Customer Reviews

Powerstrike: Kickboxing by Ilaria Montagnani

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ilaria Montagnani is a great, precise, tough instructor. She is in excellent shape, never loses her form, and delivers a workout that left me soaked in sweat.

This workout equally works your arms and legs. I would recommend boxing weights after you've gone through this a couple times to increase the shoulder workout.

I've been collecting Kickboxing DVDs (there aren't an overabundance, unfortunately) when I find them. This workout has some unique combos I haven't seen before.

This is not a "fancy" workout, but neither is it bare-bones. It was difficult enough that about 45 minutes through, I was so tired I started losing pace and combo order.

This is going on my keep for-ever shelf: along with Cathe's Kick Max (great), Kathy Smith's Kickboxing Workout (good), and Sherri Jacquelyn's Criss-Cross Cardio (okay). I have Tae Bo workouts, but they are not favorites.

Cons
- It takes about 5 minutes to figure out her accent. The music competes with her voice just enough that decoding her speech is a bit difficult. After that first 5 minutes, you won't have any problems.
- There is not any worthwhile stretch at the end of the workout. You will need to do this on your own.

Highly recommended if you enjoy kickboxing.

This is by far, the BEST kickboxing DVD out there. The workout is an intense cardio workout and, more importantly, the workout moves very smoothly from one routine to the next. I believe the reason the routines work so well is because Ilaria (the instructor) has a martial arts background and therefore has a sequence to the kicks and punches. If you have ever taken a kickboxing class with an instructor without a martial arts background you know how awkward some of the routines can get. But don't get scared that the routines will be too difficult on this DVD. Ilaria keeps everything at a level anyone could follow but yet, still remain challenging. Overall, the mix of punches and kicks allow you to get a complete total body workout. Ilaria also has an extremely high energy level which translates off this DVD and into your living room or bedroom and gets you motivated to workout. And the best thing is you don't need a lot of space or any type of exercise equipment. If you are looking for a great aerobic DVD to loose weight or just stay in shape, this is definitely one of the top kickboxing DVDs on the market.

I found an article in Shape magazine highlighting this DVD, so I bought it in an effort to mix up my workouts. My intentions were to use it on "off" days when I didn't go to the gym. It's turned out to be a very good purchase. Her accent is a little difficult to understand at first, but after you get used to it, following her direction becomes quite easy. She's positive and explains each new move while allowing ample practice time before adding them to the routine.

This is an absolutely fabulous workout! Ilaria demos basic punches and kicks solo for the uninitiated prior to the workout, then begins the warmup with three other exercisers. The workout begins with punches (jabs, uppercuts, hooks) then kicks (front and side), then takes you through some strenuous routines before rewarding you with a well-deserved cooldown and stretch. Ilaria reminds you throughout to keep good form, demonstrating what not to do as well as what to do. The music is absolutely fantastic; the singer has a voice reminiscent of melodic Madonna. Highly recommended!

I am very impressed with this video, my favorite aspect is there is no complicated footwork, I'm not the most coordinated of exercisers. It is an incredible, all-around workout that I really look forward to each and every time I do it.

There is even a karate style segment that will take some time for me to get the hang of.

Ilaria encourages you to go at your own pace, which I love. I really hope she puts out more of these, although I'm in no rush to move past this tape anytime soon!

Great DVD, Ilaria is a great instructor and she looks very powerful. Kind of advanced for me but hopefully I will get better. My only complain is that the background music is louder than her voice, making it hard to hear her instructions(that's why I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars). I also like the fact that her helpers did not say anything and they also had great form.

As my title states, this really is an excellent kickbox workout. Ilaria's form is perfect, and I really enjoy the punch/kick combos she puts together. I like her personality and the filming of the dvd, I especially like the music in this dvd, it manages to be very motivating at exactly the right time.

I don't consider this a very high intensity workout, but I certainly work up a sweat, and usually feel a good light soreness in my upper body the day after, especially if I add my weighted gloves. I don't like to do crazy intense cardio first thing in the morning, so this is a perfect choice when I do early workouts.

Ilaria has a great technique which makes it easy to learn the moves. The karate moves are a bit challenging, but after a couple of times, it gets easier.

Let me start by saying I have MANY MANY workout DVD's, from The Firm, Jillian Michaels, Turbo Jam etc. I am not a novice to exercise or exercise DVD's. This is an amazing workout. It is so easy to follow, yet don't get me wrong, it is not an easy workout. Ilaria, in my opinion is one of todays best instructors. She is clear, her cueing is right on target. I completely work up a sweat doing this workout, yet the time passes so quickly and I am actually enjoying myself!!! Definitely worth it for anyone out there who enjoys a great yet fun workout and wants to burn massive calories.