Customer Reviews

The Biggest Winner - How to Win by Losing: Jillian Michael's Shape Up-Front

5 star:		(207)
4 star:		(79)
3 star:		(49)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

I am happy with my purchase. Each workout is roughly 30 minutes each. They are broken down into a warm up, two different routinues using upper and lower body together with cardio, and a cool down/stretch. The cardio is a lot of jumping (think jumping jacks, etc.) What I really like about the workouts is that they are time efficient. I feel like I got a workout in 30 minutes and she combines upper and lower boday together. Maybe I'm crazy but I am starting to see a difference after 7 workouts. If you liked Jillian on the Biggest Loser, you'll like her on the DVDs. Her personality is the same.

Why I gave the DVDs 4: There are no demos of the exercises, so if you are not familiar with the exercises in her book (Winning By Losing) you might want to watch the DVDs before you do them or to see what the modified version of the exercise is. I believe she mentions that in the intro as well. Also, there a lot of jumping. I read in another person's review that that can be bad for joint problems, so something to consider.

Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase. I would recommend this to a friend and I will probably buy it as a gift for someone in the future.

I like many enjoyed the Biggest Loser show; that is why I bought these DVD's. I must say I am delighted with the results I am getting by doing these workouts, even though they push me to my limits. I can not see a beginner doing these, without modification you start where you are and work up to it. I am a workout animal but Jillian puts me to shame. This has been the only workout that has taken my fat percentage down.

I have never done a workout from Jillian Michaels before, and I have to say it: she totally kicked my butt! I've been bored with my workouts, and this is just what I needed. It's a short workout, but very intense. You don't stop for 30 minutes! In conjunction with a 30 minute cardio workout, you have the perfect routine. If you are a beginner, however, you might want to try Jillian's "Shape-Up" DVDs first.

When I first read the description of this DVD, I thought it was going to be a weight training workout. When I actually got the DVD, I found a very different workout than I expected. It is a very intense cardio workout during which you do some upper body weight training. However, because of the pace and how the weights are used in some parts of the workout (i.e, overhead), I had to go down from the usual 5 lb. hand weights I use for home workouts to the 2-pounders in order to keep up. Now that I've done the workout once, I know that I could keep my 5-pounders nearby and switch to those for standard weight-training exercises such as tricep kickbacks, but keep the 2-pounders for aerobic movements with weights.

I exercise 5 days a week and do a combination of cardio, weight training and toning, so I'm in relatively good shape. However, I am still about 35 pounds overweight (not to mention over age 50), so I found some of the cardio movements (mountain climbers, plyos, etc.) either too tough or too fast to keep up with. I got through the entire workout, which was a half-hour I believe, but I had to do some alternative movements here and there. (P.S. You need an aerobic step for this workout--she uses it as an aerobic step and also to lay on to do some weight work, etc.)

No doubt about it, Jillian is tough. I truly believe that, if I was physically able to do this workout exactly as offered, I would see results. However, that unfortunately isn't the case. As a result, the workout had the effect of making me feel like a failure instead of inspiring and motivating me. That's not Jillian's fault--I'm just saying that it makes sense for me to spend my money on workouts that energize me and lift me up instead of making me feel like I'm not good or strong enough.

Just to give you a basis for comparison, I rent and buy a LOT of exercise DVDs and it's not often I end up with one that I feel is above my fitness level. When I first tried Tae-bo it seemed overwhelming, but now I can get through a 45-minute Tae-bo workout fine. So yea, if I kept trying this Shape Up Front workout, it would no doubt eventually get easier for me. However, doing the workout the first time did not leave me feeling motivated enough to keep putting myself through that workout until that happens.

A short workout that packs a punch and will whip you up in shape!

If you like endurance weight training with short cardio bursts then you will enjoy these workouts! I have all 4 of Jillian's endurance strength training DVDS and they are very good especially when combined with 30-45 mins. cardio. The Maximize Full Frontal DVD is a little more intense than Jillian's Shape Up Front DVD; it has more core work, more one-leg moves and the cardio segments always use dumbbells. The Maximize Back In Action DVD is also a little more intense than Jillian's Shape Up Backside DVD; it has more core work, harder exercises and additional power moves. All 4 DVDs are an excellent buy and since they are all short workouts, you can easily combine them with cardio for a well-rounded 60 minute workout. Note: You will not like Jillian's workouts if you prefer to go heavy with weights.

So first off, I absolutely could careless to write reviews - but I had to chime in on this one. I binge-bought about ten workout DVD's a few months ago, and could say I wasted my money or got a great deal. I probably use two of the DVD's, one being this one I use almost everyday. If I go to a gym I can be on an elliptical for two hours and not break a sweat. In this DVD, I am sweating profusely after ten minutes. It is fabulous because you are getting such a powerful workout within a period of thirty minutes (I lead a busy life and cannot hit the gym for two hours every other day). Beware though that it is very tough, there are no rest periods, and have a bottle of water (or two) ready to go. This is what you should be spending your money on folks.

