Customer Reviews

Special Ops Fitness - Navy SEAL Workout, System 1

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently wrote a review for this product to try and help correct a misunderstanding that another reviewer had wrote but after having and using the product for a few more weeks have decided that the quality of the product deserves a more in-depth review (hence the edit of my previous one). It's a little longer than the original but for those considering parting with our hard earned cash the more information available to you on a product has always been better (for me at least).

This DVD is the start of a four part series with this DVD being System 1 - Preparatory which will follow on to System 2 - Master Level Fitness, System 3 - Plateau Breakers and System 4 - Out Blast. You must understand this before you purchase it as although it is a complete and challenging workout for all levels it is also the start or foundation workout for the more advanced DVD's that will follow.

The DVD is very well produced and presented, is shot in what I would consider an exotic location and is easy to navigate having the option of the workout and a focus on technique (plus scene selections) available from the menu. The workout portion runs to nearly 55 minutes plus you get the focus on technique section to ensure you do the movement the right way.

The workout consists of a warm-up with jumping jacks and high knees, you then have about 5 different stretches and then move on to dips, push ups, lunges, mountain climbers, calf raises, the wall, hand to toes, crunches and reverse crunches. Within just about each area there are different levels for the beginner, intermediate and advanced user. Essentially this provides a complete full body workout and if done while following the DVD I would be surprised if no matter your level of fitness if you don't feel it. You also need do not need any equipment, just some motivation, a place to workout and a couple of chairs or something suitable to do dips on.

The other section is the focus on technique section in which the author illustrates each of the movements that will be used within the workout. For me at least initially this was the reason that I originally purchased the DVD as I do not wish to go to a gym to ensure that I have the correct technique and this was the only DVD I could find that I trusted enough to show it to me. The workout came as a bonus and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was considering I did initially look at it for the workout.

While you may be thinking that this DVD is not a complete workout, it is and the author has done the admirable thing by separating his workout series into a number of different DVD's. For one thing you get much more information than would be available if he tried to put everything on one DVD and more importantly he has tried to eliminate the problem of injuries which many people would face if they fail to create a solid foundation of fitness.

Remarkably this DVD is able to create a solid foundation of fitness for beginners and have something useful for the more advanced individuals, through the author's use of different reps within the workout. Few individuals who consider themselves fit would be able to say they have not had a workout if they follow this exercise routine and most beginners should be able to easily cope with the workout and see positive results before the next level DVD is available.

Over recent years more and more prominent fitness gurus and authors have begun to advocate the use of body weight exercises, probably due to there effectiveness, the reduction of the risk of injury and the total body workout that can be had at least from the methods that this author advocates. The thing that has always turned me off many of these authors is the cult following which some of them have and the complete lack of objectivity that some of their reviewers have, I generally do not take the time to do reviews unless I feel a product is truly worthy or if is good and has no reviews or there is misleading information on the product but with this DVD I feel that it is worthy of your hard earned money.

I would have to say that I believe this DVD is worth the money and that the workout is challenging, comprehensive and above all safe and that although there are not a lot of other options available in this genre even if there was I don't think you would find a better product unless there was a massive change in the way these types of products are made.

Finally I would also say that you should evaluate the track record and credibility of any author that produces any workout video or book. Although I have purchased this authors books before I find him credible and trust him as professional in his field for the following reasons. He has a number of books which have always received high praise on Amazon, he has not just dreamed up some new thing and tried to sell it, he has also always advocated these types of exercises and at least in my opinion has managed to incorporated them into a better overall package and refined how he delivers them but most importantly for me is the fact that he always comes across as a passionate man for the subject area and gives you the feeling that he does not only care about selling his product but also cares about the individual that will be using it something that is lacking in many of the other authors that currently produce fitness books and videos.

I like this DVD, and use it several times a week. This is one of the workouts where there is a beginner, intermediate, and advanced version, three people one doing each version. The advanced is somewhat challenging starting with 1 min worth of jumping jacks, and high knee's. Then several minutes of stretching. The workout then begins with dips 40x3 with a short break in between, the short break for endurance makes it difficult. Then pushups using the pyrimyd system, 12-14- to 20, and back. Again with a short break in between sets.
Next is lower body with 40 2 count lunges, mountian climbers, and 300 calf raises. The most challenging one comes next ''The wall'' squating with your back against a wall for 5 min. As the the instructor says, this is a mental challenge, because of the pain after several min, and the boaring nature of it. But again it is challenging. Then finally Abs. This is a killer ab routine consisting of hand to toes 60x3, crunches 60x3, and reverse crunches 30x3. Again with a short rest period between the sets. I just described the advanced version,the other two are itentical with lower reps so you can build up to advanced. Over all a like it, and have seen results. Hope this helps.

