110 of 110 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not perfect, but a very useful tool, April 10, 2009
This review is from: Jillian Michaels Hot Bod in a Box: Kick Butt with 50 Exercises from TV's Toughest Trainer (Cards)
I got this because I LOVE Jillian's workouts, but don't always feel like watching a DVD - sometimes I just want to do an effective workout on my own while I watch one of my favorite shows, but I tend to fall into a rut doing the same exercises that I "like" and not really pushing myself enough. This deck is GREAT for giving me new ideas and making me work harder, as well as an easy way to take along a tough workout when I travel.
There are actually 78 different exercises if you count all the variations and modifications for each exercise (and some of them are VERY different, so they really do count as a separate exercise in my opinion). In addition, there is an introductory card explaining how to use the deck to get the most effective (and safe) workout, and a Training Techniques card to give you different suggestions on how to build your own circuits. If you'd rather use a pre-made workout, there are 9 different Circuit Training cards that give you a full-body workout using the exercise cards. Those are nice; they tell you which card numbers, how many reps, etc. so you can pull the cards out of the deck and blast all the way through your workout without stopping to decide what's next.
The cards themselves are fairly heavy-duty and coated; they're meant to be handled and sweated on. I think it would take a lot of abuse to damage them! They are all full-color and have complete step-by-step instructions for each exercise, and most of them have more than one variation or modification. Some of them do use equipment, so in order to be able to use ALL the cards you'll need a Body Ball, Dumbbells, Resistance Band, Step, and Bench (although I've found things around the house that can be used as steps and benches in a pinch). I would have liked it if the exercises were divided into sections, such as Upper Body, Lower Body, Core, but so many of them are combination movements that this would have been impossible to sort.
Just a couple of cons, and they are minor...first, I don't think Jillian had a lot to do with creating this set. She's been very focused on her new book (
Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!) and I think her publisher decided that it would be a good idea to release an exercise "companion" to a nutritional book. The exercises and circuits are VERY much like the ones on her website, so if you're a member of that you may not need to bother with this (though the cards are more durable for taking to the gym than a paper printout from her site). Other minor cons include some typos (i.e. referring to a dumbbell in one step and then calling it a weight plate in the next) and some of the pictures are stock photos of Jillian from her old video covers. That's sort of useless and reminds me that this wasn't created from scratch, but pulled together from old ideas & photos. But the fact that it's not "all new" doesn't mean it's not effective.
Overall, it may not be perfect but I think it is well worth the $[...] here on Amazon. I like building my own workouts, because while I need Jillian's guidance, I don't necessarily want to do a ton of squats on the same day I go running, or lots of core right after a Pilates class. The exercises will provide a typical Jillian butt-kicking, they're totally challenging! It's a good concept and they've made it very user-friendly. I'm very glad I got it, I will use it often!
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love It!, April 18, 2009
This review is from: Jillian Michaels Hot Bod in a Box: Kick Butt with 50 Exercises from TV's Toughest Trainer (Cards)
I have been a fan of Jillian's and the Biggest loser since it started. When I saw the Hot Bod in a Box I thought I would give it a try. I can not believe the workout that you can get by following the flash cards. She has broken down each exercise with pictures making each one easy to follow. As someone has noted already the cards are very durable and I can tell you I know for a fact that they are sweat proof!
The only suggestion I would have to make this product even better is if it had come with a card holder which would make it easier to bring just the circuit training card and exercise flash cards with you to the gym. I made a card holder for myself but it would have been great if it come with one.
Anyway, I hope everyone who purchases this enjoys it as much as I am,
Happy Workouts!
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Add this to your collection!, May 4, 2009
This review is from: Jillian Michaels Hot Bod in a Box: Kick Butt with 50 Exercises from TV's Toughest Trainer (Cards)
A friend recommended I grab these because I've been traveling and using that as the excuse why I can't keep up with my Jillian Michaels DVDs...well these are fabulous! I'm not going to just use them when I travel - heck I'll use them anytime! The great thing is they are portable so I can do them anywhere! The exercises are explained so nicely -- and if you've watched Jillian Michaels before you'll definitely understand them!! Perhaps the best thing is that I don't have to sit and wait during the start up of the DVD and waiting for explanations that I already know...grab these and go...a definite must have!!!
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