Customer Reviews

10 Minute Solution: Ultimate Bootcamp

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Each section of the workout makes every minute count! As with most 10 minute solution DVDs, you burn the most fat in the shortest amont of time. I felt each section did a good job of progressing from easier to harder moves. Jesica doesn't say as much to encourage you to keep going as some other instructors, but I personally like that her focus is on form and cuing, with an occasional "boot camp" motivational phrase. She has the same no nonsense approach on her 10 minute solution Knockout Body and Tummy Toners DVDs, which I also recommend.

Fat Fighting Skills & Drills

You start with high knee moves to get warmed up, but you can vary the workout by not making the moves as big. The moves in this section start with running in place, high knees, running around around an imaginary cone, skate taps and jumps, basic jumping jacks in place and traveling, "5 dot" drills, side to side jumps, side shuffles, squat thrusts and jacks, ski jumps. Then, she moves on to obstacle course moves. These are jumping through imaginary tires, "agility ladder," running in place, "flipper jacks," butt kicks, and "going through the trenches." Finally she ends with basic jacks, "fast feet," and moving planks.

Ultimate Total Body Training

This section focuses on "functional moves just like they do in basic training." You will need a set of dumbells "heavy enough to really challenge your muscles" and a mat. I used 5 pounds because it was my first time doing the DVD. Jessica starts with squats and arm stretches to warm up. The first move combines squats and military presses. Second, stack the dumbells in one hand to "create an imaginary sandbag" and do lunges and rows on one side. Third, to keep up your heart rate put down the dumbells and do some power squats from side to side. Then, go back to the squats and military presses. Do lunges and rows on the other side. When that side is done, go back to the power squats. When that series is done, do pushups. In between each pushup you tap a dumbell with one hand and then switch to other side. Next, is a big power move called a "sandbag slam squat." You squat with both dumbells in front of you and then jump up. For the next move, place the dumbells on the floor and do jumping jacks around them. Then, go back to the pushups and "sandbag slam squat." Then its on to jumping jacks and running. "Okay soldier" the next move takes you down to the floor. But, if you think this means a nice cool down, you are wrong! You line the dumbells in front of you again and get in plank position. First, you bring one leg forward to your hand by the dumbell. Second you do a row with the dubmbell. Then, you alternate sides. The next move is a "cross wood chop" with the "sandbag." Then you put the dumbells down to do "X jumps" and "butt kicks." Then, you go back to the plank and rows starting with the other foot. Then, back to the "cross wood chop." Then, back to the "X jumps" and "butt kicks." From there lay with your stomach on the mat. Do an arm pull up move to stretch out back and abs. Just when you though you were at a cool down phase, you do pushups and plank runs. Finally, you repeat sequence of pull ups, pushups, and plank runs. "Now recruit" its time to cool down.

Ultimate Upper Body Training

I finally found the quick, but effective arm workout I was looking for in this section. You need dumbells "heavy enough to really challenge your upper muscles" and a mat. Even though this section is primarily for the upper body, most of the moves incoporate the entire body. You warm up with "rope pull downs" and arm pull ups. Start with pushups wider than your shoulders on bent knees and then on toes. Next is a "shot put throw" with the dumbells across the body. On to a squat with bicept curls. Then, you go back to the "shot put throw" on the other side. Then, back to the squat, but with hammer curls this time. Set your weights down to do a second set of push ups with your elbows going back to your rib cage to hit the tricepts. The next move requires you to stack your dumbells or get one heavier weight so you can do front raises. Then, you "pass something on to the soldier behind you" to work your trcepts. Next, you combine the two moves so you go from front raise to tricept. Then, you do wide raises to make the "letter Y." Then go back to the pull down move. However, this time with your dumbells and while doing calf raises to pull yourself over an imaginary bar. Then, you do some reps of an upper back move. Next, you run back and forth with weights carried at chest level. Then, you do more pull ups. The next sequence of moves hit the tricepts again. You start by doing dips while on the mat. Then, in the same position, you do a balance move where you reach forward with opposite arm and leg. Finally, you move forward and back (crab walk). The next move is for the upper back. Then do flys with your stomach on mat. Next is a series of staggered pushups for which you walk one arm forward and do a push up, and walk the arm back. Then do the other side. She says eventually you can move on to doing the pushups on your toes, instead of knees. Finally you end with a plank. Then, a few second cool down.