System 1 is an excellent all-around workout that focuses on strength training at a heart pumping pace. The training is structured for beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. You simply follow along with the demonstator for your particular fitness level. I was already in good shape when I first started this workout but I was not able to complete the advanced program as shown. I had to slowly progress from the intermediate level. This program is very demanding due to the high number of repetitions per exercise and the short recovery times (15-30 seconds).

After a brief warm-up and stretch, exercises are conducted for the chest, legs, and abdominals. The workout lasts 50 minutes and there is no wasted time. You will be pushing yourself to the limit during the entire workout. These exercises are designed for greater muscle endurance and will have you burning and in pain. The only equipment that will be required is a bench or chair for the dips. During the dips the advanced will be doing 3 sets of 40 reps by the way.

The production quality is first rate and very professional. DeLisle is very likable and does not come across in a cocky or arrogant manner. I have every Navy SEAL fitness tape available and I rate this as one of the best. In fact, this is probably the best all-around routine for those desiring strength and cardio in one time saving workout. While there may be seperate strength or cardio workouts that are better, none integrate the two as well. If you want to get fit then this workout delivers.

DeLisle's company seems to have gone out of business and the follow-up DVD, System 2, never made production. That is a shame because I was looking forward to buying it as soon as it was available. Hopefully it can be released in the future.

We purchased this DVD for our son before he entered the Navy. He thought he was in great shape and ready for bootcamp. He had been running several days a week and had built up to about 6 miles. After exercising with this workout system, he found a few "weak" areas! Long distance running was not enough to get his body ready! This simple workout routine was great for strengthening his upper body and abdominal areas. After a few weeks, the full body push-up "pyramid" routine and ab crunches helped to build him up to an advanced level. We liked this workout system because it required no extra equipment--just a couple of chairs and a wall. It was a simple, no-frills video that everyone should try. Hum-m-m-m, maybe after my son leaves for bootcamp, I might try a few reps!

I bought this dvd about a month ago I go to the gym 3 days a week and off my off days from the gym I used the semper fit routine. I bought it this dvd on mark delisle (sp.) name and reputation as putting out good products. This is a great dvd but after a few weeks of it I found myself going back to the semper fit routine. There are some good exercises on this that I had neglected doing the marine corp workout like the calf raises, mountain climbers, wall sit. And the exercises are also set into a logical progression depending on the level used about a minute of aerobics i.e. jumping jacks, and high knee raises followed by stretching, then to triceps, chest, legs, abs with a beginner, intermediate, and advanced workout routine. Overall very good but there are better products this dvd did give me some new exercises that I have incorporated into the semper fit workout. It also should be noted that the workout can be done with no exercise equipment which is why I am not reviewing it down for no pull ups or back work.

I tell ya I never really had a good work out for awhile, when I 1st tried it my Body was in soo much of a burn I didn't think I could make it on the 3rd day! but I did and I'm feeling alot stronger and motivated to get system 2!
You want a workout geared for time and getting the most out of? by all means get this dvd!
Mark really knows what he's doing! He teaches you how to do it right the 1st time so when you take on the routine you build up to flexibility, strength, and endurance.
plus it helps if you have a hot tub to sooth your muscles too! :)
I've stopped drinking and smoking in order to get in shape using this program and reading his book, I'm no expert, but if I have to quit drinking and smoking in order to get in shape and have this workout routine to keep me going! you do the math!

I had purchased this video because nothing else seemed stimulating.....and being prior military, I figured it would be what I was accustomed to. I have found myself bored with it after 2 weeks. I took things from it that I wanted, and turn on my own music to work out.

It DOES cause a good burn, and make you work....good to start out with, and get into a routine with. It did not, however, keep my attention.

This video delivers everything it promises. The workout is very challenging and will leave you sore if you're a beginner like me. The video itself could use better organization. The video does the beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts all together. e.g. Jumping jacks Beginner do 30, Intermediate do 40, Advanced do 50. The exercise begins with all three instructors doing the exercise. Then the beginner stops, then the intermediate stops, then when the advanced finished they do a 30 second break between sets. This gives beginners a long break between sets (by design?) and drags the workout out a lot longer than it should be. I would still recommend the video for your strength training days. It is not something you could do every day without getting bored but good for mixing things up.

Great workout! This gets the job done. I'm a personal trainer and I wasn't sure if this would give me an intense workout, but it does--and then some. My only gripe is the placement of the stretching segment--it would be better placed at the end of the session. If you're looking for a good, no-frills, a**-kicking workout that focuses on strength and cardio this is it.

I am a triathlete and have gone through many DVDs of this type. None approaches the intensity nor the effectiveness of this one. It is fast and furious, with 30 sec break in between, and for me,will be a keeper. I have gotten much stronger, run , bike and swim faster because of this DVD. Highly recommended, truly a cut above the rest.
td, Honolulu, Hawaii