Customer Reviews

Jillian Michaels for Beginners - Frontside

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are amazed by how much weight contestants lost while on the reality show: "The Biggest Loser," this workout gives you an idea of how much effort it takes to see real results in a short amount of time. This workout is perhaps one of the most difficult I've tried due to the circuit-style training. To be honest, this will be enjoyed by anyone who is at least intermediate and it will give beginners lots to look forward to.

Jillian Michaels puts Shane through the paces first with the first circuit that consists of a series of exercises that is repeated three times. So, you get three sets of exercises of 10 repetitions each as you work through jumping jacks (I used a small aerobic stepper or you can walk in place), push-ups and squats using a chair.

Kim joins Jillian for the second circuit as she enjoys a cardio interval of walking then does "bench dips," which I think are a little easier when you hold on to a kitchen counter instead of a chair at the start and then finishes with squats. If you are doing 5-8 reps at the start that is fine and then you can work to 10.

I was seriously not keeping up with the third circuit, which seemed at a faster pace with jump rope, chest exercises and squats. By the time I was on the floor and then back up standing, I was only able to do about 5-8 reps. I didn't think that holding the weights while jumping up and down was a good idea because this puts strain on your wrists. The jumping jacks seem better if you are walking and raising your arms at the start. If the exercises are too "bouncy" or "high impact" then you have the option of walking, which I gratefully did instead.

On the fourth circuit Shane returns for jumping jacks, shoulder exercises and chair squats. I was amazed to make it to circuit five where you march in place and actually get a bit of a break and then do some fun oblique work while working out your legs at the same time.

By circuit six, you will literally feel the fat melting off you as you again do jumping and then do some seriously good lateral raises and a plank that tests your endurance. I didn't make it to thirty seconds the first two times, but with Jillian motivational teaching style, I braced for the last one and held it for thirty seconds even by then I was shaking and about to fall over.

This workout is seriously geared towards fat burning and will be enjoyed most by intermediate exercisers who want a good cardiovascular challenge while working out arms, legs and abs. My endurance was seriously tested and everything seemed more challenging because of the circuit-style workout. If you are ready for some serious exercising, Jillian will show you the way "my love," as she says. She has a real sassy teaching style which keeps you smiling.

~The Rebecca Review

P.S. You may also want to look for Kneipp Sparkling Herbal Bath Tablets - 3 oz. when buying this DVD. The Juniper one is great for soothing tired muscles.

This workout was released a few years ago, just so you don't buy it if you already have it. Good workout but a little long for a beginner workout. No music, just Jillian leading a past Biggest Loser contestant.

My husband just called from work and wants to do this DVD again after a day's rest. He was able to do everything to the maximum and really feels he got the best workout possible in areas he hasn't worked before. We haven't been as successful with Jillian's other DVD's but we keep trying which is why we probably could keep up on the third part of the circuit. I have trouble doing jumping jacks because I am so heavy in the bust (but wearing one older bra, one with soft wires and then a larger sports bra has helped tremendously - yes, THREE bras but it works!)so I modify the jumping which still allows a good heartrate increase. You could just march in place with knees really high. I did ALL the push ups with this DVD since trying to do them on Jillian's "30 Day Shred" which is a killer. This one is great for beginners and intermediates. You can see the progress by former Biggest Losers who demonstrate the exercises. We love Jillian's dumbbells - easier to hold and hand friendly. One way or another Jillian will whip us into shape.

This workout is HARD. It is good for someone who is very serious about toning up and building muscle, but for someone like me who wants to do some more basic toning it's not up to par. Visually, all you see is a white background, with Jillian coaching one of the Biggest Loser stars. She really works on form, but there's no music and it just feels painful and long. I think if you're really motivated this will be good for you, but if you need to have a little fun and not feel like you're counting every minute and every repetition, this is not for you.

I bought the frontside and backside workout DVD and LOVE them. No it's not the most exciting workout, but it feels like you would as if you had her in the room with you. I don't like aerobic, high impact and fast paced stuff. This goes at a great pace, she explains what your form should be, how to do it the right way. I have only been doing it a couple of weeks and people are telling me they notice a difference and I take it with my Shotwave Slim weight loss drink. I recommend it to everyone!

This is a very good workout video for beginners. I hadn't exercised in a long time so this really helped me out with just starting up again. I like the way Jillian talks to you and helps keep you focus.

Yes her frontside video is a bit plain (white background). I don't understand why Jillian didn't have a studio or exercise room background. It's actually distracting to me to not have a background of some sort. I'm pretty new to working out. While I'm not in the worst shape (5'2 150lbs) I'm also not a runner or an exercise fanatic. Thus starting out with this was a bit hard for me. I only did this until circuit three before I was exhausted and wanted to stop. I'm surprised though that I was able to keep up! If you aren't fit and do this at least twice a week I guarantee you'll see results. I felt them the day after. I was sore up until day 2 after the day I worked out! That does not usually happen to me. If you're determined and want to see results buy this video! It really kicked my butt and I'm going to try to stick with it. The nice part is that Jillian also offers an easy version and a harder version to each exercise.

First Amazon review...ever!
I'm a 50 something Grandma who used to be in shape, but various structural injuries have kept me from, seriously, exercising for about four years. This is a beginner routine that is perfect for me! I am ordering the Backside by Jillian Michaels DVD to compliment this one. I am so excited to finally find an exercise routine that I can finish, and I feel like I am really getting a good workout.
Goodbye Granny Arms! Thank you Jillian Michaels!

A few months ago, I was introduced to the world of Jillian Michaels when I did the 30 Day shred. That work out was tough and after taking some time off, I wasn't sure I wanted to go through that again. I wanted something a little easier that would target my trouble areas, so I went with this dvd. This is easier in that I felt like there was more down-time compared to the 30 Day Shred. I felt that this DVD was lacking compared to the others because there is no set, it is just a white background with a chair. I don't know why they couldn't film somewhere more visually appealing. Second of all, I never watched the Biggest Loser, so I have no ties to the people demonstrating the exercises. What bothers me is that Jillian instructs them to do a certain number of reps of an exercise and none of them seem to be able to count! She asks them "how many are left?" and they sort of shrug. I think they could have rehearsed better and made it a little more clear how many we have to do yet before its time to switch. I believe this is an exercise that can be done every other day, which is nice if you don't have time to work out every day. However, this video is about 40 minutes which could be a perfect length for you, but does seem to drag on at times. I got the impression that they just wanted to crank out another dvd to boost sales. If you are looking to tone your abs and arms, I think this will do it for you. I do, however, recommend working out with a friend to break up some of the monotony of this dvd.

Thank you This is for a true beginner which I'm!! I am 5'8 and 170 and very out of shape any husband is very in shape and like the tape as well to warm up before he really works out.. but it you need a good place to start!!