Customer Reviews

The Pit Workout: CrossPit

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

 

 

The Pit and it's Master have succeeded again in creating a brutal but highly effective set of workouts. I have been doing the original Pit workout since July 07' and have lost ten pounds while significantly increasing my level of fitness. As those familiar will note, these workouts are hellish (read: not fun and "not Tae-Bo") but absolutely extraordinary and TRULY results-oriented.
If you really want to get in shape these two workouts will go right along w/ the other three on the original workout (i would recommend doing those first and then moving onto these after about three months). The Crosspit workouts are shorter but equally relentless and intense in simulating the experience of "going five rounds." Moreover, a little bit more equipment is required but if you don't have a pull-up bar (used in the second workout) you can use a resistance band with a door-mount.
There are a few recognizable faces from the first work out (besides John) and the production values have increased (it looks and sounds better overall). Also, John assumes a bit of familiarity with the original Pit workout thus, again, i think it is best to do the Crosspit after a few months of the first DVD (especially if you are coming in out of shape [like I did!] or only in "decent" shape.). In addition, there is an interesting set of extra features that expound on what exactly the Pit Workout is, how it works, where it came from, and how to do it best. Once again, HIGHLY recommended for those serious about fitness and results!!!

I completed 90 days of P90X and had great results but wanted more of a challenge and even more results. The Pit workout does it and is more fun for me because I am interested in MMA. I am noticing a higher level of strength and fitness, and getting a little more cut. P90X feels like aerobics compared to this! I still mix in the weights DVDs from P90X, but the PIT pushes you harder. And you are still using just your body and don't really need equipment. John Hackleman is a cool dude and is helpful and instructive with no BS.

My only criticism is that you should do some jump rope or jacks while John talks before each set cause he stretches the water break about a minute too long sometimes.

Get all the videos, you will have a more interesting choice of stuff to do to avoid boredom.

For those unfamiliar with the original Pit DVD workout, they are lead by John Hackleman, trainer of UFC great Chuck Liddell and highly touted MMAist and grappler, Glover Texiera. Hackleman is an expert in Hawaiian Kempo. The basic principles of the Pit workout is to exhaust the body with rounds of body weight exercises, such as pushups and squats, and then further train your exhausted muscles and anaerobic capacity by punching and kicking a heavy bag.

I didn't like the original Pit workout very much for a few reasons. Firstly, the workouts were too long. At about 70 minutes, not only were they inconvenient, but grueling past the point of quick recovery. Also, there was a lot of wasted time/ overly repetitive movements which made the workouts boring (3 straight minutes of squats into front kicks followed by three straight minutes of squats into sidekicks, for example). Lastly, the original Pit DVD was divided into an upper body day, a lower body day, and a complete body day. This is a concept borrowed from body building where muscles are intentionally isolated. It was odd when applied to a martial arts where movements are not designed to be isolated.

The CrossPit DVD addresses many of these concerns. Although these workouts don't resemble the actual Crossfit program too much to my mind, Hackleman used some of their training philosophies to give his Pit workouts a much better structure, which was the biggest weakness of the original DVD. The CrossPit DVD is divided into two workouts. The fist focuses on the Tabata structure of 20 seconds of all out work followed by 10 seconds rest. (This format has become very popular in "cutting edge" workouts in the last few years... athough calling it "Tabata" is somewhat of a misnomer, because the actual Tabata protocol is much more specific that just a 20/10 breakdown of work and rest. Google "Tabata Protocol is you are curious where this concept comes from).

The second CrossPit workout follows the Chelsea pattern, where you have a given amount of time, either 30 seconds or 60 seconds, to complete a certain amount of work. It is up to you to pace yourself most effectively (ie. Do you want to get the work done in an all out sprint and then have a good chunk of time to rest, or do you want to adopt a slow and steady approach?)

Both of the CrossPit workouts are full body workouts that incorporate pushups, squats, squat thrusts, pull ups, ab work, punching and kicking; Hackleman abandons the goofy upper body/ lower body split. Also, both of these intense anaerobic workouts can be completed in about 35-40 minutes, a much more reasonable amount of time than the original Pit workouts required. Overall these workouts are much better paced and a lot more fun. They are challenging, and you'll be dripping with sweat, but you won't be so ruined that you just want to sit on the couch the next day (Google: Symptoms of over training :) You might even have the energy to do some of the Crossfit WOD's (workout of the day) on the off days. See crossfit.com for the WOD's.