Ultimate Lower Body Training

You use only your body weight. To warm up you do leg circles on one side and then skate with arms on head. Then leg cirlces on the other side with side lunges. Then you do a balance series with one legged squat and lunges. As you do the lunges, you go from tapping your foot to keeping it in the air to jumping. Go back to side lunges. Then, you do the moves on other leg. On to "walk in place lunges" with arm moves that incorporate the whole body. Now on to "Ninja jumps." Next, you do squats with back leg raises. Back to "Ninja jumps." The next series of moves starts with walking backwards and forwards in squat position. Next, comes a power move where you do a rear lunge, a kick forward, and jump to switch sides. The series ends with fast feet. Then, back to walking squats, the lunge power move, and fast feet. The next few minutes focuses just on lunges. You do a few plain lunges, holding each side for a few seconds. Next, comes the same lunge move with rapid switching of legs. Then, on to a more complicated series of lunge moves. First you reach up, lunge forward, and tap forward. Second, you reach up, lunge to one side, and tap forward. Third, you reach up, lunge back, and tap forward. Then, you do the same series with the other leg. First, you reach up, lunge forward, and tap forward. Second, you reach up, lunge to the other side, and tap forward. Third, you reach up, lunge back, and tap forward. Do that a few times and see if your develop killer legs. Then, you do the lunge series again. There really isn't a cool down for this section. I would recommend that you do some of your own stretches.

Six Pack Ab Attack

You just need a mat and towl. You warm up with a side to side bend. Then, you rotate side to side while hips stay forward to stretch your obliques. You start the ab work by crawling forward in plank position. Next, turn over on your back to do crunches on mat. Then, back to crawling forward in plank position and crunches. To work obliques start with hands behind head, lift shoulder blades to reach forward to calf while you twist to one side. Repeat on other side. Next, while lying on the mat put your hands as if you are "grabbing the ankles of another recruit." Bring your knees in while you tuck your hips and bring knees towards chin. Then, bring knees back down and tap your toes. Really scoop and lift while you stabelize your body. On to a complicated move where you rock up and switch position of legs from crossed on one side to crossed on the other. Then you repeat the oblique series. The last time you cross your legs you pull yourself into a standing position. Go to end of mat and walk yourself into plank position on elbows. Turn into a side elbow plank. Come back to center. Then, do side plank on the other side. Repeat twice. Next, on to a move where you are on your toes in straight arm plank position. You bring your belly in and one knee slowly up to the opposite elbow. Go to center and then switch to the other side. Move off mat, while in plank position. This time move elbow to same side leg, while rappidly switching sides. Move to the other side of the mat, while in plank position. Do same knee to elbow move while rappidly switching sides. Walk back to center. Repeat knee to oposite elbow series again. Turn on to your back. Lay back with straight legs. Sit up and reach for heel. Rapidly alternate sides. Moving on to a new series...reach for another soldiers ankles again. Bring legs so they are straight up this time. Put one leg on top of the other. Control legs down and up. You may need to make a smaller range of motion, if you feel your back move off mat. Repeat sit up and heel touches. Repeat up and down straight legs. Go back to pank position on elbows. Alternate heel lift. Stablize plank as you switch legs. Lay on your back again. Reach for soldier's ankles again. This time do crunches by pulling yourself all the way up and all the way back. Go back to plank position on elbows. Keep legs on ground as you lift up first one arm and stetch. Shift weight to side with bent elbow as you do so. Then repeat on the other side. To cool down do bent or straight arm cobra. Sit in cross legged position. Stretch to first one side and then the other.

In order to compensate for the lack of cool down for what is a serious workout, I did a ten minute strech section from one of my other 10 minute solution workouts. I recommend a section from one of the 10 minute pilates or yoga DVDs or doing your own stretches.

I'm an Intermediate Exerciser. After doing all that, I felt like I was going to barf, but it will be worth it to do this workout every week. My muscles are still buring.

It can be hard reviewing an exercise video. Just because the video is not to one's liking doesn't make it a bad video. Such is the case for this video and me: we simply don't go together.

