Customer Reviews

The Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max

5 star:		(248)
4 star:		(85)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Let me preface this by saying I have lost and maintained a nearly 40lb weight loss through eating and working out. I've completed a half marathon, run 20 miles weekly and have done numerous workout DVD's...including the original Biggest Loser DVD and even Jillian's separate workout DVD's. I don't say this to toot my own horn, but to give you a gauge as to how someone who's in good shape views this DVD.

At least I thought I was in good shape until I popped this DVD in. This is a crazy hard workout that will workout every fiber in your body.

Bob starts with Level 1 and gives you 20 minutes of heart pounding, lunge screaming and weight lifting cardio...at Level 1??

Jillian is next and she doesn't fail at delivering a 10 minute, high intensity level 2 cardio workout. Like I stated earlier, I've got her whole collection of workout DVD's and this 10 minutes with her, is just as bad (good) as a few of the 20 minute DVD's I've got with her.

Bringing up the rear is Kim...and this one is a let down. For a level 3 cardio workout, she barely breaks even with Bob's Level 1. Now, if you do all 3 in a row like I do, then it does get a little tiring at the end with her, but if you just pop in her section for 10 minutes, I don't think you'd be pushing yourself very hard. In my own opinion, the workout difficulty would have gone Kim, Jillian and then Bob...do those jumping lunges and tell me that's not Level 3 cardio!

All in all, this is a great workout DVD to add to your collection. The ability to customize your workouts is great and the some of the moves are new and I've never done them before.

Start 2008 off right and lay down the cash for this. You won't be disappointed in the workout it gives you.

So I am hugely overweight, and just had a baby. I thought that I would give this video a try, and I LOVE it. I am still on the level 1 work out, but am getting better every day. I can now do the whole 30 minute level 1 work out. Next week I am going to be adding level 2. In only 2 1/2 weeks I have lost 14 inches and 12 lbs. Now I still have 80 to go, but it is a good start. Bob does the level 1, and he keeps me motivated thru the whole work out. Right when I think I am about to die, he starts counting down, and tells me I can do it, and I believe him. Rather than sitting on my couch hoping the Biggest Loser comes and casts me, I decided that the more logical option would be to bring the biggest loser trainers to me. I would recommend this to everyone, from those who only have 10 lbs to lose to people like me who have 50+.

As you can tell by the cover, this workout is led by the three Biggest Loser trainers, Bob, Jillian and Kim. They are all outgoing and motivating and in this 50 minute workout, you will definately burn calories.
You can play any segment in any order which I like to avoid boredom, or you can choose some of the challenging premixes. Bob leads a bootcamp segment where you can do the moves with or without weights to make it tougher if you want. Jillian doesn't mess around with her high intensity drills. They are tough, but stick to it for a while and it will get easier. Then at the end, Kim does kickboxing (which really gets your heart rate up). Some of seasons 3 and 4 are here too and they look great.
I like this workout because it's tough and yet fun and I've only done it once so far, but I'm still feeling it and can't wait to try it again because I know it will get easier and it's a definate calorie and fat burner.

I liked the first Biggest Loser Workout DVD. This one has a few improvements. First the customizable option is truly customizable. If you want to do the the first 20 minute workout (lower intensity) 3 times in a row you can. You are able to truly choose your workout level and time.
The first 20 minute aerobic section includes some strenth training (with light weights) which I like. I don't like doing Push-ups in the middle of aerobics. I think lowering to the ground while your heart rate is up, is detrimental. This is easily fixed, but just doing the other moves while the TV group is on the ground.
The second and third sections are higher impact and intensity 10 minute sessions. Again you can do these once, twice, or three times if you want.
I will keep this in my library

As someone with weight issues, I have bought several DVDs over the years with moderate difficulty. So, when I saw this DVD was coming out, I was excited to get a workout that would be challenging, yet in line with the needs and abilities of someone overweight.

All I can say is: OW. The "Level 1" work out and even the warm up are very hard core. In fact, all I could think about was the thought of whether or not some of my friends in average shape could even do these work outs without falling over. Like someone noted earlier, there is pretty much NO warm up...it is basically an intense mini work out.

My main reason for writing this review is to warn people about the push up exercise that Bob has you do in the Level 1. Seriously?! I found that to be more for someone in the higher-end moderate to advanced level of fitness. After doing that workout, I pulled something in my chest and it hurt for a good 2 days.

The style is nice and not too cheesy, and I did like the Yoga cool down. However, for a show that caters towards helping obese people become fit, I was disappointed in what I saw as unrealistic expectations for a beginner.

