Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Workout

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michelle Dozois newest DVD in the Your Body Breakthru series rises above the standard she set in her first 3 YBB DVDs - which was pretty high in my book. The Ultimate Workout is an efficient,tough workout...which I really appreciate because I have 3 kids, 5 & under. It's tough enough to burn off my frustrations, and short enough to keep the kids busy in another room =)

The Ultimate Workout is broken up into 3 sections:

Ultimate Cardio Blast - 30 minutes
Ultimate Super Sculpting - 30 minutes
Ultimate Flexibility - 15 minutes

The cardio begins with a 7 min. warm up. Right off, Michelle uses big moves to get your body warm. After the warm up, you start 1 of 3 sets. Each set contains 3 movement patterns with built in intensity. Michelle uses the hi/low method to get your heart rate up, plus she incorporates a good bit of arm movements. You will do kickboxing moves, squats, lunges, knee ups, push ups, high knee run, wide stance w/fast feet, power jacks & heel clips...just to name a few =) You will sweat...a lot!

Sculpting requires 2 sets of weights - amt. depends on your level, gliding discs, and a step. It's not a big deal if you don't have gliding discs or a step. You can substitute paper plates for the discs, and a chair for the step. I used 5lb, and 8 lb weights.

Michelle has some unique killer movements in this sculpting workout. Let me say, the discs (I used paper plates) add another dimension to your workout. They target your muscles in such a precise manner! Using the discs, Michelle does some awesome work; core - in plank position, leg work - lunges, and arm movements - push ups. The step is used for squats with curls, tricep dips, side leg raise with shoulder raise and to do some core/chest work with. I was a little concerned at first, I typically steer clear of steps - however, I was pleasantly surprised =) The upper body, lower body, & core all get worked...seriously, it is INTENSE!! Several of the exercises are efficient in that they use several muscle groups at once. She ends with some tough core work =) It's amazing the amount of work that is done in 30 minutes.

The flexibility segment is a nice feature considering most workout dvd's seem to have cut back on getting a good stretch after working out. Several of the stretches you will recognize from Michelle's Your Best Body Circuit. She does a nice stretch for the IT band. If you have the time once in a while, this is a relaxing segment. Michelles thoroughly stretches all the muscles you just worked =)

If you have major knee issues, you may want to skip this one. A few times I experienced knee pain during the cardio...I usually have very little trouble with my knees - I guess the intensity got to me?

I highly recommend this workout dvd! Michelle really packs in a lot in 30 minutes - for both cardio & sculpting. Because of the intensity, I would recommend it to intermediate exercisers and up. She does have modifications to make it a bit easier...but not much. Michelle is my favorite instructor - she explains the movements clearly, is always right on cue, and always amazes me with the level she brings!! Great personality, nothing annoying about her. NO DOUBT - FIVE STARS =)

I have several of Michelle's workout DVDs and I think this is one of her best. Her cardio segment definitley gets my heart rate up and the first time I did the weight section I felt it the next day. I don't have the sliding discs but the paper plates that she recommends work just as well. They do make your body exert more effort to do the moves.

I have tried over 30 fitness/workout DVD's in the last 3 months and this one is one of my favorites! I am a cardio addict and this DVD is one of the best! The workout is for intermediate exercisers. It has built-in cardio blasts and it is almost an interval training session without it actually feeling like it.

I really liked this workout, however, I had to send the first one back because it kept freezing and skippiing on me. The second one I received did the very same thing! I was very disappointed. I played it in two different players and had the same problem both times. I think I will try another one of her DVD's and see if it has the same problem.

Pretty good work out. I'm not as sweaty using this one as a Jullian Michaels or a Jackie Warner, but at least Michelle chooses music that has a tempo to match the workout. Her ques are excellent and easy to follow. I like the flexibility section and sometimes use it after another workout because so many other programs lack a good post-workout stretch.

This was a fantastic indoor workout DVD. I had great results. It really added structure to my body.

