Jillian Michaels: Shred it with Weights

This was a very well researched purchase after looking into a billion other exercise dvds. To start I am an inactive 30 plus year old who has had a year of illness including operations and skin grafts which has resulted in me now being classed as obese and very uni fit. Climbing the stairs was an issue a month ago. Due to the embarrassment of that and the fact I'm a mum who works with no time or funds to enter a gym an exercise dvd was my only option along with walking lots. Some reviews i agree with and the main one being she is very irritating which is true but the first few weeks I hardly heard a word she was saying trying to catch my breath again. Besides some of the bad reviews I still bought this due to the fact you get results and quick and kettlebell (after lots of research) seems to be the one exercise that works everywhere you need. So to start with I had no fitness levels and started at level 1 (after I bought a cheaper sourced kettle bell from the order and collect shop beginning with A). The first attempt was a success. I actually enjoyed it and the exercise gave you loads of chances to catch your breath. I used a very modest 4kg kettlebell which is probably enough for your first time. You have 3 different people but gillian wonders around so the two girls at the back are the ones that you should keep your eye on and just ignore gillian, one girl is easy and one hard (you can use a normal weight and I did at first which is just as good as a kettlebell). Start easy and move to the next girl. Once you have cracked that move to level 2. The results are on going, I didn't loose the claimed 5lb but 3 lb the first week doing it every other day then the next I went down to 2 lb and now 4 weeks on I'm on a steady 1/2lb a week loss with calorie controlled diet in place as well. Even though I don't loose the full 5lb a week and only a pound or two my body shape is changing and toning really quickly. I'm guessing my little weekly weight loss is due to muscle now forming where I had lost it so someone more fitter may have a bigger result than me. this is a really really good motivational dvd which isn't too hard and not easy either. Probably the best starter dvd I have tried so far. I have used davina dvds and some of the celeb ones but never got into them as much as I have this one. I don't dread turning it on and giving it my all. If you have no fitness at all this is probably one of the best starter dvds arpund or that I have found.

I absolutely love Jillian Michaels, and I absolutely love my kettlebells. Before this DVD I had only used kettlebell workouts from fitness magazines, but they had served me very well and I had gotten to know my kettlebells quite well. I had avoided buying this DVD because I thought it was just weights and I wanted a strength/cardio combo like most of Jillian's DVDs. I hadn't noticed the kettlebell in her hand on the DVD's cover. And as soon as I did, I bought it immediately. I don't consider myself advanced with kettlebells, but, as I said, I knew my way around them and had a set of 4 (2-8kg) already, so I was well-equipped for the DVD. So I considered myself intermediate. Even so, I paid attention to everything she said about the different ways of holding the kettlebell, form and control, and I can say that it's a really good place to start if you're new to kettlebells. She explains and demonstrates everything perfectly and confirmed that what I'd been doing in the magazines was correct. There are two back-up exercisers, two lovely ladies you'll recognise from Yoga Meltdown if you've used that DVD. The advanced exerciser uses a kettlebell like Jillian and does advanced versions of the movements, while the other woman uses a dumbbell and performs beginner modifications of each movement. By holding the dumbbell length-ways you create similar length to a kettlebell but at a lower weight, which makes this DVD usable even if you don't have kettlebells. A single heavy dumbbell - about 4kg - would do brilliantly. But kettlebells ARE different to dumbbells. Their shape and weight distribution is quite different to a dumbbell even if it's held length-ways, and, as a result, by using a dumbbell you're not going to get as much out of the workout, but that's not to say that it will be ineffective. You will still get a lot out of it, just not as much as you could. As Jillian states in the DVD, kettlebells are amazing because they combine strength AND cardio in every single movement, so you can burn more calories and melt more fat at the same time. The back of the DVD says that each section is approximately 25 minutes - that is the case when adding warm-up and cool-down, but the main workout itself is more like 20 minutes (unless I've gotten confused and it says 30 minutes, in which case it's more like 25). There are two different kettlebell workouts on this DVD, but there is a drastic difference between the two. As I said a couple of times already, I knew my way around kettlebells and a number of moves already when I bought this DVD. And so I found the first level adequate. It was still a challenge, and for those moves that weren't quite challenging enough I finally braved a heavier kettlebell and it made it suitably more difficult. But at the same time I was confident that, had this been my first taste of kettlebells, I'd have been using my 2kg and 4kg and it would have been just perfect to introduce me to the kit, form and workout in general. As it was, however, I was using my 6kg and 8kg for the most part, and 4kg for just one move. But then there was the second level, and it knocked me right down to 4kg and 6kg and I've got no hope of moving beyond that for a while. It was intense and the difference in difficulty between the two levels was surprising. But I loved it even if it hurt. Exercise is not supposed to be so easy you can breeze through it, you're supposed to struggle. If you're not struggling then you're not challenging your body, and if you're not challenging your body then it's not being forced to change, be that shedding fat or building muscle. In short, this DVD is one of my favourites, and it's a suitable introduction if you're new to kettlebells, as well as being suitable to those who already know their way around it. As with any strength workout, if it starts getting too easy, increase the weight and you can raise the intensity. In the DVD Jillian is using her own kettlebells and they have a wonderful design by being able to add plates to adjust the weight, making them really good for space-saving. However, for the vast majority of kettlebells out there, they're set weights like dumbbells, and if you want more weight, you need a new kettlebell.

