Jillian Michaels Shred-It With Weights - Home Workout DVD for Weight Loss & Toning | Perfect for Women's Fitness & Strength Training at Home

I'll start by saying I own all of Jillian's DVDs but I haven't been easy on her in all of my reviews. She often has a nervous energy on camera that makes her do silly "tough gal" things to her fellow trainers on camera such as the DVD where she called one of them "my bitch" and another where she pushed a guy when introducing him and then the silly giggles...That said, I didn't buy the DVDs just for the trainer. All of her DVDs are well researched and good solid workouts with excellent cueing and they've all rated strongly for burning calories. So I ignored the things that bugged me and still enjoyed the DVDs.So I'll have to give it to her...Jillian seems to have truly found her comfort level in this workout and is inspiring, motiviational, comfortable on camera, and she has dropped the silly tough gal act that sometimes came through. The instruction in this one, truly is 5 stars and so is the workout:Safety and training: Really wonderful. In fact I learned many things I wasn't doing right before in using other kettlebell DVDs. She is quite clear as to why you are doing a certain move and shows you how NOT to do it when there are common mistakes in a move, as well as how to do it, yet she doesn't pause the workout to do so--she shows these while you are doing reps so it's nonstop movement and greater burn in less time. She motivates throughout with excellent cueing and instruction on doing it RIGHT for the highest benefit.Cueing: Regardless of any lack of coordination, you should easily follow along without missing a beat. I can say this because, as I mention in all my reviews, I have horrid coordination so if I can do it all right, anyone can.Level and kettlebell choices: The DVD has two levels. And the beauty in this is that the instruction is clear enough that someone who has never lifted a weight before can jump right in, but you can progress both your moves and your weight as you progress. Jillian, in the DVD, has a kettlebell that allows you to adjust the weight of it as you gain more muscle...that's quite cool. While there are varied thoughts as to what weight of kettlebell you should get, I've found in working with others on kettlebell routines that if you typically hold a 6 lb dumbbell in each hand, you can go with a 12 lb kettlebell or slightly lower. If you hold 5 lb dumbbells in each hand during other workouts, a 10 lb or slightly lower should work. If you are new to working out, you might only want a 5 or 6 lb. While I did research to find these numbers long ago before starting my own routine and buying a kettlebell (Amazon has them; I bought mine here but even WalMart has them) you have to find your own comfort level. It's better to do more reps with less weight than less reps with more weight so, at any rate, it's best not to aim too high if you can't do the workout...starting lighter and building up is better because you will be doing many reps during this routine.Calorie Burn: First I should note I wear a bodybugg to measure my daily caloric burn, which also allows me to read a measurement of calories burned during a specific workout as well as calories burned per minute during that workout. I mention this only so you know what I say is based upon scientific measurement rather than perceived exertion. Because Jillian, as always, gets your heart rate up AND combines it with strength training, this combo is better than any cardio only or strength only routine and you'll get far more fat loss in less time. While cardio will always burn more than a strength workout DURING the workout, strength training continues to boost your metabolism and burn calories long after the workout. So this combination of boosting your heart rate with cardio while also using the kettlebell to reach so many muscles AND using your own body strength to also tone, results in a great burn. It measures very high for what's really a strength routine as it kept my caloric burn going during AND after the workout.About kettlebells: You'll use muscles you don't utilize in other routines doing this DVD. Kettlebells came on the scene and unlike many fitness products that do, this gained fast momentum rather than being a fad because it delivers excellent results but you don't FEEL like you are doing the hard boring lifting...swings and kettlebell moves are FUN and for me, that makes kettlebell workouts go by way faster. I love them.Muscles worked: You aren't just using your arms here; this is a FULL body routine and it concentrates highly on the core. The twists work your abs and you'll be working all muscles from lower body up by the combo moves taught.Music: Not the boring electronica in most workout DVDs, very pop and hip sounding as is common in most Biggest Loser DVDs I buy. I find this motivating.Negatives: This is typically the part of my review where I discuss something that grated on my nerves that Jillian did...I can't help it. This time I gotta say, I have no negatives. I am a raving fan of this DVD. Even doing 10 minutes of it you'll feel it the next day and get calorie burn in as well. Yet, the moves are fun to do so I stick with it.Needed:You actually don't have to use a kettlebell if you want to try it out for a spell before you buy one. One trainer on the team uses two handweights instead so she can show you how to do the routine with these if you want to try out how heavy you think you can handle on a kettlebell before buyine one by trying out handweights first. However, personally, I wouldn't want to just use weights forever...the kettlebell is designed for a comfortable grip and swing and ease of movement; once you try it you'll likely be glad you did and I always use my kettlebell in my other workout DVDs when they have me hold 2 weights in one hand. It's far more comfortable. You'll also need a yoga mat if you aren't working out on carpet.Conclusion: I"m a raving fan. This has all the components I look for in my fitness DVDs. When I do it one day and look forward to doing it again even though it worked me out GOOD and HARD, I know it's a rare DVD.If you like this you may also like:Powerbody: Kettlebell bootcamp with Angie Miller These are short 10 minute workouts and you really need to do at least 2 at a time for good results. I liked Jillian's better but this would be my second favorite kettlebell DVD I have.