Customer Reviews

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy (2007)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This workout is advanced. I put it in the same league as Cathe & P90X. I would purchase it for the weights portion alone. It's a five day rotation & tough. It's not often I have to take "breaks" working out, but this gets me winded every time. I don't have a treadmill so can not comment on the treadmill workout. The other aerobic section on each DVD is high impact plyometrics. I LOVE that you can choose no music in the background. Having to listen to banal music over & over kills me. This way, I put on whatever music I like & go.

I bought these used and can't imagine why someone would sell them. This is a great combination of strength and cardio on each of the disc. You can start with day one and work your way to day 5 and actually see and feel results. Just after one week I found some of my other workouts not as challenging because my endurance had built that much. You have a cardio section that doesn't use a treadmill and even though it's only 18-20 minutes this is a great use of HIIT training to really get the results we all look for. The strength sections generally work 2 body areas per disc and believe me later in the day you know exactly what sections you worked and a couple days after. The 5th disc doesn't use weights but incorporates your own body weight to give you a total body cardio and strength workout. One of the best fitness dvd purchase I've ever made by far.

These DVDs are a great investment to anyone who wants to get fit fast. They are challenging and you can definitely feel the areas that were worked the day after! I love them and feel awesome after my early monring workout! My favorite is the Butt and Legs workout....an awesome workout! Give it a try....I'm sure you'll be more than happy with the results. Additionally, you will need some weights and a step. I have 3s, 5s, 8s, 10s and 12s...I now use the 8s as my light weights and the 12s as my heavier weights but I suggest using the lighter ones if you are a beginner.

Great DVD's! You need minimal equipment to use, just free weights and an aerobic step. It's really just like having a person trainer, and I should know as I am one! The 5 DVD's give you a great variety and the trainers are motivating without being "pushy" or annoying. My boyfriend who is not as fit as I am also enjoys the DVD's and finds them to be just the right tempo but still challenging. I like the cardio only option, and also the "play your own music" choice. The sound/lighting on the DVD is of a professional quality even though it is a live class. Seeing the other class participants working out motivates me (if they can do it, I can do it!) and super hot instructors keep the mood light and positive. Also the packaging was really cool and makes this set an ideal gift. The ONLY issue I had was getting the DVD's in a timely manner. Apparently for an unknown reason my set was not shipped. I had to call the seller for details, and the individual who I needed to speak to was not working that day, so I left a message. To my surprise I was called that day AND I was giving the cell phone number of that person so I could call with any questions. My order was shipped to me next day, the customer service was superb, and I would defiantly buy another set should they come out with a new series!

I've taken classes at both So Cal locations and can tell you this DVD set covers it all! It's the next best thing to being there!!

This program is focused on endurance: high reps, no breaks. So, if you're looking for building muscle and strength (like Cathe's Mesocycle or P90X) this isn't it. On each of the 5 DVDs there are 3 chapters - weights, cardio and treadmill, and on each the instructor is different. The weigths segments are done for 1 to 2 minutes at a time rather than counting reps and sets. Because of the duration you can't lift as heavy as you normally would if you want to finish the exercise. The cardio is mostly plyometrics and high impact. The treadmill chapter seems good if you have one (I don't).
What I liked: nice variety of cardio and weights. Instructors are pleasant, organized and cue well for the most part. It builds up endurance. Workouts are advanced and the cardio gets you winded. Workouts can be done in a short amount of time.
What I didn't like: exercises are very repetitive and could be improved to make them better and more efficient. On the legs DVD the female instructor whoohoos too much which I found distracting. At the beginning of each exercise Barry doesn't cue well and everyone has to scramble to follow suit (this is only on the Body Weight DVD). During the stretch segments the music is broadway-like and very cheesy. In general the music gets noticably softer and louder for no reason (whether someone speaks or not). The fun factor is low.
Where I'm coming from: I'm a long-time exerciser (25+ years) and own most advanced workout DVDs available. The most fun and effective workouts for me are with Cathe Friedrich, Amy Bento, Anthony DiLuglio and Ilaria Montagnani.

I have taken classes with Barry in LA and use these dvds for travel. there is quite simply no better workout in the world. i've been running and doing yoga for 20 years and have never found a teacher who pushes me past what i think are my limits. if you're up for a challenge this is for you. while bodies are made in the kitchen (barry's words), this workout will help get you towards your weight goal better than anything i've ever found.

This product will not let you down. At first glance I was very skeptic, but when I got into it, I was singing a different tune. You will not get bored with this. I especially love the butt and legs disc. My goodness, it's a killer and I mean that in a good way.Trust me, it's worth the price... any price. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Each DVD comes in aerobic version and the weights version. You won't be disappointed with either. The weights version doesnt get dull as you can add on weights eventually to challenge yourself. Buy it. It's great.