77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now this is more like it!, February 10, 2007
This review is from: Jillian Michaels for Beginners - Frontside / Backside (DVD)
I LOVE this workout! Jillian is MUCH more encouraging in this workout than in her previous ones. I also love the clean white set - no clutter to distract me from a good, solid workout. The exercises on both workouts are circuit style, incorporating both strength training and aerobic movements, and both workouts give you a nice full body workout - but the exercises in each workout are different: FRONTSIDE targets the muscles in the chest & shoulders (also works abs and triceps); BACKSIDE focuses on strengthening your back and firming your butt (it also hits the biceps!) The instruction is excellent; this one's a keeper!
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46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really good :->, June 15, 2007
This review is from: Jillian Michaels for Beginners - Frontside / Backside (DVD)
I love doing this dvd workout. Jillian is no nonsense and this will give you results if you stick to it and do it three, maybe four times a week.
There are circuits here that go from cardio to toning. This really is for beginners because she explains to you (in easy to understand way) why you do a particular movement and exactly how to do it. It makes you feel like you are in the gym with her. You need an x-ertube and weights; anything else is optional. So this makes this easy to do. You don't need heaps of space, but to make it easier still, probably best to alternate these (unless it's a weekend day where you may have lots of time to put them together - that would be a fantastic workout). One thing that experienced home workout exercisers will notice big time, is that there is no music. I can see how that's beneficial for the beginner, but for someone who knows what they are doing, likes to have some music going on to keep them going. I do like this, and while I'm more experienced than this is aimed for, I saw my friend do this and for a beginner like them, it was perfect.
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36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very good circuit training workout set for beginners, August 18, 2007
This review is from: Jillian Michaels for Beginners - Frontside / Backside (DVD)
This two-DVD set consists of two circuit training workouts (weight training sets interspersed with cardio intervals to keep the heart rate up) that work the whole body. Jillian divides the weight training exercises by 'front side' (chest, quads, shoulders, etc) and 'back side' (back, glutes, etc). Both workouts have ab segments. Each DVD consists of 6 sets of workouts; 'Frontside' totals 40 minutes, and 'Backside' is about 50 minutes.
Contrary to what one reviewer said, the Biggest Loser participants who demonstrate the exercises usually have good form, though sometimes they seem to rush through the exercises a bit (Jillian does make them slow down occasionally). All three Biggest Loser people seem to have maintained their weight loss since leaving the show, to their credit (and unlike many other show participants). Jillian generally instructs them, and the viewer, about correct form and modifications and only occasionally does the exercises with them.
I had been doing cardio exercises several times a day for a few weeks, but not much weight training - so I wasn't totally out of shape but was pretty weak. I've been doing the DVDs for 3 weeks now, and already have seen and felt results. My legs feel stronger when I'm out walking or doing daily tasks, and my arms feel firmer. I've always had a bad lower back, and was a bit afraid of lifting weights, but the increased strength has actually helped to alleviate my back pain. I've also lost a few pounds (though I also do about 5 cardio sessions/week in addition to 4 Front/Backside sessions.) I have to do a few of the exercises with modifications, but I'm sure I will gradually progress (Jillian says that in 3 months you should be able to do all the exercises at the 'advanced' levels).
Stylistically, Jillian is enthusiastic but not too cutesy, though on 'Frontside' she does get a bit giggly. This doesn't bother me (it shows she has a great relationship with the Biggest Loser people, who clearly love her) but it may bother some people. If you're expecting the Scary Jillian from the show, you won't get that - you get a friendly and enthusiastic trainer. And as others have noted, there's no music and there's just a plain white background. I find this to be quite acceptable since it helps me concentrate on form. I have other DVDs if I want music and scenic backdrops.
The only thing missing from these DVDs are warmup or cooldown/stretching segments, but you can just add your own.
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