This the second Jillian Michaels workout video I have purchased. The first one was Killer Buns and Thighs which I really love although I have never gone beyond level 1. Level 1 is MUCH harder than level 1 and frankly I don't have the balance and coordination (or the space in my lounge) to go beyond this. However, level 1 is great and giving me the results I set out to achieve - that is to get a more shapely butt and stronger thighs. Shred-it is lovely because it is only a 30 minute workout (unlike the former which is 45), so if I am pushed for time this is the one I head for. It is not a very difficult workout (I'm still on level 1) but I find that the more I do it, the better I get at it, and the harder it becomes. I am not that keen on the kettle bell, particularly for some of the exercises. It is unwieldy when used with some of the movements using only one arm. Having said that you can replace it with a normal dumbbell, which I have started doing in some of the exercises. I've watched level 2 and it looks doable and I'll move onto that it in a couple of weeks. I adore Jillian. I love her personality and sense of humour and she delivers a great workout. Her abs workout is on my wishlist.

Bought this as have enjoyed doing kettlebells classes (however an hour was a killer and pushed me past enjoyment and into pain) and wanted to get in shape for horse riding for next season. I am one week in and have lost 3 inches from my waist and am feeling fitter, stronger and motivated. The levels are a good way to get you into it, and it's good that in level 1 you can advance the moves to just stretch yourself a bit further and it wasn't easy, but is in good sections to still make you work. Even my other half has had a go and said he enjoyed doing it, which I never though I'd hear. I usually go for Davina, and really enjoy her workouts, but think I am leaning towards Jillian Michaels now after doing this!! Didn't find her annoying or irritating, as that was my main concern. The weights cardio aspect is what really does it and get you trim. I would say I'm around a moderately active level and the first time I did it I found it hard!!! But after a week level 1 is more manageable and I'm advancing some of the moves and considering buying myself a bigger kettlebell, to keep it hard. I did give level 2 a go, but not quite ready for that I don't think, so will give that a go at the end of next week!! Level 2 was hard! Like she says you will be gargling your heart in your mouth by the end of it, if you do it right.

I've never worked with kettlebells before, so I watched the DVD through first, and once I started the workout, found it really easy to follow. There are 2 levels and I'm concentrating on level 1 at the moment using a 4kg kettlebell. Jillian is a great instructor and one member of her team does the higher impact and the other does the beginner level who I am following at the moment. The workouts are 30 minutes each and I felt toned and good afterwards. Shall certainly be doing this again!

Nice workout. Works on the playstation in the UK but when it arrived the case was broken, truly surprised that the DVD wasn't broken or scratched.

