Customer Reviews

SWAT Workout: Extreme Weight Loss and Fat Burning

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this workout since the description made it sound like it would be a high-intensity, interval training (HIIT) workout, and I've been looking for more HIIT DVD workouts to add to my collection since they are hard to find. (I have the Abs Diet and the Women's Body Type workouts, which are very good HIIT workouts.)

Most of this workout does qualify as an interval workout, where you alternate intense sections of cardio for a minute or so, before recovering by marching in place. However, some of the intervals have you using light weights (to do biceps curls, triceps presses, etc.) and doing things like push-ups, which also makes it fall into the category of a circuit workout. I mention this only because it will make it hard to fit into a training program; the weight lifting wasn't hard enough to qualify as a true weight-lifting session, and yet I don't want to lift weights without 48 hours of rest in between my weight sessions.

The workout is fun and moves at a good pace, but the first part of it didn't get my heart rate up very high. To increase the intensity, I ended up modifying the marching in place to light jogging in place. The workout also includes a tough, six-minute ab section, which I really enjoyed. However, what I didn't like was that the cardio section just concluded, without any stretching or proper cool down, before moving into the abs. After doing abs, there is some stretching, but it would have been much better to have included some brief stretching and a cool down *before* doing the abs to give the heart some time to recover.

The last thing I wanted to mention is that the background exercisers are all thin women who are clad in short shorts and tank tops. Several times, Commander Tom mentions that they are all "real people," and yet I would have liked to have seen some men and more people who look like they are just getting started with the workout program.

All in all, it's a good workout, but I don't think I'll be reaching for it that often. Although he had good positive energy, the instructor just doesn't motivate me like other instructors do. Overall, I'd actually give this 3 1/2 stars.

The SWAT Workout is led by Tom Stroup, an actual SWAT commander. He has a great personality and a good rapport with the background exercisers. This is an interval workout. It consists of running in place, jumping jacks, "SWAT" thrusts, mountain climbers, boxers and other drils with the SWAT march between each drill to allow your heart rate to come down. It's a good workout for burning fat, increasing endurance and agility. I love drill type workouts, but even if it's not your thing, Tom's personality makes it fun. The SWAT workout isn't such a killer workout that it has a huge dread factor, but it isn't a walk in the park either. It can be modified for a beginner, but an experienced exerciser can get a good workout too.

Here is breakdown of the chapters:

EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS AND FAT BURNING (body weight only)
Chapter one- warm up- 9:30 MINUTES
Chapter two- SWAT fat burning workout - 30 MINUTES
Chapter three- BONUS-6 pack ABS in 6 minutes
Chapter four- cool down - 8:49 MINUTES

If you're short on time, the 30 minute fat burning makes a great stand alone workout. All you really need to add is a quick stretch at the end.

I LOVE S.W.A.T.!

These workouts will get you in, get you out and done! These workouts look "easy" if you just view them, but once you try them you will feel it.

I first learned about the S.W.A.T. workouts on a fitness board and was intrigued by the description. When I received my S.W.A.T. workouts I put them in the DVD and fell in love! Let Commander Tom come into your home and you won't regret it.

My favorite workout is the Weight Loss one. I didn't like burpees (aka squat thrusts) and avoided them for years, but after doing them in the Weight Loss workout, I began liking them! I also love the Abs and Core workout! Another to the point workout. All the workouts are great!

Commander Tom cares about you and your success! You do not need a lot of equipment, just your dumbbells, toning bands, DVD Player, water, towel and S.W.A.T.!

I am VERY picky about my workouts and who I like, Commander Tom is one of the few on my "I will buy any and everything they put out" list.

This is BEST total workout ever. I've tried Power90, Beach body, Tae-Bo....but there is something about this workout that beats the other programs hands down...It's so addictive in positive way. I love what it has done to for my body. I was in good shape before...But now, in great shape! What I like most is that you get a total body workout...every muscle in your body in the shortest amount of time. A plus for busy lives! This is a must buy...You will absolutely love the program!!! Any workout programs that Commander Tom produces, you should definitely purchase...you will be so glad you did!

Commander Tom is the BEST!!!

