Customer Reviews

Gilad: Ultimate Body Sculpt Series - Core and More

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this video, but I really struggle with this being rated and "advanced" or "ultimate" ab workout. I also really enjoyed Gilad as an instructor, but it just wasn't that difficult.

Now for the details and a little commentary

1. the tape runs about 57 minutes: 10 minute warm up, 41 minutes of exercise and a 6 minute cool down.
2. The moves are not complicated at all. if you have done any basic calisthenics, yoga and pilates, you already know all of the moves. it is mostly variations on crunches, rollups, leg lifts, superman poses for the back, and lateral leg lifts for the obliques. there are several well placed stretch breaks during the core part of the video.
3. Gilad is a terrific instructor. This is my first video of his, though I have seen him on TV. He is engaging, knowledgeable and encouraging and he works well with his workout partners in the video (3 girls and a guy).
4. the sequencing of the moves is very good, and he explains them well
5. the cool down is well done, and finishes with a relaxing breathing session.
6. the background is a nice Hawaiian beach, and the music is techno. It works well with the exercises
7. you will need a small weight/ dumbell to do some of the exercises. even a 3-5 pound one is fine for a man or woman.

My only real complaint is that in my view this is not an advanced workout, more like an intermediate one. I am reasonably fit, but my abs are by far my weakest area (no six pack here!), and I can blow right through this video very comfortably, with the exception of some of the oblique stuff. I am more challenged doing 2 sets of 50 crunches and 20 leg lifts/ "bicycles" than I am executing all of this video.

So enjoy the video, but I would not expect this workout to give you abs like Gilad's. It's just not tough enough. if this were rated an intermediate, i'd give it a 4 or maybe a 5 star rating, but I think it's misrepresented as an advanced video.

This is my least favorite of the Ultimate Body Sculpt series, but that's mostly because I really hate core work "on the floor". Gilad makes it about as fun as floor/core work could possibly be, and I find portions of this dvd to be really challenging. I am very close to making it all the way through this one (there's one part in the middle where I just have to take a little rest) and I'm seeing a difference in my belly.

Challenge is good, yes?

I have back problems and had therapy. This video is just as good as the core exercises I got from therapy. You will definitely notice a difference.

I have several Gilad workouts and I really love this one. All of the exercises work your core, but also all other body parts and it is not boring and he doesn't spend too much time on any one exercise which I hate. This is my favorite workout by Gilad. I love the beach setting and he is not annoying at all. Check our Cathe for step (she is excellent) and The Firm for overall cardio workouts and a change.

This is a great workout for the entire core (stomach and back) and may seem deceptively easy. You may think it's less of a workout because you aren't as winded as you may be with his other workouts, but you will feel it days later. The more you work out with this one, the more you become aware of the targeted muscles you are working, and the stronger those muscles become, which really helps with posture. I've been using this workout now for five months, once a week (in tandem with his other workouts) and have seen a huge improvement in the definition and tone of my core areas. Great for beginners as well as advanced viewers.

This is part of a 3 dvd set. This one works the core of course. Lots of ab work along with some back and butt work. I'm an odd one that actually enjoys core work and have several core dvd workouts; I enjoy this one. It's not a difficult, but there are sections that can be challenging. Rotate this with other workouts so your muscles don't get used to it, keep it a challenge. Yes it can become to easy if you do it to often.

Don't plan on getting your heart rate up with this workout, that's not what it's for, so go walking/running or do something cardio when you use this one.

If you want an excellent workout that really does the job to tone and firm you body this is it.

I found this workout to be challenging without making me want to give up. It's not boring and there are several exercises where I am still trying to improve my form...I can do it but my delivery is awkward. I didn't want a workout that I could immediately master and this is it!

I have been working out to Gilad for 16 years. I love him !!!
I hate doing ab work, but this workout is challenging, and fun. Gilad always finds new ways to keep me working out. I look forward to his dvd's. He keeps up with the times, and adds a little bit of yoga, pilates, pyometrics, and strength training for one great work out. Keep making dvd's Gilad!

Its not the toughest workout video in that it focuses in on one part of the abs or other muscles, and it really won't make any particular muscles very sore. Instead, this video is a good core video because it works all parts of your abs, lower back, gluts, and some of your upper legs. I do this video 1-2 times per week, and it has gradually made me core more shapely in the core area, which is great for the beach. I'm sure it would work faster if I did it more often, but I use this video as an "easy" day from harder workouts.