The Ultimate Workout is a great workout for anyone who wants to get in shape. It is great for a whole body workout. Michelle is a great instructor. Very easy to follow and cues well. The time flies by when I do the workout. It is just amount of time. I really enjoyed the workout and I have gotten in better shape.

I own quite a few of Michelle Dozois' DVDs, and I have to say they all consistently deliver high-quality, FUN, effective workouts. I emphasize FUN because it's extremely rare that I have fun during a workout, so that is rare praise from me! In this workout, Michelle offers a variety of fun, effective exercises that will whip you into shape. This DVD offers three different workouts: A 30-minute cardio workout, a 30-minute sculpting workout using weights, a tall step, a mat, and gliding discs, and a 15-minute flexibility workout. She does not waste your time in any of the workouts, for they all use exercises designed to maximize your time and get the work done. Here's the breakdown:

THE GOOD:

1) The cardio workout alone, to me, is worth buying this DVD. She provides a dynamic warm-up using large movements, and then launches into 3 sets of exercises. None of them are dancey (there is one move in the last set that throws me a little, but it's nothing I can't nail down over time, and it doesn't stop me from finishing the workout), and are simple and easy to follow. These excercises are done in an "add-on" style, and she cycles the intensity through each set of exercises, often ending with plyometric moves. My heart rate was up through the entire 30 minutes, and the moves were a blast--from punches and squat jacks, power jacks, knee lifts with a jump. . all moves I love to do.
2) The sculpting workout has a lot of moves that I haven't seen before, and they are challenging moves. I was impressed, especially the moves using the gliding discs, because they really worked my muscles in a new and different way. She uses them for lunges, for ab work, and plies to name a few. I didn't have discs OR paper plates. . so I modified some shoe box tops, and they worked just fine. I also did not have a tall step like they had, but a tall step-stool I got from the store was a good substitute. She emphasizes the core a lot in all the moves, and I liked that most of the exercises were compound movements to work more than one muscle group. She really works the muscles to failure (the bicep curls and tricep exercises had my muscles BURNING). . which is amazing in a 30-minute workout. Like I said, she doesn't waste any of your time.
3) The camera work is awesome--it never cuts away at the wrong time (a lot of The Firm videos do that. . cut away when the main instructor is starting a new move. . annoying), and you can always clearly see what Michelle is doing.
4) Michelle is motivating without being annoying or repetitive, which is greatly appreciated. She really does make you want to keep going.
5) I love the fact that a flexibility segment is on this DVD; strecthing is such an important component of fitness, but it's often overlooked. If you don't take care of your muscles after a workout, you're bound to get injured (this happened to me!).

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT:

1) This workout is geared towards intermediate/advanced exercisers. . someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with the "add-on" style of workouts could end up frustrated. I know this because, when my sister (who is just starting to work out) tried this, she ended up very upset with the cardio workout because she couldn't keep up with the moves.
2) There is a move she does with the step where you stand up on one leg on the step and then do an overhead press. . .this would have worked for me if I had tall enough ceilings (I have an old farmhouse with low ceilings!). I ended up not doing the overhead press and just holding the weights at shoulder level. Just make sure you have enough space above you to use a tall step, or use a lower step.
3) With all the equipment she uses during the sculpting workout, sometimes you don't have a lot of time to set up between exercises (she switches pretty fast!). I encountered the same problem in her workout Michelle Dozois: Your Body Breakthru - Your Best Body Circuit, Includes Free Resistance Band!; it will take a few times through to figure out where to set up your equipment so you can grab it in time!

Overall, this workout is awesome; what needs improvement is so minor. You can do the workouts separately on different days, or do them all together for a complete workout on one day. If you are serious about fitness and want workouts that get the job done in a short amount of time, then this DVD is definitely for you. I highly recommend this workout.

This is a good workout for folks who are tired of the everyday workout. Instructor was VERY energetic and supportive. The moves were unlike those I have come across, but it also includes some familiar ones as well. I would recommend this workout to those who want a challenge, yet, I believe even a novice could benefit!

I am always looking for fun, interesting exercise DVDs. Michelle is great, not annoying like some other trainers. This one is great, highly recommend!