Customer Reviews

Body By Jake - Total Body Workout

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD is one of the top three videos/DVDs in my HUGE collection. It should be much better promoted than it is.
I've been working out for 20 years, and have had three pregnancies, and am now in the best shape of my life, am strong, hardy, defined, tight and slim, even after extensive bladder surgery and an hysterectomy in late 2005. This January, 2006, marks the first time I have ever even seen a "Body By Jake" video. I am VERY impressed, as this DVD is thorough, organized, the cueing is excellent, the motivation is strong, and the techniques taught are rock-solid. And although this DVD is derived from three videos from a series that is over ten years old (I thought I'd get that out of the way), it does not matter one bit, even if you are picky about costumes and music (like me). Jake is an EXCELLENT, vastly professional instructor/trainer/motivator. Set looks new, participants are strong, music is fine-really!). He encourages you to work hard, instilling in you the confidence, mental and physical strength, and even humor (yes, humor) it takes to work out diligently every day. Who cares that Jake does infomercials promoting his fitness gadgets? Maybe they're good gadgets. BUT again--his videos are excellent--at least the three that are in this DVD, which consists of: Total Body Workout (45 minutes divided into three 15-minute workouts, or circuits.); Lower Body Workout (a total of three 20-min. circuits, or workouts); and Awesome Abba-Dabbas Workout (a 30 minute long video that is divided into two 15 minute workouts, or circuits). Buy this DVD. Use it. Listen well, and learn even more than you think you already know. You will sweat, and you will actually enjoy doing so, because you will know you've done one of the best workouts of your life, whichever one you choose to cue up on any given day. I like to do the Total Body on M/W/F, the Lower Body on T/Th/Sat, and I tack on one of the Abbas to each throughout the week. Or I alternate this DVD with a Kathy Smith Lift Weights to Lose Weight or a Yoga Zone DVD, or something else. And I take Sundays off. BUY this DVD! You'll be glad you did.-PS : You'll need dumbbells (at least three different weights, and if you are a beginner, start with none or with 1#, 3# and 5#), a firm-backed chair or workout bench, and a broomstick.

My workout regimen is an extensive collection of fitness dvds. If I feel my motivation waning, I'll buy one or two new ones so I wound up with quite a rotation of a library of workout dvds. Because of this, I'm picky about which ones I like, which ones I keep, and I have quite a comparison.

Instruction: That said, this one ROCKS!! He is charming and fun personality-wise with some of the best instruction I've seen out there in doing the moves right. But don't think this is a beginner's dvd because of the great instruction, while you can alter the workout easily to fit your level, even those who love to workout will FEEL it.

Caloric Burn: Body By Jake takes to heart the evidence that the most effective workout will get your heart rate up then do strength training while it's up and alternate this fat burning and muscle building circuit through the workout. I wear a bodybugg to measure my daily caloric burn so I can actually SEE scientifically how many calories a workout I do burns and how many calories I burn per minute doing it...and this was a scorcher!! However, the moves really worked my muscles well too which means, with strength training, you continue to burn calories long after the workout is done in addition to the cardio he has which burns them fast during the workout.

Cueing: His cueing is beyond reproach and extremely easy to follow...no need to hit "rewind" on this one or get tripped up and frustrated. He acts as a personal trainer in the dvd so his instruction is constant and fluid and engaging.

Music: The music is nothing special but it's not irritating either...typical fitness dvd music.

Negative: the dvd shows the participants using a weight bench for leaning in some of the exercises which is not something everyone has in their home gym or livingroom. However, the moves he does on these are the exact ones other dvds do by simply standing up and leaning over so don't feel you have to have one. It's easily altered...when he put one knee on the bench and leaned over and then did arm exercises, I simply leaned over standing doing the same ones which is what I was already taught to do. But any couch or chair would work too if you didnt want to stand and lean which is equally as effective.

Set: love the set...very different. Looks like a livingroom of a modern mansion with pool through the windows, great art, sculptures etc. My kinda place to workout!!

Great idea: Rather than everyone constantly counting during the dvd or him stopping to say how many more reps you need to do, there is simply a count down timer on the screen. This way all he has to talk about is instruction and cueing and you know right where you are and how many reps you have left. Brilliant!! Why doesn't everyone do this?? It allows him to concentrate on instruction and cueing which is what the viewer really benefits from...not stopping and counting or keeping track of counting in their head...that is all freed up for making the workout flow with a personal trainer telling you the most helpful info. I like this a lot.

Conclusion: This workout is TOPS in my favorites. It's effective beyond reproach, burns off the fat, builds the muscle and the instruction is excellent and everyone doing it should learn something about form, no matter how long you've been working out. Great for both men and women in my opinion. You'll feel it and it'll work. Very happy with this dvd purchase! I'd easily buy more of his workouts. If you are a beginner, don't be intimidated...he'll tell you that you can do some of the exercises without holding weights whereas those who are more advanced can get more intensity by holding weights and there's nothing to trip you up here.