These videos (shape up-front and shape up-backside) are awesome! They are high energy and she really pushes you and makes you want to do better. I am getting ready for my wedding and these videos are doing the job.

Each workout is only 30 min long, which is nice compared to some videos which are an hour long. I am really busy but I can fit this into my schedule.

I tried to do a workout video one time in which the exercises were so complicated that I was lost in 5 min. These exercises are very easy to do, but very intense. She mixes weight training with cardio so that your are working out your muscles but also burning fat at the same time. I definitely recommend these to anyone who wants to get in shape and look better.

For the last 6 months, I have been trying to get into shape and lose a few pounds. Before, I was totally out of shape and 20 pounds heavier. I bought Jillian's DVDs because I was looking to add some variety to my workouts.

Even though I have been working out for about 6 months, I would not say I am in great shape. I'm just beginning, and only recently have I noticed I don't huff and puff when going up a flight of stairs or struggling to carry our heavy garbage bags to the curb. But I am not ready for a triathlon by any stretch of the imagination!

I usually avoid workout tapes because I am extremely uncoordinated and spend so much time figuring out how and when to do the moves that I never break a sweat. Not a problem with this DVD! Jillian's workouts are simple (squats, kick and punch drills, jumping jacks), that I have never had a problem following her. And after 5 minutes I was sweating! I can walk for two hours and only break a light sweat. With this DVD, sweat was pouring off of me!

Still, while it is challenging to me (and other beginners, I'm sure), I doubt this would be enough for a seasoned exerciser. Those who say it's too tough for beginners might need to build up their stamina a bit, but really, workouts are supposed to be tough, otherwise they are useless. If you've never exercised before, try this for 5 minutes at a time, work up to the full 30. Really, I'm sure most beginners will be able to do the entire 30 minutes within a few weeks of dedicated work.

I found Jillian to be engaging and fun. I find that I hate the rah-rah cheerleader-type instructors, but I also don't like the instructors that take everything so seriously that it saps all fun out of a workout. Jillian seems to strike a nice balance between up-beat encouragement, and fun, fly-by-the-seat-of-her-sweats spontaneity. Her laughing did not bother me, but I can see how it might bother others.

This is not a 5 star review, because I think the DVD is a bit skimpy for the price. For the price, I would expect at least 45 minutes of workout time, rather then the half-hour here. A nice addition would have been a second 30 minute workout. Also, the stretching portion is quite skimpy, and the warm-up ramps up a bit too quick for my taste. A minor niggle too, is the fact that she does not "mirror" the viewer. She calls out, "now for your right leg!" and then lifts her own right leg. It is much easier to follow instructors when they mirror, rather then use the same side as the viewer. It's minor, but annoying nonetheless. The "extras" on this DVD are hardly extra, and you need a computer to access a few of them. Other than that, I found this to be a fun DVD that gets me sweating, and one I look forward to doing each week.

I have been a Tae Bo fan for years. To introduce some variety into my workout routine, I tried Jillian's Cardio Kickbox Workout. Because I am used to working out for at least 40 minutes, I go through Jillian's Cardio Kickbox routine 2X. By the end of the first run-through (about 25 minutes), I am sweating. After going through the routine twice, I am soaking wet and feel like I've had a great cardio workout. There are a few things I had to get used to. First, the music serves merely as background. You do not match your moves to the beat and this was a bit annoying to me at first. I got over it. Second, I find some of Jillian's stances awkward ( roundhouse kicks beginning from a stationary position), and find myself much more comfortable using the Tae Bo form for some of the moves. What I really LOVE about the workout is that Jillian always lets you know how many reps you are going to do and she always does exactly what she says. (Tae Bo fans will know that Billy isn't always that reliable!) When I start to get tired, I tell myself I can do anything for 10, 20 or 30 reps, and I make it through every time. Jillian incorporates a lot of jab-cross punching, and I can feel it in every muscle in my abdomen. With a Tae Bo background, I find all of Jillian's moves easy but very effective. When I run through her routine twice, I sweat a LOT more than I do with ANY Tae Bo video, and feel a lot more tired when I'm done. An excellent cardio, muscle-toning, challenging, fun workout.

The Shape Up series of workouts are short but intense. The workouts are more endurance strength training with very short cardio bursts. If you prefer to go slow-and-heavy with weights then Jillian's workouts are not for you. I like the fact that they're short workouts because I usually add in a cardio workout (30-45 mins.). So a rotation for me would be for Week 1: Shape Up Front plus 30 mins. cardio on Day1, Shape Up Backside plus 30 mins. cardio on Day2 and alternate them for one whole week. On the 2nd Week: Day1 is Jillian Michaels Maximize Full Frontal and 30 mins.cardio, Day2 is Jillian Michaels Back in Action plus 30 mins. cardio and alternate them again for one whole week. Try it and you will get GREAT RESULTS. It's also VERY important to eat healthy - CLEAN EATING!