I'd do this on Sundays when I have more than 1/2 hr to exercise. I do the whole thing which is about 50 minutes long. Commander Tom is likeable. He cues well and he put together a routine that's easy to follow. As other reviewers have said, the moves here are the typical push-ups, mountain climbers, squat thrusts, squat thrusts/plank jack/push-up combo, lunges, football sprints, jumping jacks, boxers, lateral leaps, etc. I was drinking water in between [few seconds taken away from the marching in place part]. For the short weights section, I personally prefer 3-5 lbs. 'coz I don't want to bulk up. The abs section is short but very challenging. I was breathing hard and sweating a lot when I finished and that felt great [meaning, I truly accomplished something...] This is my circuit training DVD to alternate with Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. On alternate cardio days, I do Abs Diet 2 Speed Intervals, Turbo Jam Fat Blaster and Urban Rebounding....Aside from Urban Rebounding rountines, I do all the hi-impact moves on my rebounder/mini-trampoline. I'd like my knees to last.....This is my current workout rotation and will change in 4-6 weeks. I have been exercising consistently for about 7 years now [6 days /week-Sunday to Friday] so I consider myself high-intermediate level.

Buy this DVD, use it regularly and you'll be surprised how fit you're going to be....

I admit I wanted to turn this DVD off after about the first 10 minutes. The instructor is a bit goofy and it's clear that he hasn't led a lot of workout DVDs. I stuck with it though, and ended up with a pretty decent workout. My main gripe is the lack of efficiency. Commander Tom, I don't *care* what the names are of the chicks working out behind you...I'm here to workout, not learn the names of people I'll never see again. I'd be willing to bet that a cumulative few minutes were spent on that trivial pursuit alone. Also, it's a lot of the same thing over and over...SWAT March (which is just marching in place), high knees, butt kicks, jumping jacks, pushups, mountain climbers, squat thrusts, with a few random upper body weight exercises thrown in. You do that same circuit three times, boring. I need a variety of moves to stay interested. The bonus 6 minute ab section was very good, if only the whole workout had been that seamless and productive. I'm glad I only rented this DVD, I won't be buying it, but I do plan on renting the other SWAT Workout DVDs in hopes that maybe this guy gets his act together and produces a more fluid workout along the way.

I've attended Tom's class at the local YMCA for about three years. Always look forward to it. Tom has distilled his fantastic program into simple routines that can be as easy or difficult as you desire. No expensive equipment or memberships to buy. Just commit your body to an hour of exhilaration! The SWAT routines augment performance in all other activities. Eating too much? SWAT will melt the fat away. Eat the proper diet and SWAT and you can lose weight at a rapid clip.
I'm 53 years old. Closing in on my college weight--less than 10 lbs. to go. Stronger & healthier than ever. SWAT has been key to that success.
With the DVD you can take Tom & the class anywhere, anytime.
--F. Levin

I've been doing the SWAT workout for 9 months. Since I've started SWAT Im more toned, I have more energy, I feel better and look better than I ever have in my life! And best of all people who travel a lot can take SWAT and do it in hotel rooms or anywhere you go when you travel. Its a great workout for people on the go. SWAT works every muscle in your body. Its just awesome!!! And Commander Tom is the absolute best instructor ever!!!!!! Thanks Commander Tom you're such an inspiration!!

Ive been looking for a tough cardio workout and I did this one, It kicked my butt. I consider myself to be in very good shape and I was sore after this one. The only thing I didn't like was the back up people. They were all females in great shape with big fake boobs. Real people I doubt it, fitness models most likely.

Looking at some of the other reviews, I can understand their disappointment, because Commander Tom' workout isn't for the advanced exerciser. I've been working out since the early 1980's, but had to stop because of a serious illness that has left me fat and fatigued. I started out with a walking workout to rebuild my strength and stamina so I could weight train again.

I have Amy Dixon, Cathe, and Rob Glick's HIIT dvds but they were a little too advanced for me to use right now.

Commander Tom's dvd fits my needs at this time because of the simplicity of the movements for my strength level. I still have to pace myself (I also have asthma) and wind up breathing pretty hard sometimes. But I like him and this helps when working out hard. I also have worked in corrections, so I'm a patsy for law enforcement/criminal justice type exercise dvds.

My only beefs are his counting is stinky (so I do the counting, coach) and there are no additional men in the dvd (hmmmm?).

I will be trying out his weightloss video soon since I am starting to outperform the walking dvd (I own some early Sansone dvds). Hope this helps in choosing an exercise dvd.