Customer Reviews

The Biggest Loser: The Workout - 30-Day Jump Start

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have to agree with the other reviewer that I was hoping for another dvd with Bob as the trainer. I have always found his dvds to be high calorie burners and extremely motivational due to his warm yet strong training style. But one thing about the Biggest Loser you know if you watch it is that many of the contestants go on to become trainers themselves and they did choose some good trainers for this and it does mix things up a bit. However, with Bob at the center of the picture, one would think it's the same as past dvds...Bob does give diet and motivation tips on the dvd but does not train you as a trainer.

CALORIC BURN: As far as calorie burn, like the contestants on the show I wear a Bodybugg (the black electronic gadgets on arm bands) which measures my daily caloric burn. Because of this, I am also able to measure exactly how many calories I burn per workout and how many calories I burn per minute of any workout. This enables me to compare how effective a workout is against the many other workouts I own. I mention this only so you know what I say is based upon scientific measurement rather than perceived exertion. I bought the other new Biggest Loser dvd which is Jillian's "Last Chance Workout" at the same time I bought this one so I was able to compare both as well as compare them to the previous Biggest Loser dvds, all of which I already own. While this had a decent calorie burn, it wasn't as high as many of the other ones already out, nor was it as high as the other new Biggest Loser dvd released on the same date. (Jillian's Last Chance Workout) However, I actually ENJOYED this one more in some regards because I like the fact that it used the medicine ball and bands that I have and rarely have a good workout to use them with...you could do the workouts with just weights, (and not all workouts use these so you may not ever use them at all) but this adds interest for me and prevented boredom. Still, it has a higher burn than many fitness dvds (Biggest Loser and Jillian's dvds are all pretty good on calorie burn) so it's a good addition to my collection.

If you are looking to do the segment with the highest calorie burn, choose Alli's "cardio 2" which also combines weights. The lowest calorie burn on this dvd is Sione's upper body workout. While I typically don't quote how many calories I personally burned because it's going to vary per person based on muscle density, height, weight etc...just to give you a guage of how extremely low it was...I burned only 23 calories in his segment. No, I didn't forget the third digit. This shows why you need to combine 2 of the ten minute workouts on this dvd rather than just doing one in order to achieve any results.(the others were WAY above that one.) Unfortunately, the dvd does not allow you to combine segments easily. I'll get to that in a minute. (If you combine Sione's and Alli's you will get a good burn and that's what I do. For a good workout combine one of the cardio segments with another of your choice.)

CUEING: The instructors all have their teaching methods down, in spite of the fact they were contestants trying to lose weight themselves not long ago. Beginners will be able to easily pick up steps but those more advanced can tackle the more strenuous moves and enable their own fitness level to increase. You will not only know how to do the steps, but how to do them safely as well and correctly so they are effective. Good training. Good energy. A good combo of moves.

STRENGTH AND CARDIO: I love the dvds that contain a combo of both strength and cardio, which you will find here. Not all segments combine the two. You can do just cardio or cardio and strength. Cardio burns the most calories in the shortest amount of time, but strength training enables your body to keep burning more calories long after the workout is over and develop more muscle which also increases metabolism and allows your body to burn more calories even while at rest--in spite of the fact that you burn less during the workout with strength training. The most effective workouts have been shown to get your heart rate up in its target zone, then switch to muscle building to add strength while it's still high, then go back to cardio and you'll get this here for double the results.

MARKETING: They titled this dvd the same as their 30 day jumpstart book and their new website to lose weight of the same name. You don't need any of the others to coincide with each other but dang that show is good at marketing. (grin)

MUSIC: Upbeat and to the pace of the moves. Keeps you motivated and revved.

SEGMENTS: 5 10-minute segments. 50 minutes total The calorie burn in a ten minute segment is not going to be enough to make much difference unless you combine two segments and make it a 20 minute workout, according to my caloric measurement. In this case, you'd get a good workout. Unfortunately, the dvd only allows you to choose one routine at a time unlike most of the other Biggest Loser dvds where you can pick a few to combine in the beginning. And, because some segments are all cardio with no strength, you'll burn less overall than the other Biggest Loser or Jillian dvds that combine the two for a deep calorie blasting circuit workout. I don't want to do a routine that ends in a cooldown then start all over again with a warm up in another segment when I'm already very warmed up but you have to if you want to do more than a low calorie burning 10 minute workout...odd that they did this on this one. It's like they only wanted you to do a ten minute segment and nothing more rather than being able to combine two.