Biggest Loser Cardio Max Weight-Loss is a fat burning, strength, and cardio workout that will get your heart rate pumping and shed pounds! You can use weights, or do no weights as a beginner modification. I recommend starting with a low weight like 3-5 lbs until you are familiar with the workout. It looks like everyone in the workout uses 5 lbs, except Lisa is not using weights. Watch Lisa in purple tank top for beginner modifications.

The main menu contains 4 sections: Workouts, Maximum Results Program, Trailers and Credits. When you select Workouts, you can choose an individual section or play all. The sections are Warm Up, Cardio Max Weight-Loss Level 1, High-Intensity Cardio Level 2, High-Intensity Cardio Level 3, Cooldown. The Maximum Results Program has workouts for weeks 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and Maintenance. They recommend Warm Up, Level 1, and Cooldown for weeks 1-2, Warm Up, Levels 1 & 2, and Cooldown for weeks 3-4, and Warm Up, Levels 1, 2 & 3 Cooldown for weeks 5-6, and for maintenance they recommend doing the full workout 3 times per week.

Warm Up (5 Min)

Former contestants from the Biggest Loser TV lead the warm-up. Some sample moves are squats, jogging in place with high knees or butt-kicks, knee up/opens, alternating lunge and twist towards knee, and Frankenstein touches.

Cardio Max Weight-Loss Level 1 (25 min)

Bob Harper leads Level 1. The workout is designed in short combinations. You do several combinations on one side before you switch to the other. The first move in the first combination is split squats with one weight. Then, you stay in split squat position and do one hand row. Next, you combine split squat with row. You add military press. So the final combo is split squat, row, press arm into air. Put the weight down. Jump in air and do imaginary jump shot. Pick up both weights. Sink down into plie position. Do hammer curls with both arms at same time. Combine plie squats with hammer curls. Then, stay in squat while you do hammer curls at top of move only. Then, switch to hammer curls at bottom of move only. Release the weights and do jumping jacks. Step up the pace of the jumping jacks. Finally, you switch and do everything on the other side. Once the second side is completed, you move on to triceps. Stand in wide leg squat position with weights in both hands. Do triceps kick-backs. Next, keep arms close to chest and switch to squats. Add triceps kickbacks and squats together. Keep arms at sides and do jump squats. Put weights down and get into push up position. Place one weight by your left hand. Do a push up and then rear fly with left arm. Put weight down. Repeat with same arm. Take short break and go back to same arm. Take short break and switch sides. Be careful of your form because the previous contestants start to lose it towards the end. A modification is to be on your knees instead of straight arm push-up position. Once that side is done, go back to straight arm push up position. Jump feet in and out. Stop, and then go into downward dog. Walk your hands up to legs and stand up. Position legs shoulder width apart. On one side do cresent kick into squat. Next, on same side do sidekick into squat. Jump rope. Switch sides. Jump rope while moving legs forward and back. Keep one leg back and punch quick jabs and crosses. Jump rope while moving legs forward and back. Keep second leg back and punch quick jabs and crosses.

High-Intensity Cardio Level 2 (10 Min)

Former contestants from the Biggest Loser TV lead Level 2. Get into squat position. First, level is heel lifts. Next, "bounce it out." Next level is to take heel lifts into full extension up. Do a few squats and "bounce it out." The third level is jump squats. Grab 2 weights. Keep weights at shoulder height. Bring a knee up as high as you can and switch. "Bounce it out." Put weights back at shoulder height. For this set crunch as you bring each knee up. "Bounce it out." Put weights back at shoulder height. For final set, bring knee to opposite elbow. "Bounce it out." Do alternating rear lunges with hammer curls. Do alternating curtsy lunges with hammer curls. "Bounce it out." Add jumps between curtsy lunges. "Bounce it out." Step right and left. Punch one arm up as you go to one side and then switch arms and sides. Step right and left. Punch one arm down as you go to one side and then switch arms and sides. Add jumps between switching sides. Put weights down. Go into straight arm push up position. Do mountain climbers. Slowly bring knee to opposite elbow. Pick up the pace. "Bounce it out." Roll out shoulders. Go back to fast mountain climbers. "Bounce it out." Roll out shoulders. Hold in push up position as long as you can or up to count 200.

