chaptering on this dvd aside from the main workout and cool-down. It would've been nice if side #2 was a separate chapter so I could do side #1 for a while and then go to side #2 to finish up. Side #2 begins somewhere around the 16 minute mark.

PROS
The stretch is nice and long (about 7.5 minutes, starting around the 38 min. mark)
Fun workout and the crew looks like they're having a good time.
Gilad is his normal encouraging self.
Beautiful sunset in the background.

CONS
No warm-up, goes straight into the first combo
Gilad mixes up his kickboxing terms (saying "jab-jab" during the uppercuts)
It's a loooooong routine on each side.
This isn't a "learn-how-to-kickbox" dvd. No real instruction.
I don't know if it's consistent but Gilad does not mirror-cue (says "uppercut left" but it is our right)

Overall, I liked it, but I'll have to give it a few more tries to see if the combinations become more do-able for me. If so, it could probably be pretty fun. If not, it would be pretty frustrating.

Alisoncooks

02/11/2012