MUSCLES WORKED: This is very well-rounded and hits 'em all.

EQUIPMENT: hand weights, a stability ball (the large air filled ball you can sit on--optional, you can do the moves standing or on a Bosu), medicine ball (this is a small weighted ball. Optional. You can use anything weight including a gallon of milk which is their suggestion or a large can of something like beans. I varied between my kettlebell and my medicine ball.) bands, (optional, you can use your hand weights) floor mat for ab work

NEGATIVES: Although I appreciate the trainers and their excellent moves and cueing, it still felt slightly as though this was their first workout dvd...because it was. There was just a faint of nervousness...although there is nothing I could pinpoint exactly to illustrate this...they did a great job for someone new at doing a fitness dvd but there was a slight air of discomfort on camera and in showing others the moves I gotta say. I would have loved for Bob to have at least done one segment but I applaud the contestants for doing well under their first spotlight..

ALTERNATIVES:
Should you progress to wanting a higher calorie burn but the same great instruction, cardio and strength training, you might try:

(in no particular order):
1.Body by Jake Total Body Workout
2.Jillian's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolim and Last Chance Workout
3.Kathy Smith Build Muscle Shrink Fat
4.Crunch Total Resculpt
5.Star Trainers: Strength
6. Weight Loss Cardio Sculpt with Violet Zaki

CONCLUSION: Few dvds kept up my interest as much as this one did and I love it for that because it will keep you coming back to it. However, the calorie burn wasn't quite as high as its predecessors for only being able to do a 10 minute run and not combine two segments easily and I was a little surprised to see trainers with less experience leading the moves rather than Bob but I can't fault them...they did a nice job in spite of some discomfort showing. If you only have time for a ten minute workout, I'd skip Sione's. His instruction is good but the calorie burn won't even cover a bite of something. Combine his with one or two others for good results.

What happened to Bob?? He's my favorite trainer from this series and even though his picture is on the cover (as Jillian's is on the Last Chance Workout) he does not lead any of the exercise circuits. I missed him. (He does show up giving motivational/diet/training tips)

Anyway, this DVD has 5 (five), 10-minute workouts with a short warm-up/cool-down included in the 10 minutes. Tara leads the first Cardio section. It includes marching, jumping jacks, knee-up (low or high impact), twists, etc. Liz and Daniel provide beginner modifications. This is a good place for beginners to start.

Ali leads the second cardio section. I like this one because it includes resistance to get the heartrate up and keep it there. You will need a weighted ball, dumbells, and/or resistance bands. (Daniel again provides beginner modications.) She does punches with weights, side lunges with a medicine ball, squats with weights over head, etc. A good full-body workout.

Sione leads the third upper body section. He again starts with a short warm-up emphasizes your upper body and core. He then uses weights and a large stability ball (or workout bench) to work the biceps, chest, back, shoulders, etc., and ends with a stretch.

Ali leads the lower body section starting with a warm-up and then completing lunges, squats, side, lunges. "donkey kicks (on hands and knees) and ends with a stretch.

Tara and Sione end the DVD with an ab and core workout. Again, the warm-ups and cool-downs are included in the 10 minutes, so if you want to get a constant workout, you'll have to skip between sections.

All three of the instructors are encouraging and keep the class flowing, but there seems to be a "charisma" missing with them that Bob supplies.

Also included in the DVD is recipe booklet and an offer for a free workout music CD if you have an MP3 program on your computer.

This DVD is not as tough as the "Last Chance Workout), but if you skip the cool-downs and work harder on the warm-ups, you can make this a continuous flowing session. That's what I miss about the programmable DVD the Biggest Loser produced before. It had a warm-up, cool-down, section and then you were able to group all of the cardion sections (or strength sections) together for a personal workout. That said, this is still a good workout.

Speaking as someone who is trying to get back into shape I find this workout fantastic! This workout is for someone who is overweight or trying to lose noticeable weight. This is NOT a workout for someone who is already IN shape trying to tone their body. This is not the workout for that. Like the title clearly states this DVD is a 30-Day JUMP START. Not a boot camp or toning DVD. If you're trying to lose a few extra pounds this DVD this perfect for you. I've been using it for 2 weeks and it's been working wonders for me you just have to be dedicated.