High-Intensity Cardio Level 3 (10 Min)

Bob is back to lead Level 3. Pick up weights. Do diagonal arm presses. Lift both weights up on diagonal and then down on a diagonal. Stay on same side. Take it to next level by reaching towards ankle on the down diagonal. Drop weights. Do military jumping jacks (sink down low). Do diagonal presses on second side. Keep both weights at chest height and do low jacks. Do twists instead of jacks. Put down weights. Move from downward dog to push up position. Take it to next level by adding knee to opposite arm. Then, take that out and add push up. Go back to downward dog and lower head in mini arm press push up. Hold downward dog. Lift one leg. Switch legs. Go back to first leg. Switch leg again. Roll wrists as you take mini break. Go back into pushup position. Do one push up. Go into downward dog. Do mini arm press push up. Go back into downward dog. Go back into push up position. Do push up. Hold push up. Repeat sequence. This time when you get to mini push up lift one leg and hold. Do mini push ups. Go back to downward dog position. Bring second leg up. Do mini push ups. Go back to downward dog. Do mini push ups. Go back into push up position. back to downward dog position. Go back into push up position. Do fast mountain climbers. Stand up and take deep breaths.

Cooldown (5 min)

Former contestants from the Biggest Loser TV lead. The cooldown has typical moves like inner thigh, quad, calf, hamstring, triceps, and arm stretches.


I have never done the first Cardio Max workout, so don't know how it compares to this one. Bob Harper's In and Out Method DVDs are similar to this one. I was a little disappointed that there was not more cardio, but overall I like the DVD. I already have many workouts that combine weights and cardio, but I think this is still a good addition to my collection. If you are looking for a pure cardio DVD, I recommend 10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results Fat Burner. I recommend this DVD for people that want to add a good cardio/strength training DVD to their schedule.

A little background; I've been working out religiously since the second week of Jan 08 combining 3 days of cardio with 3 days of circuit training with weights. My cardio consisted of 30 min of interval training on my elliptical and 30 min on my bike. Weights are a total body workout with dumbbells. With a combination of working out and eating right, I've managed to drop 15lbs but just recently I've noticed I hit a plateau. I was talking to my sister about my recent stall in weight loss so she let me borrow the Cardio Max DVD to give me a change of pace.

Last Friday, I pop the DVD in, strap on my heart rate monitor (because I wanted to make sure I was working out intense enough) and arrogantly decide to jump into the the "Week 2-4" intensity level (which is Level 1 and 2). I think I was about 10 minutes into the Level 1 workout with Bob and I was dying. My heart rate was reaching 170 bpm and my legs were burning; and I wasn't using any weights!! After the warmup and Level 1 I had to quit. I woke up the next morning and my legs, hind end and abs were sore! It was great!

This is a great workout but will require someone new to the world of fitness to work up to fully being able to complete the levels (which is the whole point). The DVD is mapped out for a 6-8 week timeline. The instructors make it very clear if you can't keep up, then somehow move to keep your heart rate up and join back in when you're comfortable. There's one specific girl in the video (sorry don't know names) that does an alternative version of the exercise for someone less athletic (i.e. push-ups on your knees, fake jump rope, no weights). Trust me, if you keep up with this DVD you will see results and feel better!

I have been using this tape for about 1 month now and I have managed to loose like the biggest losers, 32lbs in one month....

I think several of the excellent reviews have established that this is definitely a challenging workout even for those of us who think that we are in relatively good shape. I think this is a great workout if you've hit a plateau--it's definitely helping me and inspite of the negatives I'm going to list, I still am using it because the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. You will feel parts of your glutes and quads for several days!!
The reasons I didn't give it 5-stars are as follows.
Cardio level 1: Bob is great with the routines--they are definitely challenging. Just like the previous Biggest Loser workout, there's no sense of 'being in sinc'--I just choose my pace and stick with it because nobody keeps up with the music--not that the music is much to begin with. I am also used to the 'mirror image' concept, i.e, when the trainer says got to your right they are actually going to their left so both the viewer and participants are going in the same direction. Not so here--you have to pay attention if you want to stay somewhat syncronized.
Level 2: Jillian is quite relentless and you get no breaks for 10 solid minutes. No major problems here.
Level 3: This is the disappointing one. As noted in other reviews, it's not harder than the other two levels--I am honestly a little grateful for that because I don't think I could do it if it was harder--after the first two levels, my legs are protesting big time. It does get a little hard towards the end. I found Kim irritating. She appears unnaturally happy. I counted 6-8 times that she repeated, 'This is your cardio session/workout'--it gets very annoying. I am a big Turbo Jam fan so I found the kickboxing routines somewhat awkward at times. In one of the routines, you have to watch your knees if you are on carpet otherwise you could twist them causing injury.
All in all, definitely worth buying.

This is a good workout, it really made me sweat and I feel it the next day. The only thing I skipped on it was Jillian (because her bully style of training isn't for me and I end up annoyed watching her and it takes away my focus). But even without that, just the Bob workout alone is intense and the end with Kim is effective too. If you are just beginning, it's still a good workout, just use common sense and adjust the exercises you aren't comfortable with to fit you. Like Bob says, just keep moving.