Biggest Loser: Cardio Max Weight Loss [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Biggest Loser Cardio Max Weight-Loss is a fat burning, strength, and cardio workout that will get your heart rate pumping and shed pounds! You can use weights, or do no weights as a beginner modification. I recommend starting with a low weight like 3-5 lbs until you are familiar with the workout. It looks like everyone in the workout uses 5 lbs, except Lisa is not using weights. Watch Lisa in purple tank top for beginner modifications.

The main menu contains 4 sections: Workouts, Maximum Results Program, Trailers and Credits. When you select Workouts, you can choose an individual section or play all. The sections are Warm Up, Cardio Max Weight-Loss Level 1, High-Intensity Cardio Level 2, High-Intensity Cardio Level 3, Cooldown. The Maximum Results Program has workouts for weeks 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and Maintenance. They recommend Warm Up, Level 1, and Cooldown for weeks 1-2, Warm Up, Levels 1 & 2, and Cooldown for weeks 3-4, and Warm Up, Levels 1, 2 & 3 Cooldown for weeks 5-6, and for maintenance they recommend doing the full workout 3 times per week.

Warm Up (5 Min)

Former contestants from the Biggest Loser TV lead the warm-up. Some sample moves are squats, jogging in place with high knees or butt-kicks, knee up/opens, alternating lunge and twist towards knee, and Frankenstein touches.

Cardio Max Weight-Loss Level 1 (25 min)

Bob Harper leads Level 1. The workout is designed in short combinations. You do several combinations on one side before you switch to the other. The first move in the first combination is split squats with one weight. Then, you stay in split squat position and do one hand row. Next, you combine split squat with row. You add military press. So the final combo is split squat, row, press arm into air. Put the weight down. Jump in air and do imaginary jump shot. Pick up both weights. Sink down into plie position. Do hammer curls with both arms at same time. Combine plie squats with hammer curls. Then, stay in squat while you do hammer curls at top of move only. Then, switch to hammer curls at bottom of move only. Release the weights and do jumping jacks. Step up the pace of the jumping jacks. Finally, you switch and do everything on the other side. Once the second side is completed, you move on to triceps. Stand in wide leg squat position with weights in both hands. Do triceps kick-backs. Next, keep arms close to chest and switch to squats. Add triceps kickbacks and squats together. Keep arms at sides and do jump squats. Put weights down and get into push up position. Place one weight by your left hand. Do a push up and then rear fly with left arm. Put weight down. Repeat with same arm. Take short break and go back to same arm. Take short break and switch sides. Be careful of your form because the previous contestants start to lose it towards the end. A modification is to be on your knees instead of straight arm push-up position. Once that side is done, go back to straight arm push up position. Jump feet in and out. Stop, and then go into downward dog. Walk your hands up to legs and stand up. Position legs shoulder width apart. On one side do cresent kick into squat. Next, on same side do sidekick into squat. Jump rope. Switch sides. Jump rope while moving legs forward and back. Keep one leg back and punch quick jabs and crosses. Jump rope while moving legs forward and back. Keep second leg back and punch quick jabs and crosses.

High-Intensity Cardio Level 2 (10 Min)

Former contestants from the Biggest Loser TV lead Level 2. Get into squat position. First, level is heel lifts. Next, "bounce it out." Next level is to take heel lifts into full extension up. Do a few squats and "bounce it out." The third level is jump squats. Grab 2 weights. Keep weights at shoulder height. Bring a knee up as high as you can and switch. "Bounce it out." Put weights back at shoulder height. For this set crunch as you bring each knee up. "Bounce it out." Put weights back at shoulder height. For final set, bring knee to opposite elbow. "Bounce it out." Do alternating rear lunges with hammer curls. Do alternating curtsy lunges with hammer curls. "Bounce it out." Add jumps between curtsy lunges. "Bounce it out." Step right and left. Punch one arm up as you go to one side and then switch arms and sides. Step right and left. Punch one arm down as you go to one side and then switch arms and sides. Add jumps between switching sides. Put weights down. Go into straight arm push up position. Do mountain climbers. Slowly bring knee to opposite elbow. Pick up the pace. "Bounce it out." Roll out shoulders. Go back to fast mountain climbers. "Bounce it out." Roll out shoulders. Hold in push up position as long as you can or up to count 200.

High-Intensity Cardio Level 3 (10 Min)

Bob is back to lead Level 3. Pick up weights. Do diagonal arm presses. Lift both weights up on diagonal and then down on a diagonal. Stay on same side. Take it to next level by reaching towards ankle on the down diagonal. Drop weights. Do military jumping jacks (sink down low). Do diagonal presses on second side. Keep both weights at chest height and do low jacks. Do twists instead of jacks. Put down weights. Move from downward dog to push up position. Take it to next level by adding knee to opposite arm. Then, take that out and add push up. Go back to downward dog and lower head in mini arm press push up. Hold downward dog. Lift one leg. Switch legs. Go back to first leg. Switch leg again. Roll wrists as you take mini break. Go back into pushup position. Do one push up. Go into downward dog. Do mini arm press push up. Go back into downward dog. Go back into push up position. Do push up. Hold push up. Repeat sequence. This time when you get to mini push up lift one leg and hold. Do mini push ups. Go back to downward dog position. Bring second leg up. Do mini push ups. Go back to downward dog. Do mini push ups. Go back into push up position. back to downward dog position. Go back into push up position. Do fast mountain climbers. Stand up and take deep breaths.

Cooldown (5 min)

Former contestants from the Biggest Loser TV lead. The cooldown has typical moves like inner thigh, quad, calf, hamstring, triceps, and arm stretches.

I have never done the first Cardio Max workout, so don't know how it compares to this one. Bob Harper's In and Out Method DVDs are similar to this one. I was a little disappointed that there was not more cardio, but overall I like the DVD. I already have many workouts that combine weights and cardio, but I think this is still a good addition to my collection. If you are looking for a pure cardio DVD, I recommend 10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results Fat Burner. I recommend this DVD for people that want to add a good cardio/strength training DVD to their schedule.

Firstly if you are serious about taking that weight off and keeping it off, a life style change will be necessary. You will need to monitor your weight on a continuous basis, and change some of your eating habits. In order to make this task easy, I recommend: The Biggest Loser 2011 Wall Calendar

This DVD is designed for the beginner as well as the exercise veteran. For beginners the exercise routine builds up in 2-week stages, over a six week period, however, even if you are accustomed to a heavy workout, it is recommended that you still go through this build up period. This will give your body sufficient time to adjust and avoid any over-work complications.

This program is designed to make you sweat and sweat, so be prepared. But more than this it will also increase your endurance levels, also because there is the use of weights our body strength will also improve.

This is a good concept, so as the fat comes off, muscle mass is increased, hence your muscle index will improve. You will find that with time you will feel more energetic and less lethargic.

Get also a good set of hand weights, so that with time you can increase the amount of weight that you heft during the routines.

Overall, I liked this workout and will add it into my rotation. The first and third sections are lead by Bob while Tara and Sione lead the second section. The first, 25 minute section had a good variety of moves and got my heart rate up. It was fun to do and I wasn't waiting for it to end. However, I hated the second section. My heart rate really didn't get up and I can't stand the banter between Tara and Sione along with their poor cueing. This part reminded me of the 30 Day Jumpstart video, which I didn't care for. While I did like the third section, it wasn't what I consider heart pumping cardio. Most of it is on the ground in push up position doing various moves. Warm up and cool down are both good.