There are two 30 minute (inc. cool down) workouts of different intensity, which you can also increase/decrease depending on the weight you use. I have been using a 4kg kettlebell on Level 1 for a couple of weeks, and can feel/see the difference in my body already. There is minimal jumping about (which suits me!) as the focus is on building strength, especially core strength. Jillian is encouraging and sincere throughout; there are no 'drill sergeant' orders or fake smiles! Plus, the notion that I could possibly have a body like the three women in the DVD one day, is very motivating! N.B. - I was clearly out of shape when I started, as I found it hard to walk for a couple of days after, so had to take a break whilst my muscles built up!

I have recently gone off gyms and have got into home exercise - but with lots of variety - in duration and style of workout. Weights ticks my boxes as I really sweat during a weights session and have reached that age where I need to use weights. I also like to get a lot of workout in the shortest of time - HIIT is great for this and so is major calorie burner Kettlebell. Also I own a 6kg one - so need to use it. Workout 1 was brilliant. It’s suitably hard but with options - plus of course reducing the weight. (I also have hand weights) It would surely work for anyone as it’s a question of the weight you use? The Russian get ups are hard but I used to do these with my PT and it’s all do-able. I felt well worked and sweaty after! I also like Jilian’s Style. It should irritate me as she’s very ‘in your face’ and American but I liked her enormously and didn’t mind (even after the 6th hearing)! It also doesn’t require too much space so can be done upstairs in my small room set up for workouts. I especially like the cool down 🤓🤪. but that figures! It loses a mark (and i’d Like to give it 5) but today I tried the second workout and it’s really really hard. Starjumps with a kettlebell!!? And various other exercises that were either too fast for me or I was unsure of what they were actually doing. The press ups for example. I spent so much time working out where the kettlebell should be - probably not on my hand as press ups work just fine without weights. (Or was it a plank?) anyway it was hard and I felt deflated when it was over. I felt I had only partially done it yet my body was screaming for a rest. So, simpler technique and let us make it harder with greater weights? Mine is 6k and that’s plenty for me. I’ll just do workout 1 in future and alternate with other dvds. Update - I just did level 2 and don’t know what I was fussing about in my previous post. Jumping Jacks with kettle bell? Use a lighter one or leave out the weight. Push up with weights? Easy - just look how the moderator has placed them. Quite a few swings but that’s ok. So it’s 5 for me now.

powerful and enjoyable

Wer Jillian mag, dem gefällt auch dieses Workout von ihr. Die deutsche Version erscheint im März 2015. Ich persönlich mag die Uk-Versionen lieber, da man da ohne Umschweife Jillian zuhört. Lieferung auch problemlos aus UK. Zum Workout selbst: Es gibt zwei Level a ca 30Min. Jedes Workout besteht aus mehreren Zirkeln, die jeweils zweimal hintereinander absolviert werden. Wichtig: Für das Training ist am besten eine Kettlebell geeignet (auf der Uk-Version) auch so angegeben. Die dt.Version sagt nur, dass Gewichte nötig sind. Meine Empfehlung ist ganz klar eine Kettlebell, einfach weils mehr Spaß macht. Aber Vorsicht: lt. DVD soll man eine Kettlebell zwischen 3-8pfund d.h. ca 1.5-4kg verwenden. Diese Angabe empfinde ich als völlig irreführend. Ich habe Lev.1 mit 4kg das erste mal absolviert und hatte kaum Herausforderung. Jeder der schon bisschen trainiert ist und Jillian andere DVDs kennt sollte viell. ehr bei 6kg anfangen!! Ansonsten klare Kaufempfehlung

Do not buy!! Dvd's do not play, total scam.

Great workout, you can do it with a dumbbell instead of a kettlebell. It’s fast paced and makes you sweat, but it’s also very easy to follow.

Cercavo un workout con le kettlebell e questo è fantastico! Jillian Michaels è sempre grandissima. Non è troppo difficile ma fattibile.