Customer Reviews

From Russia With Tough Love

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this DVD because it's longer than Pavel's first DVD, The Russian Kettlebell Challenge, which sounded skimpy at 32 minutes. I'm pleased with my purchase. The video isn't perfect, but Pavel's instruction alone is worth the price.

First and foremost, for all the self-promotion and over-the-top slogans, Pavel knows what he's doing. His sense of humor shows through the awkwardness, and his running commentary is filled with valuable information. Pavel is truly a geek: He has a broad and deep knowledge of his field, he believes in the importance of his work, and he wants everyone else to love it and know as much about it as he does. There is no substitute for the quality of instruction such a person can provide.

Based only on the choice of material and quality of instruction, I would give the video five stars. The downside is that I'm a little bit disappointed with the models.

The models are good, but they don't always look completely comfortable with the techniques. Watching a master is an enlightening experience. Occasionally these women rise to that level, but just as often they seem more like advanced beginners. On some of the exercises, I can see imperfections in their technique, and they seem to be correcting their form as Pavel describes the exercises. (I'm not talking about the times when Pavel asks them to demonstrate common mistakes.) It's easier for me to be a critic than to do it right, but for a commercial video, Pavel should have found models who were truly masters with the kettlebells. After all, they're not called models because they have exceptional bodies (although they do), they're called models because the viewer is supposed to be able to use them as models for his or her own technique.

On a final note, I'd like note that the production quality is not very good, and the people on screen are not professional fitness actors and actresses. This interfered with my first viewing of the video. In fact, on my first viewing I got a strong "battered woman" vibe from the two models. On subsequent viewings I realized that this is a product of lighting (the women's faces are often half in shadow), awkwardness in front of the camera, the fact that the women are actually being challenged by the exercises (no fake weights here), and the lack of that awful chirpiness and cheerfulness that bugs me so much in real life, but which I have come to expect from women who exercise on my television. The women don't act coked up, the actors don't always hit their marks, and Pavel's delivery is occasionally stilted. Ack! Real people on my television screen! After watching the video once or twice, this won't bother you any more. (On the other hand, you *will* be disappointed if you're looking for spunk or girl-power attitude from the models.)

In summary, the instruction is top-notch, the production quality distracted me a bit during the first viewing, and the models do not always live up to that title. It's an easy four stars, and I won't hesitate to buy more of Pavel's products in the future.

I bought this DVD after flipping through a friend's book and not completely understanding the proper techniques of Pavel's exercises. The DVD at first is not a work-out video per say, but a comprehensive instruction guide of kettle bell exercised for a woman's body.

I love it.

After watching the video in its entirety and learning precise technique, I now just jump to Andrea and D.C.'s workout to do a complete routine with them. I have not changed my diet and have seen such fast results I am an absolute fan. The work-out is very short and very intense, working every muscle of the body and including cardio swings with the kettle bell (which, by the way, leaves me absolutely winded in about 3 minutes without the "traditional" 20-40 minute cardio work-out).

A perfect A+ and highly, highly, highly recommended.

After watching a friend use kettlebells for two years and become stronger and more flexible, I invested in this DVD and one kettlebell. I'm a visual learner, so it helped me understand proper form in each exercise. The information is presented with a sense of humor. I would also recommend getting the book as it goes into more detail on the strategy behind the program.

I dropped one dress size in 3 weeks of training. It definitely works, and it feels good!

I bought "From Russia with Tough Love", (book and DVD) and "The Russian Kettlebell Challenge" book only (but will likely get the DVD, also). I am a guy even though the "Russia" book is ostensibly for the ladies. It makes no difference! "From Russia" hits all the basics but has more toning for legs and core, while KBC has more upper body. If I could only get one, book or DVD, I would get the "From Russia" DVD but maybe that is just me.
I am an exercise and sport addict and at 58 am holding my own. However, for the last 3 or so years I have been plagued with a very stiff lower back and spasms in my left hip. After one week of doing the kb drills I have no pain whatsoever in the hip and no stiff back when getting out of a car or bed or from sitting! I have tried Bikram yoga, drugs, stretching and just about everything else. This worked and I think the reason is that it stresses strong, toned and flexible hamstrings, glutes, and lower back.
My wife and I do the exercises together and they are effective and fast, not to mention different from what one gets in a gym. This stuff really works, that's for sure! Note: you do not need heavy kb weights for this discipline to be effective.
Better to start with what you can handle. My wife has an 18#; mine is a 35#, but I use her weight alot and get plenty of challenge. Pavel is Russia's gift to the West!

Even though you don't need anyone to coach you, it is more fun with a coach. And believe me the results are excellent. Weight loss and toning can be achieved with dedicated training, and you only need to do it for 15 to 20 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week.
Unlike dumbells it gives you a total body workout with each exercise. Try it and you'll fall in love with this Russian Workout. The explanations are detailed with anglar visuals so that you can see how it is done from every angle. Just remember to maintain good stances throughout.

This CD is not a workout CD you exercise along with. I hate those for the most part anyway. This teaches form. I did go find a personal trainer and had a couple sessions to make sure I was using the right form for swings and turkish get ups but I almost didn't need to. I had learned most everything from the CD. The personal trainer just reassured me. What I like about kettlebells is that they are fun to use and I use my own natural rythem. Other people might go faster or slower but I feel like I get into my own personal groove and find myself mentally refreshed as a result.

This was ok. The exercises themselves were good and quite well explained, but not detailed enough.
I didn't mind all the 'comrade ladies' stuff. It was quite funny.
What let this down for me was that there wasn't any structure to it.
It would have been better if suggestions had been made about how many of each exercise to do and some routines to follow.
I couldn't remember half the exercises and I would be able to push myself harder if there was a routine. I don't watch it any more. I've bought the 'Lisa Schaffer' dvd which I prefer.

This is an instructional video NOT an exercise routine. You will not break a sweat following the DEMONSTRATION sets. The video moves slowly from one DEMONSTRATION to the next, it just gives instructions about the sets. The OK part is, it provided allot of good advise on techniques but the tone of the Russian trainer was boring as heck and un-motivating. The two women looked very strong and made me feel very hopeful that I could achieve the same level of fitness. BUT, this video is not worth the higher than nominal cost for an exercise video!!!

I have this book, not the DVD, but I'm guessing the DVD would be more useful to the kettlebell amateur as the book descriptions can be a little difficult to follow if you're not already proficient. I am a huge fan of Pavel, and the new (to me) routines in Tough Love have renewed my love for the mighty kettlebell. An amazing asset for any home or gym...but beware ladies...gym rats at the health club will be intimidated by your skill and strength if you follow Pavel's guidance!!

I am extremely pleased with this item. It is everything I expected and more. I also received it rather quickly, which was great because I was anxiously awaiting my new dvd.