I have several of the Biggest Loser workout videos and have been beyond impressed with the level of fitness required to work out, amount of sweat I put into it and the results that I get out of it...but not this DVD. I would have rated it lower, but I actually DO feel a tad exercised, though not to the level that I would prefer. I want to leave a video feeling tired but energized, but overall, feel like I worked OUT. I did feel a little sore, though not by much. I will say that the "instructors" feel very "green", the cue times are laughable, barely a count down and I was often left feeling frustrated that the segments felt rushed, clumsy and unprofessional. I guess if you are a beginner and LOVE the Biggest Loser casts from the past, this is the way to go...but if you really want to work your fanny off, I would say skip it and go for one of the Jillian Michaels videos...those make you work it! It was also disappointing that Bob wasn't there...it sure did need a touch of his direction!

I am the laziest person in the entire world, honestly I hate exercise. To make things much worst I love food º, just writing this made me want a double cheese burger with bacon and fries mmm¡K bacon!!

I enrolled in several gyms, and made the owners very rich, because I punctually went once a moth to pay and that was it. I also tried tennis, racket, karate¡K never lasted more than a couple of months.

I bought a elliptic machine (we also have one in the office), a stationary bike, weighs a bike and they are all there sitting in my family room ruining the view or in the garage.

I also bought CDs with sculptural good looking models and guys that looked like ¡§the thing¡¨ from fantastic four. Those guys and gals have no empathy, and think that the people that buy their CDs are professional athletes or dancers. The routines were just too fast and heavy for me, I was done in 15 seconds. A complete wa$te.

If this sounds like you, I hardly recommend this exercise CD (see the picture).
It has something for every day of the month (Sunday is rest), routines are done by real people and pace is gradually increased. You will be able to do the whole 10 minutes or at least be close enough to do it, so you don¡¦t loose motivation. I am really enjoying it. My wife and son are doing it too, we made it sort of a family thing.

If you are good at sports, do exercise regularly and are an adrenaline junky this is not for you!! You will find it too easy. This is truly for beginners who do not have a lot of time in their hands, and want to do some exercise for their health¡¦s sake.
Recommended!

Since I am about 30 pounds over weight, I really needed a tape a 66 year old lady could handle. This is just a little rough on me, but I get better each time I do the routine. I like the 10 minute sessions. Hopefully I will get to the point where I can complete the entire 30 minutes. But not there yet.

Each workout is 10 min with a quick warm up and cool down. As a more advanced I combined several workouts together. However for a quick workout, the contestant leds these and it is awesome to see what they have learned and to teach and demostrate during the workout. Sione and Tara are a funny combo, as they Sione says that he can beat her and Tara the work horse she is, welcomes the challenge and that was during the plank, Which I do for no more then 3 sets of 3 min. It's a great supplement for a even workout with another workout like the last chance or a gym routine. You can make it as hard or easy as you like with the weights or combing them together. Well worth the price. Hope this helps.

Okay, I am really, really out of shape, about 80 lbs overweight and exercise rarely. This video was very basic and too easy even for me. For a more challenging workout I recommend the Power Sculpt workout instead.

I have all of the biggest loser work outs and by far this and last chance work out has been the worst. The contestants are good but they aren't ready for there own workout DVD. It had terrible cuing, it was just bad.

I don't want to ruin anyone's motivation for working out. I so wanted to like this DVD. I was a big fan of Tara and Sione and so was looking forward to working out with them. HOWEVER, and this is a big however, the instructions for this video, the transitions between exercises, the counts are very rough. The inexperience of the trainers is evident. Bob & Jillian are not training you!

I am used to working out, have used Leslie Sansone, the 30 Day Shred, etc. The experienced trainers/exercisers on those tapes have shown me you can push yourself and, if you use proper technique you will "feel the burn" but not injure yourself. If you try to keep up with the transitions in this video, the brisk pace may cause you to move too quickly from one move into the next. If you are not a beginner and you try to keep up, you will feel the jerkiness between one move and the next. I thought to myself, "well, it's not Bob and Jillian but these are all good exercises and the pace is excellent". HOWEVER, I was surprised as anyone to find that I ended up with a back of the neck muscle pull that has taken 3 weeks to heal.

Again, I'm not a beginner and this tape may be encouraging to beginners but I feel I must post this review and warn others, proceed with caution, learn the routines (which will mean stopping and starting in between exercises) and THEN go for the burn!