Customer Reviews

Gin Miller's Calorie Burner Workout with Kettlebells

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been working out for 30 years but have rarely found exercises that do so much to improve the strength of my arms. Not only do these exercises whip your shoulders and butt into shape but they also do a great job of tackling that horrible chicken fat. I have been doing them for 3 weeks now and already see a big difference. I considered myself in pretty good shape before I started this new exercise but I have not been this toned in a very long time and I've exercised almost daily since I was 19. I have had other tapes by Gin and have always thought she was a good instructor. It is an intermediate level workout, so don't kid yourself that it is easy but if you are serious about getting in shape and don't want to drag out the step then this is a great new way to work out. Just be careful to research the size kettlebell you should get. They suggest beginners should start with nothing heavier than a 6. I think the kettlebell is fun and challenging and I will be sticking with it for a very long time.

Let me say before I make my first statement that I wound up having big love for this dvd and now do it often, but, like me, you may have misgivings when you first begin playing the dvd...so I wanted to address that first.

QUALITY: I was worried at first. Not only is she wearing one of those microphones like you'd see someone wearing doing a product demo in a department store (think of the black head mic that the "Sham Wow!" guy wears) that makes you hear even breathing rather than just speech, but it was filmed in a very sterile studio, and either the editing guy was lazy or they were playing tricks on the instructor during production. Here's what I mean: One of the nice things about this dvd is that, in order to ensure proper form, you are able to see the instructor from both front and side view during many shots where form is especially important. On those takes, the side view pops up on half of your screen. Nice, right? But, get this, during the first shot there are two columns in the right corner of the room behind her. Next shot there is one column. Next shot 2 columns and a pink ball. Next shot 2 columns, a pink ball, and something on top of the columns, next shot one column and half of the pink ball...and so on, and so on,...it got to be really funny. I thought at first maybe they shot this over several months and weren't careful with the props but then I realized, since something changed each time it popped up, maybe the editing person did it to mark his place of which side shot went where. I pick up on odd things like that so allow my observation to be your amusement as well. So it's not exactly high tech and there may be some lazy editing on the side shots, but don't let that stop you, this is ONE HECK OF A GREAT WORKOUT!

CALORIE BURN: Let me start by saying I wear a bodybugg to measure my daily caloric expenditure. It has settings to also allow me to measure exactly how many calories I burn during a specific workout, as well as how many calories I burn per minute during that workout, and how much my calorie burn is increased after the workout if it's a strength training workout (which ups your metabolism long after the workout is over.) so I'm able to compare all my dvds. This hit a high calorie burn early in the workout and offered a high calorie burn in comparison to most of my other fitness dvds, as well as a metabolism boost afterwards due to deep strength training mixed with the cardio in this dvd. I was impressed and I forgot all about the crazy moving props in the background rather quickly.

INSTRUCTION: She has great energy and excellent cueing so you'll be able to easily follow along. She discusses not just how to do each move, but how to do each move safely. It kept my attention span very well and never tripped me up.

EQUIPMENT: One kettlebell. Although there is always discussion about weight, I think the easiest guage is to think of what weight of handweight you use. If you use 2 5-lb handweights in other workouts, then you should be able to handle a 10-lb. kettlebell. Personally, I use a 6-7 lb handweight in each hand during other workouts and I'm comfortable with my 12-lb kettlebell. Although I did grunt a couple times, no lie. You are pushed. If you feel too pushed, do less reps or use a lighter weight. It's simple to make it "your own".

MUSCLES WORKED: This is what I loved about this workout and why it's one my friends keep borrowing from my fitness dvd library as well. She does moves that work your muscles down deep from your ears to your toenails. Okay, so you have no muscles there...I still think she reaches 'em. This is a solid workout that didn't drain me, but that I felt literally ALL over the next day...chest, abs, buns, arms, thighs...she found muscles to firm up in places I didn't know I had muscles. And that's why I bought the kettlebell, afterall. It provides a deeper and better workout then simply handweights alone. Her twists work your obliques for a great ab workout and this kept my heart rate up at a great pace for a cardio burn combined with strength training. It is, bottom line, effective.

LEVEL: Although a beginner could do this with a light kettlebell because it's easy to follow, even a body builder would get great toning with simply advancing their kettlebell weight as they progress. It's a full body workout.

MUSIC: Good music paced to the moves. Kept me motivated. The usual.