Now, I have to take responsibility for a large chunk of that. I suppose a 40-year-old, out of shape, inflexible person should think twice about a video entitled "Ultimate Bootcamp". There are small portions of nearly every workout that I literally can't do at all (such as walking on my elbows in plank position), and larger portions that, while I can do them, I breathe so hard trying to keep up I sound like a dysfunctional 1940 Hoover vacuum cleaner. Because of this, I end up skipping chunks of the workout, or simply jogging in place, and I'm sure I'm not getting nearly the full benefit of the workout.

But, of course, that's me. If you're contemplating this video, you are hopefully more self-aware and realistic about your capabilities and limitations.

Nonetheless, I think that even if I were in better shape and actually capable of doing the full workouts, I don't think I would enjoy this video. There's really nothing fun about this video - it is sheer punishment from start to finish. If that's what you like in a workout, this video is for you. The video definitely maximizes every second of the brief workouts and, assuming you are able to complete them, you should probably notice results very quickly. For me, however, I need to enjoy working out in order to stick with it long enough to experience results and this video just didn't do it for me.

I also did not connect well with Jessica Smith as an instructor - I just didn't find her engaging or supportive, but rather scolding and preachy. For instance, had she said, "we don't quit until the finish" one more time, I think I would have thrown something at the TV. I also found her difficult to follow and often by the time I caught up with what she was doing, she was on to the next movements.

If I were rating this video solely on my own liking of it, I would give it one star, maybe two. However, I realize that's not entirely fair, as I believe that, for the right people (those who are already in really good shape), it does do an effective job of what it purports to do. But for me, I'm going to put this video away for a while. Perhaps in a couple months, if I'm in better shape, I will get it back out and challenge myself again. Perhaps my opinion will change.

If you are looking for a solid workout that will fit your schedule look no further. I feel like this is an inter/advanced workout and since it is programmable you can do one or all of the segments depending on what you can do that day and you will get an effective workout. The first segment, Fat Fighting Skills and Drills, is a solid cardio workout that will get your heart pumping for sure. The second segment, Ultimate Upper Body Training, will sculpt your upper body quickly. There are quite a few sets of push ups, but also very effective exercises using weights. The third segment, Ultimate Lower Body Training, uses a variety of lunges, squats and variations of them to work your legs and glutes. The fourth segment, Ultimate Total Body Training, utilizes weights to tone as well as adds cardio to burn fat. It works the entire body very well in a short period of time. The final segment, Six Pack Ab Attack, really focuses on the abs to tone and strengthen them. The exercises include plank moves, crunches and sit ups, among other effective moves to really get your abs working. Even though the segments are only 10 minutes, each one packs a punch to work you into shape. This is a very challenging workout and I feel it is a bit faster paced that some of the other 10 Minute Solution workouts. The instructor is motivating without being annoying. This is a great addition to any library and will bring results.

This is my third Jessica Smith DVD- I also have knockout body and quick tummy toners. I love them so much that I pre-ordered this, and I'm glad that I did. Bootcamp is definitely more challenging than her other DVDs, and if you're anything like me (moderately fit, but weak muscle-wise) it will take a little bit of working up to, but if you're already quite toned it would be perfect. Personally I'm working up, doing one bootcamp routine per day and two from her other DVDs which are slightly easier. If you're my level of fitness, this is great to use maybe one day a week as your intense workout, or one ten-minute routine at a time. The routines are easy to follow- I'm hopelessly uncoordinated, so I tend to avoid complicated or dance-like routines. I prefer simple workouts that challenge me, and this has got it. The best thing about this DVD, though, is Jessica Smith herself. Not only does she look amazing, with the kind of abs and upper body that make you grit your teeth and aspire to the same, but she also projects an enthusiasm that sweeps you through the next move before you even notice. Highly recommended.

I have all of Jessica Smith's videos. Each is better than the next. I workout with videos 6 to 7 times a week and would condsider myself intermediate to advanced but in good overall physical condition. This video was difficult for me. I was shocked by how sore I felt and hadn't even finished the 5th 10 minute routine. I chose to do all 5 at one time. My arms are going to be very sore tomorrow! I totally recommend this video for cardio and strength! She doesn't give much demonstration about what's coming up next but it wasn't a problem for me. The second time I do it I will know so it didn't matter to me.