The Body By Jake brand may have reached its peak a number of years back, but this DVD proves that fundamental routines really work. A fellow sales rep suggested checking out the Body By Jake book for a toning and cardio program that maximizes results in an efficient amount of time. I found the DVD instead and have not been disappointed. Most of what you need to know has already been well written here, but I wanted to say "affirmative!" I haven't worked out in several years, and have finally made the commitment to 3 days a week, plus some running. No fancy equipment, just some dumbbells and a bench, but you could make do with nothing for a while...as Jake says during one of the circuits, "there's no excuse not to work out!" I'll skip all the new trendy DVD workout productions, this one is working great for me.

Very complete DVD that consists in 4 workouts divided in 3 circuits each. First: Total body(with dumbbells),second: lower body(dumbbells are optional) and third: ABS programs 1 and 2. Like Jake says, it is designed for any fitness level. If you want to make it advanced, just add more weight. For people with weak joints or back problems, it's also very good because there are no wild or crazy movements. It's about good technique and control. Jake is a great coach because he is reminding you all the time to breath normally, to keep the right position, not to stress yourself while making the movements, etc. Another advantage is that there is no counting required. You just listen to Jake or watch the clock. I guarantee you will get a good sweat with these workouts. Also, I noticed it has subtitles for the hearing impaired or in case you want to hear another music or whatever. That's very good.

I was first exposed to this workout in the early 90's when my dad used the Total Body Workout and the Awesome Abba-Dabbas workout on vhs. Yes it's an oldy, but a goody. At that time, there were three separate tapes. I was really pleased to find that the workouts were still available and also combined on one dvd (with an additional Lower Body Workout). My dad was in the military and he always aced PT tests so he was allowed to workout on his own. He would combine this with running.

I have used these workouts off-and-on for the last 15 years. Every period of time when I can get on a schedule and use it consistantly, I get in great shape. I've never been the type of girl to like dance-around workout videos. The Total Body is a mix of strength and cardio training. It is set-up in three 15-minute sections, which I've always liked. Doing all three is a great workout. But sometimes I will just do one or two sections and then do yoga to mix it up. There are lots of squats, which is great for hardening your thighs and butty, and a mix of arm/shoulder/back weight lifting exercises. I keep 1lb and 3lb weights handy. Of course my dad used much heavier ones. You will be asked to hold and use the weights throughout most of the workout. This is not billed as a prenatal workout, but I'm in my second trimester and believe the Total Body Workout is a safe workout due to its low-impact moves. Of course, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor. I'm counting on this program to keep me tight during this big-belly event! Half the time I don't even wear tennis shoes - my Persian rug is enough cushion.

When you're tired of Jake's goofy sense of humor, you may want to turn it down and pump up some music of our own.

I am one of those people that have tried everything and I still haven't figured it out yet. I bought this DVD because I wanted to build up a good sweat without having to do it in front of people. I like this DVD in that you don't have to have a bench or weights to do it. You just need some room and a computer or T.V. w/DVD player. I like that I can modify Jake's moves to my level easily and as I improve I can still get a great workout. (There is a lady on the tape that is in great shape and she is sweating her buns off.) The moves are not too complicated and it incorporates both cardio and resistance training. I recommend this DVD!
~Here's to building a better body.

This is an excellent workout and worth the cost. The workout outfits and music are a bit dated but the exercises, motivation, and Jake's coaching is dead-on. I'm a cardio freak and need to tone up the abs, underarms, and butt so I ordered this workout based upon others' reviews. They wern't "blowing smoke." There is plenty of cardio mixed with the strength training. I am still unable to get through the cardio portions even though I still only use 5 lb weights. There are lots of squats, lunges, upper body, even pushups! This workout is effective and as tough or easy as you choose. It's even fun....most days.

This is a wonderful CD that is for the entire body. It includes a total body workout for cardio and weights for total body toning. It has lower body workout as well as two 15 minute abdominal workouts. It is 3 CDs in one and a great value.

GOOD OLD SCHOOL WORKOUT. IF U DO THIS WORK OUT ON A REG BASIS U WILL GET IN BETTER SHAPE. IT CAN BE MODIFIED TO YOUR LEVEL OF FITNESS AND U CAN WORK YOUR WAY UP. THE REAL TRICK FOR FITNESS IS TO ACTUALLY STAY LOYAL TO DOING THE WORKOUTS AND NOT QUITING CAUSE GAINS ARENT INSTANT. IF YOU DO THIS ON A REG BASIS IT WORKS . AS FAR AS EQUIPMENT USED ON THE DVD THERE IS A FLAT BENCH AND DUMBELLS . OVERALL ....THIS WAS WELL WORTH THE MONEY .

This is one of the best set of strength training workouts I've seen. Jake gives clear, easy-to-follow instructions, emphasizing technique, position, and control, rather than speed and momentum. You can work at your own fitness level by varying the pace of the repetitions and the size of the weights. There's lots of room for progress. Routines are well-paced and varied. Jake is motivating and makes the workout interesting and fun, without being too cheesy or overly peppy, like some instructors can be. Nice set. Clear views of the exercises. I like the time clock. This is an excellent value, with three workouts (total body, lower body, and abs) with separate circuits within each. A solid, well-rounded, classic, timeless fitness routine. This is one I'll be using for a long time. Highly recommended.