BOTTOM LINE: I have a very large library of fitness dvds and I only have 2 favorites for my kettlebell workouts. This is one. Ignore the black head mic that makes you hear everything and the crazy set with props that move, and you'll realize your calorie burn is through the roof along with the toning, yet you will follow along easily and get fast results because of good moves, energy, and instruction

I own several kettlebell dvd's and I wanted to add this one to my collection. I am going to return the product though since I was so disappointed in its quality.

For starters, Gin does not demonstrate proper kettlebell form. You could injure your back on her version of swings, and the way she does her snatches makes absolutely no sense.

I would recommend buying from Iron Core with Sara Laurie or Kettlebell Goddess with Andrea Du Kane. Both of these dvd's give you a true kettlebell workout, demonstrate proper form and are significantly harder.

I am new to kettebell and not a "purist." I really like the cuing and instruction Gin provides in the video. It was just what I needed to get started with this type of strength training. My only complaint is that the video is not chaptered to "play all"; you have to keep selecting which part of the routine you would like to complete. Other than that, this is a good workout.

I bought this as a kit with a 10# kettlebell and a DVD and a paper workout guide.
My objections to this program are not related to being a purist. They are about safe, appropriate exercise.
This video is an exercise video using a kettlebell but it is not a kettlebell workout, and it does NOT demonstrate proper technique nor are several of the exercises safe to do with a kettlebell lacking proper technique.
I gave this one star because kettlebells can be dangerous and, between the video's improper kettlebell technique, and the weird paper workout guide from Danskin (which has **terrible** demo pictures!!!), anyone trying to do these workouts is likely to either hurt themselves or be turned off by kettlebell work.

Kettlebells are amazing, and a great workout tool, and FUN to use when used correctly.
Find someone to teach you correct technique and then go back and watch this and see how bad her kb instruction is.
I recommend Lauren Brooks, Vince Choo, and Troy Anderson who have youtube videos on proper kettlebell technique.
Put this DVD in a microwave and make a coaster out of it. It is not suitable for learning kettlebell technique.

I thought this dvd was very informative, and gave a variety of exercises to begin using the kettelbell with. The price was reasonable, and Gin Miller has been around in the fitness industry for a long time and is very good with cueing, execution and safety precautions. I liked the way she progressed each exercise from the basic movement to adding more advanced variations to them.

Gin Miller's Calorie Burner Workout with Kettlebells
I found Gin Miller to be an excellent instructor, she explains each exercise movement in detail. It's nice to see an instructor that has curves but is very fit. Please, start off with the proper size kettlebell. Since I've been exercising for a number of years, I made the mistake of buying a 15lb kettlebell. I was 5 minutes into the DVD and I realized I needed a much lighter kettlebell. I downsized to a 10lb kettlebell. Now I can get through the DVD. What a fantastic workout. You work your entire body in a short period of time. This DVD is a winner.

When I heard that Gin was coming out with a workout, I had the highest expectations. A workout combining an instructor I love with a form of exerice I love. What could be better?

But I have to agree with the reviewer who said it looks like Gin just jumped on the KB bandwagon. Gin usually gives good form tips and safe exercises. This is NOT the case with this workout. Some moves are awkward, and some are an injury waiting to happen. Gin's form is also quite poor on some moves, even the basic swing.

Those with some experience in KB's, like myself, could modify some of the moves, and perform others with correct form, and there is a quite nice, effective standing under-the-leg pass move that is unique, but I found it wasn't worth the bother. I used it once, then put it on my Ebay pile.

Those who have no KB background would be well advised to stay clear, as they could risk injury.

I really like this DVD. You get a good workout with it. It's a little different than some of the other kettlebell workouts out there, but I feel this one is easier on the body but still getting you in shape.

This is another great Gin Miller workout. I've been working out with kettlebells for the last year and wanted something "fresh" without all the dancy prancy stuff of kettlenetics (that's NOT really using kettlebells). Gin brings lots of moves I haven't seen before while staying true to traditional RKC type moves. Music could be better (which is why only 4 stars), but, hey, I wasn't looking for music - just great moves. The 3 workouts focus on different body parts. Workout #1 arms and chest, Workout #2 triceps and back, workout #3 legs, but remember the advantage of kettlebells is you work the ENTIRE body - not separate body parts and Gin delivers. As to what weight to use, I started low 8#, but after the first workout went up to 15# and everything was quite doable. I would suggest lower weights if you haven't been working with kettlebells before because it is a different type of workout. Will use this again and again since it's easy on my knees, but tough on the muscles!