This is a perfect workout if you are training for black belt or just wanting to get into shape. I have seen my strength and stamina grow doing these workouts. You really only need a heavy bag, which you should have if you're serious about martial arts. I tried p90x for awhile. I saw result faster with the Pit workouts and they are cheaper! I suggest buying all of them and alternating them throughout the week. You won't be disappointed.

I own the original Pit workout DVD and was very excited to have a go of these two new Crosspit workouts. I am a boxer and have been for a while now and these dvds (Crosspit and Original) are all I need to get in great shape. It is not Tae-bo! Each workout is half the time of the three on the original Pit but twice as intense! I rated myself as being very fit before, however the Pit workouts have proved me wrong. I would highly recommend both sets of dvds for anyone who is into combative sports; Someone looking to lose weight/ get into great shape or someone just wants to achieve a great level of fitness. Cannot say enough just buy it, endure and reap the rewards! Money well spent!
p.s The original Pit workout is also an amazing workout tool.

I own dozens of training DVDs geared towards MMA workouts. The John Hackleman/Pit Series of workouts are the undisputed the worst of the bunch.

Actual Workout
* The videos are introduced by saying "this is an anaerobic workout." Anaerobic means 'without air,' like holding your breath while exercising. What he means is 'everyone do your own thing while I stand at the front' -- duh.
* The 'go at your own pace' style looks uncoordinated, and does not push you. Every other training video out there has the trainer in sync with the people behind them, not this one -- some are slower, some faster -- it's a distracting mess.
* The workout is uneven with absolutely no pacing: you are told to do 30seconds of jumping jacks; instead of saying 'lets do 50 jumping jacks in 30seconds' or setting a similar goal. The result is that if you are ultra motivated one day you get a better workout, but there is no push for you to to accomplish anything.
* If you are considering this video because of the description touting that it is made by the trainer of UFC champ Chuck Liddell, you are in luck. Expect to see Chuck in the video... for the first 10 seconds... saying~ 'Hi I'm Chuck.' That's it... Don't expect to see Chuck working out. Also, don't expect that this is the workout that Chuck does to get in shape for a match.
* The moves are utterly generic: jumping jacks, down-ups,... Don't expect much to be geared toward MMA or fighting, you would get more out of a Billy Blanks Tae-Bo video (seriously!). None of the participants on the video are smiling, none appear to be having a particularly grueling workout, none are pushing themselves hard. It's like it was THEIR 1st or 2nd time doing the workout -- and if this guy is their trainer, I don't see anyone being pushed to excel at all.
* The instructor has the personality of a wilted turnip. Don't get me wrong -- an instructor doesn't need to be lovable to get me to want to workout -- they could be a hard a$s drill Sargent type -- that'd work.... Hackleman is completely forgettable and without charisma.

Unprofessional
* These videos are made at the dojo, with participants wearing dark clothing on a dark floor and dark walls and without any additional video/photo lighting that you would normally have so it appears dark. Apparently no one has heard of a light meter. The resolution is poor, it doesn't look like it was shot on pro video equipment. Expect to stop your workout repeatedly to squint to see exactly what they are doing. On a positive note, if you are Helen Keller, or if you have a braille monitor, then you probably will not notice the darkness and lack of contrast.
* It looks like it is filmed by some guy with a camcorder. the production quality has the professionalism and seriousness of a guy who says 'hey you 5 guys come here and workout for my video, and hey mister new guy, hold this camcorder on us.' I'm sure the trainer knows in what order the moves are being done, but if you watch it you get the feeling that it is unrehearsed.
* Expect the screen to occasionally go black with a number counting down during cool off periods. Sorta like a slide a 4-year-old would create in PowerPoint. Makes me think they did the whole video in one take and tossed in slides to transition. At this point you'll be standing around staring at the screen wondering why you bought this tape after reading my review and thinking, 'wow, that reviewer was SOOO right.'

The only thing good I can think of to say about this video is: You get more exercise doing it than you do sitting at your PC reading.

It is ok...I spend most of my time in the gym so i got this dvd to see if I could get into doing some stuff at home, but I still spend more time in the gym, but this is a pretty good dvd

First thing's first, if you're buying these DVDs because you're a Chuck Liddel fan, HE'S NOT IN IT!
Secondly, these drills are a joke, if you've ever actaully trained in an MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing, or BJJ gym these workouts are complete nonsense.
They're poorly paced, there is no discussion of technique at all and if you're used to a real fight gym the intensity level here will put you to sleep.
Even if you aren't really training there are better resources, I would recommend Bas Rutten's set of CD's, they're well paced, well produced, and you can load them into an ipod or boombox anywhere you need them.