I have other of Jessica Smith's DVD's and this is an efficient, tough workout and by being broken down into 10 minute segments, you can fit it in anywhere in your schedule. However, I was really surprised that she thought a few knee lifts and swinging your arms around a little was a sufficient warm up. Doing this DVD without proper warm up/cool down is a great way to injure yourself. I would highly recommend doing a complete warm up and cool down on your own. Even some stretching between moves would help.

I'm in reasonably good shape...but am not the most coordinated person out there. This DVD is fun to use and the choreography is easy enough to follow. I have other DVDs from this series and love the format which allows me to vary the length and content of the workout.

I consider myself at an intermediate level of fitness.

I like the 10ms series since I can use them to make up the difference if my chosen workout routine for the day falls short of my time target. Also, you can usually choose an overall or targeted area if that was missing for the day.

That said, thus far, all of the 10ms series I have tried have not had a majority of routines that are enough of a challenge to get my heart rate up in my target zone. This has been the closest I've ever come to a serious workout with this series.

I have quite a few other workouts by this instructor and she is a little more smiley and peppy than I usually like but somehow still works for me.

Hope the 10ms series will offer more workouts that are for intermediate and up.

I love this video. I got it about 6 months after having my first child and I was in need of a good workout that I can do while he's sleeping. I was a big workout person before having my son and needed something that was challenging and effective. This video is both! I love the instructor - she is totally easy to watch over and over again. I love the cardio portions and even the arms, legs, and abs sections have some cardio built in. This will definitely get your heart rate up and you will have fun at the same time. Love it!

I love the "10 Minute Solution" brand of DVDs; I've often found them fun and effective. This one is no different as it is an extremely challenging workout that I feel results from after doing it just a few times! Jessica Smith leads, and I personally find her as an excellent instructor. She pushes you to your limit while still letting you know that while you should never stop moving, you can always use a modification if things get too difficult. She has superb cues, and she also usually explain moves well. But now, onto the workout itself; like the other DVDs in the "10 Minute Solution" series, this workout is comprised of 5 10-minute workouts. Each workout will have a mini warm-up and cool down designed to stretch your muscles before and after each workout. The workouts included on this DVD are:

Fat Fighting Skills & Drills - This high-impact routine has you doing extreme cardio moves the entire time. Most of this section is made up of jumps or runs, so get ready to really shed inches. To make it more like bootcamp, Jessica will often have you doing drills such as running around a "cone" with you imagining some kind of equipment on the ground, which I found really different from other DVDs and quite fun.

Ultimate Total Body Training - This section is designed to work your arms and legs at the same time, and it utilizes hand weights. You will really decide the amount of challenge you want by choosing how heavy the weight are that you use. There are some challenging moves on here that will have you doing one-arm planks and such, so be prepared to work hard. I felt my entire body working here, but it didn't exhaust me so much that I couldn't go on to the next segment.

Ultimate Upper Body Training - Arms, Chest, Back, and Abs are the body parts that you are going to work in this part, and I have to say that a lot of time was spend do some form of push-ups. The rest of the time you will be doing moves such as bicep curls, pull-ups, and other such exercises with your weights; and you will do each move so many times so that your upper body will be tired by the end of this workout.

Ultimate Lower Body Training - Next, it's time to work the legs in this section, and, trust me, you will work your legs hard! With a lot of hops, lunges, and squats, your legs will burn at the end of this routine! You don't use hand weights for this section, but you really don't need them, because this will definitely strengthen your lower body.

Six Pack Ab Attack -Finally, you will get a chiseled core with this last section, which also does not use weights. Crunches are definitely done here, but you will also do challenging sit-ups, table tops, and other moves that will keep you moving the entire time. There aren't really an moves done standing up, so you will be on the floor most of the time.

After doing this workout, I am sore almost everywhere the next day, so I know that I am working virtually every muscle in my body. It's one of the best workouts that I've personally ever done, and with the modifications offered, it allows you to start off at a slightly easy level and progressively challenge yourself as you continue to do this workout. Just as a final note, although I highly recommend this DVD, I can't say that I would recommend this video to beginners because it's pretty tough. However, I think it's perfect for intermediate to advanced exercisers.